Parenting & New Baby Advice Blog

Archive for the ‘Mom Ideas & Gifts’ Category

When it comes to cozy seating in the nursery, you’re going to want the best. Get the best you can afford. Comfort is key, so if you are perfectly comfortable in a $50 chair from an antiques store, go for it. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a great chair.

First, decide if you want new or used. There are some vintage rocking chairs that are adorable and still have years of use in them. If they’ve lasted all these years, they’ll work for you, too. If you’re going for a vintage themed nursery, this is the perfect choice.

Choose a vintage chair that is in good shape. You want to test it out. Sit in it and make sure it doesn’t have an annoying creak and that it is sturdy. If you like its feel but not its color, that can always be changed. Have your husband or a helpful friend do the sanding down and painting of the chair away from where you are. Pregnant women should not be inhaling dust, paint thinners, or paint during this crucial time. And if you’ve already delivered, don’t expose baby to any of these things either.

This is when you might start to consider a new chair instead. Buy it, have it delivered, and you’re set. There are glider chairs on the market today that are fashionable and far beyond the old wooden chair for comfort. They glide from front to back rather than rock. That motion will soothe baby to sleep (and probably you, too!). Sit in it and make sure you like the feel of it. Is it hard to push? Does it feel soft and cushiony where it should?

See if your chair of choice comes with an ottoman. It’s best to buy it at the same time so the fabrics match perfectly. If it doesn’t come with an ottoman, you can always buy one that matches elsewhere.

There are two styles of rocking chair to choose from. One has an exposed frame, usually made of wood and the other is fully upholstered. The fully upholstered ones are gorgeous and plush, but much more expensive. If you’re on a tight budget, go for the exposed frame and you will save a bundle. You can still get comfortable and rock baby off to sleep without spending a small fortune.

There are many different makes and models for you to choose from. Go with one that is sturdy, comfortable, in good condition, and has a nice look to it. Buy from a furniture company that has a warranty so that if you do need to repair or replace it, it will be covered.

Enjoy your time rocking your baby to sleep. These will be some of the best memories of your first few months with your new baby. You may spend a lot of sleepless hours during the night in your new rocking chair, so be sure it’s one you love and that supports you comfortably.

Try online sources to have your new rocking chair delivered. It’s more convenient than lugging it home from a store in the back of your car. (And if you are pregnant, remember; don’t do any heavy lifting yourself!) If you can make it match your other kids furniture, that's great!

If one baby is fun, two are double the joy. If you know a mom who is having twins, there are so many adorable gifts you can purchase for the new siblings.

Go for items that have a cute saying or theme. Onesies and t-shirts are available with sayings just perfect for twin babies gifts. You can order them online with sayings such as “I’m with her” and “I’m with him” with arrows pointing to the other baby. Other shirts say “Older and Wiser” and “Younger and Cuter” on individual shirts. These items are darling and will definitely get a laugh at the baby shower. Choose any clothing items in a larger size (such as 6 months) so that the babies will get more wear out of them. Babies grow out of newborn sizes so quickly.

Equipment designed for twins also makes for great baby gifts. Get the new parents a twin jogging stroller and you’ll be on their gratitude list forever. These handy strollers are meant to ride twins around in comfort. You can get them with extra padded seats, special storage and folding options and more extras than you’d find on a new car. Choose from side by side seating or front and back. These strollers can be pricey, but there are other options than brand new. You can search Yard Sales and thrift stores. Often these strollers (which can run up and over $300) can be had for $20! Check the condition of any used stroller. Make sure the tires are not too worn and the fabric is not frayed. If there’s a spot or two on it, you can always use a fabric cleaner on it before you gift it. Depending on the mom, a used stroller can often be just as good a gift as a new one. And often moms of twins like to leave one stroller in the car and another at the grandparents’ home. So it’s a good source for an extra twin stroller as well.

Diapers are another good choice. Moms go through hundreds of diapers with newborns. Double that for moms of twins. She’ll thank you for providing boxes of diapers. This will mean one less trip to the store to stock up. Choose smaller as well as bigger sizes of diapers so mom can use them now and as the twins grow.

If the twins are going to be a boy and a girl, you can have fun with the personalization. Instead of getting identical items, get one in blue and one in pink. Consider making a baby gift basket for each. One can be filled with blue items and one can have pink. Choose romper outfits, toys, baby bath products, tiny shoes, and blankets in each child’s color. They make a great presentation because they look so cute side by side and it also shows that each child is an individual and you didn’t just group them together in one gift.

Mom’s going to need two of everything, so use your head. Can you and a friend chip in and get her two high chairs? Two car seats? Two winter coats? Two bouncy seats? Two baby bath tubs (one for mom to use with one child at bath time and one for dad to bathe the other child)? The more you can buy in duplicate the easier the first few weeks and months will be for the new mom and dad.

A first time dad should be given extra attention. It’s often the new mom and baby who get showered with gifts and all the attention. Dad should also be treated to some gifts that make his life easier. After all, he’s going to do half the work too, right? Here are some ideas on how you can present him with the perfect new dad gift.

1. A Baby Duty Toolbelt

You can find these online. They are such a fun idea. It’s a custom toolbelt that dad can wear as he navigates the job of caring for baby. It includes essentials like a bottle, diapers, etc. A really cute gift that he can actually use.

2. A Hand Print Baseball

For the sport nut dad, give a treasure he will keep forever. There are companies online that will allow you to imprint baby’s little handprint onto a genuine baseball. It's like a sports fan's baby photo album. It’s a really unique idea. Dad will have it forever and watch as baby’s hand grows from tiny to full-sized.

3. The Daddle

This items is hysterical and useful. It’s available online and it’s a soft stuffed saddle that dad can wear on his back as he gives piggybacks. It’s unique, fun and innovative. It’s a sure bet that no one else will give him one.

4. The Man Purse

No dad wants to carry a diaper bag that looks like a lady’s handbag. Give him a bag a man can really use and be proud to carry. Many companies are offering well-designed messenger bags that look highly fashionable and not like baby gear. In colors like silver and black, he won’t mind taking the diaper bag with him to the park. And you can be sure he’ll take everything he really needs.

5. Childproofing Kit

Chances are the duty of childproofing the house will end up on dad’s list. Gift him with everything he needs. Kits come in all sizes and can be used to lock cabinets, the fridge, toilet seats and more.

6. WhyCry Baby Crying Analyzer

This is perhaps the most useful gift you can give a man. When baby cries, this little gadget that looks like an alarm clock inputs the cry and puts it into one of five categories. How it knows what each cry means is a wonder, but it’s been tested to be 90% accurate. It will help alert dad to the best strategy for stopping his child’s crying. With categories like bored, hungry, tired and wet, dad’s got a fighting chance of doing the right thing at the right time.

7. Dinner In

Order up a Dinner of the Month club for dad. Or go for a Lobstergram. Any gourmet meal item will be a much welcomed gift when time for preparing dinner is scarce. Many companies will deliver everything packed in dry ice so they can either eat it right away or freeze it for later. Choose from chowder, baked stuffed shrimp, lobster tails and more. You can even get dessert thrown in. You select a one-time gift or space your baby gifts out so they arrive every month. It’s one gift that will never be returned unopened. If you want to be more cost-conscious, make dinners yourself that can be frozen and heated when the family needs them. If you know dad has a favorite like cheesecake, bake him up a few for the freezer.

When a new baby comes on the scene, everyone is overjoyed. You run out and shop for cute little socks and booties, darling outfits and colorful soft toys. But what do you say in the card that accompanies your baby gifts? No need to be at a loss for words. Here are some ideas you can use.

Remember, you’re commenting on the joy that surrounds a new baby. If you don’t know the new parents that well, you can still sound upbeat and write a card that comes across as festive and congratulatory.

Feel free to use these words as they are, or tweak them to make them uniquely yours:

• Congratulations on the birth of your first child. You must be beaming with joy. Hope this gift brings you a little more cheer.
• Heard you have the cutest baby on the planet. Hope you enjoy this little gift to celebrate her arrival.
• May the joy you are feeling now last forever. Congratulations on the birth of your new little one.
• As new parents, I am sure you are filled with wonder at those ten little toes and ten little fingers. In this special time in your lives, I wish you all the happiness in the world.
• What could be sweeter than a newborn baby? Here’s to the love and cheer and joy that having a new one brings.
• Congratulations on your new bundle of joy. May the sweetness of a new baby in the house fill your lives with happiness.
• There is nothing so special as the arrival of your first child. These memories will be ones you will return to all your life. Enjoy your new gift from God.
• We couldn’t be more thrilled to have a new addition to our extended family. Don’t be surprised if you don’t get to hold her much when we’re around! Looking forward to being auntie and uncle.
• There is no gift so sweet as a grandchild. We treasure baby Gracie already as the greatest miracle in our lives.
• On the day baby was born, the angels sang. Enjoy the sweetness this heaven-sent darling brings each day.
• You’re up all night and exhausted by day. Isn’t it the best? Congrats on the new bundle of joy.
• Here’s a little something for baby that I hope she will treasure forever. I had it engraved so she’ll always know how precious she was to us from the moment she was born.
• Words cannot express how amazing it is to have Victoria in our lives. Congratulations on bringing this sweet little angel into the world.
• Little boys are a gift from God. Congratulations on your special little one.
• When babies come into our lives, we are forever changed. Enjoy every moment of your new life with your beautiful daughter.
• A son is a blessing from above. As each day passes, enjoy the inexpressible joys that he brings you.
• Congratulations! You’re a new mother and father to the most amazing little boy. May the joy you feel now last forever.
• Here’s just a token of my well-wishes for baby Garth. If you ever need a babysitter, you know where to find me!
• If there were a cuteness award, baby Luke would surely win it. Congrats on the most adorable baby ever!

Is there anything sweeter than a baby girl? Perhaps only a baby girl in a headband! You can easily make a headband for your sweet little one or for a gift for a new mom. You won’t believe how easy it is. And the best part is, since they take no time to make, you can craft a whole wardrobe full for every season.

Start off by measuring the little one’s head. Wrap a piece of string loosely around the widest point of her head. Write down the measurement.

There are two kinds of headbands that are easy to make for baby girls. The first is a cotton one. Using the measurement you just took, subtract two inches for where the elastic will go. Find a cotton fabric in a festive print or seasonal design. You might want to do snowmen for Christmas in a fleece fabric or a Halloween cat in soft material. Cut a length of fabric that matches the measurement you took horizontally. Cut it out as a large square so that there is enough material to double over. Fold the fabric down horizontally so that you have one thick band. Sew it shut. Or, if you’re not one for sewing, use fusible webbing. This is a tape found in sewing or craft stores that goes on like tape and allows you to iron two pieces of fabric closed.

After you have your band sewn, you’ll want to add a two-inch piece of elastic. A wide elastic works best. Sew elastic to each end of the band. That’s it! Now you can embellish it. Use craft flowers or ribbon. But try to avoid using sequins or any embellishment that could pop off and baby could chew on or swallow. Stick to the basics of fabric with elements sewn on for the youngest babies. Soft animals work best like flat little bears or kitties. Also be sure that you take into account the comfort of baby. If a band is too tight or too heavy, she’s going to be uncomfortable and won’t want to wear it no matter how cute it is.

A second way to make a baby headband is to use elastic lace. These bands of lace come in various lengths and widths. Look in a sewing or craft store in the ribbon aisle. You will see a variety of elastic ribbon and lace. Choose a lace that feels soft to the touch and is not going to be tight when it stretches to fit around baby’s head. Some elastics have a harder springback and are much tighter than others. Choose a delicate one. Cut one length of lace to the measurement of your child’s head and sew the ends together. Add a cute flower or other hair adornment like a butterfly.

Of course, if you want, you can always purchase a headband from a discount store and embellish it with your own details. Choose a soft fabric one. Use fabric paint or 3D craft paint to letter baby’s name on the band. Iron-on patches from the craft store come in dogs, cats, and other adorable critters and designs. You can easily create a bunch of iron-on headbands in about an hour, that will go with her little baby clothes and nearly any outfit you could dream up.