The personality of the new parents.

If mom is the sentimental type, you may look at a more traditional gift or keepsake. If she’s the fashionista Instagram mom, cute matching outfits will be loved. The more practical moms (raises hand) might rather have everyone pitch in for a good stroller, a baby carrier, or even cases of diapers!  

Never underestimate the gift of help!

As a mom of six, the more children I had, the less actual “gifts” I wanted. The best “presents” were people taking my toddlers and pre-schoolers to the park to let me have some time alone with the baby. My friend recently had triplets and I set up a meal train. A meal was dropped to her house every night for three months. She said having dinner served during that newborn phase with triplets was like a wish come true.

Think beyond the infant stage.
 
Parents sometimes forget to think beyond the baby phase. Infants are tiny for about FIVE MINUTES! Think about what products and clothing items you might want when they are 18 months old. Investigate what friends with older babies and children are using. Often parents are overwhelmed with gifts for the first 6 months, but after that find themselves without the essentials they need.

Your own go-to’s

Moms make the best recommendations! I know some of my favourite products came at the advice of other moms in my village. If you have a go-to item, you can’t live without buy it for a new mom and let them know how much you love yours! I recently purchased a Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair for a new mom. My kids STILL use theirs as tweens and teens!  

Stay safe by buying a gift from into one of these safe categories: 

• Essentials

Curate a baby medicine kit, lots of new parents overlook simple drug store items that will be a lifesaver in those first couple of months. Fill a basket or storage container with essential items like a baby thermometer, vapor rub, baby sunscreen, Vaseline, baby powder, nasal aspirator, teething medicine, wipes, and liquid vitamin drops. 

• Personalized

If the new parents already know the name of their child, gift them with these fun personalized rainbow crayons. These can act as décor in the nursery at first, and then when the child is ready to start using them. And of course, baby will be going to daycare in the blink of an eye, so Mabel’s Labels is a must have.

• Unique 

It’s never too early to start sharing the love of reading with child. Fill a basket with books from a variety of topics. These can vary from fairy tales, poetry, science to social justice, and the classics like Goodnight Moon and The Giving Tree. A very special book I recently discovered is Words of Wonder which is perfect for new parent and baby. In each book, write a note to the baby with words of encouragement or life advice that relate to the book’s message. These books will help fill the shelves of their first library, and they will also act as words of encouragement and wisdom as the little one grows up.  

And most importantly…

Whatever gift I give, I insist that mom just thank me verbally and NOT send a “thank you” card. Letting a tired new mom off the hook for some of the traditional etiquette is a gift in itself. Above all, I support mama taking time for a nap instead of writing “thank you” cards!  Let me know your perfect baby shower gift! 

You can never go wrong with this Baby Shower Label Gift Pack!

The post The Perfect Baby Shower Gift: What to Consider appeared first on The Mabelhood.

If your budget allows for the nice-to-haves, they’ll make your life a little easier. But if you’re making these purchases on a budget, you’ll manage fine with these must-have baby items.

Here is a FREE printable version of the list below.

Must-have:
Bassinet or crib
Crib mattress
Mattress protector
Bedding
Baby Monitor (unnecessary for smaller houses and apartments)

Nice to haves/Makes a great gift
Bassinet (nice to have, but your baby will outgrow it in a hot minute)
Humidifier
Rocking chair
Mobile and fancy décor (makes a great gift- people love to purchase pretty items!)

Don’t bother:
Crib bumpers – They’ve proven themselves to be dangerous, and they’re useless, your baby will be fine.

Changing table – Once baby is rolling it’s safest to change on the floor or your bed, plus it’s easier to not be committed to one room for changing. Get yourself multiple changing pads and leave them around the house – you can change on the couch, the floor, or wherever is most convenient.

DIAPER CHANGING:

Must-haves:
Diapers (2 packs to begin)
Healing/diaper rash ointment
Changing pad (or towel)
Wipes and washcloths (10)

Nice to haves/Makes a great gift
Diaper pail

Don’t bother:
Pee teepee
Wipes warmer (even the Queen of England never had a wipes warmer. Your baby will be fine)

CLOTHING:

Must-haves:
Onesies (7 or more)
Rompers (2-4)
Pyjamas/sleeping gowns (7 or more)
Sun hat

Weather dependent:
Wool hat
Mittens
Snowsuit
Car seat cover

Nice to haves/Makes a great gift
Scratch-proof mittens (this is the type of item that you only buy once you realize whether you need it or not)
Shirt & pants/shorts sets/ cute dresses

Don’t bother:
Baby clothing hangers – you’ll likely just be folding and putting into a drawer, so as a newborn, don’t bother with the teeny tiny hangers.
Socks – Ok, maaaybe 1 or 2 pairs, but most baby clothing has feet. Socks don’t stay on and good luck finding them. If you do buy socks- make sure they all match, because you don’t want to waste your time matching pair.

BATHING:

Must-haves:
washcloths (5 or 6)
Baby soap and shampoo
baby brush (if babe has hair!)
Nail clippers or file

Nice to haves/Makes a great gift
Infant tub
Hooded towels

Don’t bother:
Baby powder (why do they even make this still?)

OUT AND ABOUT:

Must-haves:
Name Labels– because nobody wants a germy mix-up! Plus, you picked such a great name, show it off!
Baby car seat
Stroller
Baby carrier/sling
Diaper bag

Nice to haves/Makes a great gift
Insulated milk carrier (otherwise, just use lunch bag and some ice packs)

BABY and MAMA CARE:

Must-haves:
Infant playmat
Pacifiers (and these!)
Thermometer
Nasal aspirator (this seems like you don’t need it- until you do)
Infant medicine (just a few basics to cover you until you can see a doctor: saline spray, infant pain meds, ointments)

Nice to haves/Makes a great gift
Nursing pillow
Swing or vibrating/ rocking seat

FEEDING:

This list will change for everyone, some babies may need a nipple guard, some mamas might want to supplement. Here is a basic idea of what you need to be with, but your list may grow as your feeding needs change and you and baby find your own groove.

Must-haves for breastfed babies:
Burp cloths (6 or more)
Breast milk storage bags
Breast pump
Nursing bra

Must-haves for bottle fed babies:
Baby bottles (8 or more)
Bottle cleaning brush or a dishwasher basket
Formula (for a month)
Cotton bibs (6 or more)
Milk storage bags (if using expressed milk)
Baby bottle labels

Nice to haves/Makes a great gift for bottle fed babies:
Bottle sterilizer
Bottle warmer

Feeding is the most difficult to buy for, it’s best to get your journey started knowing you’ll need to make some runs to the store to try a new product or get what you need. Don’t stress about the feeding list, it’s going to change, and you can’t plan ahead for it.

Here is a great read if you’re struggling with baby bottles!

If you’ve read through the list, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed, well, welcome to parenthood! Kidding aside, this is a suggested list, everyone’s situation and priorities are different, and you’ll ease into what works best for you and your family. Regardless of what you buy – one thing is certain; parenthood will bring you many ups and downs, but the ups will be the moments you remember and cherish forever.

The post Baby Registry: Must-have’s vs Nice to Have’s (and what makes a great gift!)     appeared first on The Mabelhood.