| When a friend, relative or colleague has a new baby | | | | Teddy bears are a popular baby gift and they are |
| it's customary to buy a gift - either for the baby or | | | | often loved by the child for many years to come. |
| for the parents. | | | | Just make sure that you buy special baby teddy |
| If you've recently had children yourself, then you'll | | | | bears suitable from birth. |
| probably have a good idea of what will be the | | | | It won't be long before the baby is doing more than |
| perfect newborn gift. However, you'll also know the | | | | just sleeping, feeding and crying. There are many |
| type of gifts that were still in their original wrapper | | | | toys on the market designed to stimulate new born |
| on your child's first birthday. | | | | babies. Brightly coloured toys that crunch, crackle, |
| For those without children, or whose children have | | | | rattle and squeak can make lovely new born baby |
| grown and you've finally managed to blank the early | | | | gifts. Play gyms, which entertain the baby with toys |
| sleepless years from your memory, we've put | | | | dangling from an overhead frame, can give mum a |
| together a practical guide to new born baby gifts. | | | | few precious moments to herself - even if it is so |
| Flowers for Mum | | | | she can put the next load of washing in - can be a |
| After the birth of my first son, I always thought that | | | | priceless gift. |
| antenatal lessons should include a module on flower | | | | Keepsakes |
| arranging. The house looked like a florist shop on | | | | It's amazing how quickly babies change (and how |
| Valentine's Day morning. Don't get me wrong, I love | | | | quickly you forget what they were like). From the |
| flowers. They're also a great way to send your | | | | moment their baby is born, parents want to cherish |
| congratulations if you don't live close enough to visit | | | | every moment. |
| in person but it might be a good idea to buy basket | | | | Baby development books or keepsake boxes are a |
| style arrangements or those that come in their own | | | | great gift for parents, giving them a useful way to |
| vase, pot or bulb of water, or the new Mum might | | | | record their memories as their baby grows. |
| quickly run out of containers! | | | | Many specialist companies and department stores |
| Clothes for the baby | | | | also sell vouchers for baby hand and footprints. |
| Clothes are great practical gifts for the parents, but | | | | These decorative gifts can be a lasting reminder for |
| please stop and think before you buy. Bigger babies | | | | parents of how small their baby really was. |
| will outgrow the newborn size quickly, some might | | | | If your budget is a little higher, you could always |
| even wear 0-3 month clothes immediately, so it | | | | treat the parents to a family portrait session with a |
| might be worth finding out how big the baby is. | | | | local photographer. |
| If you do decide to buy clothes for when the baby is | | | | Parenting guide books |
| older, remember to consider the season. A pretty | | | | While babies don't come with instruction manuals, |
| summer dress may look gorgeous now, but if it's the | | | | some new parents find it comforting to develop their |
| middle of winter before the baby is big enough to | | | | parenting skills with help from books written by |
| wear it, chances are it will go to waste. Similarly, a | | | | experts. However other people prefer to find their |
| 6-9 month cosy winter coat might not get much | | | | own way as new parents. |
| wear if it's July when the baby finally grows into it. | | | | I'd suggest only buying a parenting guide book if you |
| Baby equipment | | | | know that your friend or relative would welcome the |
| It's amazing the amount of equipment a new baby | | | | gift. However there are some books that take a |
| needs (or we think it needs). There are baby slings, | | | | more light-hearted view on parenthood, which new |
| baby baths, bottle warmers, not to mention the | | | | parents (if they ever have a spare minute) might |
| pram, cot and car seat - and that's just for starters. | | | | enjoy. |
| While it's usual for the baby's parents or extended | | | | Not only can these books make you laugh out loud |
| family to buy the bigger items, even the smaller | | | | at some of the situations all parents find themselves |
| items, like sterilisers, change mats and change bags, | | | | in (usually involving bodily fluids at inappropriate |
| can soon add up. | | | | times), but they can also help new parents to realise |
| If you're buying a gift for a work colleague, it might | | | | that it's not just them - there are baby ups and |
| be nice to club together and buy a more expensive | | | | downs that we all go through. |
| item like a baby monitor for the new parents. | | | | Baby goody hamper |
| However, if you are thinking about buying baby | | | | Why not fill a decorative box, basket or hamper with |
| equipment, it's probably wise to let the parents know. | | | | a range of useful baby products? Baby shampoo, |
| For practical reasons, they may have a preference as | | | | cotton buds, cotton wool, nail clippers, baby lotion, |
| to the type or brand of baby equipment. Different | | | | nappy rash cream, nappies, baby hair brush, teething |
| sterilisers take different sized bottles, for example. | | | | gel,... the list goes on. |
| If you are spending that little bit more money, it's | | | | Not only will it be great fun to put together, but as a |
| also wise to check that they don't already have the | | | | new parent it's a handy gift to have around for when |
| item in question. | | | | you run out of those absolute essentials. |
| Teddies and toys | | | | |