sewjoyce

Diapers and more diapers.

When my friend of mine had her first baby, I made her a nice fluffy bathrobe for all those late nite feedings...

Quilting G

multiple night lights for bottles and changed in the night. If I did not have to deal with the glare of real lights at night it was much easier to go back to sleep like nothing happened.

Jim's Gem

Is she going to breast feed her baby? They have these new coverups for feeding the baby. I don't know exactly what they are called but some have a bit of boning in them so you can see the baby nursing and straps that attach around your neck so baby can't pull it off and make you flash everyone.
Someone recently told me they love the snap extenters for the onsies, then they can wear them longer.
Of course Diapers, burp cloths, wipes.

bearisgray

Diapers - in several sizes
Laundry detergent (Dreft) - there may be something new now that's better
Onesies (spelling:) - Can't have too many of them - in several sizes
Sleepers
Baby wipes
The cloth diapers make great burp cloths

Laundry basket -

I'd put all the stuff in a laundry basket and pack that in a big trash bag with a ribbon to close it.

If the budget is limited, go with the basics. Easy care.

These items may not get many OOHS and AAAHs at the shower, but practical is useful.

amma

Our dollar stores carry boxes of 75-100 count diaper bags for disposing of dirty diapers. They are the perfect size for disposing of those little stink bombs :lol: :lol: They are handy for when you need to just dispose of dirty wipes too when you are out and about. I came across those 4 years ago and they have been so handy to keep around. I like to make up a mini diaper bag that mommy can keep in the car. It has a few diapers, wipes, sleeper, receiving blanket, disposable bibs, disposable baby spoons, etc... all of the things that are needed if you forget to stock up the diaper bag or stay gone longer than intended.

Rhonda

My first suggestion is pkgs of cloth diapers for cleaning up and burp cloths. They will last for a long time and I still use them for cleaning up spills.

When my second grandson was born he was a premie. In the neonatal unit they had little mitts to put on the hands but the mitts that they make are not small enough. I made mitts to put on the hands so he couldn't tear out the iv or the oxygen tube. Or scratch himself in the face etc. My daughter bought some receiving blankets and I cut them up and made mitts from them. If you want to do this just look at a slightly smaller than life doll to get an idea for size. They are just a clam shell shape sew two sides and sew the edge over so you can run a ribbon through to tie it on the hand. or you could use a little thin elastic.

I made some for my daughter's best friend's baby when he was born. They are easy to make.

No matter how big or little the baby they have a habit of scratching their face so these keep them safe.

alaskasunshine

I loved books on the benefits of breast feeding. Also donating breast milk for critical infants in NICU. If she is planning on breast feeding. I had a couple of gowns for our children they were called Gerber Grow gowns. They were long infant gowns that have a large hem (or tuck) in the bottom and as the child grows you let out the hem. Our (babies)children never had cold feet because their gowns were closed. They zipped up the front. That was my favorite piece of clothing they had.

What a thoughtful friend you are to be asking other moms for their opinion. Your friend is blessed to have you as her friend!

redrummy

one thing that is always thought well of is for the mother. I got my daughter in law a new set of pj's for her, and she was thrilled. Everyone had gotten her baby things, and she liked having a new set of comfy pj's for taking care of baby in.!!!!!!!!!!

agoldenbutterfly

Hi!
One item you can never have too much of is diapers. I recently made a Diaper Cake for a shower. You can search "Diaper Cake" and get lots of ideas and directions. My gift was the center peice at the shower and a real hit with everyone. I used a larger size so the mommy would have them a little later.

mamabird3

I am with everyone on the diaper thing!

Also a great gift idea, especially for a first time mother, buy a journal. Ask everyone at the babyshower to write their motherly advice to the mother to be. Then give it to her after the shower.

For babies, I say the more layettes at night the better. Makes night time changings so much easier when you don't have to mess with snaps!

I had a friend who had a babyshower but didn't need much. So we gave her a diaper and dinners shower. Everyone brought a pack of diapers and a meal that she could store in her freezer. All she had to do is warm up dinner for weeks after the baby came.