My wife and I welcomed our second child in November. What I’ve noticed is that people are super generous when it comes to the birth of a child. Remember The Game of Life? If you ever played and got kids, gifts came along with it. Turns out, actual life is not so different. Showers and sprinkles make sure you’re covered before the baby gets here. And you know something? It doesn’t stop there. People continue the outpouring of support once the baby arrives. To everyone who has helped us with gifts, support, and time along the way, I’d like to offer my sincerest gratitude.
As a parent who has withstood the newborn stage twice in the last two-and-a-half years, I’ve compiled a list of gift ideas for parents in a similar situation. A couple ideas are pretty standard, but the vast majority are a bit…unconventional. Nonetheless, they’re all things a newborn parent could use and appreciate (with the exception of, maybe, the last one). So, whether you’re a parent looking to round out his or her baby registry with some outside-the-box options, or you’re a friend who wants to get a parent of a newborn something memorable, check out these 11 great gift ideas.
Note: The products featured here were selected by me. If you click on a link and buy something, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I call that a win-win.
I cannot stress enough how tired you are as a parent of a newborn. Constant waking, feeding, crying, lulling. It’s exhausting. Which is why Starbucks gift cards are in my top three favorite gifts to send to friends who have young kids. See below for what rounds out the top three. It’s a great gift for showers, sprinkles, births, and birthdays (both the child’s and the parents’). The number one thing a newborn needs is an alert parent. Coffee helps make that happen. Buy one here!
Laundry Service
When you add another person to your life, especially one that is constantly peeing, pooping, and spitting up, you’re going to do a lot of laundry. And that’s just for the little bundle of joy. Which means your laundry gets ignored. Let’s be real here. I’ve worn the same sweater for a good six days in row now. There’s so much of my own laundry in the hamper. Imagining a service that comes to get the dirty stuff and returns it, pressed and folded, seems like a Utopian dream.
Cleaning Service
Along the same lines, if you think cleaning my house is a priority once a newborn comes around, you’re nuts! But that doesn’t change the fact that messes pile up and add to the stress that limited sleep, and irregular meals bring. Which is why someone to clean my house sounds great. Might I suggest the bathrooms and kitchen (with dishes!)? They’re high impact areas that don’t necessarily require one to pick up prior to service (requirements to pick up should be avoided–added stress!).
Meals
Speaking of irregular meals, good gracious! How do I put this? When you have a newborn, your schedule revolves around him or her, not you! So, you eat when your little guy or girl allows it. Which is to say you don’t know when your next meal will come, or where it will come from. That’s why the gift of a meal would be so appreciated. Want to do it on the cheap? Whip up your favorite low-cost dish and bring it over. Feeling a little lazier? Try a takeout service like Grubhub, here.
Groceries
No matter how much food you order out, when you have a newborn, you need groceries. Essentials like milk, fruit, and snacks are in high demand, and run out quickly. But, going to the grocery store can be tough, especially while caring for a little one. Of course, you can always offer to go to the store and deliver the groceries for a parent of a newborn. Or, you can have the stuff shopped for and delivered through services like Peapod and Amazon Fresh.
Disposable Goods
It might not be the most environmentally sustainable option, but paper goods can help parents of a newborn maintain their sanity. Remember how I mentioned that regular cleaning just isn’t gonna happen? Well, that goes for the dishes, for sure. So, why bother with dishes when you can throw them out? That’s what paper plates, plastic cutlery, and plastic cups allow you to do. Again, this ain’t a long-term fix, but it can help a parent for a couple weeks till they get their routines in order. When our second was born, I remarked to my wife, “Why are we doing dishes (we weren’t, mind you, they were just piling up)? We need disposable stuff, right now! So, I went out and got disposables.
Car Wash
The car can get pretty gross. Not unsafely gross, but stressfully gross. And whether we’re talking a full interior-exterior detailing, or a regular wash and vacuum, there’s something about a clean car that can be rather peaceful. Like a sanctuary to escape the chaos. Thing is, you need to make sure to remove the chaos. Anyone willing to wash my car, or take it to get washed, would provide such a service, and be much appreciated.
Wipes
Remember how I mentioned that Starbucks gift cards are in my top three baby gift purchases? Well, here’s another member of the top three. As my Aunt Laurie told me when our first was born, “You never have enough wipes.” This pearl of wisdom has held up as indisputably true. You go through ‘em super fast, and they work for so many situations. Anyone who gives me a box of wipes gets an approving nod. For diaper wipes, check here! For hand and face wipes, check here! And for wipes that allow for a makeshift bath on the go, check here!
Diapers
And rounding out the top three are diapers. Pretty understandable. They’re a necessity. Here’s the trick, though. Pick a size that the kid will be in for a while, like size one or two. The newborn diapers last a week or two, and the hospital lets you leave with a nice stockpile. While some parents might be loyal to a type or brand, I’m not. If it’s clean and it fits, it’s going on my kid. Buy some here!
Babysitting
For those with limited funds, that’s great. For those with limited time (or patience), not so much. Still, time is an incredible resource for parents of a newborn. Sometimes you just need a shower. Sometimes you could go for a nap. Sometimes you absolutely must get to the doctor. And sometimes you need a refreshing date night with your significant other. In order to break free for even a half hour, a newborn’s parent may need a babysitter. The power of time cannot be underestimated!
Night Nurse
Finally, another gift that gives time to the parents A night nurse is someone that cares for the baby overnight, so parents can get some shut eye. This one is the most risky, and, likely, the priciest. Some parents do not, under any circumstances, want anything like this. So, before booking anything, you might want to double check with the parents first. The sleep struggle is real. If your friend or loved one is battling, and cool with someone else feeding their kid overnight, this could be a game-changer–even for just one night.
Maybe you’ve noticed, but only a couple of these things are for the baby, strictly speaking. The rest are for making the lives of the parents a bit easier. I firmly believe that the biggest thing a child needs is a loving and supportive parent. And while love and support just kind of pour out automatically, impediments, like stress can get in the way. If you’re looking for something to get a parent of a newborn, try one of the ideas above. They can all help minimize the stresses of everyday life, and assist them in being the most loving and supportive parents possible.
Note: The products featured here were selected by me. If you click on a link and buy something, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I call that a win-win.
And another thing: Header image courtesy of Pixabay.
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