Avidiva's BEST baby shower gifts + WIN an Eco Buds doll valued at $79.95!

GUEST POST BY CAROLINE AT AVIDIVA

So, your bestie is pregnant… such exciting news and you’re super stoked to be becoming an ‘aunty’!! You want to put on THE BEST baby shower for her… all the cute pastel things… bunting, macarons, cups of tea, the full works to celebrate your long life friend becoming a mummy! The pretty planning you’ve got down to a tee, and have built up an enviable selection of boards on Pinterest. But when it comes to the gift giving, the actual baby stuff, you feel pretty damn clueless… I mean, what do babies want? Or need? And what does a new mama need? What is safe for their precious little bodies, and what is just an extra thing that will clog up the already diminishing space in the living room!?

There’s only so much stalking and Googling you can do… and you’re running out of time! Plus to top it all off, there’s no way this mama is finding out the sex of bub! It’s a definite surprise situation…. which just makes this whole gift finding that little bit more tricky!

We’ve all been there, searching for that perfect gender neutral baby gift… one that is actually useful, that will be used, that not everyone will buy them, that one that is a little bit different, but completely safe, and top notch quality for this newbie who’s about to enter the world. Never fear lovely, we’ve put our heads together and have come up with a few pointers and ideas to get you on your way…

For bub, it’s best to go with quality materials… looking at breathable, natural fabrics such as cotton or bamboo (and avoiding manmade fibres). Even better, is to opt for organically grown as you are safe in the knowledge that this is pesticide free, avoiding unnecessary chemicals and nasties against bub’s new and sensitive skin. A cute comforter, such as this organic cotton range from Kippins, is always a lovely gift, something they can snuggle up to for comfort when mum is wanting some much needed rest. Toys like this can help bub self settle- rather than needing to be patted, rocked, shushed, or just held!

Wooden toys are a big hit when it comes to natural, safe and beautiful… with the bonus of being great for the development of senses. The touch and feel of wood is great for textural exploration, and a lovely way to develop baby’s grasping skills. When they later find their mouth, wood is a perfect material to gum and gnaw, being naturally anti-bacterial. It also provides a solid surface to teeth on and many products are treated with a safe, natural oil which is bub friendly! Grimms make a top quality range of textural delights for newborns… and also some lovely room décor pieces too!

Anything with a squeak or a rattle is sure to delight baby’s senses! The gentle rattle of wooden beads, or a soft rattle in a plush toy makes a great distractor when bub is less than happy. When made from organic cotton, they are safe for bub to grab, mouth and explore… perfect for developing early motor skills.

Baby clips are a super useful accessory to make sure bub never loses their soother or teether toy again! Clip to the pram, the car seat, or bub themselves… these save many cries over dropped toys long car journeys, and frantic wiping when dropped in puddles, or tears of upset when they need their dummy to nod off! The gorgeous handmade range from Pop Ya Tot use non-toxic paints and wooden beads to bring you safe and stylish toy savers for bub.

A mama can never have too many swaddles either… with their never-ending array of uses! A decent sized swaddle, like these from the wonderful aden + anais, are a must have for the nappy bag! They can be used as a play mat, a bassinet sheet, a picnic blanket, for tummy time, as a shade over the pram, to keep the sun out in the car, or for mopping up spills and spit ups… and of course, for actually swaddling!!

A classic doll is always a much loved accessory for any newborn… and even better when they are lovingly handmade from organic cotton, eco-friendly and sustainable! These eco bud dolls are such a treat, and they even have a boy variety, too! Their doting eyes and true to life expressions help little ones develop empathy and build relationships. These are a real keepsake that will be around from newborn cuddles and fit right in with the family.

Something for mum is always nice. A little treat. After all, mum has already been through so much and bub hasn’t even made an appearance yet! They may be feeling anxious, or overwhelmed (along with all the excitement and wonder of what is to come!). Their changing body shape, whole bunch of new emotions, completely new role to take on, and the thought of a little human taking over any kind of life as they currently know it… their days (and their nights!). Pretty epic!

So, including a little something for mum is always a sweet touch. An indulgent body scrub (for when they have two minutes to sneak in the shower!), maybe some relaxing bath soak (best saved for when hubby is around to look after bub!), or even a natural nursing balm to soothe and restore sore, chapped nipples (after all life will be revolving around bub’s milky needs!)

A small selection of thoughtful gifts is sure to put a smile on a that friend’s face… going for natural and quality will always be ensuring you are doing the best for bub and that mama too.

WIN!

As if her amazing advice about Baby Shower Gifts isn’t enough, Caroline is very generously giving away an organic Eco Buds doll (valued at $79.95 + standard postage Australia-wide) to one lucky reader!