Present for new mother

ViolaLass

A friend of mine is due to give birth in about three weeks' time. I would like to get/do something for her as a present but I live the other side of the country from her and have no income.

I've already said that I'll baby sit for them one weekend so they can have time off but I'd also like to do something for her specifically e.g. when my cousin was born, my mother bought my aunt a really nice pair of earrings (she said that when babies are born, all the presents are for them and the parents tend to get forgotten). As I said, I don't have an income at present (working in new family business) - any MSE ideas? If it helps, my friend has complained that she isn't sleeping well at the moment, I think because the baby is being restless.

pigpen

I would have LOVED someone to come round with a home cooked meal prepared or come to mine and cook for my family and theirs and we all ate together. Or someone to clean the kitchen or vacuum through for me. Or do a shop for me or just come round and sit and chat.. would be nice.

I have more than enough stuff and wouldn't want someone to have my baby at all so something practical like cooking or cleaning would have been wonderful

Sublime_2

I didn't want to be parted from my son when he was a baby, and idn't want people around too much, while I was adjusting to be a new mum. I also felt tired so wasn't up to having extended visits, although enjoyed some pre-arranged meetings. I did appreciate meals being cooked, and laundry being done.

Those you could do at your house, and then bring to your friend, and perhaps sit and have a chat, and cup of tea for a couple of hours, which I'm sure she'd enjoy. What a lovely friend!

ViolaLass

Thanks pigpen, I'd love to do practical stuff for her and I'm sure I will the weekend I go to babysit but I live in Birmingham and she in London so I can't really 'pop over' with a meal I've made or for a chat.

clearingout

you could order her a takeaway, though?! silly idea, but one which might well be appreciated!

clw1

It's not a present but my best mate lives 3 hrs away from me and in the first few months she would send me a card every week or two. She'd send a postcard or funny card that she thought would make me smile (cost approx £1) and occasionally she'd include something small like a photo of us being silly or a little packet of haribo etc.

It was really lovely to get something to cheer me up unexpectedly and a lovely way to hear what she was up to as in the first few months I just wanted to sleep once LO was in bed and therefore had less time to phone friends.

As for gifts for your friend the gift I appreciated most was some really nice 'energising' shower gel as you have so little time to yourself that showering is about the only time for pampering.