As a mom, I loved the hook on chair - especially since my kitchen is quiet small. I rarely used the high chair.
My daughter only used the hook-on chair. I had an island in the kitchen and that worked best. However, she weighed nothing, even at 2 years old (under 20 pounds). My nephew who was 3 months younger, weighed 20 pounds at about 6 months.
Love the vaporizer idea.
Baby stuff is all so personal. Some babies love riding in a sling, some love the baby front carriers, some love the stroller, some hate all those things… 
Some people like a diaper bag, some find them one more useless thing to lug around. Some people love their umbrella stroller, some love their stroller that’s the size of a small car and some don’t even use a stroller.
Same issue with decorations and mementos. Some people would love a personalized stool or animal statue, some would view it as yet another tacky piece of junk they have to find a place to store and dust.
Not sure there really is one single best gift answer. If you really want to give a person something they will like, sticking to their registry is probably safest. If it’s more about what you like to give, feel free to choose what you like and hope for the best. Most of the time people will love it and the ones that don’t are usually polite enough that you won’t know the difference anyway.
My kids are 31 and 28 and I still have the melamine plate and bowl sets with the little, chubby-handled fork and spoon. My S ate from the divided plate even when he was in high school and my D used the little spoon to eat yogurt until she no longer lived at home. These were nice sets purchased at a baby boutique. Nowadays, they are easy to find as individual pieces at Walmart and the like, but not as cute as the old sets.
OK, this one is something I personally loved.
You know how kids are crazy sloppy during the high chair ages. We had a plastic mat that went under the high chair to catch all that stuff. I seem to remember it as cuter than this, but it’s the general idea: https://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/prince-lionheart-reg-chevron-catchall-floor-mat-in-grey/1046606747?Keyword=mat%20for%20under%20highchair
Anytime we went anywhere, that accompanied us… to the diner, to my inlaws, wherever. People were always so impressed that they didn’t have to clean up after us, and the effort was minimal on our part.
"Baby stuff is all so personal. "
Definitely. Lots of moms I know go the cloth diaper route so diapers and diaper genies would not be wanted.
I’m with those who say to consult with the parents for anything nursery related-crib, furniture, rocking chair, bookcase, decorative items in general, etc.- unless it is specifically on the registry. Same with stroller, car seat. These are very personal choices. I stick with the registry and then throw in some cute socks .
The SIDS guidelines suggest using pacifiers for all babies now
Just a little gift I like to give for co-workers or acquaintances to wish them well without a large expenditure, or to give along with a bigger gift: We Sing books/CDs, especially Nursery Rhymes and Lullabies. I think they may also be downloadable; when I started giving them they were on cassette! As an older first time Mom, I found them wonderful to recall words and learn new lullabies, and singing along with my little one.
"Definitely. Lots of moms I know go the cloth diaper route so diapers and diaper genies would not be wanted. "
It’s one of the interesting and also difficult things about living in a country that has so many different cultural influences and no unifying cultural practice or ideal. On this thread people have listed things they’ve loved and the readers have likely been reacting with a mix of:
- what a great idea!
- that sounds really tacky, wonder if I'd have to display it or if I have enough closet space that I could hide it and only bring it out when the person visits?
- brilliant invention, wish I'd had one of those
- I'd never put my baby in that dangerous thing
- awww, how cute
- I'm glad it didn't seem to poison your kids, but there is no way I'd let my kids eat/eat with/chew/wear that
- what a time saver
- ugh, that sounds hideous
- I'd love one of those!
- I'd hate one of those
- when did babies start to need so much stuff?
And if we surveyed to see which items caused each reaction, there would be a wide variety of response so hard to draw a conclusion or consensus! America is a weird and wonderful place.
There are certain items that stand the test of time. There are certain items that were great at one time, but now another method or item surpasses that item in convenience or durability.
CD’s for instance. Parents can play lullabies or entertaining music simply by typing in a few words on Spotify. Yes, your old favorites like Sharon, Lois and Bram and Raffi are there.
As a mom, I really preferred to pick out just about any and all items for my kids - from toys to clothes. As the recipient, I can think of nothing better than a heartfelt note and an Amazon gift card. In that precious “spare time” I would have I could at any time 24/7, in the comfort of my home and loungewear purchase exactly what I wanted for my little ones.
“The SIDS guidelines suggest using pacifiers for all babies now”
One of my kids refused to use a pacifier or a thumb despite trying. I eventually gave up. That kid had no attachment to anything as baby.
The baby blanket in #28 has been a perfect gift for those babies who have everything. They are practical and a lovely keepsake. The woman who makes them is a pleasure to deal with.
Alwaysamom, thanks again for this recommendation on an earlier thread.
About the baby mat…
My child wasn’t very messy (mostly because she wouldn’t eat anything slimy or with a weird texture) but my nephew was awful. One day he was eating at my house and under the highchair was a mess.
My sister said “You need a dog!” She never realized what a slob nephew was because as soon as he dropped anything at home the dog swooped in to clean it up.
^^^This, we had a dog no need for a mat but I wouldn’t give a dog as a baby gift;-)
I know, as guidelines go, all babies are different. My youngest sucked het thumb too. I don’t know how that fits the guidelines. also some kids will not sleep on their back either.
My friends who have new grandchildren recommend the sleep sacks. I used them too. I was ahead of my time .
I always give a book and a small blanket or bibs to work people. I work with 150 people and many of them are young and having babies. They have to understand that you cant go broke. With my friends children I give bigger gifts like car seats. To my niece I gave a newborn picture shoot. I have known my friends children since they were 2.
My younger family members who have little ones swore by this - especially for one who had a baby with reflux:
https://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Auto-Rock-Sleeper-Stone/dp/B00NEO5UTU/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_75_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=B20WDQ7Z6YE1491EF93A&th=1
They called it the baby taco.
The AAP and Safe Sleep guidelines “recommend” a pacifier for babies who want to use one. Studies show SIDS is reduced in babies who use pacifiers. Not all babies want a pacifier - that’s ok too. Can’t force it! The recommendation may come from the angle of "all those people who are telling you NOT to let your baby have a pacifier (when they want one) - ignore them and let your baby have a pacifier at appropriate times and under the right physical conditions). For instance do not tie on bed, use only one piece pacifiers, etc.
Our S refused to put a pacifier or thumb or fingers in his mouth. He was the difficult child that would wake regularly throughout the night for over 18 months. D was a self-soother that found her fingers were perfect to suck on and fall asleep with. She slept thru the nite at 5 weeks!
I think cash or equivalent is the most useful and the parents can save it or spend it as needed. I like to give a set of cotton receiving blankets or cute outfit with cash. Parents seem grateful.
I usually make a quilt but I also like to give a baby symptom book, the kind with decision trees. It’s been a while since I’ve given a baby gift–neither my kids nor their cousins seem to be interested.