I used a ring sling too and loved it, but they can take a while to learn how to use easily. I would look at ring slings, Hug a Bub (HAB), Close carrier, Meh Tai etc as a starting point - these are some of the most popular and useful. Stay clear of Baby Bjorn type carriers as they are not nearly as good.
swing we have is fisher price take along swing has batteries in it and 5 speeds and to be honest we got it when he was 6 weeks old and used it everyday till he was 6 months old and have never had to change batteries!!! He was sitting in it other day and battieries still work, it goes till 11.2kg.
Boucncer we were given its a fisher price one that vibrates
Vouchers
People to come & do washing, cleaning, etc after bub is born
Freezer meals
Larger size clothing eg 00-1 that you can put away & get out when bub grows into it
Canned food, dry food for you pantry so you dont have to go shopping when bub is born
Toys for when bub is older
board books
I love our fisher price take along swing.
Lots of people dont like to get gift cards, but TBH these were one of the best things that we got as sometimes you might have something in mind thats too pricey to ask for, but this way its a contribution?
IF you make a list of things, put down things to suit all budgets
i really loved having a swing for my son when he was little - and am about to get it out again for DS2. it was one of those non essentials that someone bought after he was born that was a lifesaver. you will use it from about 1 month in until 6+ months. we also used a bouncer a lot (a manual one - baby bjorn do them and ours is a valco). he used this as a seat too and DS2 is also loving it.
i am a sling addict - had an ellaroo ring sling with DS1 and then an ergo. also a ramalama which was not as confy but v good looking so used it for more formal fucntions. i will use all of these again and also bought a close carrier this time which DS2 already loves.
A pram is good - a larger one for early days or an unbrella stroller which you may use more once bub is a bit bigger.
A portacot of you will be going away or even to friends for dinner a lot - we have used ours heaps. they are around $100
I love the idea of ppl bringing meals for the freezer - this is lovely idea. no one has done this for me but i would have loved it and i often drop a meal past someone's house when they get home from hospital
Nappies if you are using sposies can add up - get one box newborn and then some the size up, you may not need many newborn (or you might, we are just about to go up a size and DS2 is 1 month old now - if you need more you can get them but good to have some in stock)
A gymini - play mat thingy - that is about all a newborn will play on for a few months. i have one with a mirror and music - we bought it for ds2. ds1 we had a v basic one and i always wished we got a better one as they do use them for a while (this one was about $120 i think)
Some ppl love the bumbo or bebe pod - i havent used one myself - but think they are used from about when they can support their own neck
Car seat - these can be expensive and you will use from about 6 months onwards (or get a rear facing reversible which you can use from birth - personally i hire a capsule as it is so good for NB and then buy a great car seat later)
High chair - i swear by the ikea one which is $50
gift cards would also be great if ppl would be confortable with this
some great books as reference - i love the baby book by sears but you need to find one that suits you...
A lovely nappy bag - you will use it ALL the time and for a few years...
Hi ladies,
My SIL and MIL threw me a suprise baby shower about a month ago (was very awesome as i hadn't really thought about having one) however they had this MASSIVE wicker basket full of odds and ends - two of the things in there that i hadn't thought to buy were one of the rear-view mirror things that attaches to the back windscreen so you can see bubs in the carseat without too much hassle, and also some window shades for the rear windows. there were also a couple of medicine dropers, some muslin face washers, some baby cutlery for when she is older, some books for us to read to her with and numerous other things that my baby brain won't remember! The best thing is that the wicker basket can now double as a toy basket for later.
You can ask them to put money together or gift certificate towards a certain store.. that you can shop at when you needs things.. before or after baby.
ASK everyone you invite that it is POTLUCK.. which means to bring a plate of something.. so you dont end up with the same foods... tell people.. fruit plate.. cheese plate etc.. People dont have a problem doing that..
Go on ebay etc.. for cheap game ideas.. or google.. its briliant
I recommend gift vouchers. Have a look around and see who stocks the pram/cot etc that you like then tell everyone to get you a gift voucher to that store.
If you don't like gift vouchers, ask people to get you clothing in a variety of sizes. I asked for size 0 and absolutely loved having a wardrobe that covers bubs from newborn to 6mths+. A lot of people bought clothes in 0000 and 000 and they are only in them for a few weeks at best.
I asked the folks at work to put money into a gift voucher and then put the money towards the pram I wanted, which made things a heck of a lot easier.
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