13 baby shower gifts you probably never thought of

No one can argue with the convenience of the disposable diaper. Make sure the new parents never run out with a disposable diaper delivery subscription, allowing them to worry about one less thing.

While cloth diapers are a great idea, they can be difficult to keep up with as a new parent. However, a cloth diaper pickup and delivery service takes the stress away and helps not only mom and dad, but the environment as well.

Read more: Newborn checklist

A lot of new mothers struggle with breastfeeding. Be preemptive and take the stress off the new mother with a gift certificate for a lactation consultant to come visit her at home, helping with those challenging first couple days.

Things get a bit cray when baby comes home. Make the parents-to-be’s lives a little less hectic by going in on a few sets of waterproof sheets or mattress protectors with friends. Layering the crib with waterproof sheet, sheet, waterproof sheet, sheet, waterproof sheet, sheet allows tired parents to simply strip a layer of bedding off as necessary without needing to change everything. Easy peasy. 

Where to buy: Bloom Luxo mattress protector, $55 per set, ellaandelliot.com>

Keeping the house tidy is the last thing on your to-do list when you have a new babe. How amazing would it be to have a gift card for housekeeping services? It’ll be a reality if you have friends who are reading this gallery of suggestions. Cleaning services can include simple day-to-day tasks like unloading the dishwasher and sweeping the floor, or can include a deeper cleaning. 

Lasagna and casseroles for the freezer are still welcome gifts once the sweet babe is home, but gifting your friend with a few meals via a catering service lets her call in a meal when she’s had a crazy day and the baby won’t sleep, won’t stop crying and just wants to be held. 

Read more: 15 easy meals to take to new parents

Being a new parent, home alone for the first time, can be really terrifying! Help ease the nervousness with visits from a doula. They’ll help set the new parents up right and make for calm (or at least, calmer) sailing ahead.

What’s better than a massage? Getting that massage in your own home. The parents-to-be will love you forever when you present them with a gift card to book their own private, at-home massage. 

Let the new parents have a night off to catch a movie, go on a date night, or, more realistically, catch up on some sleep. And bonus for you, you get to hang out with the new cutest baby in town. 

An at-home pedicure certificate is a lovely way to pamper the new mom. It takes the stress out of schlepping baby to a salon too.

When you’re up late at night feeding the baby, you need something to keep you awake. Make passing the time a little more enjoyable with the gift of entertainment. Grab an iTunes gift card to download some fave shows or pick up some much-loved DVDs.

Read more: 10 shows to binge-watch while breastfeeding

You wouldn’t believe all the things in your life that are going to need batteries. From baby swings to white-noise machines, you’ll be so glad your pals picked you up a stash of batteries. Or go for rechargeable batteries and a handy, compact charger. 

Where to buy: Energizer value charger, $23, walmart.ca

It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of a new baby, but while the new parents are drowning in baby gear, they often have to start from scratch when it comes to things that a 12- to 18-month-old needs. If there’s no older sibling in the picture, baby plates and utensils, first walking shoes and clothes are always appreciated. 

Where to buy: Oogaa silicone mealtime set, $18, well.ca

Read more:
18 baby shower recipes
9 things your baby doesn't really need in the first year
8 DIY baby shower favours