Your little one will soon be showing up, and your family keeps asking you what you need or what you would like to receive as a gift. You are desperately trying to make a birth list but, if you generally know very well what you DON'T want (you've already declined Aunt Cunegonde's offer and her old baby walker), you have no idea what you could possibly ask for! We help you with some ideas.
– The anti-list: no plush toys, clothing, and Co
Let's start with the gifts that should BE REMOVED from the possible choices.
Plush toys:
A plush toy is cute. The problem is that generally, you receive more than one, rather 10! All this so that in the end, baby ends up choosing a pacifier, a sheet, a duvet, or balloons (dedication to dear son) and the pile of plush toys ends up in a box in the basement.
Clothing:
In 3 or 6 months, you often receive enough to dress quintuplets (meaning: you won't even have time to put everything on him before baby has already outgrown it)... Often these are very pretty clothes but also very uncomfortable: frilly little dresses, slim jeans, beautiful for souvenir photos but much less for your little heart and his comfort.
Larger sizes are more durable and less often given, but there remains the risk that when baby reaches the right size to wear them (which is hard to predict), the clothing will not be suitable for the season.
Snaps and headbands:
Similar to plush toys, it's a "easy" and inexpensive gift, as long as baby has a head which is not guaranteed!
Dangerous objects:
We repeat and reiterate: in a baby's bed, you put NOTHING. Bed canopies and crib bumpers are very Instagrammable but pose a serious risk of suffocation. Babies always move much more than you think and can get stuck inside, and the materials sold as "breathable" are just as problematic as their counterparts (marketing hello...).
In general: you do not give a parent a tool that you know is "against" or that does not match their values. (We know, it sounds basic but unfortunately, this notion is not understood by everyone!
1 – The cocoon bath: the original towel-bib
You don't know it yet, but taking your little frog out of the bath, all wet, slipping, crying, and struggling because she would rather stay inside, is sometimes a bit like catch and everyone ends up soaked!
The apron design allows the parent to have free hands to pick up their little one, and to be able to wrap them very quickly in the towel as soon as they are out, to quickly keep them warm against them while staying dry.
Big, fluffy, and incredibly soft, the cocoon bath is definitely a must-have!
2 – Parenting workshops
Carrying, baby massage, wrapped bath, sign language… The offer is increasingly developed and allows learning a lot about your baby in an atmosphere that is generally relaxed and warm.
More than a material gift, it is time spent with your family and helps strengthen bonds. It is also useful, which adds to the pleasure!
3 – A baby carrier
Sometimes a bit expensive for one person, the carrying system can be the subject of a group purchase. It is a useful gift that will serve daily to make life easier for the whole family by meeting the needs of the baby while freeing the parents' arms.
We always recommend having the main carrying system at home before the baby is born, even if you buy it yourself and get reimbursed afterward (possible when it is a gift from a close person, for example): this allows to be sure to have it right away and not to have to wait to see people when you would have needed it earlier.
If you already have your main baby carrier, the gift registry can allow you to be offered a secondary system (for example, a sling to complement the already owned wrap).
If you're still unsure about what will suit you, don't hesitate to prefer a small fund for later financing!
4 – Baby care products
Well-being oils, to soothe digestive troubles and colic or to help with sleep… We always appreciate having something to massage the baby and it allows for a privileged contact with them and to strengthen the bond.
Care products also come in many other ranges focused on bath time (soap, shampoos, bubble bath…), everyday minor injuries (bruises, small wounds…), winter viruses, or insect bites. Always useful to have on hand in case of need.
Can't decide? Opt for gift sets offering carefully selected skincare assortments based on your needs!
Bonus: Neobulle oils are delicately scented and crafted in France from organic and natural ingredients.
5 – Chewable toys
Made of natural rubber and free from toxic substances, we love Oli and Carol toys, and so do children!
Shaped like fruits and vegetables and just the right flexible, they are a must-have that babies will love to chew on when their gums start to tickle.
The range also includes bath toys WITHOUT HOLES that won't mold (those who know...).
A personal favorite is the flycatcher anemone for its slightly rebellious vibe, but we leave it up to you to discover their entire range!
The fruit and vegetable ranges can then be recycled into a play kitchen, making them very durable toys!
NB: Want a targeted gift for teething? You can pair a calming gum oil with the rattle!
6 – The practical "you can never have too many"
The "you can never have too many" category includes everything you can buy AND be given as duplicates or triplicates because, as the name suggests, you can never have too many!
Among the items on the list are:
- Diapers: these large muslin fabric squares are absolutely useful for EVERYTHING! Including: for reflux and vomit, milk overflowing during feeding, isolating baby from the floor when placed somewhere, swaddling, as a light improvised blanket... You quickly get used to losing a few everywhere (in every room of the house, stroller, car, diaper bag...), and they also have a pretty interesting potential to be turned into a comforter.
- Washable wipes: an easy substitute for disposable cotton and wipes used for cleaning baby's bottom during diaper changes, washable wipes do just as good a job AND are eco-friendly since they prevent a lot of waste. Easy to maintain, they also remain very useful later for wiping the face. or rinse the little hands full of chocolate.
Want something more complete than just a few wipes? Opt for kits that combine washable wipes and care products that can complement them and easily fit into the diaper bag!
7 – Little dishes
This gift is a bit separate, but fully in line with the parenting support necessary postpartum.
Having one or more dishes brought to be frozen is taking full advantage of the visit from a loved one because then you won't have to prepare a meal once they leave! And it's also appreciated to have advance preparation for the difficult days when fatigue and baby’s cries mix.
This also works for hours of cleaning or babysitting as needed!
8 – A portable diaper bag
We all know the bottomless diaper bag that allows you to bring half of the house with you. Reassuring for first outings where we tend to pack it a bit "just in case," but ultimately quite quickly cumbersome, especially for short trips…
The portable diaper bag easily slips under the stroller or into a large handbag, and allows you to have all the essentials for changing the baby within reach and with minimal bulk.
It’s also a real asset for parents who love to travel and hike!
9 – Simple toys
By simple toys, we mean anything that doesn’t contain batteries. Whether for your nerves (and your eardrums) or for your baby’s, simpler toys are better.
Say goodbye to blinking noise-making gadgets (always too loud and without adjustable settings), which overstimulate and excite the baby!
Prefer wooden or fabric toys, which gently stimulate the senses (notably touch).
It also applies to mobiles: an object that spins with light and music just above the baby’s head is more like a disco ball in a nightlight than a soothing lullaby!
10 – A portable carrier blanket / sleep sack
Did you know? Thick clothing (coat, snowsuit…) is not recommended
in car seats (safety risk because the strap is no longer properly adjusted on the child) and baby carriers (impossibility of properly adjusting the system in particular).On the market, there are carrying blankets and footmuffs for strollers or cars. Neobulle makes your life easier by combining the 2 needs into a single product A blanket designed to accompany carrying in protecting baby from the elements thanks to its water-repellent and windproof exterior, AND that can be used as a footmuff thanks to the opening allowing the strap to pass through.
Your little one can thus switch from the carrying system to the car seat while staying warm.
The list is obviously not exhaustive but we hope it will give you and your loved ones some ideas! Note that some needs may also arise later in the baby’s life and cannot be anticipated: gift cards or crowdfunding can help avoid buying lots of "useless" items because "you have to", and to enjoy the thoughtful gestures of loved ones at different times!
