Have you been invited to a baby shower for someone you know who is expecting? If so, here are some great gift ideas for the mother as well as for the baby. If the price tag is a bit too high for you on some of these items, you could always go in on it with another friend or two.

For the mom who is planning on breastfeeding, nothing will be more welcome than a good breast pump. You might think that only those who plan to continue breastfeeding after returning to work will have any need for a breast pump, but that is not the case. Breast pumps come in very handy when there is too much milk and it is not a good time to feed. They can also help keep the supply of milk from diminishing to the point where there is not enough to feed the baby.

If you want to get the best breast pump for your friend, you should choose a double electric breast pump. Electric pumps are usually faster and have more suction than battery-operated or manual pumps. Also, if manual pumps are used often they can cause soreness in the hands and wrists.

If the mother is not planning to breastfeed, one good idea is a basket of beauty of bath products for the mother to pamper herself with. Although this is not a traditional baby gift, it will be appreciated by the mother who has spent several months feeling not-so-pretty and will help her feel beautiful again. You could include skin care cream, nail polish, perfume or scented lotion – anything to help the new mother feel special and pampered.

If you want to get something for the baby instead of the mother, a bath set for the baby is a nice gift. You can fill the baby bath tub with baby oil, baby shampoo, baby powder and other necessities. This will be a very useful gift that won’t cost much to buy.

For something a little more memorable, a diaper cake is a great choice. If you have never seen a diaper cake, picture a wedding cake made by rolling diapers together to form the layers. Once you have each layer completed, secure it with a rubber band and tie a ribbon around each layer. Use a baby item to top it off and you’ve got a beautiful and practical baby gift.

These gifts are sure to please the expectant mother. Whether you choose a new breast pump to help her breastfeed successfully or a basket of goodies to pamper her, or go with a gift for the baby, your friend will be thrilled that you thought of her and were there to support her and help her celebrate the birth of her new baby.

Books

This is an unusual gift, mostly because no one thinks of it. After all, the baby cannot read yet! Studies confirm, however, that reading to a newborn can trigger brain activity. Aim for colorful, tough books that have textures or moving parts. A nice touch can be to include some books for the parents, including a book or article on the benefits of reading to a newborn. It’s a fun, and usually affordable, gift to give.

Baby Bath Gift Basket

The truth is that it’s much more fun to buy cute items for a baby shower gift. This is why you’ll see so many tiny clothes, adorable stuffed animals and soft blankets as shower gifts. This is exactly why you should aim for something practical. You can get a quality baby bath very inexpensively. Then, to make it look great for the party, you can stuff it with bath-related items like puppet washing gloves, baby shampoo, after-bath robes, bath toys for when the baby is older, and aromatherapy lotions. Add a pretty bow and you have an eye-catching gift they can actually use!

A Great Diaper Pail

This is also not the most fun to buy, but will definitely be very much appreciated. A good diaper pail is an essential item (ask any parent). If you choose this option, however, do not cut corners. Get one that seals properly, and can be opened without using your hands. If you can afford it, fill it with diaper-changing items like lotion, diaper rash cream, wipes, and of course, newborn diapers. Do not forget to include trash bags that fit the diaper pail!

Baby Bedding Collections

My sister got a girls baby bedding collection that was, without a doubt, the hit of the party. This can be an expensive gift, therefore it’s a great choice for a group gift. If you’re not sure of the sex of the baby, there are plenty of collections available in gender neutral designs and colors. Think green, yellow, beige, or themed collections like jungle animals or stars.

Gift Certificate for the Mother

Understandably, the focus is on the new baby. This can leave the mother feeling a little tired and forgotten. While most people avoid a gift certificate, (they are afraid it says that they do not care enough to go shopping), a gift certificate for the mother can be extra special and make her feel valued. Get her one that ties into her likes before she got pregnant, such as coffee, wine, spa treatments, or bath and body shops. Without a doubt, this is a gift that will be loved by the soon-to-be mom.