When I get an invite to a shower immediately my mind starts racing, I love buying gifts and shower gifts can be so important to new moms. It is the perfect time to show up with not only a cute gift (admit it we all love the cutesy baby clothes because they are so to tiny and sweet) but a gift that the mom and baby will actually use and thank you for later. So resist the urge to buy tons of baby clothes and blankets, okay maybe just one outfit you can throw one in the gift bag but here is my list of perfect shower gifts. Having two babies a year apart, we literally had two of almost everything and learned a lot about what we needed and what we used. So here is my list of essentials that I couldn't have lived without:
1. Crane Humidifier
These humidifiers seriously are not only adorable but work great, they also come in so many different options I have seen a duck, frog, pig, and tiger to name a few. At our house we have an elephant, dragon, Hello Kitty, and a basketball and during cold and flu season they are usually all running. My younger kids who are now toddlers love these, and we set them up right next to their bed when they are sick. They are super quiet and mine are all about three years old now and so far so good. They are a good price around $35.00 and a humidifier is something every mom uses because kiddo's get sick and every household can use more than one. Sure to be a big hit at at any baby shower, practical and cute!
Again my number two pick is not only cute but practical as well. These come in three colors the neutral beige color, pink, and blue. (I had the one above for my daughter and it was the perfect color in her crib and a blue one for my son) These are just too cool, they have motion sensors in them so when baby rolls over, moves, cries the sensor picks it up and the heartbeat/womb sounds start....and it works! My middle child was the worst sleeper ever doctors kept telling me he had colic because he cried nonstop and the only time I could get him to sleep or set him down on his own was next to his slumber bear. It saved my sanity, because there are those times when you actually need to put your baby down for a minute and this worked like a charm for me. Loved them! And again super cute and functional all in one.
3. BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Air
So I know this isn't as cutesy as my first two picks, but I LOVED this pack. It is more expensive than most but worth every penny. I used it and used it, it was comfortable and my baby was secure in it (I just couldn't figure out and feel comfortable with the sling thing...) I remember purchasing it and thinking about the cost it was around $100 and after using it I never thought about the cost again. With my older son I had a baby pack that I don't even remember the brand it was cheap and didn't fit me or him, this pack is wonderful for snuggle babies that moms can keep close and free her hands up for a minute. I loved to wear mine to little league games, I had my baby close, my kids would sleep in them and I didn't have to worry about lugging my stroller through the terrain and crowds. A gift any mother would love Babybjorn!4. Baby Delight Snuggle Nest
Again, another product that I LOVED! We bought my daughter our first and only girl a beautiful fancy very expensive bassinet which she hated from day one, wouldn't sleep in it for a minute and would literally scream the second you laid her in it and she wouldn't sleep in her crib either (Yes we should have known she was a tiny diva right then and there) Anyway, after a week or so of her literally sleeping on my chest and exhaustion consuming me, I saw this and purchased it at once. We had a pillow top mattress and I was panicked and wouldn't let her lay on it, yes I am a mother of many fears. This was perfect, she could sleep right on the bed between my husband and I, she was happy and would sleep and therefore we were happy. Now, I know we all hear it "My baby isn't going to sleep in our bed." But, for those of you with little diva's this was amazing and thinking back she was so little and tiny it was nice to have her sleeping so close to us. Perfect co sleeper!
This is just so cute, and the music isn't annoying, it has all sorts of different setting for the sounds and music. So when you hear it kick on at night it is soothing music that babies love and doesn't drive the parents nuts. I bought this for my son and another pink princess fisher price soother for my daughter, my kids are now 4 and 3 and still have them in their rooms and listen to them to fall asleep. Fisher price makes a few different versions, and I think they are wonderful by far my favorite crib soother.
Now you may be thinking that this is silly because, one could just use a blanket to cover while nursing BUT this is so much better. Wow, for a breastfeeding modest mom this is a lifesaver because those situations arise where you may be in public and you just have to do it or you may have company over and don't want to be rude and leave the room. Now, don't get me wrong I loved breastfeeding my children and it is natural but, I was also modest and wanted to be covered. This was awesome, it is just the right fit, there is a little strap around your neck so it stays put, it doesn't get it hot like blankets do. It was perfect for me, my baby could actually eat and I wasn't a nervous wreck shifting around crazy in a hot baby blanket trying to make it work. A great gift for the modest mom.
7. Fisher Price Rain Forest Jumperoo
LOVED this, my son tried his hardest to jump the springs off ours! Perfect for active babies. It rotates, it makes cool sounds, it doesn't have "too" much going on, and it is so easy to wash and clean up. I love Fisher Price and this jumperoo was so fun for my little kids.
Now I didn't have this exact play yard, I had the rain forest one but, it was essentially the same just a different theme. Again, I loved Fisher Price this was so sturdy, easy for me to assemble, and the bassinet attached was so nice. We actually had this set up in our living room when we brought our babies home and it was a great place for a quick diaper change or a little nap for them. It is so cute with the mobile, my kids loved this play yard we traveled all over with it we had a few others that didn't make the cut because they weren't as sturdy and this one was very.
9. Bumbo Baby Seat
This used to be my favorite baby shower gift to give but, it seems as of late that the Bumbo craze has set it and actually at the last shower I went to the mom received two so I was really glad I didn't add a third. Now, don't get me wrong I loved my Bumbo and it has made my top ten list of baby items I couldn't live without and now they come in all sorts of cute colors so they are a great gift but, be a little cautious and check around to see if other guests have nabbed one before you because they are so popular now and they are popular because they are great. I really used mine a lot, so easy to feed little babies in that are too tiny to sit in a high chair, easy to clean up, and fun for play.10. Brittax Car Seat
Now for those of you looking to spend a few extra dollars or a group of you are going in on a gift, this is by far one of the best gifts I got at my daughters baby shower. They come in all sorts of cute colors and patterns, my daughters is pink with white daisy's, so cute! After my son was born, we literally went through 3 car seats the first year so I sat down and did my research before getting one for my daughter and I LOVE this car seat, my daughter is now 3 and still is using this car seat. We eventually bought my son the Brittax Frontier Booster seat and we love them both. These are so sturdy, they are easy to adjust, and I just feel safe knowing my kids are in them so different than a lot of the car seats on the market today. Did I mention how much I love this car seat? Because, I really really do!Okay, well those are my top ten favorite things that I loved and used with my babies and would recommend to any new mom out there. And trust me my poor sister in law just had a baby and I have given her an earful, now I am on to blogging so that I don't drive her crazy with any more suggestions, LOL! All are brands that I had great success with after much trial and error they were the products that left an impression on me. For me when you give a gift you are giving a bit of yourself, not just your money, but your ideas and thoughts, sending that energy towards new baby and mom. So each shower gift that you give should not only be from the heart but, something that they will love and enjoy and endure. So here are my tips, hope they help and happy shopping!
And, all of these items are available at Amazon for easy shopping! Click on the pic for easy link, if you have any other great suggestions let me know.
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