Good gifts for a newborn.

[Flip_Bernard]

Lots of my friends are having babies. I've typically given stuffed animals, Totoro (from the Miyazaki movies) was well received, but I'm looking for other interesting and useful options for newborns.

It's tough to get things for newborns that aren't too boring or choking hazards.

Anyone have suggestions?


-- I've also got one of my own coming this Halloween. This list will also help me ask for things that I'll actually use.

[fallon]

New baby, what fun!!! My daughter was born oct. 21st. Newborns are hard to shop for. I like to either wait and see what they need or buy a gift a lttle later if I want to get something fun. Or if you want to spend a little more you could name a star after the baby. That's kinda fun

[Kaytee]

The best gifts for newborns is diapers (if using disposable) also things for mom, nursing pillows, things like that. For babies don't buy newborn clothes. They grow out of them so fast. Buy 3-6 month clothes. Or toys for when they are older. Like stacking cones or peek a boo blocks. They will pplay with those things when they are 4 months old and when they are 19 months old.

[fallon]

I remember getting so many newborn size clothes w no reciepts. My kids were 10lb and 9lbs those gifts didn't get us very far. I highly reccomend gift reciepts . Also my new fav baby product is this chair Bumbo I get a ton of use out of it. It was a little expensive but worth it when you consider all the ways it comes in handy. If you look at you might think I'm crazy but it really is useful in a lot of ways

[Flip_Bernard]

Clothes do seem like a very short-lived item. I've seen how my nephew and friends' kids have grown. We're just going to borrow from them and pass the clothes on to the next newborn.

I like the stacking cones idea. Versatile and indestructable.

The other thing I find amusing about baby toys is that there's no telling what characteristic of a toy attracts the baby. In a world where everything is soft and colorful, the wrapping paper seems to be pretty competitively interesting...

[fallon]

that's true. sometimes the boxes and paper are the best part

[Kaytee]

Oh yes, Nichole loves the boxes!!

[sadinplaid]

I did not even know you could buy stuffed animals from the Miyazaki movies. We love his films! I was really excited to read that in your thread!!

[jenilouise]

I make a little gift basket out of a diaper bags with oneses, rattles, washcloths, a cardboard book, etc. Not expensive items but all together very nice. I throw in herbal tea for mom too.

[Flip_Bernard]

I'm in Los Angeles where there are a couple of places that specialize in Japanese products. Mitsuwa markets always have small affiliate stores that sell stuff for kids, including Totoro. Someone I know has one of the ash balls from Spirited Away (and other movies, I think). Cute.

Lately, we've been giving away t-shirts, but I'm surprised how expensive they can be. Onesy at Target = $4. Onesy with design from any place in Venice/Santa Monica = $30. Crazy.

I also like giving away flip books from www.flipclips.com (my company). I use my digital camera to record a short clip, then order it from home.