12 of the best baby shower gift ideas for new mums
If you’re looking for the perfect baby shower gift ideas for a friend or family member who’s expecting a baby, then keep reading.
I’m going to be sharing with you twelve baby shower gift ideas for new mums, plus some ideas of things to buy for the new baby too.
What to consider when buying a baby shower gift
When it comes to baby shower gifts, you can choose to give something practical for the mum or baby to use. Or, you might prefer to treat the mum-to-be to something more indulgent that’s just for them.
I’d recommend that you consider what might be most useful based on the circumstances of the family.
Baby shower gift ideas for mums with older children
For example, if she’s already a mum and had a baby in the last few years, she may well have all the practical things she’s going to need for a newborn.
While crisp white baby rompers, tiny baby socks or colourful bonnets can be cute baby shower gifts, she may not need these. She’ll likely have baby clothes and other essentials that she’s stored away and hopes to re-use.
If that’s the case, why not buy something that’s more for her such as a pampering gift or a keepsake? She’ll likely appreciate this more than baby clothes when she’s feeling tired and in need of a pick-me-up.
Baby shower gift ideas for first-time mums
If she’s a first-time mum though, chances are she’d appreciate anything baby related.
There are quite a lot of things on the market these days that new parents either need or want, and which make life with a newborn baby a little easier.
You could always ask her for gift inspiration before you buy in case she has particular items in mind. Or, if you’d prefer to keep your baby shower gift as a surprise, simply choose something from my list below.
Twelve baby shower gift ideas for new mums
1. A voucher for a newborn photoshoot at KW Photography
I may be biased but I believe that one of the best gifts you could give a family who is expecting a baby is the gift of photography.
You and a group of friends could team up to buy a gift voucher from me for just £299, and this could be redeemed against my popular newborn photography service.
As one of the longest-established family photographers in Dorset, I’ve worked with more than 1300 babies and am widely considered as Bournemouth and Poole’s leading newborn photographer.
Even if your friend is not local to me here in Poole/Bournemouth area, hundreds of families choose to travel to me for their baby photo session and she could do the same. I’m regularly photographing families from across the south coast, from London and the Midlands, and even from abroad!
Related reading: How far would you travel for a baby photography session?
Photo packages start at £299. For more information about my gift vouchers, or to make a purchase, please contact me.
2. A thermal mug
Although this isn’t perhaps the most glamorous gift, it’s almost impossible for any new mum to ever get round to drinking a cup of tea when it’s freshly made.
An insulated cup would be a brilliant way to help her ensure that her drinks remain warm so that she won’t ever have to drink cold tea again!
This one, from Circular and Co, is a leakproof and reusable cup. It’s got great eco-credentials since it’s made from recycled coffee cups and will last her 10 years.
3. Help with sleep
Babies sleep a lot in the early days but it can take months, and sometimes even years, to settle a new baby into a routine that matches that of an adults.
New parents realise that disturbed sleep is par for the course with a new baby, but it can be a challenge! They will likely find Sarah Ockwell-Smith’s ‘The Gentle Sleep Book’ helpful.
It’s packed with tips and advice on how to manage frequent night waking and all things sleep-related for children up to five years old.
Related reading: Essential newborn sleep tips for new parents
4. Milestone baby cards
These adorable milestone baby cards from JoJo Maman Bébé are just the thing for mums who want to keep a photo record of how their new baby is changing and growing throughout their first year.
The pack has 30 adorable designed cards for different baby milestones. Simply lay the baby down next to the card and take a photo – it’ll be an Instagram-worthy snap to share online with family and friends!
Related reading: Children and baby photography services
5. Baby Rockit
Another sleep-related gift, this is something I highly recommend. I even have a Baby Rockit of my own and use it in the photography studio.
It’s a portable sleep aid that helps to keep your baby asleep for longer. Something that would make a perfect gift for a soon-to-be sleep-deprived parent!
6. A luxury cashmere blanket
An alternative baby shower gift idea for new mums would be a luxury blanket from The White Company. Everything from this brand is just so nice and is of great quality.
Their cashmere baby blankets are soft and beautiful! A range of colours are available but I’d suggest that you choose a contemporary grey or neutral colour if the sex of the baby is still a surprise.
7. A swaddle blanket
Aden + Anais is another brand I love for baby items and accessories.
Their 100% cotton Jungle Jam Baby Swaddle Blankets come in a range of cute designs.
You can use them in a number of different ways – for wrapping/swaddling, as well as a burp cloth or cover if you’re breastfeeding.
In my opinion, swaddle blankets really are a must-have for new mums. Babies love to feel safe and secure, and these swaddling blankets are so versatile.
8. Resuable wipes
These Cheeky wipes are not just any old baby wipes!
They’re really handy because they’re reusable and perfect for taking out and about. They’re ideal for everyday use and, because you wash and reuse them, they’re not going to landfill so you’re helping the environment too!
9. Baby teether
This bunny-shaped baby teether is made from food-safe silicone and natural beech wood.
Its cute design and eco-friendly materials make it an ideal accessory for when the baby starts reaching the teething stage.
10. Children’s books
If you’re buying for a mum-to-be who has older children, and who already has everything she might need for the baby already, why not buy a children’s book?
You can add a personal message inside and it’s something that no doubt would be appreciated, particularly as the child gets a little older.
Reading to children is a great way to inspire a love of books. You could buy a classic fairytale – perhaps one that you loved yourself - or introduce something brand new that you think the child may love.
11. Local baby services and experiences
Another great baby shower gift idea is to support small local businesses and buy vouchers that can be redeemable for services like baby massage or baby yoga classes.
These are activities that the mum-to-be may wish to experience in the months after the birth, and which give her the perfect excuse to get out and about with her little one.
12. Scented wax melts
Finally, for the best wax melts in Dorset, go to Mamos Candles. Handmade by my friend Jackie, these are natural and handmade here in Poole.
A luxury burner and pack of calming wax melts would be a lovely gift for any new mum. Encourage her to take some time out for herself after the birth of her baby and she’ll love you for it!
What will you buy as a baby shower gift?
I hope that these gift ideas for new mums had given inspired you? Let me know in the comments below what you’re planning to buy.
Do also feel free to share any other suggestions you may have for baby shower gifts. I may just add them to this list!
Karen
Essential newborn sleep tips for new parents: A free guide
Although they are adorable, there’s no denying it. Newborns are sleep thieves!
But, don’t worry – help is here! As a mum of two and a seasoned newborn, baby and family photographer, who has photographed more than 1000 babies, I’ve got lots of tried-and-tested newborn sleep tips up my sleeve.
Settling new babies is part and parcel of my job as a newborn photographer and I’m not known as a baby whisperer for nothing! So, trust me when I say that I know how to handle and settle babies and that, with my help, you’ll be getting your new baby off to sleep in no time!
My top tips for settling your newborn to sleep
Keep reading and you’ll discover that I’ve got lots of newborn sleep tips which will help to get even the most unsettled baby to sleep.
I’m listing three of my top ten baby sleeping hacks for new parents below, and the full list is available as a free downloadable guide. You can grab your copy by signing up here.
Many, many parents who have used my tips in the guide have since told me that they worked wonders for settling their newborn to sleep.
So, you really won’t want to miss this if you’re expecting a baby soon or already have welcomed your new bundle of joy and need some advice for settling them.
Newborn sleep habits
Before I get onto the newborn sleep tips, did you know that a baby can sleep for up to 18 hours per day in the first few weeks after birth?! Yep, that’s a LOT of sleep!
But some babies sleep more than others and sleep patterns will vary for a while until your baby is older and you manage to establish a sleep routine.
How much and when your newborn baby sleeps will be completely unique to them. Sleep may come in short bursts or your baby may sleep for longer periods – I’m afraid it’s the luck of the draw!
Forget about getting uninterrupted sleep through the night as a new parent. It’s to be expected that babies will wake up every few hours during the day and night as newborns to be fed. They’ll need feeding little and often.
You’ll have heard it before, but the only way to survive this disruption to your own sleep pattern is to try and get as much sleep as you can whenever the baby sleeps. Easier said than done sometimes, but it really is essential in order for you to be feeling your best.
Trying to survive on just a few hours a day won’t be fun over a long period, so always ask for help with caring for your baby if you’re in desperate need of more sleep.
Newborn sleep tips
As the following tips will highlight, there are lots of factors that may affect how long and how deeply your baby sleeps.
They can wake easily at the slightest of touches or if they feel cold. But a sleeping baby can also sleep through a fairly loud level of noise! Which leads me to the first of my tips on how to settle your newborn baby to sleep…
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Use white noise
Newborn babies are comforted by the sound of white noise as it mimics the sounds they heard when they were in the womb. Remember, they have been listening to the sound of your breathing, your heart beating and your body making noises for months!
For this reason, babies find it easier to settle to sleep if there is low-level white noise in the background. It’s what’s familiar to them and will comfort them enough to sleep peacefully.
In my photography studio, I use an app on my iPhone to play soothing white noise during a newborn photoshoot. There are lots of free apps available that offer this functionality. But if you don’t have the help of a white noise machine or app, make your own sounds. ‘Shushing’ (making gentle ‘shush’ sounds) will help to the baby to sleep.
2. Get the room temperature right
Another thing I do in the photography studio is ensure that the room temperature is optimised for a newborn baby.
The studio is kept at around 23 degrees because they will spend much of the newborn photo session without clothes on. But, at home, you’ll want it slightly cooler, at around 20 degrees.
Keep a room thermometer in the room where your baby is sleeping so you can keep a close eye on the temperature and adjust their clothing according to the temperature.
Babies will need to be warm enough to settle to sleep but shouldn’t be overdressed or at risk of overheating.
3. Establish a routine
By the time your baby is a few months old you will probably want to have established some kind of sleep routine. This makes it easier for your baby to recognise the signs that bedtime is approaching.
Popular rituals in a bedtime routine include a warm bath, a change of nappy and clothes, a bedtime story or lullaby, milk and a cuddle.
Be warned though, sleep is regulated by hormones and until babies are about three months old they don’t know the difference between day and night. Their bodies don’t produce the hormones cortisol and melatonin that ours do, which regulates our sleep patterns.
So, don’t get too hung up on establishing a routine in the early months – try to just go with the flow.
Download your free ‘essential sleep tips for new parents’ guide
For seven more newborn sleep tips and the full guide in a downloadable PDF format, don’t forget to sign up here to have it sent to you by email.
I hope these help! Do let me know how you get on by posting in the comments below.
Karen
What new parents need to know before hiring a newborn photographer
If you’ve never hired a newborn photographer (or any kind of studio photographer before) then I completely understand that there is a lot for you to take on board when making the decision about who to choose.
Hiring a newborn photographer isn’t just a case of searching for one in Google and choosing the first one you find. (That’s not the approach I would recommend anyway).
No, there’s far more to it than that because there are many photographers out there, and not all are created equal.
So, in today’s blog, I’m sharing with you some of the key things I believe that parents need to know before hiring a newborn photographer.
My hope is that you can get yourself clued up about newborn photography as far as possible in advance of your baby arriving. Then, having done your research in advance and being fully prepared, you’ll make the right decision about who to hire and will thoroughly enjoy your newborn photoshoot experience as a result.
Important things to consider when choosing a newborn photographer
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Safety
There is currently no official qualification that a newborn photographer needs to achieve which means that it’s really important that you choose yours carefully.
Do your homework into how they handle babies to achieve the photos they showcase on their website.
Some popular newborn photography poses seem to defy gravity. They show a sleeping baby supporting the weight of their own head (which is impossible!). Or, they are positioned on a shelf or hung from a height (which would be unsafe if not done properly).
Does the photographer you are considering talk about newborn safety on their website?
Do they discuss it in their blog (as I have done here) or on their social media? Have they been quoted in the media or written articles about it? Basically, do they mention it as being highly important? Or, in contrast, do they not talk about it at all?
No prominent mention of baby safety on a newborn photographer’s website should set off alarm bells in your head! This is my absolute number one priority, as it should be. Safety should always come first!
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Experience
Before hiring a newborn photographer, I’d always recommend that you aim to hire someone who has a lot of experience and who is a specialist in handling babies.
Newborn baby photography is a specialist skill. As a parent myself, I know that I’d only want to put my precious newborn in the hands of someone who knows how to handle them safely.
To see how experienced a photographer is, look on their website for examples of their work. Do they show a variety of example images which indicate that they have been established for a while?
Also, look online for reviews from happy customers. Do they have a highly-rated service on Google and Facebook? The more established newborn photographers will have many happy customers and positive reviews.
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Style
When deciding on which newborn photographer to hire, style is a big part of the decision process. Quite simply, you should hire a photographer whose work you absolutely love. And if you’ve not found that photographer yet, keep looking!
The images you see on their website galleries and shared on their social media pages should make you smile, coo and perhaps even cry! They should move you.
There should be an emotional connection to the images, and once you feel this…bingo! You’ve found the right baby photographer for you.
Honestly, once you’ve found the one, you’ll know. You’ll feel it in your gut that their work is the exact style you are after, and you’ll be excited to hire them.
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Location
Location is an important factor, but it needn’t be the deciding factor.
There is no reason why you cannot travel across the county, or even the country, to have your baby photographed by the newborn photographer you want to hire.
I say this because although I am based in Poole in Dorset, I very often have clients travelling from not only Dorset and the neighbouring county of Hampshire, but also from much further afield.
Clients regularly travel to me from London, Birmingham and even on a number of occasions, clients have travelled from abroad to be photographed by me.
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Cost of hiring a newborn photographer
While I’m not suggesting that you should max out your budget on newborn photos, you shouldn’t be looking to hire the cheapest photographer out there either.
As with everything in life, I believe that you get what you pay for. Cheap baby photos may seem a bargain but they’re not going to be the best quality. If something seems extremely cheap, ask yourself why that might be.
I’d highly recommend that you view consider price in your decision making, but that you don’t let low prices determine which photographer you choose.
As an experienced, multi-award-winning newborn photographer myself, I’m certainly not the cheapest in the area. But I believe that I offer great value photography considering my expertise (I’ve photographed over 700 newborns over the past eight years) and that my prices are a fair reflection of the quality of service and images that I provide to my photography clients.
Are you considering hiring a newborn photographer?
Please complete this contact form to get in touch with me if you think I may be the perfect newborn photographer for you!
And if you know any other parents-to-be who are also considering hiring a newborn photographer, then please do share this article with them too. Thank you!
Karen x
Shop local this Christmas
Christmas shopping, love it or loathe it?
If you are anything like me then the Amazon delivery man is making daily visits to your door with Christmas pressies. That started me thinking that as a small business myself I really ought to try and shop local and visit those local independent retailers and makers.
Here are a few of my favourites I found on my travels.
I first came across the Attic store many years ago when they were an online based store trading mainly on “Not on the high street” and I loved their quirky crochet toys and gifts. Well, now you can visit either of their beautiful gift stores located in Broadstone and Westbourne. Both shops have something for everyone and lots of items that can be personalised making the perfect Christmas gift.
My faves are the personalised jewellery , chose your item and they will put it on a personalised card with a special message. So much nicer and thoughtful than the normal amazon delivery 😉
Lytchett Bay Soaps
Continuing the shop local ethos we have include this great new small business, free postage and packing over £18 or if you are local enough then its free delivery within 3 miles. That’s a win win to me its local but I can order online and the lovely Liz will drop the soaps off to me .
Looking on the website you are literally spoilt for choice , you can go for a best seller like “storm freya” or make up a super gift box as a perfect present.
Great news too is that most of the products are vegan and plastic free.
Cherry Picked Hampers
Theres something supremely christmassy about giving and receiving a hamper full of wonderful local sourced goodies. Over at Cherry picked hampers they have a wonderful selection of hampers for every occasion, the Christmas hampers look extra yummy. This fab local business ticks the local box by sourcing all their produce from Dorset, making it the perfect gift for family and friends.
Walford Mill Wimborne
Walford Mill is a unique centre for makers and artists, they offer a great range of individual items ranging from ceramics to jewellery and cards in the shop. The current maker exhibition is all about Christmas and there are lots of pop-up artists and makers exhibiting during December making it an ideal place to get those unique and unusual gifts.
The Rhubarb Candle Company
Everybody loves candles at Christmas and I just love this local candle making company. The candles are hand poured and made using soy and not the nasty paraffin wax. Very tempted to get the Christmas tree, Spiced Orange or Gingerbread perfumed candle to make the house smell just oh so christmassy. You can order on the website, pick up at a local gift fair or collect from them in person.
Hope you find that ideal gift for your loved ones, don’t forget that you can purchase a KW Photography gift voucher and keep those memories alive forever.
Bye for now
Karen x
Top 5 places to visit santa in Dorset
Yay, it’s Christmas time.
It’s that time of year again, the excitement is mounting and the kids are getting excited beyond belief that Santa is coming soon. Visit Santa and see the big man himself in person is an absolute must for the little ones, so here are my top 5 places locally to see Santa.
Stewarts garden centre
Broomhill Garden Centre, Wimborne, or Christchurch Garden Centre, Christchurch, Dorset .Both sites have Santa in residence it’s magic how he transports himself 😉 Meet the elves and then Santa himself in his winter wonderland.
The kids get a gift bag and an age appropriate toy. Stewarts is a lovely setting with lots to see and a cafe with good food.
Make sure you booking advance as Santa gets super busy at both sites .
Swanage railway
I always love the nostalgia of the swanage railway and its always been a firm favourite with my kids to board the Santa Special.
Again, its very popular but there are slots left to book a ticket for the hour long round trip on the special santa train. Grown ups get a mince pie and the kids get to meet Santa and receive a gift .
Upton Country Park
Upton Country Park is one of my favourite places to visit, and if you book a location photo session with me then we are most likely to visit the park because it’s such a stunning location.
Each year the park just gets better , this year is no exception with the arrival of Santa and his Elves. Not only do you get to meet the main man but you also get to see his owls and donkeys ( reindeer stayed at home this year ). The little ones get an age appropriate wrapped gift and a printed photo with Santa to take away. Enjoy a visit to Santa, take the kids to the new adventure play park and grown ups get a free cuppa included in the ticket price.
Open weekends and school holidays, pre booking is advisable.
Farmer Palmers
Locals and visitors to Dorset both love Farmer Palmers for a super fun day out with the kids. So with that in mind visit Santa visiting the farm just makes it even better.
Santa at Farmer Palmers is one of the few places locally you don’t need to pre book. Those clever Elves have a “book on the day” system so you don’t need to wait in a queue but I’d still recommend getting to the farm early to get your slot.
Santa is in residence on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and at the weekends too. Best of all Santa is happy to pose for a selfie or two at no extra charge ! Don’t forget your camera 😉
The Ark Poole Park
The Ark are offering a crafty activity to kick off the festivities for the kids this December. The children get to make reindeer food to sprinkle on Christmas Eve, make a Christmas decoration and write a letter to Santa. Then you are all set to meet the big man himself and receive a gift. Open until the 24th Dec pop over to the Ark for some festive fun.
Hope you enjoy meeting Father Christmas over the festive season. If like me you are wondering what on earth to buy the family and friends for Christmas then why not get a KW Photography gift voucher? That way you can enjoy your photos all year round.
Bye for now
Karen x
Newborn, baby and family photography: What options do you have at KW Photography?
Here at KW Photography, I offer a variety of different newborn, baby and family photography sessions so this article is a round-up of the services that are available if you choose me as your portrait photographer.
I want you to be clear on what the options for child and baby portrait sessions with me are so that you can make the right choice for your family.
Newborn Photography
My most popular service is my newborn photography. This is my signature service – the one thing I have become known for and which I am the most experienced in. It’s completely true that photographing newborn babies is my first love!
I just adore working with newborn babies and love creating portraits of your brand-new baby, capturing them as they are in their first few days of life. They don’t stay like this for long, so I think it’s so important to photograph this amazing stage.
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A ‘Newborn’ Studio Session
I’m known for my sleeping baby pictures and I’ve photographed over 1000 babies to date!
In this type of session, I spend up to 3-4 hours photographing your baby, creating a variety of poses, and using different props and backdrops to give you a wide choice of images (20-30) to choose from.
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Outdoor newborn portraits
Plus, if you want something different, in addition to the traditional posed newborn images, you can now take advantage of the option to have newborn photos taken in my outdoor garden studio as part your newborn studio session. This is included in the newborn session fee.
Outdoor newborn portraits have proved very popular since I started doing them last year. I keep your baby warm at all times, don’t worry! As always, your baby’s safety is my number one priority.
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The ‘My First Year’ package
This is a great option for families who want newborn photos and know they’d also like to return for baby photos on two additional occasions in their baby’s first year.
I typically capture babies at the ‘sitting’ stage, at approximately 6-8 months, and again on their first birthday (many families choose to upgrade this first birthday session to a ‘cake smash’ photoshoot).
Another thing to point out is that when you book a newborn session with me, you are very welcome to bring older siblings, family members and even your furry friends to also be featured in the photos. I’m a dog lover myself and know that they are an important part of the family too!
Baby and family photography is what I specialise in so adorable sibling photos and mum/dad pictured with the baby are important photos to take. Family photos (up to five people) come as standard too!
Click here for more information about my newborn photography services and here to see examples in my newborn photo gallery.
Baby and Family Photography
If you’ve missed the newborn stage but are still keen to get photos of your baby once they are a few months old, there are plenty of options for you:
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Relaxed older ‘newborn’ photos
Some photographers won’t attempt newborn-style photography with babies over four weeks, but I am very confident working with babies of any age.
The images you can expect to receive when the baby is a little older will be just as beautiful, but they will be more relaxed as your baby won’t be as curled up anymore, and they will be more alert than days-old newborns who sleep almost all day.
Which means that I can usually achieve adorable wide-eyed photos like this.
Click here for more information about my newborn photo sessions and here to see examples in my newborn photo gallery.
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Baby portrait sessions
You can also come to me at any time in your baby’s first year for a baby portrait session. Common milestones that parents like to document are the:
- At approximately 3-4 months – I can photograph them laying on their backs, smiling or practising their ‘tummy time’
- At approximately 6-8 months – typically babies are learning or have learnt to crawl and can sit independently which is a big achievement!
- And any time from 12 months old, babies start to walk. It’s lovely to capture those very first steps!
And, if you wish to have more than one photoshoot during your baby’s first year, the ‘My First Year’ package, as I mentioned above, is a great value option. Find out more about the ‘My First Year’ package here.
Cake Smash Photography
Cake smashes are hugely popular and it’s easy to see why! They are such fun for your baby and the photos are colourful and full of personality!
During a cake smash portrait session, your child gets the chance to celebrate their first birthday in style. With a giant birthday cake and sat in front of a colourful backdrop accessorised to your liking, they have the chance to play, eat and even destroy their cake while I take photos!
But while cake smashes are traditionally associated with a baby turning one, they don’t have to be! Rules were made to be broken, right?!
You can book a cake smash anytime from when your baby is sitting up independently, as I explain here.
Click here for more information about my cake smash photoshoots and here to see examples in my cake smash photo gallery.
Newborn, Baby and family photography
So, as you can tell, there are lots of different options available to you if you’re looking for newborn, baby and family photography.
I’m proud to say that I am one of the longest-established newborn and baby photographers here in Dorset and that I’ve worked in this specialist genre of photography for seven years, photographing babies and children of all ages.
An investment into professional newborn, baby and family photography is one that I guarantee you will never regret. The photos will keep the memories alive and you’ll treasure them forever.
To enquire or to book a portrait session with me, please complete this contact form. I look forward to hearing from you!
Karen x