Baby Shower Gift

[jrs7911]

I need to pick up a baby shower gift and I am having trouble.

We plan on spending around $200. I checked out the registries and there just isn't much on there. I don't remember seeing bottles, or blankets, just some toys and a breast pump. This leaves me thinking that the parents/immediate family are probably chipping in for the bigger stuff.

In the past, I have gotten others a diaper bag and filled it with an outfit and smaller stuff, like bottles, diapers, pacifiers, etc. I hesitate getting a diaper bag for her since I don't know her style.

Any suggestions? Is there something that you would have wanted, but didn't realized you needed/wanted it before your baby arrived?

FTR I don't want to get the breast pump. The mother is family, but I don't know her well enough to get that.

[drunkpeggy]

Does she have a convertible car seat on her registry? A lot of new parents don't think about it but they'll definitely need it before the baby turns a year old.

[GracieLouFreebush]

I'd have totally appreciated the pump!

Can you confirm the registries with the hostess? Maybe there's another main one or the mom plans to beef up her registry closer to the shower date? (Though she should've done that before the invites went out...) Was there a lot on there and now it's marked as sold or she really only registered for a pump and some toys?

[GracieLouFreebush]

May 25, 2012 8:33:48 GMT -5 drunkpeggy said:

Does she have a convertible car seat on her registry? A lot of new parents don't think about it but they'll definitely need it before the baby turns a year old.

This is a fantastic idea. Those suckers are expensive.

[jrs7911]

There wasn't a car seat of any kind on her registry. The only thing purchased on the registries was a pack n play. I checked the two registries her sister said that she had.

I can contact her sister and see if there is anything else they need. I just want to make sure that I get them something they need and will use.

[JakJak]

May 25, 2012 8:35:43 GMT -5 GracieLouFreebush said:

May 25, 2012 8:33:48 GMT -5 drunkpeggy said:

Does she have a convertible car seat on her registry? A lot of new parents don't think about it but they'll definitely need it before the baby turns a year old.

This is a fantastic idea. Those suckers are expensive.

I agree! I didn't even think of putting one on my registry.

[jrs7911]

THanks for the the responses. I think I am going to go with the convertible car seat idea. Any recommendations on brands to get or ones to definitely stay away from?

[drunkpeggy]

May 25, 2012 11:18:50 GMT -5 jrs7911 said:

THanks for the the responses. I think I am going to go with the convertible car seat idea. Any recommendations on brands to get or ones to definitely stay away from?

We're happy with our Evenflo seats. They're relatively inexpensive, were easy to install (even in my Civic) and our daughter is comfortable in them.

[GracieLouFreebush]

May 25, 2012 11:21:45 GMT -5 drunkpeggy said:

May 25, 2012 11:18:50 GMT -5 jrs7911 said:

THanks for the the responses. I think I am going to go with the convertible car seat idea. Any recommendations on brands to get or ones to definitely stay away from?

We're happy with our Evenflo seats. They're relatively inexpensive, were easy to install (even in my Civic) and our daughter is comfortable in them.

We like our Evenflo Triumph 65 much better than our First Year True Fit.

Everyone always recommends Britax too but those are quite pricey IMO.

[softspot]

I would NOT buy a carseat that isn't on the registry unless you know the exact one she wants. I was very picky about things like carseats & cribs and only wanted a certain one.

I didn't register for many blankets because I expected to get a lot. I was just telling my mom the other day that I wish people would've bought more things for the 4+ month age. All the stuff I got was for the newborn stage and now we're finding we need a lot of other things as we start to head into solids/crawling/teething, etc.

[GracieLouFreebush]

Other ideas since SS makes a good point: Highchair, jumperoo, FP Laugh and Learn Playhouse, gift card for a cleaning service to use one time after the baby comes, gift card for a photographer (and not a crappy mall one either) for newborn or 1 year shots.

FTR, I'd still have loved a pump or a convertible car seat.

[beachy]

When is the shower? If you have the time I would maybe order some car seat canopies in patterns and/or things they as a couple like. A friend of mine got some in their favorite teams and it was one of her favorite gifts. Something like this:
www.etsy.com/search/handmade?q=car%20seat%20canopy&order=most_relevant&view_type=gallery&ship_to=ZZ&ref=auto2

Or since she is going to nurse you can do fun nursing covers, or burp rags, things like that.

Personally if it were me and the registry was that bad I would get a few fun things like that and then a gift card to Target for diapers and stuff.

[JakJak]

I love our britax boulevard. They are about the price you wanted to spend. It fits in most cars too!

[letsbeawkward]

I would not get her a carseat unless it's on the registry. It is kind of a personal thing, most parents like to do their own research and look at different options before choosing. I'm a little crazy but I spent weeks researching and narrowing down our choices.

I would just get a few things on the registry and then give a gift card for the rest. It will definitely be put to good use once the baby arrives and they start figuring out what they need.

[jrs7911]

I understand the points made about the car seat, so I will need to think about this some more. I guess I just want to make sure the gift is useful, because the couple just got married and they are very young ( under 20). My husband would just give cash if he were deciding, which I am sure is helpful no matter what. I truly appreciate all of the insight, because I don't have kids and i don't want to get them something that just gathers dust.

[ghostmonkey]

I think the car seat is a terrible idea. Do you know what kind of car they have? What their preferences are? Are they planning on getting a new vehicle?

I'm shocked at the amount you are going to spend. Is that the norm where you live? Because that is like 10 times the norm here. It's great if you can swing that and want to, but holy hell.

Worst case, get some necessities and give the rest as gift cards. Do one as a spa day for the mom pre or post baby. Does she have sheets and mattress covers? Those seem to get left out a lot, and especially when baby gets sick, they can be a lifesaver to have around. If you want to get bottles, get one of a couple different kinds. Babies can be picky. Or not.

[ghostmonkey]

May 25, 2012 8:33:48 GMT -5 drunkpeggy said:

Does she have a convertible car seat on her registry? A lot of new parents don't think about it but they'll definitely need it before the baby turns a year old.

Ok, no. AAP recommendation is rear facing until at least 2. Just because it is legal at one year doesn't mean it is even remotely a good idea. That means 2 years before they can use the seat, and those do expire. The seat could very likely expire before the child outgrows it.

And no way in hell do they need it before a year. It is illegal in every state to turn a child before age 1. Don't be surprised if that gets changed to 2 in the next few years. The research backing that is astonishing and downright scary if you do turn them.

Do some research. Here is a start.
extendedrearfacing.org/
www.facebook.com/extendedrearfacing

[softspot]

May 25, 2012 22:39:10 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

May 25, 2012 8:33:48 GMT -5 drunkpeggy said:

Does she have a convertible car seat on her registry? A lot of new parents don't think about it but they'll definitely need it before the baby turns a year old.

Ok, no. AAP recommendation is rear facing until at least 2. Just because it is legal at one year doesn't mean it is even remotely a good idea. That means 2 years before they can use the seat, and those do expire. The seat could very likely expire before the child outgrows it.

And no way in hell do they need it before a year. It is illegal in every state to turn a child before age 1. Don't be surprised if that gets changed to 2 in the next few years. The research backing that is astonishing and downright scary if you do turn them.

Do some research. Here is a start.
extendedrearfacing.org/
www.facebook.com/extendedrearfacing

I'm pretty sure she means a rear facing convertible. My monster baby is only 5 months & is almost to the height limit of his infant seat. We'll be switching him next month.

[ghostmonkey]

May 25, 2012 22:50:52 GMT -5 softspot said:

May 25, 2012 22:39:10 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Ok, no. AAP recommendation is rear facing until at least 2. Just because it is legal at one year doesn't mean it is even remotely a good idea. That means 2 years before they can use the seat, and those do expire. The seat could very likely expire before the child outgrows it.

And no way in hell do they need it before a year. It is illegal in every state to turn a child before age 1. Don't be surprised if that gets changed to 2 in the next few years. The research backing that is astonishing and downright scary if you do turn them.

Do some research. Here is a start.
extendedrearfacing.org/
www.facebook.com/extendedrearfacing

I'm pretty sure she means a rear facing convertible. My monster baby is only 5 months & is almost to the height limit of his infant seat. We'll be switching him next month.

Oh sweet Jesus, I need to go to bed.

[letsbeawkward]

May 25, 2012 22:50:52 GMT -5 softspot said:

May 25, 2012 22:39:10 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Ok, no. AAP recommendation is rear facing until at least 2. Just because it is legal at one year doesn't mean it is even remotely a good idea. That means 2 years before they can use the seat, and those do expire. The seat could very likely expire before the child outgrows it.

And no way in hell do they need it before a year. It is illegal in every state to turn a child before age 1. Don't be surprised if that gets changed to 2 in the next few years. The research backing that is astonishing and downright scary if you do turn them.

Do some research. Here is a start.
extendedrearfacing.org/
www.facebook.com/extendedrearfacing

I'm pretty sure she means a rear facing convertible. My monster baby is only 5 months & is almost to the height limit of his infant seat. We'll be switching him next month.

Yeah convertible carseats can rear face. We switched j to his at 9 months. His seat can be rear facing up to 40lbs. At 13 months and 21 lbs he will be rear facing for a while.

[GracieLouFreebush]

May 25, 2012 22:39:10 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

May 25, 2012 8:33:48 GMT -5 drunkpeggy said:

Does she have a convertible car seat on her registry? A lot of new parents don't think about it but they'll definitely need it before the baby turns a year old.

Ok, no. AAP recommendation is rear facing until at least 2. Just because it is legal at one year doesn't mean it is even remotely a good idea. That means 2 years before they can use the seat, and those do expire. The seat could very likely expire before the child outgrows it.

And no way in hell do they need it before a year. It is illegal in every state to turn a child before age 1. Don't be surprised if that gets changed to 2 in the next few years. The research backing that is astonishing and downright scary if you do turn them.

Do some research. Here is a start.
extendedrearfacing.org/
www.facebook.com/extendedrearfacing

Whatevs! C rides shot gun!

I know you just misread but I couldn't help myself. RF until 2+ (in a convertible seat b/c that infant seat got heavy fast) all the way!

[prettyinpink]

I am in shock that you are spending that much money. I spent a little more than that last year for a baby shower but it was for my cousin and she is more like my sister! Otherwise I never spend more than $50.

However if you are wanting to spend that much I say spend $50 on things and then put the rest on a gift card to Target or the like. That way they can spend it on diapers, wipes, and formula if they are going that route.

I truly agree with everyone else about the carseat. Its a personal decision. My cousin was registered for her's but I still didn't buy it because I didn't feel comfortable making that purchase in case she changed her mind before the baby came.

[twoslicehilly]

I know Something in addition to something for baby that I would appreciate would be a little champagne/ coffee bouquet. Like, a bottle of champagne for when the baby sleeps through the night the first time, a pack of coffee for the first few sleepless nights. Coffee for baby's first fever, champagne/ wine for when the baby turns 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, a year, etc.