Somewhere between college and death every group of friends goes through two distinct phases: The Wedding Surge and The Baby Boom.  My peer group’s Wedding Surge ended about a year ago but the Baby Boom has only just begun. Before I became a new mom I found myself pretty stumped about what to get my friends who were expecting. Now I can’t shut up about my favorite items. In fact, the other day a friend posted to Facebook that she wanted some advice about what things she needed to have when she welcomed her little one in a few months and I practically tackled her (electronically) with my list of faves. Obviously, everyone’s different. Some moms like to have every single gadget and doohicky a baby could ever need and others are into just the basics. I’m somewhere in between. I don’t want to be buried in material belongings but I appreciate the value of a good doohicky.  Apologies if this is a grammatical/spelling nightmare. My son has literally awakened 13 times since I started writing this. But I digress…

My List of the Top Ten Most Indispensible Gifts for New Moms:

10.  The Kikou: An ingenious product created by a mom of two. It’s a washable, water-resistant wrap-top/shield for those times when you don’t want to accessorize with baby puke. While I wouldn’t necessarily put it in the “can”t live without” column, it would make a lovely, thoughtful gift for any new mom, especially one who’s headed back to work in a few months.  

9. The Sleepy Wrap: Stretchier than the Moby Wrap, cheaper than the Ergo, this wrap rocks and can be worn several different ways to accommodate a baby who’s constantly evolving. And what baby isn’t?

8. The Hooter Hider: My friend KT got me this when I was only a few months pregnant and I have to admit I was little like, huh? WTF am I going to do with this outsized bib number? It’s been a game-changer. Nurse anywhere, wear anything under and you stay covered. Essential. 

7. The SkipHop Pronto Changing Kit: Also a gift from super-mom KT, this quickly replaced our full-size diaper bag because it fits in my everyday purse which means one less bag. Awesome. 

6. The Happiest Baby on the Block Book, DVD, and CD all by Dr. Harvey Karp: Karp is a colic expert and a real-life baby whisperer.  It’s hard to argue with the man’s tactics after you’ve seen him lay a crying baby out in five seconds flat with a wrap, jiggle and a shhhh.  Our baby likes Track 1 on the CD, “Fast and Vigorous” which sounds like a cross between a train, an erupting volcano, a hair dryer, a drum circle and the inside of a cyclone all at the same time. Really relaxing listening. For babies. 

5. The Miracle Blanket: After watching the instructional video on their site I just realized, after five months of wrapping our baby in this, I’ve been doing it wrong all along. But it f-ing works, even when it’s wrong! That really is a miracle! This one is especially great for dads who may or may not be impaired when it comes to the art of swaddling.  I’m just saying. 

4. The Flip: It’s the easiest video camera to use ever and it doesn’t require any extra parts to download the footage. Which is important since a new mom is likely to forget her own name, never mind where she put the video camera adapter. They were cheaper the last time I checked but I’m sure you could find one used if you couldn’t afford the $149. My Flip is several years old and still takes great little home movies. 

3. Hugs

2. Your ear for an hour to listen to her birth story from start to finish. Every gory detail. They say that a woman who is able to share her birth story and really feel heard is less likely to suffer from post-partum depression. “They” being Robin Lim in After The Baby’s Birth. Come to think of it, the book which my incredible sister-in-law gave me was really wonderful and would make a great gift. 

1. Dinner: Often repeated because it’s so damned true. Bringing a new family dinner is one of the best things you can do in life. Period. 

Honorable Mention: 

• The Paisley Pineapple Reversible Shopping Cart Cover- submitted by reader Jill. It looks amazing, I don’t have one but I’d definitely like one eventually. Didn’t make the top ten because you don’t need it until your baby is able to sit up by themselves.  In my opinion, a new mom doesn’t need to worry about things she can’t use for six months or so. Awesome, handmade gift for any mom with an older baby though. 

Full disclosure: Meredith Ferguson, Founder of Calmthecrazy.com and creator of the Kikou sent me a beautiful sample of the Kikou to try. It’s awesome, Meredith! Thank you!