Baby shower for beginners: Moms, dads and pediatricians give ideas on what to give (and what not)

There are people for whom certain invitations are a real inconvenience. Between the social anguish, the cold and the imperative expense, they would prefer to do like Alejandro Sanz and be able to respond with a fine “I appreciate but not” . However, some invitations cannot be declined.

Among them are the weddings of close people, but I think you have to be very ungrateful not to feel happy with this kind of invitation. An opportunity to dress your best, good food, drinks on time, a festive atmosphere and generally a very good panorama.

Where a lot of people might want to say “I lose it for sure” is with the baby showeran event that may feel like an alien party for those not in the world of babies or even about to start a family.

The concept and the name baby shower was born in the United States in the 1950s, in the midst of the baby boom after the Second World War. The idea of ​​ashower“(shower) has to do with “bathing” new mothers and fathers with lots of love and gifts for the new creature.

Those who already have children, or even a nephew, will be able to get an idea of ​​what to offer during one of these evenings, always full of tea and cupcakes. But for the rest of mortals who aren’t interested in reproducing, and the closest baby to their lives is Baby Yoda, thinking about a good gift is anyone’s guess.

What is given in a baby shower? What kind of gift can be useful and lasting? Is it possible to achieve this combination? Or the other way around: what can seem like a good idea and end up being totally useless?

We spoke with a pediatrician and a significant number of mothers, expectant mothers and new parents to answer these and other questions.

The first thing, which sounds like a truism to those who have ever had buses, is that these creatures grow very fast.

Romina, a 35-year-old mother, says one of the most recurring gifts was the “newborn hats, which are very cute but don’t last for anything.” Claudia, 33, explains that “a lot of clothes for newborns arrive, but the problem is that because they grow every two minutes, there are clothes that you only wear once”.

The same logic then applies to layers. Olivia, 31, advises that if you are going to give nappies, these should not necessarily be for newborns, but consider products for babies between 1 and 6 months, for example.

When it comes to newborn clothes, Bárbara, a 32-year-old mother, suggests calculating and looking at the time of year she will be born. “That way, if you’re going to donate something that’s 6 months old, you’ll know if it should be summer or winter wear, increasing the chances of it being used later.”

Xabier says that for him baby shower From her first daughter, who had her a few weeks ago, she received “lots of beautiful clothes, something that is usually given away at these celebrations. Had to go out or for the photo, but few think that during the first months you don’t go out as much, less in winter. In his experience, he found that people donate “a cache of clothes, but not the most useful ones, that’s what’s used on a daily basis.”

Lucas, a 40-year-old father, adds a point that caught his attention in the baby shower of his second daughter. “There were people who gave us little shoes. But newborns don’t need to wear shoes!

Along the lines of the haircut, Xabier says self-help books for dads and moms — another abounding gift — “are well-meaning but a bit unnecessary for a baby shower”.

Michelle, a mother of 29, says “these machines that express milk aren’t such a good gift.” For her, it is a more personal item, because it depends on the size of the nipple and the characteristics of each woman, “so it is better that you buy it yourself”.

Marianne Elberg She is a mother and a pediatrician. With years of work and personal experience, he discovered “there are gifts that are a great contribution to the celebration of baby shower and that they can be beneficial for fathers and mothers who are living this moment”.

Like what ? “Bus sleeping bags are an excellent alternative for boys or girls born at this time of year, when the cold is the protagonist.” Of course, this is not a traditional sleeping bag, like those used for camping. Although they look alike, they are different.

“Newborns sleep a lot for the first few months, so having this type of sleeping bag is a good option, as it keeps them warm and comfortable wherever they are.”

Another gift recommended by the pediatrician – who is also a sleep consultant – is “a white noise speaker, a great option for newborns. Thanks to its ability to mask other sounds, it promotes sleep.

“A good idea, he says, are Medela’s hydrogel patches. It is a gift to take care of mothers breasts, because it is very important to experience a calm and comfortable breastfeeding process. They are designed to relieve sore and cracked nipples, common problems that arise from breastfeeding, and provide immediate relief,” he explains.

Along the same lines, she says that “for some mothers, the breastfeeding process is an intimate moment; therefore, a good option is to give blankets to cover up, which at the same time are very easy to wash,” he says.

Last but not least, Elberg has something that will make you mom’s favorite guest at the event: a day at the spa for her . “Pregnancy is an emotional process, so offering a relaxation or spa service to mums – a time that many need – will help them reconnect with their bodies and minds after so many changes. I think it is a really good idea.”

Olivia is still pregnant and still hasn’t celebrated her baby shower, but she had to arrange a few for her family and friends. The main recommendation he makes to those planning to throw this party is to make a gift list. “This process, which can sometimes be a little late, is very effective and positive, both for mums and dads – who will not receive unwanted things or that they will not use later – and for those invited. , who will be assured of a useful gift”, he assures.

In this list, a kind of letter for the Old Christmas of the buses, Romina would put a cradle with drawers, something very necessary and that yes or yes she would use and appreciate.

More down-to-earth, Lucas offers “cradle sheets”. And Javiera, 39, adds that any hygiene-related gift, such as creams, wipes or powders, never hurts. “They will always be welcomed.”

Claudia concludes with a very specific recommendation. “The most necessary things, and of course no one gives you, are the expensive things. What I recommend is that they get together in a group: that way you can give things like a monitor to check in buses, which are expensive and necessary, or a gym, car, car seat or dining room.Things like.In this way, the cost may even be lower, but the gift more cool and meaningful “.

*Prices for products in this item are current as of July 5, 2022. Values ​​and availability may change.