if you were "rich" what would you give as a baby gift?

[lizajane]

i mean, if money were no object. if you didn't even have to look at the price tag or the total cost.

i would LOVE to go out and buy a basket full of all the little "must have" stuff that we, personally, couldn't have lived without. like what i think is THE BEST diaper cream, outlet plug cover, bib, toy, crib sheet, etc etc etc.

i would want to share my "expertise" on my fav items, like:

-several brands of pacifiers so you can find the right one
-all the saftey items-plug covers, drawer/cabinet latches, corner covers for tables...
-avent bottles for EBM
-the bath sponge
-tons of washcloths
-tons of CUTE burpeys
-the sally huss (wal mart) bibs for eating solids
-waterproof backed soft bibs for infants
-platex sippy cups that don't leak! and have a way to attach the no-leak valve to the cup lid in the diswasher so you don't lose it
-a gorgeous, WAHM diaper bag (maybe filled with all this stuff!)
-pottery barn kids crib sheets
-thin flannel BIG blankets for swaddling
-more than one waterproof matress pad
-more than one changing pad cover
-burts's bees products for bath and diaper changes
-fold over socks that STAY ON
-long sleeved onesies (kinda hard to find)
-tiny love and lamaze infant toys
-and those precious, precious, yummy fabric loveys or blankets made by "boutique" brands like little giraffe

if i got a "big" thing, it would be a dreamer designs deluxe jogger or a kelty backpack for active friends, a beautiful basinett (i was so excited to loan ours to some friends, who are loving it right now!), or a load of WAHM products for my "natural" friends like a diaper bag, a sling, some cloth diapers all in one package.

[mudder17]

Wow! Great list! If money were no object, I would also add a front loader washer/dryer, especially if they were going to CD, but even if they weren't, their amount of laundry is about to at least double (I know ours has!).

For some smaller things, I would also add the miracle blanket and for the fold over socks that actually stay on, I would recommend the MaryJane Trumpette Socks for a girl or any other Trumpette Socks if it were a boy.


Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya
born 22 February 2004

http://lilypie.com/baby1/050222/2/16/0/+10/.png

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_garnet_6m.gif Breastfed 6 months and counting

http://www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya

[bluej]

Hmmm, that's a tough one. An entire Hanna layette? Oh wait, that would be no fun for the mommy-to-be as I'm sure she would want to shop for the layette. A variety of slings/baby carriers b/c no one carrier can do it all! Except IRL I only have two baby-wearing friends, so that would be a wasted gift for the most part. Maybe a decked out moses basket. I know lots of mommies who would love one but see it as nonessential since it only gets used for a couple of months. So yeah, that's what I would give. Something they want, but don't need, but would appreciate. And of course a baby outfit b/c I wouldn't be able to resist!

[jasabo]

Hmmmm - I think I'd spring for an on-demand nanny service. I'd pay the nanny up front for like 6 months and she'd be on-call for any time the parents wanted her. That way, they could use her 24/7 if they wanted, or just occasionally. I would have LOVED something like that. Also, I'd pay for a house cleaning service for like 6 months. Oh, and I'd buy the mom a spa gift certificate for a day of massages, mani's, pedi's, facials...ahhhhhh....

Ok, why didn't I have any rich friends that could have given me gifts like that? :)

Lisa - mom to 14 month old twin boys

[lizajane]

lisa-

if you ever happen to get rich, i would really like to be your friend, LOL!!!! :)

everyone is posting such great ideas!!! a washer/dryer! way to think outside of the box, eileen!!!!

[mharling]

I would give a 'toy a month basket' with the toys that Lane has loved most each month from birth to 1st birthday.

ETA - Here's what I've thought about already....
1 - Mirror
2 - Fisher Price Aquarium
3 - LaMaze Caterpillar
4 - Baby Einstein Floor Mat
5 - LaMaze Aquarium
8 - Peek-A-Blocks
9 - Discovery Stacking Cups
10- LeapStart Learning Table
12- PlaySkool Old McDonald tractor

Mary
Lane - April 2003
Little brother or sister on the way - EDD March 2

[sntm]

There's a woman locally who acts as a post-partum doula. Basically she will show up at your house and do things for YOU (laundry, cooking, errands, footrubs, whatever!) so you can focus on your baby. For what she does, she's not that expensive, but it's still $10 an hour.

I would pre-purchase 20-40 hours from her, plus a cleaning service, plus 5 in-home visits from a really good LC.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
shannon
not-even-pregnant-yet-overachiever
trying-to-conceive :)
PREGNANT! EDD 6/9/03
mama to Jack 6/6/03
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url]
Breastfeeding 14 months and counting

[kristenk]

I love the "toy a month" idea! That's great! Plus, it's not too far out of the realm of possibility...

Hey, I just noticed, what happened to #s 6, 7, and 11? As the mommy of a 6 month old, I MUST know! :)

[kristenk]

I'm going to copy your gift b/c I was thinking about suggesting a post-partum doula by herself. Why not throw in maid service and visits from an LC? I mean, what's a little more money?

Anyway, I would have loved to have someone who knows about new moms and new babies *make* me sleep when possible and let other people take care of the (most likely) sleeping baby. I always felt like that was my job to do. Too late, I realized that I really needed to look after myself, too. That's why I'd "gift" a post-partum doula.

[mudder17]

Not sure if it's the "best" toy for a 6 or 7 month old, but DD really enjoys her learning table already. And she also loves playing with those take 'n toss sippy cups (with a little ice water in it). I don't know if this falls in the category of "toy" but on her 6 month b-day, I gave her the stuffed lamb that has become her lovey in her crib. (She has a bunny one for on the go that I originally wanted her to use as a crib lovey, but it's blanket-like and she keeps pulling it over her face when she's sleeping, which made me nervous.)


Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya
born 22 February 2004

http://lilypie.com/baby1/050222/2/16/0/+10/.png

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_garnet_6m.gif Breastfed 6 months and counting

http://www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya

[jlcana]

If money is really no object, I'm thinking a "rich uncle" gift- I would set up an account with enought money to partially or totally fund the baby's education. It's really hard to think about a college fund when you have so much going on with a new baby and your budget is already being stretched as it is!

This would be one less thing the parents would have to worry about over the next 18 years! Dreaming big, aren't I??

Lisa
Christopher 3/18/02
Another boy EDD 9/20/04

[MartiesMom2B]

You could always give a Hanna gift certificate big enough for a layette. ;)

-Sonia

[californiamom]

I love the ideas of the on-demand nanny service, a toy a month and a monthly spa gift certificate for mom AND dad. Or a $10,000 gift certificate to Pottery Barn Kids. But if I was REALLY rich, I would probably like to give money for college. :-)

Ana

[lisaE]

Did you see the gift that Oprah gave Gwennyth Paltrow the other day? It was a pram filled with 100 books. She called it "Apple's Book Club" and each book had a little logo with that on the front. I thought that was the coolest gift ever.

[junieblee]

I was going to post the exact same thing! I love shopping for books for dd and dh and I loved that gift!

[lmariana]

I'm a shop-a-holic at heart, so this would be SO much fun for me to do for a friend! I'm going to alternate my list with practical and fun things...

- 1 yr of a maid service
- Bugaboo Stroller w/ car seat adapter
- An assortment of different bottle/nipples
- Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack
- Gift certificates for take-out/delivery places nearby
- A bunch of Hanna zippers
- Mommy spa certificate
- Tons of diapers (cloth or disposables)
- An assortment of different slings/pouches, definitely including a fancy brocade Zolo Sling
- A bunch of Ultimate Crib Sheets
- A complete Fleurville set: Mothership, Alpha 7, Escape Pod, and Wrist bag
- Lawn Service for 1 yr! (it's nice not to have to think about it)
- Romantic Getaway at a Ritz Carlton (without baby)
- An assortment of Baby Einstein and Signing Time DVD's
- A nice high chair (I have no idea what brand, just not mine!)
- Bumbo!
- Bebe Sounds Angle Care Monitor (some people don't like this, but I LOVE ours...gave of peace of mind)
- A silver baby rattle from Tiffany's
- Something else from Tiffany's for mom :)
- GOOD nursing bras and tops!
- Lots of homemade goodies, because nothin' says lovin' like somethin' from the oven!
- One Skip Hop in each color (excluding the camos)
- Aprica Promenade stroller (lightweight for travel)
- Gift certificate to a portrait studio to have portraits made each month for the first year

I love everyone else's ideas, especially the washing machine and postpartum doula!

Mariana
www.heinzandmariana.com
Mother of Gabriel, 08/14/2003

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030814/1/5/0/-5/.png[/img] ([img)

[Melanie]

12 months of housekeeping. =)

[octmom]

I need to remember to get this post-partum doula's number from you before I have baby #2! (Not yet.) :)

Jerilyn
DS, Sean 10/03

"Baby makes days shorter, nights longer, home happier, and love stronger."

[aguinn]

if it was for the child of someone near and dear to my heart, i'd give a college education (hey, you said money was no object!).

if it was for the child of an aquaintance (sp?) i'd give a full year of paid in-home childcare.

;)amy
proud momma to DS

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030729/1/5/1/-5/.png[/img][/url]

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif One Year & counting...

[miki]

I'd give a family vacation to a fun place every summer with a nanny to tag along as needed so that the parents can have some R&R and the child can grow up with some great memories.

[mharling]

I can't remember 6, 7 & 11. I do remember that he played with the LaMaze aquarium for a LONG time. That could have very well been the favorite all that time.

Mary
Lane - April 2003
Little brother or sister on the way - EDD March 2

[blnony]

If I were rich, I'd pay for cleaning and catering for the first month, so everyone could just bond together and not worry about the little stuff.

[mudder17]

I'm with you! Last night, I suddenly realized that what I would really have loved would be a year of groceries with a chef skilled in the art of healthy cooking. :) (Hey, a mother can dream, can't she?)

Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya
born 22 February 2004

http://lilypie.com/baby1/050222/2/16/0/+10/.png

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_garnet_6m.gif Breastfed 6 months and counting

http://www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya

[llcoddington]

I would give a slew of baby carriers! The ergo has saved me!

So maybe the ergo, sutemi, a pouch or two, a kozy, a Moby wrap (or a Hug-a-Bub since money is no objective!) and a sling (although I never used a sling I know they are quite popular so perhaps the recipient would like a sling!)

Lana
mommy to Lauren 12/5/03

[TraciG]

LISA I'd love that gift !

[hellosmiletoday]

Where do you get good foldover socks and cute burp cloths? I only have one pair of foldovers for DD that stay on!

I actually have alot of long sleeve onsies from the Gap that I received as a gift...but have used them very little in FL.

[mudder17]

Do they have to be foldover? The only socks that actually stayed on DD were the Trumpette Mary Jane socks from BabyBox.com. They're also extremely cute, can match a variety of outfits and get a comment every time we see someone new (and even when we see people who've seen them before). For cute burp cloths, there are always the hand-dyed prefolds from LilBunz, and there's one other link that I can't find at the moment that has really cute patterns sewn onto the middle of it...

ETA: Okay, I've found the link. Here's the website:

http://www.growmearainbow.com/products.html


Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya
born 22 February 2004

http://lilypie.com/baby1/050222/2/16/0/+10/.png

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_garnet_6m.gif Breastfed 6 months and counting

http://www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya

[lizajane]

i actually really liked the babies r us socks! i can't remember the brand name they use right now. but i HATED old navy socks! walmart socks did ok for us, too. (mcbaby brand)

as for the cute burpeys, i make them myself. you can get them at boutiques, but (here is where i pat myself on the back...) they are always made with cheap-o icky gerber style diapers that are not very absorbant and are not very soft, and they are $12 each! the fabrics are usually cool. but they are all sewn with a strip down the middle. which is fine, and i do that, too. but i like variety. i do a strip down the middle when i use soft fabrics like flannel, but opposite corners or strips at the top and bottom with bright, woven fabrics. and they don't cost me $12 to make! i just did a baby gift for someone that was a wicker laundry basket filled with 8 burpeys that all matched each other, a bottle of all baby care detergent and a bottle of zout stain spray.

oh, and i got a pack of long sleeved onsies at old navy. but the biggest size they had was 6-12 months! that is what my child wore at 3 months! so at 6 months, he was wearing these tiny shirts with sleeves an inch too shirt and the collar stretched down his chest!

[kitmama]

What a fun thread!
The biggies are UNBEATABLE: doula, housecleaner, nanny, or other experienced in-house help, trust fund, etc. . .

I'd probably want to shop, though- I have such fun picking out baby things for friends!

I agree that those Trumpette socks are fabulous. We didn't have ANY other baby socks that worked nearly as well- and they are SO darn cute!

I'd enjoy putting together a basket of natural mom & baby products- like nursing tea, lansinoh lanolin, some yummy all-natural bath products, Burt's Bees diaper rash ointment, skin creme, massage oil, lip balm, etc, a gift certificate for a massage/manicure/pedicure, (thought I'd throw that in) :) - Hyland's colic and teething tablets, Bach Rescue Remedy (for mom), etc etc. All that stuff really adds up.

Or perhaps a Silver Cross Camden stroller? I LOVE ours! Or a really good car seat? Or an Arm's Reach co-sleeper- what a life-saver that has been for us!

A gift certificate for some classes that mom would really enjoy once things calm down at home a bit, and a "coupon" for babysitting while she does them! (Yoga? Painting? Horseback riding? Aerobics? Creative writing?) Or, a gift certificate for mommy and me classes somewhere.

I'd really have a blast buying things for a mommy friend who wanted to cloth diaper! A really good sling would be great, too.

I'm sure I could go on and on- gift giving is one of my favorite things! If I were rich, it might not last long because I'd have too much fun buying stuff for other people. ;)

[AvasMama]

We have those little mary jane Trumpette socks and have gotten literally hundreds of compliments on them. I plan to order a dozen boxes to give as baby gifts for every baby girl I know! They are just SO cute!

Robyn & Ava