Baby Shower Gift GivingObviously, a lot of what we write about here at the Austin MOMS Blog is written specifically with MOMS in mind. Most of our readers, after all, are new or soon-to-be moms. Makes sense, right?
Well, today we are speaking to a different audience: the wonderful BEST FRIENDS of new or soon-to-be moms. We know you have a big role to play as the best friend, the confidant, the partner in crime, and we want to help you be there for your best friend as she enters this new moment in her life.
One challenge you might be facing as The Best Friend, is what to get your pregnant pal for her baby shower. You know that baby showers can be a HUGE help for new parents to offset some of the cost of all that stuff babies need. But you are also probably aware that many of the gifts new parents receive, thoughtful as they may be, are perhaps not the most helpful or practical gifts. Those tiny hand-knit booties from baby’s great-grandmother may look adorable but they probably won’t be very useful when he grows out of them in a few weeks.
That’s where YOU come in, Best Friend. You have the power to give a gift that your friend needs and wants. To help you find the perfect gift, we have put together this BFF’s Guide to Baby Shower Gifts.

PRACTICAL GIFTS

Okay, this is where we get down to the nitty-gritty. Make sure your BFF is prepared by getting her one of these essential gifts that you KNOW she will use.
Diaper Bag filled with essential items. Fill it up with baby wipes, pacifiers, hand sanitizer, and Boogie Wipes.
Useful Clothes. Think leather moccasins, footed pajamas, 3-6 month onesies.
Diapers. Disposable diapers are expensive, y’all. Stock her up with a ton of diapers in a variety of sizes.

HELPFUL GIFTS

Once that baby arrives, life is going to get crazy. Help a mama out buy giving her one of these thoughtful gifts.
Food Delivery Service. Who has time to buy groceries when there is a newborn to take care of? Sign the new parents up for grocery or meal delivery service from one of these great local businesses: Burpy, Greenling, Austin Grocer
Breastfeeding Support. Breastfeeding can be a huge challenge, especially in those first few weeks. Start her off on the right foot by putting together a Breastfeeding Goodie Basket with Lanolin, disposable breast pads, Mother’s Milk Tea, a nursing cover, nursing bras, snacks and Gel Pads to soothe sore nipples. Or go a step further and set her up with a Lactation Consultant to provide expert breastfeeding advice. We love Ann Bennett and the LCs at Austin’s Get Babied.
Books. No, not just bedtime stories. It is likely that at some point, your BFF will feel completely lost about what to do with this new little person. Give her the gift of guidance with one of these parenting books: Nursing Mother’s Companion, Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding, Healthy Sleep Habits Healthy Baby, Happiest Baby on the Block, The Baby Book by Dr. Sears, The Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears

CRUNCHY GIFTS

Austin could easily be called the “crunchy-mom” capital of the world. We have our fair share of raw-milk-drinking, essential-oil-using, meditating, recycling, organic produce junkies. If your BFF is all about living a “green” lifestyle, then these gifts are for her.
Cloth Diapers & Accessories. Cloth diapers can save a ton of money in the long-run, but they do require an initial upfront investment. Save your BFF from ever having to buy diapers again by stocking her up from her favorite cloth diapers.
Earth Mama Angel Baby products. This woman-owned company makes wonderful nipple butters, bottom balms, baby washes and much more using only the best natural ingredients and essential oils.
Baby Carrier. Your BFF will love you for saving her arms (and her sanity) by getting her a handy baby carrier. Check out my Babywearing Guide on the Austin Moms Blog to find the perfect carrier, and find more information about babywearing HERE.

“BIG” BABY GIFTS

All of those smaller gifts certainly do add up, but where you can really help out is by taking care of one of the “big” items on your BFF’s gear list. Most of these are pretty essential and would be a great way for you to take a bit of the weight off mom’s (& dad’s) shoulders. Double check her gift registery first, though, to make sure you’re getting just what she needs.
Stroller.
Carseat.
Crib.
Rocking Chair or Glider
Photography Session. (Okay, so having photos of the new baby is arguably not an absolute necessity, but trust me, she will WANT those pictures. That baby will never be a newborn again, and those first days are too precious not to capture in beautiful photographs. Katie Eaton is a wonderful local newborn photographer who just also happen to be an Austin Moms Blog contributor.
Of course, no matter what you choose to give your BFF for her baby shower, she is sure to appreciate you for how you make her feel rather than how much money you spend on her.

 

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