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Whether the parents you’re getting this gift for is on their first kid or their 3rd, one thing is for sure, they are in for a wild ride (especially those first few weeks and months).
One of my best friends, Em, had her first baby late last year. I remember going to brunch with her and our girlfriends before she gave birth and hearing the barrage of advice (even some friendly warnings) when it comes to becoming a parent.
“Get ready to never sleep in again”, our friend Helen, mother of two boys, said. “You’re going to have to figure out when you can shower”, Mel, who has a little boy and girl, added. And “make sure you look after yourself”, Bernie threw in for good measure.
Fast forward 3 months, and all the girls were right in some way.
Em is working her way through all of those challenges and then some – and doing a damn fine job I might add.
Here are some of the things we have gifted to friends embarking on the same journey, to help them get through #parentlife.
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Pour-over coffee maker
Under $100 – getting up for those early feedings is an absolute killer on a parent’s sleep. Gifting parents a coffee maker will not only help them get through the day, but will be sure to put you at the top of their ‘hero list’. The Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer ticks so many boxes. It’s slim and sleek so will fit into any sized kitchen (and we know bench space can be a problem when there’s kids and chaos around). It’s quick and easy just pop in a pod, and water, and presto, perfect pour-over coffee ready in an instant.
Filter or espresso coffee subscription
From $25+ – your friends or family might already have a coffee machine they love almost as much as their newborn baby, in that instance, gifting parents a gourmet coffee subscription will save the day like clockwork. beanbros.co partners with farmers across the world to deliver different coffee seasonally, with a great range of filtered and espresso coffee. They even deliver globally to 50 countries around the world.
Sleep eye mask
Under $25 – “nap when the baby naps”, they say. It’s not always easy getting shut-eye during daylight hours. Especially when you have so much to do and so little time. But you have to nap! I recently bought the Manta Sleep Mask 100% Light Blocking Eye Mask and I love it, even more than my pure silk eye mask. Why? Because it doesn’t put pressure on your eyes, it has this unique eye cup design that blocks out light with complete comfort.
Soft plush bathrobe
Under $50 – sometimes parents just need a big ‘ol hug, and if you can’t always be there to hug it out, a comforting plush bathrobe is the next best thing. NY Threads Women’s Fleece Bathrobe is soft and stylish, so it’s ideal for all-day use (with no judgment). The fleece material makes it fluffy and relaxed, but also means it is easy to care for as it is machine wash and tumble dry compatible. There is a men’s version as well if you want to throw that into the mix.
Multifunction backpack
Under $100 – sometimes the best thing for parents with a newborn is just to get out of the house. That can sometimes feel like more trouble than it’s worth because of all the things you need to organize and bring when you’re out and about with the baby. A multifunction Diaper Bag Travel Backpack has compartments for: diapers, change of clothes, wraps, and personal or work items, as well as, insulated pockets for bottles. Just pack it, strap it on, and off you go.
Osteo cervical pillow
Under $75 – I’ve talked about gifts to help with sleep (or in some cases not sleeping), because it’s probably the thing that parents with newborns need and want most. The EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow will help all types of sleepers have a recharging night’s rest because it is ergonomic and provides therapeutic relief that will help parents fall asleep faster and deeper. Whether you’re a back, side or stomach sleeper, it aims to support and align your head, neck, shoulder and back.
Filtered water bottle
Under $50 – self-care is a big part of helping newborn parents succeed. One of my favorite friends and parents, Mel, always says, “you need to fill your cup to be of any use to your kids”. So, the Brita Plastic Water Filter Bottle is a great way to help parents literally fill their cup and stay healthy and hydrated throughout the day. The built-in Brita filter that fits in the straw, will help improve the quality of your drinking water and reduce the waste of buying single-use plastic water bottles. It’s easy to carry around, comes in a few different sizes, and is dishwasher friendly.
Lactation cookies
From $25+ – one of the most stressful things for newborn mothers can be breastfeeding. The best thing you can do for your friends or family going through this is to tell them they’re doing a great job whether there’s milk, or not. But if they are trying to breastfeed, Munchkin Milkmakers Lactation Cookie Bites are a thoughtful and tasty way to help them take on the challenge. These ‘lactation consultant recommended’ cookies come in flavors including: oatmeal chocolate chip, chocolate salted caramel, and oatmeal raisin, or better yet, try a little of each in the sampler gift set.
Easy meals cookbook
Under $25 – hint, this suggestion will make a lot more sense when you see the hero gift idea (below). What’s an instant pot cook without meal ideas. Sometimes thinking of what to make is half the effort. If you buy your friends and family an instant pot cooker, don’t forget to add in, The Ultimate Instant Pot cookbook. It has 200 simple recipes fit for every flavor. There’s plenty of instant pot cookbooks out there, but this one is the must-have staple.
HERO GIFT: Instant pot cooker
Under $150 – domestic demands like cooking don’t stop when you have a baby, in fact, they can get harder because parents are tired and time-poor. This gift will be something families will continue to use as they get bigger. The Instant Pot Duo 9-in-1 Cooker does everything – pressure cooks, slow cooks, cooks rice, steams, sautes, warms, and even makes yogurt. Just prep the ingredients, then press one of the 15 customizable programs, and you’ll have a delicious meal ready for the family.
