What's the Best Thing Someone Did for You Right After You Had a Baby?

WONDERFUL PERSONALIZED SWADDLING BLANKET

here is a website for blankets that are personalized with the baby's full name and all birth stats embroidered around the outside of the blanket (repeatedly)
I've ordered one for every friend who has had a baby since receiving mine in December. They work great for swaddling babies and are larger than most and square.
____@____.com
her name is Chris

I loved when friends/family came over to visit and hold my baby so I could have those little breaks to shower, pick up, etc. And for a mom who is used to going to work daily, maternity leave seems like an eternity when you are home alone with a baby all day...visitors helped me get through the day, and I found I appreciated my baby more, when it wasn't just the two of us alone for days on end.

My best friend got me an hour long massage and my husband got me a day at the spa (nails,pedicure,massage,hair and facial). These luxuries I would never ever get for myself so I couldn't wait to use them! Totally relaxing:) and as you know-your friend will need some "me" time eventually!

dinner is the best gift ever. It's so hard to think about dinner when you are so tired and so focused on the new baby.

I LOVED when someone brought dinner on dishes I could toss in the trash! Didn't matter if it was home made or take out. We didn't have to make it, order it or clean it....that is the best!

With first babies I know people always want to visit...some think it's ok to just show up. If she thinks she's going to have that problem you could make a cute sign for the door that lets people know if she's taking visits or not. My neighbor had one that said...sorry no visitors right now, you flipped it over and it said yeah! you came to visit we're so glad, ring the bell! Some thought it was tacky...but isn't showing up unannounced more tacky?

For my husband's brother and wife we(split 5 ways) did one of those make 12 meals and freeze them places when they had their 4th. (Superthyme USA is where we went) They said it was the best baby gift they ever got.

Ok, that's what I've come up with over the years!

Rachelle

Most of what everyone said is great. My son is 3 months so we just went through this. Anything that doesn't require "work" is great- pre-made trays of fruits and veggies, chips and dip, whatever is ready to go. Do ask if they need anything from the store. Every time my mom came over the first two weeks, she always picked up something for us. A lot of times it was beverages but also consider household items like soap, paper towel, etc. One gift we got and really liked was Edible Arrangements fruit. It was nice to have fruit in the house but I know those don't always taste good and can be more costly. Please do remember to call ahead.

If you are close, you could go to their house and clean and make their bed and make sure all their laundry is done and have a meal ready and fridge/cupboards stocked. My mom and aunt did that for me, and it was such a great feeling to come home to an organized and clean house and not even have to worry about what to eat. They also had the babies stuff was organized like having formula measured out and stuff like that. If you are close enought that they wouldn't mind you doing all that at your house, that would be great. If you are not that close, I would agree with a gift certificate for cook to come and do a meal or a cleaning service to come in once.

Free babysitting!!! Like many have said already, it REALLY is a big deal to be able to take a nap or take a shower and know that someone reliable is watching the baby. So maybe make up coupons that can be used for "free babysitting". Another great idea would be gift certificates for dinner places. No new mom has the energy to make dinner for the first few days.

A few things:

We had friends give us a gift certificate to a favorite restuarant so that my husband could pick up dinner one night;

Bring over heathy meals to pop in the over or micro-wave;

Get the new mom out of the house around 4-6 weeks after birth... meet her for lunch (bring lunch to the house if she won't venture out) or a walk now the weather is getting better;

With my second child, the best thing was someone taking my oldest for the day or a few hours!

My very dear friend cleaned our flat while I was in the hospital after having my first baby. She stayed with us for a couple of days once I was home and ran out for groceries, cooked, basically just took care of me and my husband. And she didn't ask what we wanted--she just went ahead and did it. It was the best gift I've EVER received.

My son had colic, so the best thing someone did for me was come over and hold him while I took a nap during the day. One of my friend's even came over and did all the towels in my laundry. That was nice too!! But, of course, dinner is nice too :-)

S.,

What I loved best was having a friend come over for the day and do my laundry, clean my bathroom... heck you could hire a maid for a day and that would be wonderful!

I also found that having friends come over with lunch for me was very helpful... my darling husband did a wonderful job at cooking supper for us.

L.
www.HealthyLivingHome.com

I will have to agree with the dinner option. (Although, keep in mind the preferences of the mommy & daddy!! Make it something easy or that you know they will like.) If you're coming to meet the baby, it's nice to bring a snack with you for everyone to enjoy - that way the new mommy doesn't have to worry about what to make to 'entertain'. (I know, no one expects her to.....but still.) A fruit tray, veggie tray, cold cuts, cheese & crackers are all things she can use to share with other guests that stop in by simply putting it on a smaller plate or tray...not to mention having it around to snack on themselves.

A basket with easy snacks or easy to make things: microwave popcorn, Tastefully Simple beer bread/dips, fruit, muffins or bagels, soup, etc.

I also like the idea of a gift certificate so the new dad can either pick up carry out or the parents can get out of the house for dinner!

Another thing that is helpful....ask the parents if they are ready for visitors, and ask what time works best for them. Don't just pop by - and try to give them a day or two's notice.

If you're on your way over, call before you leave and ask if there's something they need from the grocery store or something they want (Slurpee craving, etc?!). It's much appreciated to not have to run out later and a nice gesture!!

The only thing I have to add to these wonderful ideas is finger food! Things she can eat while holding a baby are good!

I really appreciated having dinner brought to me even if it was McDonald's or a homemade meal. Some other nice things to do is to offer to give the mom (and dad) a break--maybe mom would like a chance to take a nap, read a book, go to the salon, see a movie, have lunch with a friend, or go shopping. Just offering your time to babysit and giving them some breathing space or time together is a nice suggestion.

Dinner, fresh yummy warm dinner with leftovers for the next day.

House cleaning is great too.

Watching the baby so mommy can nap.

My best friend came over with 5 days worth of meals. All in disposable metal trays with the warming direction on them. It was GREAT to not have to deal with cooking for my family the first week home.

I'm agreeing with the dinner, or gift certificates for dinner. Also, I had my son in late Nov. (not a good time to get out and about with a newborn) I just loved the company. I felt so stuck inside!!

Anything you do for your friend would be very appreciated and helpful, just knowing people are thinking of you and care is the best!!

After my first was born, my friend came over and just held him so I could take a shower, then I took a nap. Most people don't want to ask for help, but they are not going to stop you! Share in the joy! It's a wonderful time!!

Dinner.. we had people bring dinners for a couple weeks.. it was great!!!

S.,

I got dinner, but what I really needed was help. I ended up having a c-section and a baby with colic. I needed the gift of sleep. Perhaps you can bring dinner over with a home made gift certificate good for naps. But follow up with your friend, it has been my experience that we try to do it all and do not ask for help.
I love the idea of massage or pedicure (great job Ann).
Whatever you do, your friend will greatly appreciate it.

It looks like the responses are dinner... LOL...

I have to agree! I think my hubby and I was thrilled when we had dinner brought to us by our neighbors~ It was the best thing (and best dinner!) ever!!

I think we were so consumed by just being and looking and caring for Drew, everything went out the door~

I think the second best was a gift certificate that I received from my best friend for a massage that I turned in for a pedicure. ( my feet were hurting something terrible!). My friend knew that I loved it and I treated her to one on her wedding day, so she returned the favor (as she absolutely loved it and I got a great picture of her just crashed on the couch after it!) ;) LOL!