Reading their story reminded me of when I was pregnant with baby #3 after the twins. Family and friends weren't exactly sure what to get us since we had a babies and the assumption was we already had everything we needed. Clothes and onesies always make a great gift for newborns but there are lots of gifts to welcome the new little one.
1. Equipment. If it's been a while since baby #1 parents will appreciate some new baby gear. Some make the mistake of using equipment from baby #1 without checking to see if there have been any recalls on the equipment. Encourage parents to visit the Consumer Protection Safety Commission website to see if there are any recalls on currently owned strollers, cribs, and other baby equipment so these may be added to the baby registry if needed. Also, consider a baby carrier if baby #1 is a baby or toddler. This makes a great gift if purchasing a new stroller isn't in the budget.
2. Housecleaning Services. You'll have plenty of time to do things around the house once baby #2 comes along said no one EVER in the creation of parenting. A certificate for housecleaning makes for a perfect gift to welcome baby #1, 2 or more. It's nice to have those few minutes to do something else besides vacuuming or mopping. Let someone else do the dirty work for the day.
3. Sibling Gifts. Gift the older siblings with a big sister or big brother t-shirt to help them celebrate their new sibling. My mom mastered this idea by purchasing matching outfits for all 4 of our kids. Looks great in that family photo session. Ooh, family photo - another thoughtful gift idea. My oldest loves rocking his "I'm the OLDER cuter brother" tee and he's only older by 8 minutes and to this day my youngest rocks his "I'm the younger SMARTER brother" tee.
4. Memory Book. Celebrate pregnancy milestones of the next baby with the same excitement as they did with your first by gifting a Memory Book. National Geographic recently released Welcome Little One: A Keepsake Baby Book,152 pages to capture those moments from baby's first year. A memory book is a treasure to last generations.
6. Babysitting. The gift of a couple of hours to rest is always a great gift. Offer to come over and watch the kids so new mommy can rest or spend much needed time with Baby #1. Sometimes it's nice to just have someone to watch the little ones so parents can catch up on some household chores or even just visit and catch up with old friends.
7. Stuff They Currently Use. Baby #1 gets showered with lots of gifts and parents get introduced to this product and that product and gradually learn which products they like and don't like. Ask the parents what baby products they're currently using and gift them with more of that brand. If parents use a certain diaper, gift them with more of those. If parents use a particular baby wash or lotion, gift them with more of those.
To the lucky ones tasked with finding a gift for this happy couple and their baby on the way, maybe they'll find something on our list of thoughtful gifts to welcome baby #14.
We are so happy to partner with National Geographic in the launch of Welcome LIttle One: A Keepsake Baby Book. One lucky Three Boys and an Old Lady reader will receive their very own copy of this book sure to be a family treasure.
Who would you gift this book to? Do you have a family member or friend expecting a new addition to their family?
National Geographic Welcome Little One: A Keepsake Baby Book
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