You can never go wrong with diapers. Every expectant mother that I have given diapers to has been surprised and grateful.
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I just reread your question so I'm going to amend my answer. It is really hard to shop for a mother who already has all the basics. If the mother has a two year old she may have trouble putting together a baby book. I know when my mother had me she filled everything in and then when my brother came along he kind of got the short end of the stick. Putting together a prepackaged scrapbook minus the pictures may be a nice thoughtful gift. If you're not into scrapbooking a local shop should be able to help you and the cost can be minimal if you shop at a wholesaler.
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I have two little ones so here are some things that I would like or that I received after the birth of my second baby.

-A gift basket full of bubble bath, soaps, scented candles, etc.. You could include coupons for babysitting (one for a shower, one for a nap, one to do her grocery shopping, etc... so mom can take a break)

-A friend of mine gave me a gift basket with things for the hospital and for after when I was nursing, it included my favourite snacks, juice boxes, magazines, a book, a nursing tank, nursing pads and nursing cover.

-a gift certificate for a pedicure and a manicure again you could provide babysitting since it's hard to find time for yourself with two little ones if she has no one else to look after them

-homemade frozen food (lasagna, meatloaf, soups, caseroles, etc...)

- a gift card for their favorite take out restaurant for a quick meal after the baby comes

-a gift certificate for a digital scrapbook (shutterfly has digital scrapbooks) for the new baby
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A gift should, whenever possible, be selected for an individual. If your friend is going to be low on cash when the baby comes, buy something practical, like a case or two of diapers. If your friend appreciates finer things, a fancy outfit is great. I try to make select my gifts so that they fit the person/occasion.
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When I had my baby a couple years ago, I didn't have a whole lot of family to count on, so my husband and I were burnt toast by the time the kiddo was 3 months old.

So based on those memories, here are my pampering gift ideas:

1.) Netflix Gift Certificate - there are going to be a lot of nights at home, mom and dad might as well enjoy some entertainment while rocking the kid to sleep.

2.) A Comfortable Pajama Set - ....in her "new size". For the first 6 months after birth especially, women just aren't the same size. Maternity clothes are kind of big. All their other stuff is waaaay too small, and I remember being depressed that I could snuggle up in soft, new pajamas that actually fit!

3.) The SleepEasy Solution book - as kind of a wink and smile to the mommy. This is a guide to getting baby to sleep through the night and take scheduled naps starting at 5 months. (and it works miracles!)

4.) Magazine Subscription - there will be a lot of long, quiet nights where she'll need some entertainment. Just DON'T get any parenting magazines! This should be for pleasure only!

5.) Coupons for House Cleaning - this may sound hokey, but hear me out. More than anything, I would've given my right arm for someone to come in and vacuum, do dishes, cut the lawn, run laundry, grocery shop, etc. - especially in the first 4-8 weeks. And I was too embarrassed and shy to ask. So make her a book of vouchers (for your own personal services), and make her promise to cash them in!

6.) Babysitting Vouchers - similar to above. But tell her you are coming to watch the kids, and she has to go out and see a movie, go to the bookstore, etc.Trust me, if she's willing to cash them in, she will cry in happiness just getting out to indulge herself.

7.) Expensive lotions and bath products - to help her feel beautiful again!
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I saw this new type wasing tub - the "baby wash pod" on the Today show.
Here is a web site in the United States that sells it. It simulates the womb and the baby is more cupped and in an upright position. The pod will not fall over either. It runs about $28.

http://www.chasing-fireflies.com/baby-wash-pod/productinfo/27688/

This website also has a great deal of cute clothes and other items too.
Source(s):
Chasing FireFlies

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Oh my gosh, this list of things that they could need could go on forever.

A pregnancy countdown kit, if they are not to far along.

Anything Mozart http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51D8XKK2DQL._SL500_AA280_.jpg It is very healthy for the baby, NOT Beethoven, Beethoven's music is considered Evil, the beat of the music is a downer, The beat of music seriously can change the way a person is feeling. I learned this in one of my Mothers "Special Needs" Classes. By Special Needs I mean, children with ADHD, RAD *Reactive Attachment Disorder*. (IT WOULD BE NICE AND RELAXING FOR MOMMY TOO)

Tons of stuff found for MOMMY
http://www.bamababiesandbirthdays.com/momgifts/collection_lg_small.jpg
Lighten My Labor™
Labor & Delivery Pampering Kit http://www.bamababiesandbirthdays.com/giftsformom.htm

http://www.bamababiesandbirthdays.com/RC/LaborDayPamperPack_small1.jpg
Labor Day Pamper Pack
http://www.bamababiesandbirthdays.com/giftsformom.htm
Source(s):
http://www.bamababiesandbirthdays.com/giftsformom.htm

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It is hard to even begin to know where to start.... there are soooo many things that she will need and want.... One of the more important things is a baby monitor.... it gives the mother such a since of being able to relax as they can monitor the baby no matter where they are in the house. A basket of all the little things that often go unnoticed. thermometer, nail clippers, nos e bulbs, etc. a baby bath tub... Encourage her to register... the last baby shower I went to she received more blankets then I had ever seen. But they did have a really great idea for a game.... one was a raffle... every one that brought diapers or wipers got a raffle ticket for each of them that they brought. Kind of cute hadn't seen that before. The other thing I saw that was really special and unique was decorative in nature. The person painted a tree with clouds and blue sky in the background, etc. and then they cute out leaves... and each person at the party got to right something on a leaf... and then they were added to the tree. It was a very novel idea... wish I had one of these when my children were born.
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a gift basket for Mom with some splurge toiletries, hand cream, luxury shampoo, her favorite color wash cloths, in a sturdy basket that she can re-use. have fun! wonderful idea you have here to get something for the Mom. :)
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I would recommend buying a pack of Pampers Swaddlers, a new mom can never have too many pampers =). I would also recommend onesies, a baby first aide kit, a grooming kit, blankets, extra crib sheets, baby oil. baby lotion, an infant bath tub, wash cloths, towels, and child proofing products. Of course there are millions of products a new mom needs but as a mom, I know those are the things a new mom would appreciate the most because you can never have too many of any of them!
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Breast pads! It doesn't matter if she's planning to breast feed or not, she's going to leak for a while. About 2 or 3 days (maybe even earlier) after delivery, her shirt will be drenched if she doesn't have something in her bra to soak up all the colostrum/milk when the baby's not latched on. This is a necessity.

I highly recommend Gerber than any other. I had problems with getting rashes on the undersides of my breasts with anything else because other brands I tried didn't allow air to travel to the skin. They would just soak up everything and not wick away the moisture.

Also, the warm/cool relief packs are great too especially incase of infection like mastitis (extremely painful).. happens when the milk ducts don't empty properly and bacteria gets into them. It causes a block up and a painful lump in the breast.

http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-Warm-Cool-Relief-Packs/dp/B000096M1A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1246638889&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Contoured-Nursing-Leaksafe-disposable/dp/B0009F3MFG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1246639159&sr=1-1
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Baby shower gift can be very fun to purchase. I came across these two site just lately, and ironically enough at the same time we found out that we are going to be grandparents again. Posey Lane is one of my favorites for you can get items personalized and they have gifts for the whole entire family.http://www.posylane.com/. I love this site and can not wait to place my order with them. They have some very cute bedding sets, cutains, rugs, blankets and clothing that all match. You can also personalize several items on this site too. http://www.rhbabyandchild.com/rhbc/index.jsp?ydSource=YouData. These are however online sources for your baby shower gift, but if you were seeking someplace where you can go shopping outside of your home you can check out these site. They all offer some of the cutest baby furniture, clothing and bedding. right now JC Penny is offering a great summer sale on baby gifts http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/default.aspx?cm_mmc=YSSP-_-TLP-_-HomePage-_-JCPenney. the Gymboree store is also a very good place to find a very cool gift for an infant as well http://www.gymboree.com//index.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374303003787&bmUID=1246762055777. Have fun shopping for the baby shower !!
For the mom I would greatly suggest a Day At The Spa. Anyone who knows or has had children would greatly appreciate a relaxing gift such as this one. This site here will direct you on where to go in your area for a Day Spa http://www.spafinder.com/spas/day-spas.jsp.
Source(s):
http://www.posylane.com/, http://www.rhbabyandchild.com/rhbc/index.jsp?ydSource=YouData , http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/default.aspx?cm_mmc=YSSP-_-TLP-_-HomePage-_-JCP..., http://www.spafinder.com/spas/day-spas.jsp

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umm if she dont have a babby monitor you can get one of those
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