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When you go to a baby shower for a first time mom, it’s so much fun to shop. After all, you know that she needs almost everything! Shopping for pregnant friend who already has one (or more!) kids is more challenging – after all, how do you know what she already has, likes or needs? If she knows the gender of the baby, she’s sure to get clothes, especially if she’s having a different sex than her first-born. Here are some tips compiled from several mothers of their favorite second-time baby shower gifts.
1. Diapers, wipes and lotions. This isn’t the most romantic of gifts, but most second-time moms tell us that this is a practical and always-appreciated gift. A package or two of newborn-sized diapers, sensitive skin baby wipes and lotion make a great gift basket!
2. Board Books are always a hit for children. Good sturdy backed board books can survive chewing, drooling and dropping, and are nice for young children of all ages! Look online for some suggestions or try these tried and true favorites: Good Night Moon, Moo Moo Peekaboo, Time for Bed, The Mitten, Mouse Count, and The Cheerio Play Book.
3. A soft blanket or unique stuffed animal is always a welcome touch. Most children bond to one special “lovey”, so look for something soft and unique. One nice idea is the blanket/animal combinations made by Stephen Industries, like the bunny blankets – a soft stuffed bunny rabbit head, with a blanket body, ready to be loved and cuddled. One source for this is http://www.bkpuffnstuff.com/nursery.htm.
4. Frozen Dinners are always a hit for second time moms. It’s hard enough to prepare a meal for the family when you only have one child at home, with the addition of a second (or more) time becomes even more precious! Bring two or three clearly labeled frozen dinners for her freezer. Be sure to write the contents and preparation instructions clearly on the outside, so she can tell at a glance what it is and how to make it. Using a disposable foil pan will eliminate any anxiety about returning the dishes, as well!
5. A Babysitting Certificate for the older child(ren). Offer to take her older kids out for a day – or two – after the baby arrives. She’ll appreciate the thought but probably be too embarrassed to initiate this, so just plan on calling her the week after the baby arrives to schedule your day. If you work, you can always offer to take the child(ren) on a Saturday afternoon, or after work for an evening. You might even consider scheduling a standing appointment – every Wednesday evening, for example, for a month – that way she can plan and prepare for her “free time!”
6. Picture frames and photo albums are always a welcome touch. If you’re a scrapbooker, you might also want to offer to make a scrapbook for her of baby’s first year, collecting photos and making special pages that you return for her to include in her album.
7. A Double Stroller is always a fabulous gift if there are other young children in the home. Check online resources like Epinions (research.epinions.com) to see what brands are recommended for the ages of her children.
8. A Gift for Mom is always a nice and personal touch. A gift basket with self-pampering items like lotions, a nice nightgown, home facial items, etc. will make her feel pretty and appreciated. If you give a gift certificate make it specific, like for a facial or a manicure/pedicure.
9. A fold-up Booster seat is a fabulous gift if she doesn’t already have one. These are travel high chairs but also double as secondary high-chairs at home if she has other little ones who still need a boost – and free up the regular high chair for the new arrival!
10. A Housekeeper Visit. If you can afford an outside housekeeper, give her a gift certificate for them to come and clean her house after the baby arrives. This will help relieve her of some of the drudgery that adds more demands on her time! If you can’t afford an outside housekeeper, consider offering to do this yourself. Bear in mind that like the babysitting, she’ll probably be embarrassed to take you up on this, so you’ll have to call to schedule this after the baby. Don’t take no for an answer, either – find a time that works for her, and just show up ready to work, with all of your own supplies if possible (that way you won’t have to bother her to ask where her broom, vacuum, cleanser, etc. are). Run a couple loads of laundry, clean her bathrooms and kitchen, and give her carpet a good cleaning and she’ll be thankful for life!
When in doubt, a gift certificate to a nice children’s store such as the Right Start Store (which offers a great selection of unique kids products and has online shopping as well!) will always be appreciated. The most important thing is to have fun, and realize that every baby is a blessing! Happy Shopping!
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