Baby Gifts – A Guide for Men

Buying gifts for babies can be a difficult chore for men, especially for single men. After all, how can a man who has no children know what the best Baby Gifts are? With this article I hope to help men take some of the mystery out of shopping for Baby Gifts. Baby shower gifts can be simple or elegant, traditional or creative and personal. Select with creativity and care. The possibilities are endless.  
 
Check the registry. A lot of moms are doing the same thing for baby showers they have always done for wedding showers and that is to create a registry, a list of items she knows she will need. By picking something that is on the list you avoid having to make a choice at all. For a man, that’s always the best choice!.  
  
Use your experience as a parent (or ask someone you know who has kids): If you are a parent, think back to what you couldn’t have done without. If you aren’t a parent, then talk to one of your friends who is. They can help you choose the right Baby Gift.
  
Ask the new parents to give you a list of things they might need. If you are good friends with them, they won’t mind you asking and might even appreciate the fact that you want to buy them a Baby Gift they can really use. Look around and imagine what they might need, like car seats, front carriers, etc.
  
Go in with a group to purchase baby furniture or strollers. This is perfect for men who don’t have a clue! Ask some of your friends what they are getting as a Baby Gift and ask them if they want to split the cost of a more expensive Baby Gift.
  
Monogram an Item. A Picture Frame, A Bib, Baby Silverware, anything like that, can be a great baby Gift that is both useful and cherished.

Baby Gift Baskets. Shop around for little things you know the parents and the newborn will need. Baby Powder, Baby Lotion, Baby Shampoo, Diapers, and other small items in a Nice Baby Gift Basket is always a safe choice.

Personalized baby Song CD. Now this is a unique gift! Go to http://www.giftsfortots.ca/personalcds.asp and you can order a CD made with songs that actually use the baby’s name in the songs!
  
Buy child-sized jewelry: Bracelets, Necklaces, ID bracelets, Tie Bars, and Cufflinks, make a great Baby Gift made for babies make great Baby Gifts. 
  
Choose clothes in size 3 months or larger. Anticipating that the baby will soon grow out of the clothes usually bought at a baby shower can please the parents immensely . Include gift receipts if possible so they can be exchanged if you suspect you have awful taste or if they just need them in a different size.  
  
Start the baby's library with a book. Choose one of the classics for children, Winnie the Pooh and other books are a great Baby Gift. Put a nameplate in the front cover for a personal touch.  
  
Give the baby a savings bond. Start their college fund with a savings bond and the gift is truly for the baby. The parents will appreciate the gift and it will encourage them to add to it as years go by. Get them started early! 

Baby Furniture in Luxury Styles

Baby furniture in luxury styles can be found in many different places. Brand name and big designers of baby furniture can make you feel good about your choices. Knowing you are getting the best furniture and the most comfortable furniture for your baby is important. Many baby furniture designers realize this and want you to have the best for your baby whether it is your first baby or your fifth. 

You can buy durable baby furniture in luxury quality. There are many fine brands available to choose from. Well known brands make your shopping easy when you know what brand you are looking for. Your furniture will be beautiful and last for years to come when you choose a brand that is well known and of high quality. A complete matching nursery furniture set will give you everything you want in your infant room. Changing tables and bookcases, rockers and hampers, what more could you want to complete your sweet baby nursery? Add extras like wall hangings and stuffed animals too.

There are many shapes to consider when purchasing a crib. Round cribs are so luxurious and make your little one feel like a princess! Exquisite Cradles can be found in fun shapes also. When choosing cribs, consider one that has a drawer in the bottom to store baby bedding and blankets. Your baby furniture luxury items will be at the delight of your newborn. Do not forget the bedding and linens. The soft luxurious linens available for you to purchase will bring such a softness to their tender skin. Fine Egyptian cottons are excellent for surrounding your baby in luxury.

Baby furniture in luxury styles is one that is easily affordable these days. There are so many stores that carry luxury furniture for babies, that finding one will not be much of a problem. Know that you are getting the best you can for your baby, and feel good about it. Set the nursery up so that it is a comfortable space for you and your baby to come home from the hospital to.

Furnishing The Nursery Safely

Babies are such a joy to be around and the feeling of excitement usually elevates during the period where its time to buy and select baby furniture for the baby. 

One of the essential pieces of baby furniture that a baby needs is a crib. Though a crib is a common thing needed by babies, the selection process of picking this kind of baby furniture is crucial. Why you may ask? Well, according to recent reports, at least 50 babies experience suffocation or were strangled each year because of accidents that involve cribs that are old and have broken parts. This eventually led to the declaration of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in 1995. The said declaration was all about the destruction and elimination of old and used cribs. Due to this incident, the safest way to ensure that baby furniture is in good and safe condition is to buy a brand new one. Unfortunately, not all people have the money to buy a new one so the best thing that you could do is to wait for the next best thing 

In buying baby furniture, always remember that the safety of the baby is at stake. Do not buy baby furniture just for the sake of saving money because you would risk the safety of the child in return. Be sure to use precaution and examine everything. Here are some tips that would help you in finding the perfect baby furniture for the perfect baby (without compromising your baby’s safety as well as your budget). 

The first step in choosing used baby furniture is to check the furniture thoroughly. Be sure to check every detail and look for possible missing, loose, broken or improperly installed screws, brackets and other hardware on the baby furniture. Another thing that you should consider is the material that the baby furniture is made of. A few minutes or so of inspection is a wise investment both financially and for the protection of your child.

After checking for obvious visual defects visit the CPSC’s website and enter the make and model of the item in their search box, this should bring back any warnings or recall notices.

How To Identify And Avoid Baby Food Allergies

Many parents find the risk of baby food allergies one of the most worrying aspects of introducing new foods to their baby. But there are simple steps you can take to minimise potential problems and make your child's introduction to solid food a safe and happy one.

Allergic reactions take place when your baby's immune system mistakenly treats a harmless substance as a harmful one. Baby food allergy symptoms include diarrhea, eczema, nausea, constipation and watery or red eyes. Very rarely, a serious reaction known as allergic shock can occur. This can cause the throat and tongue to swell dangerously, which could lead to choking. In this situation, professional medical help must be sought immediately.

Baby food allergies should not be confused with food intolerance. A baby with food intolerance would have difficulty in digesting a particular type of food, which can be caused by many other things besides an allergen. In either case, diagnosis should be made by a medical professional.

In order to prevent baby food allergies such as these, or to identify foods to which your baby reacts, it is important to follow these simple guidelines --

1. Try to delay feeding your baby solid food until he is at least 6 months of age. His immune system will be better developed by this stage.

2. Only introduce one new food at a time and wait for a few days to see if a reaction occurs. It will then be easy to spot the "problem" food and eliminate it from your baby's diet.

3. Avoid foods that are known to be more likely to cause allergic reactions. Examples of such foods include eggs (particularly the whites), shellfish, gluten and citrus fruits.

4. Decide whether or not your baby is at a particularly high risk of developing allergies -- for example, do you suffer from an allergy yourself? This can often lead to an increased risk of allergies for your baby, although not necessarily to the same allergen (i.e. the substance responsible for the reaction).

5. Discuss any concerns with a medical professional.

Whilst it is sensible to be cautious, it is still important to remember that baby food allergies only affect around 8% of children. So try to keep things in perspective, introduce new foods individually and stay alert for possible reactions -- these measures will give you the confidence to safely introduce the delights of solid food to your little one.

Baby Cribs Safety Checklist

Congratulations! You’ve got a baby on the way!
Once your baby has arrived, one of the most important parts of your new life together will be getting a good night’s sleep — you in your bed, the baby in a safe and comfortable crib. At first, you may want your newborn to sleep in a bassinet by your bed, making it a little easier for breastfeeding moms, but have a crib ready by the time your baby can roll over.

Your baby will spend more time in the crib than anywhere else, so safety is of utmost importance. What makes a crib safe?

  * The bars or slats of the crib railing should be no more than 2-3/8" apart, close enough together to prevent your baby’s head from slipping through or getting stuck. That crib in the attic may be a beautiful antique, but it probably does not meet this safety standard. Secondhand older cribs may also have splinters or lead paint as well as slats that are too far apart.

  * Cribs with cutout designs along the rail may look pretty, but your baby’s arm or neck could get stuck in them.

  * The crib must be sturdy. Your child will sleep in a crib until it’s time to move into a regular bed between the ages of 2 and 3. When shopping for the crib, give it a good shake to see if it wobbles or rattles.

  * Construction materials should be stained or painted hardwoods like maple, ash, beech or oak. The use of inferior woods can potentially weaken or warp the slats. Some metal cribs are also very sturdy and secure. All finish materials must be lead free and non-toxic.

  * For safety, the dropsides must be at least 9" above the mattress support when lowered. When the side is raised, the top must be at least 26" above the support at its lowest position. You should have no trouble quietly raising and lowering the side rail easily with one hand, since chances are you’ll have a sleeping baby in your arms.

  * Make things a little easier on your back by choosing a crib with an adjustable height mattress. A newborn can rest higher in the crib, while a baby who can sit up needs a lower mattress so he can’t climb out. You can change the height of most mattresses by simply raising or lowering the mattress support.

  * Check the hardware on the crib for sharp edges or points or anything else that could hurt your baby.

  * The mattress should fit snugly into the crib. If you can fit two fingers between the side of the mattress and the crib, it is too small. Keep an eye on foam mattresses; over time, they may break down at the edges and leave gaps. Check the mattress support to make sure there are safety clips that lock the hangers into their notches.

  * Use nonflammable and hypoallergenic bumper padding attached to the inside railings of the crib to cushion all four sides and prevent your baby from sticking an arm or leg through the railings. Securely fasten the bumper pads to the sides of the crib in at least six places. Be sure to remove bumper pads when your baby becomes more active.

  * Follow assembly instructions carefully. Periodically tighten all nuts, bolts, and screws and check teething rails for cracks. Check the mattress support hooks regularly.

  * Don’t place a crib against a window, near curtains or drapery cords, or near furniture that could help your baby climb out.

  * Crib toys need to be removed from the crib when baby is sleeping. And remove mobiles when baby is able to grab at objects.

Baby Clothes

There are a lot of important things to remember about buying baby clothes for your own baby, but especially if you are buying baby clothes for someone else’s baby. If you want them to keep the baby clothes you buy and use them, put some thought into choosing the baby clothes you buy.  

Environment-Friendly Baby Clothing is one option many people overlook. There are baby nightgowns, sleepers, and pajamas that are made from 100 per cent organic cotton with nickel-free snaps. There is organic baby clothing, baby blankets, and baby bath towels to choose from.

If you plan to make your purchases for baby clothes online, there are some things you should be aware of. You can go to http://babyport.info/14237.php for information about buying baby clothes online. It will help you to maximize your spending money with the least amount of hassle, stress or risk.

Buying baby clothes online is very convenient, but you need to know all of your options like whether to buy baby clothes through stores, auctions, or private sales. The article I directed you to covers those options for you very well.

Buttons, Bows, Snaps, and other decorative items on baby clothes can be uncomfortable for the baby. Remember for to check out the location of all functional and decorative items. Think about how the baby will be laying on the article of clothing and how the accessories may be bothersome or even harmful.

The worst thing to forget when buying baby clothes is the fact that the parent will have to actually put these baby clothes on the baby and take them off again. Be sure the baby clothing has easy access for diaper changing, clothing changes, etc. Usually snap crotches are great for ease of diaper changes. Neckline may be stretchy or have a snap or two to widen the opening around your baby's head.

Gifts from everyone are usually given as newborn or small sizes and you don't know how quickly the baby will grow or outgrow baby clothes. Buy baby clothes one size too large and you can’t go wrong.

Hand me downs and second hand baby clothes are a great way to enhance your baby's wardrobe. Since little ones often don't wear clothes often because of how quickly they tend to grow, the wear on the clothing tends to be minimal. You can usually get several babies worth of use out of an outfit! 

Baby Car Seats Safety Tips

Baby car seats can prevent serious injury to your child in the event of an accident. It is the law that all children under the age of twelve should be seated in the back seat. This is especially true if you have airbags in the front.

From the time you bring your baby home from the hospital, s/he should be placed in an appropriate car safety seat. Infants must be in a rear facing infant only seat or an appropriate convertible seat until s/he weighs twenty pounds or reach the age of one. After twenty pounds and after the first birthday, toddlers can use a forward facing seat until they reach approximately forty pounds or their ears reach the top of the car seat.
Over forty pounds, a child must be in a seatbelt positioned booster seat.

Your car seat belts should not be used by a child under the age of eight unless they are four feet nine inches tall. A booster seat should be used until then. There are many different types of booster seats are available.

Your child should be appropriately restrained at all times. Your child will not be ready to use regular seatbelts until the shoulder trap fits across the shoulder not the neck. The lap belt must fit across the hips and not his stomach.

When installing car seats the manufacturer’s directions must be followed exactly. if you don’t have them call the company for a replacement. The car seat will have a label which will have the manufacturer, the address, and the phone number. It will also show the name of the car seat. You must have this information to get a replacement. If there is no label on the seat do not purchase it. It could be a seat that was damaged in a car accident. 

If you are purchasing the car seat second hand, inspect it thoroughly. Check all the belts for fraying, all fasteners for cracks, and the padding of the seat to be sure it is not ripped or torn. Always check to see if there is a label on the seat, it will have the information you need if there is no manual available. Ask questions such as has this seat been in a crash?
If so, do not purchase it. It may look fine but its safety may have been compromised. There could be a misalignment of the frame resulting in your child’s safety being compromised.

No matter what type of seat you purchase, and there are many, consider how much you can spend. If expense is a concern a convertible travel system maybe in order. A rear-facing car seat can be used as a front facing car seat until the appropriate age. There is a base that remains in the car. The infant/toddler car seat then can be attached to a stroller frame and later it can reattach to the base that’s in the car. Check out your options and consider what will be best as far as expenses are concerned. Do your research and determine what will be best for you and your child. Always, the first concern should be the safety of your baby from day one.

It is important to know what type of seat your vehicle will accommodate.
Your car owner’s manual or a dealer will be able to tell you what is compatible with the vehicle you own. It is an overwhelming choice to make but begin looking for a car seat when you find out you are expecting. A well informed choice will keep your baby safe.

Baby & Toddlers Clothes

The Evolution of Children's Clothing


Children's clothing evolved as with all the things that are now present today.

From the beginning, children’s' clothing used color to separate the genders. Especially in the olden days where little boys looked like little girls, the distinction can be made by the color of the clothes. Girls wore pink and little boys wore blue, this is as much true today as it is in the era of days gone by.

Because of historical accounts available like painting and photographs, it was not easily distinguished if a child was male or female. Thus, not only do the clothes determined the gender but the general appearance as well. This was manifested by the hair style that they were told to wear. It became a strong convention that little girls wear pretty dresses and their hair long while the little boys were told to wear the pants and sport short hair. However due to the evolution of time, little girls of today have adopted to wearing pants but the day hasn't come yet where the boys adopted the dresses of girls!

In our modern world today, a general convention exists that girls are able to wear the clothes of boys but never the other way around. But that wasn't the case in the 19th century where little girls and boys were dressed alike. Although during that time, girls were not allowed to dress in pants, otherwise, there was not much difference in the way they were dressed.

Up to the time of the second world war, clothes associated with girls were dresses, pantalets, smocks and pinafores.

Dresses

This was the basic clothing of girls up to the second world war since it was not everyday occurrence that girls wore pants or shorts before the war.

Bloomers

This was another staple in the little girls' clothing where it served its purpose of providing an alternative option to the restrictive and binding fashion sense during the 19th century. This can be attributed to Amelia Bloomer born 1818 - 1894 who was an American reformer espousing this cause. But the bloomer concept must be credited to Elizabeth Smith Miller as she was creator of the bloomers. Although this type of garment did not bloom at all.

Rompers

These were worn both by the girls and boys that were used primarily for play time. By the end of the second world war, rompers were basic staples for little girls wardrobe. They were usually used as costumes or uniforms for gym classes of girls.

Smocks

This is one generic children’s clothing of years gone by. As this was so common, different styles, accessories, adornments, and other details filled the repertoire of how a smock can look like. There were smocks of different colors, smocks with different buttoning styles - buttons located at the back, in the front, or on the side. There were also smocks with collars, with trims, with ties, with pockets, with belts, etc. It was usual in the 1950s that smocks of identical cut were bought by mothers for their children.

Pinafores

This was a very essential piece of garment for the girls' wardrobe as they were usually worn by little girls of Europe and America.

Pantalets

These were worn both by boys and girls. Usually, boys wore plain pantalets while girls wore the fancier ones. But there were some boys who like to wear fancy Pantalets too.

Sailor suits

This was basically a boy's garment but it became a unisex garment as girls started to wear sailor suits too.

Baby Car Seats

When you first learn of the impending new arrival, your thoughts will probably be taken up with decorating and equipping a nursery, buying clothes, bottles, and much more, but many people don't think of a baby car seat until later on in the pregnancy. It's very important to make sure you know what to look for in a seat, as after all, you'll need one on your baby's very first journey, from the hospital back to home.

For this first journey, you'll need a seat which faces towards the rear of your vehicle. This provides the best protection in the event of an impact for an infant who is unable yet to support the weight of their own head. The seat will be nicely reclined backwards, providing a safe and comfortable coccoon for your baby.

It's important to choose a rear-facing seat which is sturdy and dependable, yet light to carry. Young babies sleep a little and often, and the last thing you want to do after finally getting your child to sleep in a car journey is to wake them by removing them from their warm and cosy seat. Having an easily detachable model which is light to carry means you can ferry your baby from car to house with as little disturbance as possible.

These rear facing seats are only suitable for younger infants. Once they've grown to weigh around 20 pounds, or the top of their head is nearing the upper edge of the seat and thus no longer protected properly, you'll need to move to a forward facing seat.

These seats are much more upright, but better models can be adjusted to provide a more horizontal position to help your toddler sleep during longer journeys. Because of the upright position, it's essential that your child is able to sit up on their own before using this kind of seat. Forward facing seats are built to last for a fair few years, and most will be good until your child reaches the age of 4 or 6.

Before we finish, there are two extremely important things to bear in mind when buying a car seat.

Firstly, you should be very careful when buying one that isn't brand new. Although it might seem like an economy to get a second hand seat, there's no way of knowing for sure its history. It may have been involved in an accident at some point in the past, resulting in weaknessess that may not be visible to the naked eye. These weaknesses could endanger your baby even in a minor accident. You should only buy a used seat when you can be absolutely sure of the history - such as when buying off close friends or family.

Finally, baby car seats shouldn't be fitted in front seats where an airbag is fitted. In an accident, the inflation of the airbag could cause serious injury or suffocation to a child, so always fit car seats in the rear of the vehicle in this case.

Home Safety And Newborn Baby

When you first have a newborn baby, you are very protective of it. You are always afraid of something happening to it. Well when you are at home you should not be afraid of anything happening to it because you are there and it should be safe. Keeping your baby safe at home is very important. First, prevent people from coming to your home that are going to smoke, or do any type of drugs, this is your first line of defense for your baby.

To be safe, when you are at home by yourself lock all the doors, this is vital if you live in a big city. Other than other people, to keep your baby from getting injured at home the best thing to do is a buy safety thing for all over the house. Prevention of problems will include the ability of the baby to walk away, or get to the swimming pool. Prevent problems in the home by locking doors, windows, cupboards and garages with locks that a baby or toddler can’t open.

You probably would not want to have animals like a dog or a cat around your baby until it gets older. A pet can maul a baby, or a toddler when the pet is not accustomed to being around children all the time. Avoid having a cat near the baby, so the cat doesn’t cuddle up on the face of the baby, which will then smoother the baby without your realizing what is happening.

When you put your baby to sleep at night make sure that it falls asleep on it’s back because of crib death. Crib death is when a baby suffocates to death. Also, keep loose blankets out of the crib. The crib is a place for the baby to sleep, not to play. The crib should have bars that are close enough, so the baby can’t slip through, and the crib should have bars so that the head of the baby can’t slip through and get stuck. Avoid potential problems and situations where your baby could easily be hurt.

Once your baby starts to crawl, the best thing for you to get is a walker to let it learn how to walk. If you have steps in your home, the ‘thing to get’ is those child gates. They have them at most department stores if you don’t know where to purchase them. This will prevent your child from falling down the steps. You could even use them in doorways to rooms that you don’t want the child in without you. If you have animals, you could even use the gates to keep the animals away from the baby.

Once your child starts to walk you should keep things back away from the edge of the counters and the table. If you drink coffee, you should definitely keep that away so it is not reachable. You should not let any thing that is small laying around because if you do so this it will help so that your baby does not choke on anything. Just remember to lock all the doors when you are there by yourself. Any thing like this will help you keep your child safe at home.

New Baby Can Be Expensive

"A new baby brings a lot of joy and hope to a family. It also brings some uncertainty. You may be concerned that your home is too small, or that you need a larger car, among others. Whether you are expecting your first or your fifth child, chances are that you need baby gear! There are hundreds of different items that you need when the baby arrives, and it is important to remember that stocking up doesn’t mean you have to clean out the bank account. If you do a little bit of research beforehand, you can get everything that you need at a fraction of the retail price. My favorite money saving tool is the e-coupon. You can sign up for e-coupons at a variety of different retailers, and start savings instantly.

The first question that a new parent-to-be asks is “what gear do I need?” There are many things that are convenient to have, and many things that are a “must have.” Once you distinguish between the two, you can start stocking up on the “must haves”. I recommend that you start shopping for bargains early on in your pregnancy. You will save more money, and eliminate the last minute rush that many parents undergo. Most baby sites will provide you with a checklist of the baby “must haves.” Print this list out, and then begin to compare prices and makes and models.

Every parent-to-be is on a budget. The trick is to make the most out of that budget. First consider looking at local yard sales for various baby gear. You can often get some cheap deals, on things that are in good shape. If you are looking for some really good deals, go online. There are hundreds of different baby sites, which offer many products at deep discounts. If you use an e-coupon service, you can get coupon codes to save even more on the items that are “must haves.” Most of these services are free to use, and can save you hundreds on your favorite baby gear. You may also try an auction site like EBay. I have found some great deals on items that you need everyday, like bottles and bibs.

Shopping for baby on a budget can be a lot of fun, if you approach it correctly. Create a list of the items that you want to shop for, and stick to it. Look for discounts and deals both locally and online. In no time, you will have a nursery full of baby gear ready and waiting for your new little bundle of joy! Congratulations and happy shopping!"

A Baby Footprint Makes A Great Baby Shower Invitation

The baby shower invitation will be the first impression that the guests will have of the event. It is therefore important to convey a message through the baby shower invitation. One really fun and very popular way to do this is use a baby footprint in the invitation. It is hard to resist the charm of a tiny little baby footprint. Baby shower invitations with a footprint are so irresistible be will just have to come to the shower.

So here are some creative ideas that you can use in creating your own baby shower footprint invitation.

1. Printed - A simple printed baby footprint can be a ton of fun. It will look as if a baby stepped in ink and then stamped the card with their feet. To put a little action into the baby shower footprint invitation you can make a series of footprints and make them decrease in size from large to smaller. 

2. Stamps - Stamping has become a very popular craft and is use widely among printers and crafters in the business of making invitations. You can easily purchase baby footprint stamps of varying sizes from your local craft store or on the Internet. These can make a fun and fancy decoration to the invitation. As an alternative you can purchase a large stamp and simply stamp a big filled in silhouetted image smack dab in the middle of the invitation. This makes another fun creative and even whimsical invitation.

3. Embossing - This is where the baby footprint is raised from the page. A printer can actually emboss the paper and have a raised footprint right in the paper. A baby footprint embossed onto a beautifully textured pure white piece of paper can look very elegant!

With embossing powder you will need a stamp and some ink. You start by stamping the invitation with the baby footprint stamp first. Then before the ink dries you poor some of the embossing powder on the stamped area. The embossing powder will stick tot he wet ink. This makes a fun and easy way to have a very elegant gold embossed baby footprint shower invitation.

4. Cut Out - With this technique you will want to find some stiff paper. Then on the baby of the cut out footprint you can write all of your important baby shower details. Either way that you choose the important thing to remember is to have fun in creating the baby shower invitation footprint. It can also be more fun with a group of girlfriends around a table talking and having a good time then cutting 25 baby shower footprint invitations all by yourself.

As an addition to the fun, baby shower footprint invitation, it can be lots of fun to continue with the footprint theme in decorating for the part. 

Baby Shower Gifts That Mom Will Love

With the pregnancy bug in the water system, you are bound to know someone who is having a baby, if you aren’t having one yourself. Pregnant women equal shopping time. Here are 5 gifts that any mother will most certainly be appreciative of. The baby shower gift ideas are great for those who are shopping or for mom’s to put on their gift registry.

1. Diapers, diapers and more diapers. That is quite a bland gift but a very much needed gift. I don’t any mom who will complain about having too many diapers with a newborn at home. To make diapers snazzy you have to dress it up a bit. You can find diaper cakes in lots of gift sites. Some come with as many as 150 diapers, plus booties, bibs and tons of other essentials for baby, but all in the shape of an all so cute cake.

2. Layettes, blankets, socks and burp cloths. Chances are they are going to get tons of these. However, these gifts tend to come in newborn or 3 months sizes which after a few weeks probably won’t serve its purpose anymore. Making this a great gift is if you buy them in larger sizes. After a few months, mom still has brand new gifts for the baby to enjoy. 

3. Pamper products for Mom. The last few weeks of pregnancy are very uncomfortable and can be hard on Mom. Let Mom have the star treatment as well. Once the baby is born, Mom’s 15 minutes of fame are over. 

4. Savings Bonds. A savings bond is a great way to help invest in the child’s future. While everyone is thinking of now you are thinking ahead. It may also help jumpstart parents to jumpstart on baby’s future if they haven’t already.

5. Gift Certificates. You can never go wrong with a gift certificate. Mom and Dad get to choose what they want and you gave them that satisfaction. The obvious choice for a gift certificate would where the registry is set up. If they do not have a registry set up, good choices could include their favorite supermarket (formula, diapers) or baby store. Another gift certificate idea could be a check card gift certificate. It works like a credit card and can be used anywhere. 

Tip: I don’t suggest buying clothing unless the parents-to-be suggested so. Chances are they have already gone shopping and couldn’t resist those tiny adorable outfits.