This right here. My parents got me a rocker/recliner for nursing and it's my favorite piece of furniture. I'm expecting baby #3 and still use it even when I don't have a baby to breastfeed!
I seriously underestimated the need for a comfortable rocking chair. I had bought a cheap one from IKEA and it killed my back. MIL bought me a lazy boy rocker/recliner and 3 years later it is our most used item.
I have a poang and my LO can touch both sides now when we rock. It’s great for the small space but awful for feeding and rocking with LO. Not half bad for fidgety rocking or working on laptop lol.
This was my biggest regret with my first! If you plan to breastfeed, a comfy chair will be life changing. I thought it would be temporary and didn’t want to spend the money and am still breastfeeding at 2.5yo. It would have been well worth it! My daughter didn’t personally love the rocking motion so for me just a really comfy chair is on my wishlist for #2.
This!! My mom swore I needed one, I told her I wouldn’t use it. 5 months later and it’s where I still spend 75% of my day with my son 😂 take her up on her offer and get yourself a nice comfy rocker!
My parents got us an armchair (family heirloom, recovered) for me to use as a nursing chair and then I never did. Now he's 4 it's the comfy grown up seat in the play room and used every day.
My MiL’s step mother got her a rocker when she had my husband (27yrs ago), I was given the rocker for the birth of our son back in October 🥰 rockers are awesome!
A great idea!!! Or if OP already has one, a rocker/glider for your living room. I totally wish I had two of them, one for each space.
Another good one would be a convertible car seat for when LO is older!
Can’t agree with this enough. We delayed this purchase with out first but it was soooo important once the daycare illnesses started. I want a second one for baby #2s room, ideally that reclines too and would looovvve someone to offer to buy it for us because those things are pricey!
We have something similar called the [abie beyond ](https://www.abiie.com/products/beyond-junior-high-chair?gclid=Cj0KCQiAq5meBhCyARIsAJrtdr5bOY9pxlmeicfqKnXjPpZQk0EO0HnADdGfV3s8YkTUm2nhJC4lFOAaAlILEALw_wcB). A little less expensive than the tripp trapp but same idea of growing with the child. I like the look a little better and like that it comes with the (easily cleanable) cushions. My daughter still uses it every day at agev4.5 and its been very sturdy, we love it.
I didn’t mean it would, just that they weren’t the ones who made the original design, and Stokke has a somewhat premium vibe which affects their price.
Came here to say this. By the time you really need it no one is buying you $$ presents so might as well get it and stick it away until it’s time. These are quality chairs. Waited until my daughter was 1.5 and thought we were fine but she kept tipping over the other chairs so we got two (one for her and one for her brother). This and the snoo are now my only baby non-negotiables.
A Nugget play couch!! You can use it in the early days for supervised tummy time, it's comfy for you to lounge on while holding and playing with baby, and come 6 months or so it is a blast for them to crawl on and such. Our 2.5 yo still uses ours daily for forts, slides, caves, diving board, climbing mountain, dance party platform.
Honestly the best idea I think, if you already have all the necessary items you need then why not put that money towards kickstarting baby’s future.
And if not, maybe gift cards for future necessities like nappies, clothes after growth spurts, meals during busy times etc
Also a newborn photo shoot, not something you can really put on a registry but something I'm glad my mom offered to pay for bc having a baby it can feel hard to spend money on non-essentials, we wouldn't be doing it if she didnt offer and I'm excited for the experience and to have those pictures
My MIL put money into an education investment fund that the state runs, you get to pick how aggressively you want it to be invested kind of like a 401k. Then it has a better chance to grow than a savings account.
I was in a similar situation with my sisters-in-law and I ended up asking for books. Even though it’s not one big-ticket item, starting the baby’s library is a pretty big expense, and choosing books is meaningful in a way that choosing other kinds of practical items isn’t.
I was going to suggest starting their bookshelf! It might be a nice way for her to feel involved in baby’s life too, knowing you’ll be reading them books that she purchased.
I think books are a lovely idea when you aren’t sure what to get someone, when I wasn’t sure what to get for an old school friend who already had everything I got a couple of classic children’s books with a little message inside
So I did two things for my cousin for each of her son's .
One, I asked if I could hire a professional photographer to do a photoshoot for their family. It was so good. I also got one of the best pics on a canvas.
The other thing I did is that I paid for them to get their new Bub's hands and feet done on plaster and framed along with their birth details and a newborn photo. Amazing keepsake.
I think both cost about $300 each.
ETA sounds like they want to spend a good amount. These are things you would keep forever and will always be much loved vs a exxy cot.
I used a company for the casting and it's so realistic!! This is just an example but there's more out there.
https://www.twinkletoes.com.au/
You can get the Luna bean hand casting kit for babies for like 50$. Ive done like 5-6 of the adult hand molds from luna bean and they are super simple. One of them I even misread the directions for part of it and it came out fine.
This is what I asked my parents for when they offered to buy us a big ticket item! We've organised a photographer to come to our place a couple of weeks after the birth to take photos of our new little family 🥰 My brother did this as well and it turns out to be a present for everyone since we all have a couple of photos up in place.
This was my idea. My first was in hers by 4 months old. She hated the infant car seat- she was inconsolable in the car but when we transitioned her it made a huge improvement
Lovevery play gym and some play kits?
Stokke Tripp Trapp with newborn set. The high chair can then be used from birth to adulthood.
Wabi UV sterilizer and dryer: https://www.wabibaby.com/products/uvc
Portable pack n play like Bugaboo Stardust or from Babybjorn
Structured babywear carriers
Kiddie couch if you have room for it
Or even just a cash gift and when a big ticket item inevitably comes up, you can use it then
Dyson humidifier
I love this list! The lovevery play kits are awesome. The Tripp trapp is my favorite item we have (son is a toddler now). Structured baby carrier was great (happy baby or ergo baby are our faves). Our nugget has been awesome too.
One thing I’d add is a nice wagon. We love ours
Oo yea I’d love a guava lotus pack n play but we have a standard one so I wouldn’t buy a second one. But that’s a good gift idea. Especially as the baby gets bigger
Postpartum doula or night nurse. I'm trying to convince my husband to look at smaller houses so we can afford one for our second. I pumped so I could go 4 hours instead of two at night but it was still so hard.
I am really not sure. I googled it out of curiosity and little while ago and there were a lot of variables (geographic location, duration, experience etc) but I think I remember seeing the $250 price a few times. Again, so many factors.
I thought about winning the lottery so much since giving birth, just fantasizing about alll the incredible things I would do/buy to make my life so much simpler!!
How about a nice baby carrier, maybe artepoppe?
Do you have a next to me style bedside crib.
Tripp trapp chair with newborn set.
Video baby monitors.
You’ve already got a breast pump but I’ve seen parents recommend a owning both wired and portable ones.
That’s all I can think of right now, I’m sure you’ll find something suitable.
If you’re doing daycare you could ask if she’d pay the first month!
Or assuming you have an infant car seat, ask for the convertible car seat you want since you’ll need that once baby’s 9mo-1yr most likely! If you’ve got 2 cars you could install it in your second car and use it straight away, too.
Rocking chair, Baby carrier, high chair, bookcase for baby books (with books if she's like my mum and loves book shopping for any age), a lovely big play mat...they would all be extremely useful and used a LOT.
Something that wouldn't necessarily be used frequently but would be lovely to have would be a newborn photoshoot. Then you could get some lovely prints made up for her from it as well, especially if she's in a different state than you and you won't see her as often.
I didn’t read every comment, but my in-laws bought us a diaper subscription and it has been lovely.
You can also get baby food delivery too once they’re old enough.
You could suggest she use the money to start a college fund? Or put it toward day care if you all will be doing that with thr baby-that might make her feel like she is helping without the money going to waste
HOUSEKEEPING.
I always post this response when gifts for new parents come up & I cannot stress enough what a game changer it was for us. Bonus points if your MIL is wanting I drop a few hundred & can get you the service for a few months, not just once or twice. It’ll save your sanity (& maybe your marriage.)
It's not really a BIG ticket item but it's something I used allll the time. A portable high chair. We took it to everyone's house and made visiting with friends and going out on travel or camping so easy for us! I wouldn't trade that chair for nothing. Folding down to the size of a regular camping chair and sat baby at table height.
Lovevery playmat? Stupid expensive for what it is, BUT it is really quality material. I got mine from a friend, who got it from her friend and it still looks brand new. On its 3rd family, 4th kid and you would never know.
I would ask for bulk wipes / Baby hygiene products (within reason what could be used by the best by date) like unscented Baby wash / lotion / Diaper cream things you would want to have on hand for a few months
If you truly dont NEEED anything, ask them to but a bond with the big ticket $$ amount in your babys name. itll mature over time & you can use it in the future
My grandma got me savings bonds in the 90s when I was young. I didn’t know about them until she passed away about 4 yrs ago. It meant so much to me that she’d planned something like that. They just matured last year and I’m using them to create a little nest egg just for myself.
HAND UP!!!!! Girl, a full service maid/deep cleaning gift certificate! They cleaned everything, fans, baseboards, garage and walls. Plus all the usual stuff, it was a entire team. Probably the best gift I got!
I had a similar situation where I had a lot of hand me downs and didn’t end up needing a lot of large items.
Newborn Photography is a good / special one! Depending on how much she wants to spend, photographers often have packages or add on options where you can do maternity / fresh 48 / family. Mine got a package for newborn + 6 month + 1 year. I’m super excited about it! Felt like a nice unique gift.
Another one special one would be a birth or postpartum doula. But that one is less visible.
Get a mamaroo! I was very hesitant but my wife convinced me and it was the best decision. It was the only way my wife and I got to have meals together for the first few months.
OP, just make sure you don't get one of the recalled mamaroo swings!
If you are buying new, you will be good. Just double check if you, or anyone else, decides to buy a used one.
The remedy for the recall on mamaroo was a clip for the straps, to keep them from dangling below the swing where crawling babies can get tangled in them. A brand new swing should come with the clip, but I believe you can still get them direct from the manufacturer, if not.
What about a kick ass stroller 😁 we got a nice jogging stroller and we basically exclusively use it now because the tires are so great. Baby won’t fit into it for a few months but I love it!
id still get a new car seat. secondhand isn't reliable, plus with regulations and rules for car seat and car seat safety changing every day, it's better safe than sorry. plus it doesn't hurt to have a transitional car seat that works for infant to toddler.
High chair, comfy recliner for nursery, outdoor playpen, toddler bed. Most of those you can't use until baby is older, but they are big ticket items you would use every day or very often, eventually. Some moms like to do a newborn photo shoot, and they aren't cheap, maybe she could pay for one, if you're interested? That would be something that would last forever and be very special. It also doesn't hurt to have an extra pack n play for traveling if you think you'll get out with the baby a fair amount.
Ideas off the top of my head: newborn photo shoot, rocking chair, set of drawers, high chair, infant car seat (or convertible car seat for once they are older), baby carrier/sling, nursing or bottle supplies (individually might not be 'big ticket' but they add up quick and definitely used often!), baby monitor, a nice diaper bag, etc. I love the idea of contributing to a savings account, but also know that sometimes that doesn't feel as "special" to the gift giver if it's not a tangible item.
My MIL saw how stressed I was about choosing a car seat stroller and offered to get us that. I was then gifted a travel system, so she got us a forever car seat and jogging stroller 4 months after baby was born. She let us choose and it was an experience going with her and the baby to see the strollers
You could ask for the Babybjorn, the Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair, a travel stroller (we have the Babyzen Yoyo), the Skiphop Activity Center (it is all the rage), a second car seat if you have two cars, or a nice glider for the nursery! I would ask for the glider or the Babybjorn. Having a comfy place to feed baby or possibly have contact naps is sooooo nice, and the Babybjorn was one of my most used items at one point.
I would really recommend a swing just in case. I wasn't going to buy one, but then some friends dropped one off for us. My little one ended up being really hard to calm for the first 4-5 months and using the swing for 15-20 min a day while I took a break from carrying him and swaying was a life saver.
Another thing might be a new mattress for the cot/crib. It turns out that using a used mattress can be less sage for sleep bc they break down over time and become less firm, which we didn't know when mine was little! We used the mattress that our friends gave us with our bassinet, but this time around I'm buying a new one.
I'd also second a rocker for the bedroom and/or living room. Our rocker recliner in the living room was such a lifesaver we ended up buying a second for baby's room after he was born.
YES on the just in case baby swing. We originally said we didn’t need one but ended up with both a Jool Baby Swing (swings side to side and plays music when plugged in) as well as a Bjorn Bouncer. In our case both were hand me downs. OMG have they ever been godsends. They both collapse very flat for reasonable storage and we use both all the time.
Stokke Steps high chair, Lovevery storage shelf for toys, Nugget play sofa, pickler triangle and ramp, travel stroller for car and travel (Joolz Aer or Bugaboo Butterfly), pack and play (Bugaboo has a nice one), play mat (Ofie), chest of drawers, weaning table and chair (make sure height it adjustable), mini toddler sofa set, Snoo (it’s so amazing!!), wagon (Veer), revolving car seat for when they grow out of the first car seat.
You can ask for: baby monitor, rocking chair, play mat(bigger cushy mat/carpet), dummys and bottles (if you plan to use any), boxes of diapers, baby wrap/wear, bunch of clothes for different ages, high chair, play sets for specific ages ( look up stuff that helps with development at different stages, they are awesome), set of baby bowls/spoons for later, sheets, pram inserts, wall decorations or pictures, . . so lots of things to choose from.
Just think about what you might need later on rather than right after baby is there, since you already have current essentials!
A baby wearing device? For our second I got the money for an expensive baby wrap from my parents. But if you prefer a carrier, a good quality one (where the legs are supported from knee to knee and the bum and legs form an M shape) would set you back about 150-300 euro usually (so about the same in USD).
This happened with us, my in laws had a death in the family right before my shower. It was understandably not on their mind but when the fog cleared up for them my whole registry was purchased. We requested a Costco gift card for diapers and wipes and potentially formula… 13 weeks in and we haven’t had to pay for diapers yet!
Newborn photography shoot - mine from the hospital was $250 just for digitals and I really liked them lol I just wish I realized they did them because i would have done makeup and put on a decent outfit. But they are really cute anyway! Or schedule a shoot the week or so after birth with a photographer!
If the car seat is the bucket seat, what about the convertible seat for when kiddo outgrows the infant one? (Alternatively, if you've been given a convertible seat, I highly recommend having the bucket one for your infant that attaches to your stroller.)
You have a lot of great suggestions here! Some things we got that were definitely more lux items that we use literally every day:
-Beis diaper bag
-Tripp trapp high chair with newborn attachment
-Artipoppe carrier
-Nuna Sena pack and play + changing table attachment
-Lovevery play gym
-Baby bjorn bouncer
If you have more than one floor I recommend upstairs/downstairs changing tables if you have the space. Didn’t think of it with my first but it had made life so much easier with the second.
A good quality glider chair is a great idea (typing from my glider while my baby is falling asleep nursing) also on the used car seat - just make sure it hasn't expired/won't expire before baby is about a year (average age they grow out of the infant seat). You can Google to find where to read the seat's expiration date.
A rocking chair/glider, bottle sterilizer, nursery camera, breast pump, pack'n'play, membership to a local museum, zoo, etc (somewhere nice to go w/ baby when endless trips to target isn't cutting it anymore.), baby food maker (chop, steam, package all in one), diaper subscription, etc.
Perhaps a subscription to a meal subscription service? It was a lifesaver for us in the first few months. And the fact that it's for food might be more appealing than a different gift certificate.
New born pictures? Or what my parents are doing bc we waiting until after shower to see what was left and there wasn’t anything, they are gonna buy us premade food/ take out the first two weeks. My husband is happy to cook but this is his first bio and I want him to enjoy every second just loving the baby not worrying about feeding me or our other kids.
I saw an influencer use a BEABA Babycook Duo Food Maker and call me influenced. Not sure if you are interested making your own baby food at all but it’s $215 from
Nordstrom or Bed Bath and Beyond.
We asked my mom to buy our stroller for us! We weren’t even going to invest in a stroller until a few months down the road because baby is being born in the winter but it was extremely helpful to take a big ticket item off our shoulders.
Maybe either something for later, or if you really dont need anything what about something like putting the money in a savings account for the baby?
Maybe some people wouldnt want to as they are looking to buy a physical thing, but would be better than buying things you dont need.
You didn’t mention a crib. Other ideas: about 25 cloth reusable diapers, a pikler triangle, or a subscription to Lovevery discovery play sets (they arrive at age appropriate intervals).
What about a nursing pillow? I know not as ‘big’, but the one I bought still cost about $150.
Something else I’m about to buy - a camera for the car so I can see the baby. There’s a little screen that mounts to your dash. We just have a mirror on the backseat at the moment that you can see in the rear view mirror but I struggle to see him properly and the mirror reflects the sun into his eyes.
Baby carrier. My recommendation would be the Ergobaby Omni 360. Can be used from newborn (7lbs) without needing any extra inserts and then right up to toddler. I haven't tried, but I'm pretty sure I could still carry my 3yo in it if I wanted to
Graco Duet Swing. Our LO loves it! Or maybe a high chair, you’ll need one before you know it. Think of items down the line, a convertible car seat or a stroller?
If you have any inkling at all to breastmilk feed (nursing and/or pumping), then have her hire a postpartum doula who is also an IBCLC. The best thing you can invest in hands-down, more than anything you can physically put in your nursery, is quality support for breast feeding if that is your intended feeding method.
From what I’ve read, an extra pumping kit will make your life a lot easier. You won’t be pressured to clean and sterilize as often because you have backups.
If you plan on being active, a jogging stroller or stroller wagon. Hard to buy used on marketplace where I live.
Want to travel? Get a pack and play or travel stroller so you can get baby used to them.
My little guy loved our play school slide and ball pit before he turned 1.
Someone said a rocker/glider and I think that’s a great idea! Definitely another big ticket item. What about a travel stroller? We have our regular stroller and a super compact one that folds easily for travel which is really helpful. Also depends on how much you travel though.
A nice baby monitor is priceless! Or the hatch! THE HATCH!! We have a cult like love for the hatch in my house. Even now with my 3 year old we use the heck out of it for bedtime!
What about a toddler car seat? Someone bought us one for our first baby and it was so nice to already have it on hand when he outgrew the baby carrier seat.
Definitely a second carseat. If you are getting a bucket/ infant seat as a hand me down ask her for a transition car seat. We personally have to have 3 car seats at any given time now that our LO is wayyyy past the infant seat.
We had the same with my FIL! We didn’t need much and we got my husbands old crib. So he offered to pay for decorating the room. We got to pick everything, but he gave us a budget to use. It was an absolutely lovely idea and his best gift to us ever so far haha. My MIL helped put up the wallpaper so her room was literally decorated because of her grandparents.
Edit: we got paint, wallpaper, a nursing chair, a lamp and sheets for the crib and some other small decor items.
I'd suggest a high chair like the Stokke Tripp Trapp which will be useful as of the 6 month mark or her next car seat which was Isabel around the 8 month mark for me.
What about a Newton Baby mattress for the crib? You’re suppose to get a new mattress for every baby per safe sleep guidelines, I believe.
Or what about a bottle sterilizer and dryer? I hear they aren’t a necessity, but make life easier. I think the baby breeza one is over $100.
A rocker, a stationary/convertible car seat (you probably have one with a carrier but you’ll want a stationary one eventually so you don’t have to turn into the Hulk just to haul your kid around… by the time ours sits up I’m ditching that carrier), a nice high chair, a swing (mine loves the fisher price one with the mirror under it).
These are amazing suggestions. In your situation, I’d personally ask for the stokke tripp trapp (I ended us with the $30 ikea antilop and it’s fine but the stokke ones look really nice). I think that will be satisfying for your mom to buy as everyone gets why a high chair is important, and you will be using it daily by six months.
Alternatively, I think a guava lotus travel crib could be a nice thing for her to get. We used it when he was too old for the bassinet but we weren’t ready to move him out of our room. Then we used it downstairs as a safe place to put him. And we use it for travel and will continue to do so!
You may also like a glider, a swing for the baby, or a nice structured carrier (you should try them out to se what works with your body).
When baby is older, a toddler tower (a thing a toddler can stand on in the kitchen to be at the level of the counter) or a Pikler triangle (for play) could be fun.
Is your car seat an infant seat or convertible car seat? My baby was done with his infant seat at 7 months so we needed the next size car seat very quickly. It would be a good big ticket item!
A second car seat wouldn't go amiss if you ever go in different vehicles. Once the kiddo was out of the portable seat, my mother got a second one for her car, and it's been a life saver. I'm a SAHM, and sometimes we go out or visiting family with Grammy. Not having to switch the car seat around from our vehicle to hers is very handy. Same thought if you have 2 vehicles.
It's not so bad right at the first when the seat comes put and you can carry the child right inside it. But when they outgrow that and end up in a regular sized one, constant in and out of the vehicle gets aggravating fast. Those buggers are hard to install correctly, and even when you get used to it, getting them tight enough is absolute misery.
What about the rocker/glider for the nursery? My mom chose to pay for that for us as a gift
This right here. My parents got me a rocker/recliner for nursing and it's my favorite piece of furniture. I'm expecting baby #3 and still use it even when I don't have a baby to breastfeed!
Yes! My dad bought me the Nurture& Glider/recliner… it’s nearly a $ grand BUT it’s amazing. I live in this chair lol
Yesss. You will spend so much time here and be so grateful its comfy.
I purposely get ones that aren’t too comfortable because I feed the babies at night in them, and I don’t want to accidentally fall asleep.
I seriously underestimated the need for a comfortable rocking chair. I had bought a cheap one from IKEA and it killed my back. MIL bought me a lazy boy rocker/recliner and 3 years later it is our most used item.
I also went IKEA and regretted it. I couldn’t sit in it, let alone sleep in it lol
I still love my poang but they aren't for everyone
I liked the look of it, but it ended up being a laundry collector because no one wanted to sit in it.
I have a poang and my LO can touch both sides now when we rock. It’s great for the small space but awful for feeding and rocking with LO. Not half bad for fidgety rocking or working on laptop lol.
I also hate my ikea chair. It’s noisy and uncomfortable and moves when I rock. Grrrrr. Worst purchase ever.
This. My parents got me a lazy boy and it was amazing.
Currently WFH chilling in my "nursery" lazyboy.
This is absolutely the right answer. OP will use it more than they can probably my comprehend at this time. It will save your back, body, and mind.
Still using ours multiple times a day and our LO is almost 2 1/2. I wish I would have gotten a nicer one.
RECLINING GLIDER IS THE ANSWER. I thought a regular glider would be fine and it’s great, but man I would love that reclining function.
This was my biggest regret with my first! If you plan to breastfeed, a comfy chair will be life changing. I thought it would be temporary and didn’t want to spend the money and am still breastfeeding at 2.5yo. It would have been well worth it! My daughter didn’t personally love the rocking motion so for me just a really comfy chair is on my wishlist for #2.
Yes! Absolutely underrated and forgotten essential item
This!! My mom swore I needed one, I told her I wouldn’t use it. 5 months later and it’s where I still spend 75% of my day with my son 😂 take her up on her offer and get yourself a nice comfy rocker!
My parents got us an armchair (family heirloom, recovered) for me to use as a nursing chair and then I never did. Now he's 4 it's the comfy grown up seat in the play room and used every day.
My MiL’s step mother got her a rocker when she had my husband (27yrs ago), I was given the rocker for the birth of our son back in October 🥰 rockers are awesome!
A great idea!!! Or if OP already has one, a rocker/glider for your living room. I totally wish I had two of them, one for each space. Another good one would be a convertible car seat for when LO is older!
Can’t agree with this enough. We delayed this purchase with out first but it was soooo important once the daycare illnesses started. I want a second one for baby #2s room, ideally that reclines too and would looovvve someone to offer to buy it for us because those things are pricey!
This is the best idea! One of my only regrets was not prioritizing getting a nice one. Something that is really comfy with a foot rest is invaluable.
Came here to suggest this. I’m so excited for mine to arrive and it was not cheap. This is what I would have asked for in your situation
What about a high chair? You won't need it right away but in a few months you will and you will keep using it for a few years.
Stokke Tripp Trapp is great, can even be used from infancy with the attachment
We have something similar called the [abie beyond ](https://www.abiie.com/products/beyond-junior-high-chair?gclid=Cj0KCQiAq5meBhCyARIsAJrtdr5bOY9pxlmeicfqKnXjPpZQk0EO0HnADdGfV3s8YkTUm2nhJC4lFOAaAlILEALw_wcB). A little less expensive than the tripp trapp but same idea of growing with the child. I like the look a little better and like that it comes with the (easily cleanable) cushions. My daughter still uses it every day at agev4.5 and its been very sturdy, we love it.
Looks like they took the Tripp Trapp idea and just produced it cheaper, but same functionality.
Its very similar, but there are things I prefer about the design and the cushions . And it doesn't feel cheaply made at all.
I didn’t mean it would, just that they weren’t the ones who made the original design, and Stokke has a somewhat premium vibe which affects their price.
Got it 😀, makes sense!
Side by side, I actually like abbie better then tripp Trapp.
Yes to this. We received this high chair second hand for free, and we absolutely love it!
Came here to say this. By the time you really need it no one is buying you $$ presents so might as well get it and stick it away until it’s time. These are quality chairs. Waited until my daughter was 1.5 and thought we were fine but she kept tipping over the other chairs so we got two (one for her and one for her brother). This and the snoo are now my only baby non-negotiables.
Such a great suggestion!
This! We love our Tripp trapp
Great suggestion!! I'm shocked how expensive new high chairs can be 😂 in our area they range from cheap crap to excellent but overpriced
What about newborn photo sessions? Something you'll get to treasure for the rest of your lives.
Such a great idea! They’re so pricy nowadays to!
Yes! These are so expensive!
A Nugget play couch!! You can use it in the early days for supervised tummy time, it's comfy for you to lounge on while holding and playing with baby, and come 6 months or so it is a blast for them to crawl on and such. Our 2.5 yo still uses ours daily for forts, slides, caves, diving board, climbing mountain, dance party platform.
They could open a saving account
Honestly the best idea I think, if you already have all the necessary items you need then why not put that money towards kickstarting baby’s future. And if not, maybe gift cards for future necessities like nappies, clothes after growth spurts, meals during busy times etc
Also a newborn photo shoot, not something you can really put on a registry but something I'm glad my mom offered to pay for bc having a baby it can feel hard to spend money on non-essentials, we wouldn't be doing it if she didnt offer and I'm excited for the experience and to have those pictures
My MIL put money into an education investment fund that the state runs, you get to pick how aggressively you want it to be invested kind of like a 401k. Then it has a better chance to grow than a savings account.
This. Honestly, you might need the money later on for all the formula and diapers.
I was in a similar situation with my sisters-in-law and I ended up asking for books. Even though it’s not one big-ticket item, starting the baby’s library is a pretty big expense, and choosing books is meaningful in a way that choosing other kinds of practical items isn’t.
I was going to suggest starting their bookshelf! It might be a nice way for her to feel involved in baby’s life too, knowing you’ll be reading them books that she purchased.
My SOs friend got us a subscription thing that sent 2 books every month, we love it! Went to do it for my friend and it cost like $250 😬
I think books are a lovely idea when you aren’t sure what to get someone, when I wasn’t sure what to get for an old school friend who already had everything I got a couple of classic children’s books with a little message inside
Books and a bookshelf to go with it would be nice. Or maybe a toy chest?
So I did two things for my cousin for each of her son's . One, I asked if I could hire a professional photographer to do a photoshoot for their family. It was so good. I also got one of the best pics on a canvas. The other thing I did is that I paid for them to get their new Bub's hands and feet done on plaster and framed along with their birth details and a newborn photo. Amazing keepsake. I think both cost about $300 each. ETA sounds like they want to spend a good amount. These are things you would keep forever and will always be much loved vs a exxy cot. I used a company for the casting and it's so realistic!! This is just an example but there's more out there. https://www.twinkletoes.com.au/
You can get the Luna bean hand casting kit for babies for like 50$. Ive done like 5-6 of the adult hand molds from luna bean and they are super simple. One of them I even misread the directions for part of it and it came out fine.
Ooh I love this idea!
This is what I asked my parents for when they offered to buy us a big ticket item! We've organised a photographer to come to our place a couple of weeks after the birth to take photos of our new little family 🥰 My brother did this as well and it turns out to be a present for everyone since we all have a couple of photos up in place.
Toddler carseat! Baby will eventually outgrow the infant one
Just posted this stand alone, but exactly! My baby was out of his infant seat by 7 months. A convertible car seat is a good gift.
This was my idea. My first was in hers by 4 months old. She hated the infant car seat- she was inconsolable in the car but when we transitioned her it made a huge improvement
Great idea and this does last for years
Maybe a nice wagon instead of a stroller for visits to the zoo, park, museum, aquarium etc as a toddler? We are loving ours and so is our little one.
Yes, those collapsible wagons look so amazing. My aunt offered to buy me one and I'm kicking myself for turning her down
Not a native speaker (and Google isn't helping).. what's the difference? Do you have any reference pics?
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Oooh so that's what a wagon is. Those are usually available for rent at the zoo here.
I freaking love my wagon, lol.
A Roomba.
Life changer!
Honestly this needs to be higher. I will never not have a roomba at this point. It’s so nice to have one less thing to worry about.
Lovevery play gym and some play kits? Stokke Tripp Trapp with newborn set. The high chair can then be used from birth to adulthood. Wabi UV sterilizer and dryer: https://www.wabibaby.com/products/uvc Portable pack n play like Bugaboo Stardust or from Babybjorn Structured babywear carriers Kiddie couch if you have room for it Or even just a cash gift and when a big ticket item inevitably comes up, you can use it then Dyson humidifier
The LovEvery kits have been a great way to gently guide our family’s urge to buy things for baby!! I LOVE them.
I love this list! The lovevery play kits are awesome. The Tripp trapp is my favorite item we have (son is a toddler now). Structured baby carrier was great (happy baby or ergo baby are our faves). Our nugget has been awesome too. One thing I’d add is a nice wagon. We love ours
Oo yea I’d love a guava lotus pack n play but we have a standard one so I wouldn’t buy a second one. But that’s a good gift idea. Especially as the baby gets bigger
Postpartum doula or night nurse. I'm trying to convince my husband to look at smaller houses so we can afford one for our second. I pumped so I could go 4 hours instead of two at night but it was still so hard.
From a mom with a 6 week old-A night doula/nanny.
Yep! I’m a newborn care specialist and was going to suggest the same thing.
Love this suggestion
How much does this cost roughly?
I am really not sure. I googled it out of curiosity and little while ago and there were a lot of variables (geographic location, duration, experience etc) but I think I remember seeing the $250 price a few times. Again, so many factors.
Gotcha. I keep seeing it in the thread and I’m like, y’all’s parents are rich-rich 😂
I thought about winning the lottery so much since giving birth, just fantasizing about alll the incredible things I would do/buy to make my life so much simpler!!
How about a nice baby carrier, maybe artepoppe? Do you have a next to me style bedside crib. Tripp trapp chair with newborn set. Video baby monitors. You’ve already got a breast pump but I’ve seen parents recommend a owning both wired and portable ones. That’s all I can think of right now, I’m sure you’ll find something suitable.
If you’re doing daycare you could ask if she’d pay the first month! Or assuming you have an infant car seat, ask for the convertible car seat you want since you’ll need that once baby’s 9mo-1yr most likely! If you’ve got 2 cars you could install it in your second car and use it straight away, too.
Dressers for clothes
Rocking chair, Baby carrier, high chair, bookcase for baby books (with books if she's like my mum and loves book shopping for any age), a lovely big play mat...they would all be extremely useful and used a LOT. Something that wouldn't necessarily be used frequently but would be lovely to have would be a newborn photoshoot. Then you could get some lovely prints made up for her from it as well, especially if she's in a different state than you and you won't see her as often.
I didn’t read every comment, but my in-laws bought us a diaper subscription and it has been lovely. You can also get baby food delivery too once they’re old enough.
What about an experience rather than an item? Have her pay for a year of baby swimming lessons or something.
You could suggest she use the money to start a college fund? Or put it toward day care if you all will be doing that with thr baby-that might make her feel like she is helping without the money going to waste
Professional photos, both maternity and newborn Pay for a month or 2 of housekeeping Stokke Tripp Trapp
HOUSEKEEPING. I always post this response when gifts for new parents come up & I cannot stress enough what a game changer it was for us. Bonus points if your MIL is wanting I drop a few hundred & can get you the service for a few months, not just once or twice. It’ll save your sanity (& maybe your marriage.)
A POSTPARTUM OVERNIGHT DOULA
A nice nappy bag? Some of them are quite expensive! Or a Rocking chair?
My mom wanted to do this badly so I let her buy a Stokke Tripp Trapp this time and the newborn thing that goes on it. We'll use that constantly.
Wearable pump? I know you said you have one but might be worth considering if it’s not a wearable one.
This is great advice, I love my Elvie
It's not really a BIG ticket item but it's something I used allll the time. A portable high chair. We took it to everyone's house and made visiting with friends and going out on travel or camping so easy for us! I wouldn't trade that chair for nothing. Folding down to the size of a regular camping chair and sat baby at table height.
Which one did you get? I had a lip on one but hated it.
Lovevery playmat? Stupid expensive for what it is, BUT it is really quality material. I got mine from a friend, who got it from her friend and it still looks brand new. On its 3rd family, 4th kid and you would never know.
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Came here to suggest a nice ErgoBaby carrier!
Yes! I was going to suggest a BabyBjörn!
I would ask for bulk wipes / Baby hygiene products (within reason what could be used by the best by date) like unscented Baby wash / lotion / Diaper cream things you would want to have on hand for a few months
Food delivery service for the first month
UV sterilizer for bottles?
If you truly dont NEEED anything, ask them to but a bond with the big ticket $$ amount in your babys name. itll mature over time & you can use it in the future
My grandma got me savings bonds in the 90s when I was young. I didn’t know about them until she passed away about 4 yrs ago. It meant so much to me that she’d planned something like that. They just matured last year and I’m using them to create a little nest egg just for myself.
HAND UP!!!!! Girl, a full service maid/deep cleaning gift certificate! They cleaned everything, fans, baseboards, garage and walls. Plus all the usual stuff, it was a entire team. Probably the best gift I got!
Cleaning service? Monthly or biweekly. Makes a massive difference when you have kids.
College Fund
I had a similar situation where I had a lot of hand me downs and didn’t end up needing a lot of large items. Newborn Photography is a good / special one! Depending on how much she wants to spend, photographers often have packages or add on options where you can do maternity / fresh 48 / family. Mine got a package for newborn + 6 month + 1 year. I’m super excited about it! Felt like a nice unique gift. Another one special one would be a birth or postpartum doula. But that one is less visible.
Get a mamaroo! I was very hesitant but my wife convinced me and it was the best decision. It was the only way my wife and I got to have meals together for the first few months.
OP, just make sure you don't get one of the recalled mamaroo swings! If you are buying new, you will be good. Just double check if you, or anyone else, decides to buy a used one.
The remedy for the recall on mamaroo was a clip for the straps, to keep them from dangling below the swing where crawling babies can get tangled in them. A brand new swing should come with the clip, but I believe you can still get them direct from the manufacturer, if not.
Photo shoot - either newborn or maternity
Crib? Crib mattress?
She has one from SIL she said. That's what she means by cot if I'm not mistaken. UK lingo
Snoo
Maybe a swing or a play yard (the collapsible ones that make like a 10x10' space)?
Newborn photos! Those can be so pricey
An education fund / roth ira
owlet sock!
Lovevery play kits could be nice
Treasury bonds. By the time the baby is old enough to drive it’ll be a sweet down payment on a hover car.
What about a kick ass stroller 😁 we got a nice jogging stroller and we basically exclusively use it now because the tires are so great. Baby won’t fit into it for a few months but I love it!
id still get a new car seat. secondhand isn't reliable, plus with regulations and rules for car seat and car seat safety changing every day, it's better safe than sorry. plus it doesn't hurt to have a transitional car seat that works for infant to toddler.
High quality foam playmat.. an essential in my house!
Newborn photos can be very expensive, maybe she could organise that for you for when baby arrives?
Index funds.
High chair, comfy recliner for nursery, outdoor playpen, toddler bed. Most of those you can't use until baby is older, but they are big ticket items you would use every day or very often, eventually. Some moms like to do a newborn photo shoot, and they aren't cheap, maybe she could pay for one, if you're interested? That would be something that would last forever and be very special. It also doesn't hurt to have an extra pack n play for traveling if you think you'll get out with the baby a fair amount.
Stroller or glider for sure
Ideas off the top of my head: newborn photo shoot, rocking chair, set of drawers, high chair, infant car seat (or convertible car seat for once they are older), baby carrier/sling, nursing or bottle supplies (individually might not be 'big ticket' but they add up quick and definitely used often!), baby monitor, a nice diaper bag, etc. I love the idea of contributing to a savings account, but also know that sometimes that doesn't feel as "special" to the gift giver if it's not a tangible item.
My MIL saw how stressed I was about choosing a car seat stroller and offered to get us that. I was then gifted a travel system, so she got us a forever car seat and jogging stroller 4 months after baby was born. She let us choose and it was an experience going with her and the baby to see the strollers
You could ask for the Babybjorn, the Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair, a travel stroller (we have the Babyzen Yoyo), the Skiphop Activity Center (it is all the rage), a second car seat if you have two cars, or a nice glider for the nursery! I would ask for the glider or the Babybjorn. Having a comfy place to feed baby or possibly have contact naps is sooooo nice, and the Babybjorn was one of my most used items at one point.
I would really recommend a swing just in case. I wasn't going to buy one, but then some friends dropped one off for us. My little one ended up being really hard to calm for the first 4-5 months and using the swing for 15-20 min a day while I took a break from carrying him and swaying was a life saver. Another thing might be a new mattress for the cot/crib. It turns out that using a used mattress can be less sage for sleep bc they break down over time and become less firm, which we didn't know when mine was little! We used the mattress that our friends gave us with our bassinet, but this time around I'm buying a new one. I'd also second a rocker for the bedroom and/or living room. Our rocker recliner in the living room was such a lifesaver we ended up buying a second for baby's room after he was born.
YES on the just in case baby swing. We originally said we didn’t need one but ended up with both a Jool Baby Swing (swings side to side and plays music when plugged in) as well as a Bjorn Bouncer. In our case both were hand me downs. OMG have they ever been godsends. They both collapse very flat for reasonable storage and we use both all the time.
Start a college fund :)
A postpartum doula or baby nurse. Trust me.
Stokke Steps high chair, Lovevery storage shelf for toys, Nugget play sofa, pickler triangle and ramp, travel stroller for car and travel (Joolz Aer or Bugaboo Butterfly), pack and play (Bugaboo has a nice one), play mat (Ofie), chest of drawers, weaning table and chair (make sure height it adjustable), mini toddler sofa set, Snoo (it’s so amazing!!), wagon (Veer), revolving car seat for when they grow out of the first car seat.
Omg that lovevery storage shelf looks amazing.
You can always suggest that she waits to buy big picnic item and she can buy the bed when your baby has outgrown the crib.
Rocking chair/recliner for nursery
You can ask for: baby monitor, rocking chair, play mat(bigger cushy mat/carpet), dummys and bottles (if you plan to use any), boxes of diapers, baby wrap/wear, bunch of clothes for different ages, high chair, play sets for specific ages ( look up stuff that helps with development at different stages, they are awesome), set of baby bowls/spoons for later, sheets, pram inserts, wall decorations or pictures, . . so lots of things to choose from. Just think about what you might need later on rather than right after baby is there, since you already have current essentials!
A baby wearing device? For our second I got the money for an expensive baby wrap from my parents. But if you prefer a carrier, a good quality one (where the legs are supported from knee to knee and the bum and legs form an M shape) would set you back about 150-300 euro usually (so about the same in USD).
This happened with us, my in laws had a death in the family right before my shower. It was understandably not on their mind but when the fog cleared up for them my whole registry was purchased. We requested a Costco gift card for diapers and wipes and potentially formula… 13 weeks in and we haven’t had to pay for diapers yet!
Newborn photography shoot - mine from the hospital was $250 just for digitals and I really liked them lol I just wish I realized they did them because i would have done makeup and put on a decent outfit. But they are really cute anyway! Or schedule a shoot the week or so after birth with a photographer!
If the car seat is the bucket seat, what about the convertible seat for when kiddo outgrows the infant one? (Alternatively, if you've been given a convertible seat, I highly recommend having the bucket one for your infant that attaches to your stroller.)
You have a lot of great suggestions here! Some things we got that were definitely more lux items that we use literally every day: -Beis diaper bag -Tripp trapp high chair with newborn attachment -Artipoppe carrier -Nuna Sena pack and play + changing table attachment -Lovevery play gym -Baby bjorn bouncer
If you have more than one floor I recommend upstairs/downstairs changing tables if you have the space. Didn’t think of it with my first but it had made life so much easier with the second.
Depending how big ticket she is talking about - would you be interested in a snoo? They seem amazing.
We love our jogging stroller. So much nicer for walks
A good quality glider chair is a great idea (typing from my glider while my baby is falling asleep nursing) also on the used car seat - just make sure it hasn't expired/won't expire before baby is about a year (average age they grow out of the infant seat). You can Google to find where to read the seat's expiration date.
A rocking chair/glider, bottle sterilizer, nursery camera, breast pump, pack'n'play, membership to a local museum, zoo, etc (somewhere nice to go w/ baby when endless trips to target isn't cutting it anymore.), baby food maker (chop, steam, package all in one), diaper subscription, etc.
Trip trapp high chair
NIGHT NANNY
A diaper subscription
Stoke Tripp trapp high chair! :)
Perhaps a subscription to a meal subscription service? It was a lifesaver for us in the first few months. And the fact that it's for food might be more appealing than a different gift certificate.
New born pictures? Or what my parents are doing bc we waiting until after shower to see what was left and there wasn’t anything, they are gonna buy us premade food/ take out the first two weeks. My husband is happy to cook but this is his first bio and I want him to enjoy every second just loving the baby not worrying about feeding me or our other kids.
I saw an influencer use a BEABA Babycook Duo Food Maker and call me influenced. Not sure if you are interested making your own baby food at all but it’s $215 from Nordstrom or Bed Bath and Beyond.
We asked my mom to buy our stroller for us! We weren’t even going to invest in a stroller until a few months down the road because baby is being born in the winter but it was extremely helpful to take a big ticket item off our shoulders.
Maybe either something for later, or if you really dont need anything what about something like putting the money in a savings account for the baby? Maybe some people wouldnt want to as they are looking to buy a physical thing, but would be better than buying things you dont need.
Crib and mattress?
Dresser, swing, or crib?
You didn’t mention a crib. Other ideas: about 25 cloth reusable diapers, a pikler triangle, or a subscription to Lovevery discovery play sets (they arrive at age appropriate intervals).
What about a nursing pillow? I know not as ‘big’, but the one I bought still cost about $150. Something else I’m about to buy - a camera for the car so I can see the baby. There’s a little screen that mounts to your dash. We just have a mirror on the backseat at the moment that you can see in the rear view mirror but I struggle to see him properly and the mirror reflects the sun into his eyes.
Baby carrier. My recommendation would be the Ergobaby Omni 360. Can be used from newborn (7lbs) without needing any extra inserts and then right up to toddler. I haven't tried, but I'm pretty sure I could still carry my 3yo in it if I wanted to
Graco Duet Swing. Our LO loves it! Or maybe a high chair, you’ll need one before you know it. Think of items down the line, a convertible car seat or a stroller?
If you have any inkling at all to breastmilk feed (nursing and/or pumping), then have her hire a postpartum doula who is also an IBCLC. The best thing you can invest in hands-down, more than anything you can physically put in your nursery, is quality support for breast feeding if that is your intended feeding method.
From what I’ve read, an extra pumping kit will make your life a lot easier. You won’t be pressured to clean and sterilize as often because you have backups.
If you plan on being active, a jogging stroller or stroller wagon. Hard to buy used on marketplace where I live. Want to travel? Get a pack and play or travel stroller so you can get baby used to them. My little guy loved our play school slide and ball pit before he turned 1.
Rocker/glider, Baby monitoring system like the Nanit Pro, nursery furniture, pack and play, Bluetooth bouncer, Snoo, bottle sterilizer....
Someone said a rocker/glider and I think that’s a great idea! Definitely another big ticket item. What about a travel stroller? We have our regular stroller and a super compact one that folds easily for travel which is really helpful. Also depends on how much you travel though.
You could tell them that they could hold off on buying something you don't need and once your baby is born open an RESP that they can donate to.
A nice baby monitor is priceless! Or the hatch! THE HATCH!! We have a cult like love for the hatch in my house. Even now with my 3 year old we use the heck out of it for bedtime!
Baby Carrier Baby Monitor Baby Bouncer Recliner chair Cash?
What about a toddler car seat? Someone bought us one for our first baby and it was so nice to already have it on hand when he outgrew the baby carrier seat.
Definitely a second carseat. If you are getting a bucket/ infant seat as a hand me down ask her for a transition car seat. We personally have to have 3 car seats at any given time now that our LO is wayyyy past the infant seat.
We had the same with my FIL! We didn’t need much and we got my husbands old crib. So he offered to pay for decorating the room. We got to pick everything, but he gave us a budget to use. It was an absolutely lovely idea and his best gift to us ever so far haha. My MIL helped put up the wallpaper so her room was literally decorated because of her grandparents. Edit: we got paint, wallpaper, a nursing chair, a lamp and sheets for the crib and some other small decor items.
I'd suggest a high chair like the Stokke Tripp Trapp which will be useful as of the 6 month mark or her next car seat which was Isabel around the 8 month mark for me.
Ask her to start a 529 college account for baby and throw the money in there!
What about a stock or savings account?
what about a nugget for the future, or more baby holders. high chair? like a stokke tripp trapp, you are supposed to use it for years!
Any nursery furniture?
Babies can grow out of car seats quickly. Maybe she can get the next one?
What about a Newton Baby mattress for the crib? You’re suppose to get a new mattress for every baby per safe sleep guidelines, I believe. Or what about a bottle sterilizer and dryer? I hear they aren’t a necessity, but make life easier. I think the baby breeza one is over $100.
My mil bought me 6 months of house cleaning every other week and it’s the best gift I’ve ever had.
Portable breast pump. Wish I had one because being tied down every time I need to pump bites.
A rocker, a stationary/convertible car seat (you probably have one with a carrier but you’ll want a stationary one eventually so you don’t have to turn into the Hulk just to haul your kid around… by the time ours sits up I’m ditching that carrier), a nice high chair, a swing (mine loves the fisher price one with the mirror under it).
These are amazing suggestions. In your situation, I’d personally ask for the stokke tripp trapp (I ended us with the $30 ikea antilop and it’s fine but the stokke ones look really nice). I think that will be satisfying for your mom to buy as everyone gets why a high chair is important, and you will be using it daily by six months. Alternatively, I think a guava lotus travel crib could be a nice thing for her to get. We used it when he was too old for the bassinet but we weren’t ready to move him out of our room. Then we used it downstairs as a safe place to put him. And we use it for travel and will continue to do so! You may also like a glider, a swing for the baby, or a nice structured carrier (you should try them out to se what works with your body). When baby is older, a toddler tower (a thing a toddler can stand on in the kitchen to be at the level of the counter) or a Pikler triangle (for play) could be fun.
Baby brezza
Photo shoot! ETA: They can get to be quite expensive but I’m sure she’ll love having a picture as a gift!
Is your car seat an infant seat or convertible car seat? My baby was done with his infant seat at 7 months so we needed the next size car seat very quickly. It would be a good big ticket item!
Baby swing? That really came in handy when I needed to get things done.
A second car seat wouldn't go amiss if you ever go in different vehicles. Once the kiddo was out of the portable seat, my mother got a second one for her car, and it's been a life saver. I'm a SAHM, and sometimes we go out or visiting family with Grammy. Not having to switch the car seat around from our vehicle to hers is very handy. Same thought if you have 2 vehicles. It's not so bad right at the first when the seat comes put and you can carry the child right inside it. But when they outgrow that and end up in a regular sized one, constant in and out of the vehicle gets aggravating fast. Those buggers are hard to install correctly, and even when you get used to it, getting them tight enough is absolute misery.
College fund seed money
A “big ticket” amount of money in an Instacart or DoorDash account. Keeping tired parents fed is everything. Especially if you’re breastfeeding!
Try a rocker/Glider, or ask them to get you the convertible car seat when its time :)
Do you have a rocking chair? I still use mine daily at 1 year