Giving A Gift To A New Mum

Isadora’s Expecting: Gorgeous gifting

Friday, February 15th, 2013

Guest blog: Isadora Watts is a London -based writer and consultant, expecting her first baby in February. See her blog about her transatlantic adventures here. Isadora is guest blogging for our Feelgood Motherhood blog as she works out the best ways to stay sane and stylish throughout her pregnancy.Let us know what you think about Isadora’s posts on our Twitter feed or follow her on Twitter here. What do you think is the best gift for a new mum?

My sister has just given birth to her second child. High excitement all around. And the perennial challenge of finding a good present arises. The baby is, really, the easy part. He’ll get some sweet clothes, something he can grow into in a month or two.

But what to buy for a new mum? I know what I’d like. A bottle of Laguvulin – just for sipping a couple of hours before a feed, you understand. Some Touche Eclat as I’m pretty sure I’ll be going through tubes of the stuff. And a tummy tuck (or at least, some personal trainer sessions).

However, not everyone is as shallow, or as fond of single malt, as I am.

I’ll send her some chocolates in the post straightaway, as every new mum needs a little sweet pick-me-up. But that’s a holding gesture really. Next is the challenge of a sourcing a really thoughtful, indulgent-yet-useful, luxurious-yet-practical gift.

Naturally, as a friend of Babes with Babies, I’m going to look there for inspiration. Last time I sent her some Bb London pampering treats, but I suspect the opportunities will be few and far between now she has a 2 year old to contend with as well as a newborn.

For something purely pretty, and a treat for my sister, I think this personalised necklace is a gorgeous keepsake. Adding both her children’s names and allows for Big Sister to be included in the celebration as well as Little Brother.

I love this breastfeeding kit: balm for the boobs, and a bracelet to remind her which breast she last fed from. Practical, but a step above the tube of Lansinoh I last gave as a new mum gift…

And I think if I was feeling flush, I’d treat her to a new bag. Two children in nappies presumably means twice as much clobber to carry around. The ‘Lily’ is rather stylish, and many pocketed too.

Actually I think the best gift of all would be a babysitting voucher. But as I’m about to have my hands full myself, that one will have to wait.

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Get snuggling. Soft and Super Presents.

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

Feeling a bit glum today? Snuggle into a blanket, hug a teddy or put on your softest cashmere!

I was interested to see in this month’s Red magazine reports that psychologists at Yale University have found the texture and feel of objects can affect mood and that soft textures are especially emotionally comforting.

This definitely rings a bell with me. I think that this is particularly true during pregnancy and as a new mother. I had a real yearning to wear soft clothes which would be deliciously comfortable for me (and not be scratchy for babies) – and to fit with the warm, soft feelings I had towards my little one.

At Bb London we deliberately choose silky-soft materials for our clothing and nightwear so that they don’t just look good but feel good to wear. And some of our bestsellers for babies are soft and snugly. I do think it’s true that until you’ve felt the softness of a newborn baby skin you can’t appreciate how perfect cashmere is for them.

Here are three of our favourite super-softies. Perfect presents for cuddly comfort.

1. The softest toy (see above). Bashful Bernard, our customer’s favourite toy gift. A perfect newborn gift. So soft to snuggle up with. My daughter Rosie’s favourite toy. She calls him ‘Floppy’. She’s quite interesting on the naming front. Her favourite Barbie is called Colin. Ahem…

2. A pair of soft sweeties. Mum and Baby Cashmere Beanies. One of our bestselling mum and baby gifts.

3. The silkiest blanket. Silk and Bamboo Blanket – this is incredibly popular as a newborn gift and was Gift of the Year in 2009. Deliciously soft and a really nice, useful present.

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Tags: new baby gifts, new baby presents
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How to choose a present for a new mum.

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

When I had my first baby, my mother-in-law gave me a present. It made me cry (in a good way). What was so special was not just the present itself – it was a pack of lovely pampering things from Clarins – but the fact that she’d brought something for me, not just the baby. At a time when all the focus is on the baby, it’s the mother who often needs a little pick-me-up, a little something to say ‘well done… it hurt but you did well’. Admittedly a fantastic newborn is a pretty good present but there is something so wonderful about receiving something that is about remembering the person behind the mother.

We also received a roomful of beautiful, fragrant-smelling flowers. They were kind and lovely presents but to be honest, I was in such a stupor of shock and awe in the first couple of weeks, they were a little wasted on me. And finding vases and keeping them topped up with fresh water seemed a bit beyond me as I was so absorbed in working out how to feed and change this new scrunchy little angel that had appeared.

So, if you are thinking of buying a gift for a new mum I’d suggest considering the following:

Choose something that’s for her (not just the baby). The baby will get lots of things & also the parents will have bought lots of things as well. Pampering lotions and potions or clothing or jewellery for her are all nice ideas.
Try and avoid flowers. They’re lovely but they don’t last and they won’t be noticed as much because the first couple of weeks are so intense for new parents. What about a personalised candle instead?
Food is always handy. My lovely neighbours brought round a thai chicken casserole the day after my daughter was born – so sweet and so helpful as it was one less meal to worry about. There’s a really clever gift on our site where you can buy a week of ready prepared gourmet meals to be delivered!
If you’re visiting with the gift try not to stay too long. New mums get so tired and have lots of visitors. Pop in briefly (bring lunch or a snack to help her) or send the gift directly and catch up later.
Offer her some ‘time off’. You can download a babysitting voucher for free from our site and offer her half an hour or an afternoon where you’ll watch the baby while she sleeps/shops/has her hair done/goes out. It’s free and it’ll be much appreciated.
Don’t be offended by not getting a thank you card. I had absolutely no idea until I’d been through it, quite how crazily busy the first bit is. I had lots of support but still there was no time for anything apart from the basics. There are some people I know will always try to send one so I always give a gift to them with the strict message – don’t even dream of writing me a thank you card! If you send a present from Bb do ask us and we can confirm if it’s been delivered. Otherwise wait for the thanks – it will come but not as promptly as you might imagine.

And of course some people consider advice the greatest gift! Tread carefully with that one…

Do let me know what your favourite gift was. Or what is your favourite gift to give? I’d love to know.

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