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New Mama Care Package
So, one of my BFF's is about to pop out her first baby. I want to send a little care package once the baby arrives, she lives in Chicago so unfortunately I won't get out there to actually visit until the end of March.
I was trying to come up with some ideas for a new mom but I figured some of your Mamas would know better. I have to mail it, so I'm little leary sending some food. Here are my thoughts so far:
- coffee from Schuill (they love coffee and I figured a new mom might need that boost to stay awake)
- some carmel corn or something similar from GR Popcorn (she loves popcorn)
- something for the baby (maybe just a little outfit or something)
So I don't have much yet - any thoughts? I thought about gift cards to some nearby restaurants so she could order takeout.
Re: New Mama Care Package
is she a bubble bath girl?
Someone sent me bath fizzies with a similar scented candle - i thought that one was nice and relaxing.
Gift cards are a great idea!
If she ends up with a c-section, a night gown would come in handy. I lived in my night gown ond short overalls the first week after allison, so nothing would rest on my incision.
If she is going to breast feed, how about a water bottle so she keeps up on drinking water. Also healthy snacks to keep up her calorie count.
Gift cards for takeout and delivery are SUCH a good idea.
I didn't feel like cooking or shopping for food for weeks. My mom brought over a ton of groceries and it was SO helpful.
Gift cards for food
Cute pajamas- I didn't feel like getting dressed, but I didn't want to look like a frumpy slob, either! If she has a c/s, make sure they are loose or the "women" kind that go up a little higher. My aunt got me some great Polo ones from Kohl's that didn't bother my incision at all.
If she's breastfeeding, reusable breast pads were awesome. I know they have them at Baby Beloved in GR.
A gift card for a massage- those hospital beds SUCK and my body was sore from lying in them (as well as from giving birth haha).
All great ideas - I would ditto the restaurant GC's because cooking is about the farthest thing from your mind when you have a newborn.
Things I got that I loved: Nice lotion and body wash/bubble bath, yummy chapstick, a good book, and comfy PJ pants.
A couple of things I got that aren't usually the "norm" that I appreciated were:
Milkscreen breastmilk test strips to test the alcohol in your milk. You can find them at Babies R Us in the breastfeeding aisle. Not that I had to use them often, but when she's feeling better, she might want to indulge in a couple of adult beverages. :-)
Lansinoh disposable breast pads. I was glad that someone bought me those. I had a few reuseable pad sets, but at first I wasn't able to keep up with the laundry. haha.
Gift cards for restaurants will be greatly appreciated! I don't know a new mom who even thinks about cooking those first few weeks.
Ok, another question for those who suggested pants - do you think yoga pants would be comfortable? They have that fold over top so I thought she could kind of adjust to where it would fit best on her. There's a fairly large chance she could have a c-section (due to some complications) so I don't know if I should just get her a nightgown to be safe.
I like the idea of sending the alcohol test strips because those seem kind of fun (and like something we would totally give each other), but I'm worried about sending breast-feeding items in case she has difficulty or isn't able to breastfeed - is that being overly sensitive?
I swear, no matter how many people around me have babies it all seems so foreign to me.
For me, yoga pants were incredibly comfortable. I had a vag delivery though, so I can't even comment on c-section healing. I lived in stretchy pants and t-shirts for a month. haha. Even with a section, after the incision heals some, I'm sure yoga pants will work for her and be appreciated.
True, the BF items may not go over well if she isn't able to, or chooses not to. With the pads though, even if she can't/doesn't BF, she may want some pads on hand (reusable or disposable), b/c she will leak until the milk dries up. HTH!
And I think baby things are foreign to everyone to an extent until you have one - so no worries!
See, this is the S I don't know. Thank you, now I feel safer sending the pads without worry of ability to BF.
On a sidenote "milk dries up" is just an awful phrase.
I would stay away from any pants that are low cut. If the yoga pants are higher and then have the ability to be folder over later, that's good. But if they are low rise: no good. C/s incisions are right in the pube (I hate that word) line.
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/womens/loungewear/womens/PRD~755209/Chaps+French+Riviera+Paisley+Pajama+Set.jsp
That is similar to the set my aunt got me. The elastic is VERY stretchy and very thin so there isn't a big huge band running across your stomach.
I'm sorry! It wasn't meant to be skeeve anyone out. I couldn't think of another way to say it though!
Ha ha, no it's not you, it's whoever invented that phrase in the first place!
I got some cute duds from Kohl's this weekend - I went with the a pants/tank combo with a loose drawstring waist so I think it should work. And I think I'm sending the package early because she just got put on bedrest and I think she might need a pick me up. Thank you again for all of your help ladies!