Whether you are on the buying side or on the receiving end, getting an appropriate (more importantly, useful) gift for new parents isn’t the easiest thing. A last-minute scramble seldom leads to a gift that says, 'we care'. So, we've come to your help and prepared a list of gift ideas that will hopefully make any new mother feel just as happy and grateful as she does at baby’s nap time.
10 Gift Ideas That New Mommies Will Be Thankful For Any Time Of The Year
Nap Time Essentials
Naptime is what new moms live for. It's that much-needed break from the relentless eat-poop-repeat cycle of a new born. The best gift you can give a new parent is to help their baby sleep better (and preferably for longer hours). You should totally check out Whitewater Kids and their organic blankets, mustard seed pillows and maracas set. The buttery soft fabric, non-toxic soothing colours (and imaginative prints) make the baby's sleeping time super comfortable. Also, check out the animal crib bumpers from Wild Child. Believe me, your mommy-friend will be forever thankful for it.
Diaper Changing Station
I asked a new mom what her biggest worry is when heading out with her baby. Pat came the reply - POOP! Changing a poop-filled diaper while on the go is no child's play. If a new mommy really needs to look like she's got her shit together (literally!), she will need the right gear for it. Gift her a sleek, stylish and portable diaper changing station from Panamera Design. This is a super roomy bag that you can carry your child's world in. The front part unfolds to become a waterproof mat on which you can lay your child while changing the diaper. Easy access pockets ensure you have diapers, wipes, lotion etc handy. What we've also learnt is that there are never enough diapers, so make it a complete set with Bumpadum's comfy & reusable cloth diapers or rash-free biodegradable ones from Bhoomi & Co.
Keep Calm And Swing On
A colicky baby is every new parent's nightmare. The endless crying coupled with sleep deprivation can be super stressful on new parents. How can you help? Gift them something that will come in handy when the baby decides to bring the roof down with all the shrills. Cuddly Coo has the most amazing baby hammock. Made with organic, breathable cotton, suspended using sturdy ropes and pinewood - the hammock mimics a womb-like environment, that will help in calming the baby. It's pretty lightweight and can be put up anywhere. A baby cot is also a great pick.
Wrap Stories
Organic nursery & bedding sets, quilts, swaddles and blankets make for great newborn gifts. Particularly when you have a variety of cute and cuddly options to choose from. Tura Turi offers a range of bright, colourful and soft quilts and swaddles that bring out the magic of Indian folklore. Masilo specialises in organic, pastel-coloured baby dohars, bolsters, quilts, buntings, hooded towels and other essentials. Their designs are digital as well as contemporary and are ideal to impress a new mommy. Anmol Wrap offers India’s first ergonomic soft structured baby carrier - unique weaves that are naturally dyed and oh-so-Indian. Check out Candy Cot for organic cotton clothing for babies For baby bedding check out Baby Jalebi and Masya.
Decor And Dazzle
Creating and designing a space for the baby is something new parents definitely look forward to, but lack of time and patience once the baby arrives proves to be a hindrance. Why not help them with the decor and storage, and ease their stress a little? Look up Peekaboo Patterns, they manifest a child’s imagination into practical solutions like customised furniture, furnishings and accessories that lend a colourful personality to the little one’s living space. Also, check out My Baby Babbles for gifting personalised accessories and kid’s decor range.
Baby Library
In all the haze of buying the absolute essentials like diapers, wet wipes, strollers, burp cloths etc. getting books for the baby probably doesn’t feature on the list. Here’s where you could step in and bail out the new parents by buying them a hoard of baby’s first picture books. These interactive board books are a great way to stimulate the baby’s touch and feel senses, also helping the new parents bond with their little ones in a special way. Check out Pat The Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt or The Very Hungry Caterpillar Finger Puppet Book on Expect Amazing. You could also look up FirstCry or Hopscotch for a variety of fun board books for babies.
Memory Keepsakes
Baby’s first smile, first yawn, first step--as new parents they are constantly collecting memories, but these memories mostly stay buried inside the phones and rarely get translated into something tangible. How about gifting the new mommy and daddy a baby record book to help them freeze those really special memories? Hit up BeeCraftsy for customised baby books, photo albums, baby visitors’ books or cute monthly milestone cards. Also, check out Meher Creations for their range of vintage and shabby chic handmade baby memory keepers that are a sight for sleep-deprived eyes. Another pick is this 5 year baby record book from The June Shop.
Curated Gift Boxes
Let’s face it, pregnancy is hard and raising small babies even more so. New parents deserve a treat. Pamper them with a well-curated box of handpicked products, services, keepsakes and surprises. Mama and Peaches and Conscious Collective are here to help you make great gifting choices. Their boxes include beauty products, food items, nursery products, body & bath options, toys and other surprises. Best part? All items are organic, safe and handpicked with great care.
Pre-Paid Photo Shoots
Family selfies and baby portraits on a phone camera may seem like the most convenient and affordable option when new parents have tons of other things to stress about. However, only a professional photoshoot can add that magic to these special memories they are making. Pre-pay for a photographer to take candid, natural shots of your friend’s family. Go a step further in planning the details out with the photographer and arranging for the props required. And if there’s still room in your budget, consider including a professional album, frames or make the prints yourself. Check out Niddledy Noddledy, The Looney Lens, The Baby Stories, Rashi Kankaria Photography and Saurabh Rungta Photography.
Noise Cancelling Headset
Not to be a little insensitive but it sure gets noisy with newborns around. A noise-cancelling headset is honestly a thoughtful gift for parents to use in turns or while working. Apple and Bose headsets have a reputation for having some of the best noise cancellation features while this Sony headset and Oneplus pods also do a fair job.