A friend of mine is planning to set up a Newborn Gift Box Set, and she wants to veer away from the traditional cute booties and blanket routine, putting stuff in that a new Mum will find invaluable!

My question to you is- What did you find most useful/you used/liked the most?
Were you sick of socks and cutsey hats- eventually using them to stem the flow of leaking milk?

Unfortunately her supplier is unable to source Helpful Partners, Polite Health Visitors, or a Mother-in-Law mute button.
Sleep is also in short supply- but she will try her best with anything else you can think of!

Thanks in Advance !

Also- Calling All Dads!

What would you like to see in a gift set of this sort? You get left out a lot- even more than Mum !

Any Suggestions?

Hi Mummy Goth, how about some nipple cream for newly abused nipples, a selection of cotton wool balls, cotton pads, wipes to try and work out what suits new baby's bottom best, and a pocket nanny to take over feeding, changing or pacifying when you desperately need a half hour to feel human again! Personally I have found Infacol invaluable for coping with colic- even if it is only a placebo for me, at least it is non harmful, and doesn't affect baby's appetite.

I second the nipple cream MG, how about some Lavendar pillow spray or bath oil to help sleep.

Muslin squares are really invaluable and you can never have too many. A set of ear plugs for the parent not on nightfeeding duty?

Some scratch mitts? Breast pads.

Erm. will carry on thinking!

Hi MG, did your friend ever get anywhere with her package? If so I'd be interested in finding out the details as I have a couple of friends who are pregnant at the mo.

Also, how's the house??

Hi MG

Entertaining and Educating Your Preschool Child (Usborne Parent's Guides) was one of my favourite books. Short, non-patronising, really practical, right from early months. Frankly anything that said in simple terms 'here's what to do, when' got a big thumbs up from me.

BD