What should I get my friend for her new baby?

As opposed to "stuff" here's what I'd suggest that most new mothers appreciate more than ANYTHING in the world -

Gift certificates for carry out meals after the baby comes.

A cleaning service to come help out with the housework after the baby arrives.

Home-cooked meals that have been frozen for after the birth.

Offers to run errands or help with housework after the birth.

Gift certificate for a massage BEFORE the birth to ease pregnancy aches and pains and balance the body for labor.

Gift certificate for a photo studio for baby portraits - put a nice frame in with it when you wrap it.

"Stuff" that is nice to have -

Lansinoh cream

breast pads

Soothies for breast/nipple pain

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding book by LLL

So THAT'S What They're For by Janet Tamero

Adventures in Gentle Discipline by Hilary Flower

The Baby Book by Dr. Sears

Baby Safe Feeder

Hyland's Teething Tablets

Boppy pillow

play mat of some sort

keepsake blanket with baby's name and birthdate on it (obviously can't give this until after the birth)

homemade baby quilts, afghans, etc.

Encourage your friend to have a baby registry and pick something from ther, so that she will get stuff she really needs and wants.

Otherwise you'll just be guessing, and it is different for every person. You could get a fancy stroller, but she might already have something in mind. Even diapers, some parents swear by a particular brand, and even she won't know until she tries a few of each brand, which in all likelihood she'll do... :-) You could get a gift certificate for Babies-R-Us, Gymboree, Target, etc... If you don't like the idea of a store gift certificate, buy a small token gift like a cute onesie (baby shirt) or a small toy, and fold it with the gift certificate inside.

Other ideas:

-- A "certificate" for hot family meals delivered for the first <<x number of days>> after baby is born

-- I was going to add a certificate for babysitting hours, but when I was a new mom I didn't trust my baby with anyone... ;-)

-- A certificate signed by all the attendees. Reads: This hereby releases bearer from all duties and obligations to send Thank You notes to all attendees of Baby Shower held on << >> at the residence of << >>.

-- I guess I'm out of ideas. Push for the baby registry!

P.S. Even if you do buy something from the baby registry, do include a gift receipt. Being a new inexperienced mom I found that I had picked some things that weren't so great after all (for example a baby monitor that didn't work well as expected), and it helped if I could return it and get a different one.

My favorite things were not expensive. I loved the cotton sleepers, that were so soft and I could nuzzle my face next to the baby and inhale deeply the distinct scent of a freshly bathed baby. And I loved the little creative footies some looking like shoes, some like animals and funny charactersand I had lots of soft caps, and hats because it is important to keep the baby's head warm The footies and caps make people smile, and then the baby mirror a magnified smile right back and probably makes their day, Certainly made mine.So a care package with a few different things is always nice. I had a cotton diaper service and it was great. They brought the pail, and delivered clean diapers weekly and took the soiled ones for only $8. a week. You didnt have any smell and the babys bottom was always soft. I always like to buy clothes a little loose so that the baby can actually wear them more than once or twice.

Awwww - new babies are so awesome & so sweet!! One thing I got that ended up being a great help was diapers!! Some of my more experienced friends bought me several bags of diapers in different sizes - they outgrow the newborn diapers in no time at all!! - like size 1, 2 & even 3 - that way you have them on hand & don't have to run out in the middle of the night! lol It's a practical gift - maybe not totally thrilling, but you do need it!! You could get her a gift certificate to Sears photo studio so she can take her new little boy for his first photos! That would have been a great gift - I got my childrens pix made every three months for their first year - & that is a lot of fun because you really see the changes in the baby when you do it that way. Stuff like bottles of baby bath & shampoo are nice to get - & the smell so good too!! lol

Have fun with it & give the little man a hug from me!!

I think diapers, wipes, blankets and stuff to fill a wash basket. I loved them gifts. They come in handy. Also buy diapers a bit big for when the baby is older. It helps because a lot of people buy her newborn diapers. Also if she is a really good friend don't forget to get her something little. It's all about the baby and the mother doesn't get anything. I hated that!

A DiaperDecor. It's Like A DiaperGenie But SOOOO Much Better. Best Thing I Bought. So Easy And It Looks Nice Too. I Bought 1 Refill Box Of Liners For The Larger Unit (Like $24.00) And My Daughter Is 9 Months Old And Haven't Bought Another One. No Smell At All Really. So Nice To Have, Honestly, She Would Appreciate It!

I made a diaper cake for one of me best friends who had a Winnie the Pooh and friends theme for her baby room. The diaper cake came out so nice that I now make them for other people. She loved it. It also made a beautiful centerpiece at the baby shower. It's cute, unique and the new mommy will be able to use everything in the diaper cake for the baby!

Try making one, it's quite simple, you just have to put in the time. I'm sure your friend will appreciate the time and effort you put in to get her a special gift. Good Luck! Let me know if you need help.

A gift certificate to a Babies "R" Us or Target is always a plus, this way she can buy anything she really needs. Also check if she has a registry. The best gifts are bedding, safety kits, or a baby monitor. These are things the baby will use all the time.

You can not go wrong with the gift of diapers and wipes. Every parent needs a lot of those. Also baby shampoo, lotion, diaper rash creme. A bottle brush to wash bottles with.

These were all things I would have loved to recieve more of. People love buying baby clothes, but I ended up with more than I could use. The prementioned gifts would have been so much more appreciated than clothes. Another one that to parents of a new baby is the baby laundry detergent. It is a little pricy when you throw it into the mix of all the other things it takes to raise a child.

Things that she will need for the baby later on...a lot of gifts are given that are needed now or shortly after the baby is born and they grow out too fast! Get size 3 or 4 diapers, baby shampoo, wipes, etc. Always include a good book! Read to babies and children everyday!!! :) Happy Shopping!