New Mom Gift Basket

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Hello!

Last weekend we celebrated my very good friend and her soon-to-arrive baby. I couldn't help but be extra excited for this shower because a) It was for my very good friend, and b) I was on the other side of the shower / celebration / anticipation / absolute and complete unknown.  What a relief to just watch, encourage, and celebrate someone else!

Since she is a good friend, I decided to give myself permission to go rogue from her baby registry and get her the things I wish I had around my house when the baby came.  I thought of so many things, but narrowed it down to these (which I found all at Target, in one shopping trip..which made the narrowing down easy).

1. Eye Mask - for all those daytime naps to heed the ubiquitous advice to "sleep when the baby sleeps!"  It takes me generally 20+ minutes to fall asleep, and with the sun out even more.  These babies cut that down to about 60 seconds when you add in lack of sleep :)

2. Her favorite wine 

3. Dry Shampoo - yes I spoke of this here before, and still attest - it is a new mom's life saver

4. Mother's Milk herbal lactation tea - and if it doesn't work, at least it tastes good

5. Facial Cleansing Wipes - anything "quick" is a new mom's dream

6. A Cereal / easy healthy-ish snack she likes - I chose Fiber One because I know she likes it, and it has Fiber - much needed at this stage

7. Personal Cleansing Wipes - I don't need to go into detail on this, just trust me...they are handy for weeks

8. Lanolin nipple cream - used constantly for at least 3 weeks. oweeee!

9. A copy of Parents Magazine (or of course any magazine for those long feeding sessions is great)

10. Another snack - anything that can be easily grabbed and eaten with one hand; these are fruit chews with added Vitamin C

11. Tank tops - I prefer the "normal" tank tops for feeding- Old Navy has great ones, shelf bra tops are great, and Target has a bunch of different styles.  I have at least a dozen tank tops that I use constantly to feed Mia in (plus I live in AZ and wear tank tops 5+ months out of the year).  

The 2-tank top trick is my go-to for feedings with other people around (the tank underneath is pulled down, the top one is pulled up - that way your back and side are always covered, and your chest/cleavage is covered - both good whether or not you use those handy feeding covers).

Looking at this list I can see a few themes: the need for food, the lack of showering and sleep, and anything revolving around breastfeeding.  Yep that pretty much sums up a new mom's life.

If you are a mom, I'm sure you could think of many other items to add / exchange.  And of course, always use your best judgement for the particular new mom you are buying for.  And don't forget the gift receipt! :)

Best wishes to all those new and soon-to-be new mamas out there!