Best baby items  

For first time mom's I always give them useful things.
My favorite is a little basket full of things for the baby's first cold. A thermometer, Tylenol, medicine for cough and stuffy nose, saline nasal spray, and gas drops.
The first time baby gets sick is always in the middle of the night. It is traumatic for baby and mom...more so mom. You do not want to go out to get medicine. No one wants a sick baby, but it happens and it is great to be prepared for it.

I'm a first time mom and what I really loved from the gifts given to me during my baby shower was a set of blankets and jackets for my little one. Since we lived in a very cold place this would be really used a lot. And since babies tends to get dirty most of the time (from milk drooling,eating biscuits) we often change their clothes. Maybe you should consider the location and the necessity of your friends to give you an idea on what is best to give. Functionality always comes on my checklist before buying gifts.

I have given the Slumber Bear several times since one was given to us when we had our son. It's a stuffed animal with a motor inside that simulates the mother's heartbeat and it can be a godsend in helping baby to sleep.

Another thing I do for babies is crochet a baby blanket. I have a couple that I am going to post on www.etsy.com if this would interest you. They're not there yet but will be in the next day or so. My username there is "Costa."

Good luck to you!

Depending what no. child it is, I'd give useful things in a basket like packet of nappies, cream, bibs etc for the 1st child, For mum's having their 2nd/ 3rd child I normally get them a massage/ manicure etc as they really appreciate a little "me time".

I think the Bumbo seat and the Boppy are great items. The Bumbo seat sits baby upright when they are unable to sit up on their own. My daughter always wants to be sitting up so she can see what's going on. The Boppy gives great support during feedings. I also like our Pack n Play. We've used the bassinet portion for our daughter so she can sleep in our room. I'm sure we're going to get tons of use from the Pack N Play.

One of my son's favorite items is called the Ocean Wonders Musical Aquarium Crib Attachment. You can look it up at www.amazon.com. It seems kind of random, but I put my son to bed when he is still awake, hit the button on the crib attachment and he falls asleep watching it. It's very soothing.

I also think a swing or vibrating chair are great ideas. I know when I was home along with my son those were necessaties in order for me to take a shower. I also love the idea of giving a laundry basket filled with baby necessaties.