A Gift Basket for a New C-section Mom

Diapers, wipes and gift certificates for meals.
Also, offer to come vacuum her carpet. You can't vacuum for quite a while after a c-section and hubby may not "remember" to do it!

I would look at what her interests are and get something from that list. If she's a coffee drinker get her something along those lines and some treats to go with it.

If she's a foody, what about some nice cheese and crackers or other snackies.

I've never had a c-section either so I don't know what would be helpful, but you could get something special just for her.

I didn't have a c-section but while in the hospital a friend brought me a gift bag and it was great! She put some snacks in it, like chex mix, baby goldfish (cute), some candy bars, etc She also put nice lotion and good smelling soap from Bath and Body works - that was my favorite because I could use it instead of the awful hosp. soap (my baby was early and in the NICU so we were at the hosp a lot and washed our hands w/their soap alot!)and it felt more like home. She also gave me a nice set of notecards which I really enjoyed.
Other things you might include...books and magazines - these could be pareting items but wouldn't have to be in fact if she likes magazines like People or US I would get that kind, relaxing music, nice sleeping mask, or other similar items that might help her relax. I really like the idea someone had about the "coupons." I felt akward asking pepole to help me with things like laundry or yard work so a set of coupons for these chores would have helped me to ask for the needed help. A good coupon would be "nap time for mom" coupon, where you could offer to come over for a few hours and watch the baby as she rests- always helpful!
Hope this helps, have fun making the basket! I think it's a really great idea. I loved my gift bag so much that I plan to give them to new mommy's in the future!

My daughter had a C-section in March. I was amazed at how well she did. The doctor sent her home with pain-killers and she did very well. Her husband took patertinty leave from his job for the first week she was home and was there to help her. The only issue she had was going upstairs and bending over to pick things up. That lasted about 2 weeks. they live in a 2 story home and the bathroom is upstairs. I would say that anything that makes her life easy for a few weeks would be greatly appreciated. Go visit as often as you can and offer to fold laundry or get dishes done also do grocery store runs. If she is breast feeding make sure her nursing bras fit and she has enough at least 3. You might offer to run to the store to get more nursing bras or get her ones that fit. She will know more of what she needs when she gets home. I would say talk to her to ask what she needs and get her those things. Make sure she has basics like a crib or changing table and enough diapers and wipes so she doesn't have to walk around a lot ( my daugher has a pack and play on the first floor, they have a changing table attached, and a bassinet in her room). If you can't purchase her those items see if you can borrow those items for a while. I like to get new Mom's a gift item of new make-up or a nail polish set or even a cute top so they feel more girly again. If they don't have a womb bear (it makes the sounds of the womb)get them one, it helps the baby sleep. The first couple of weeks will probably go better than you would expect because of the pain killers. But remember that C-section Mom's go through baby blues also so a few weeks after the little one is born she may need a lot of moral support and just a good friend to talk to.

you could get them a gift certificate to a grocery store, or restaurant or take out place... cold compresses, a coupon or something to someplace like merry maids or whatever they are called - they do house cleaning or something... if there are any siblings, you could offer to take them for a day or something, you could go to their house and clean or take care of something for them too and thats free! :D
anyway, good thought!

I am not a mom yet but, one thing i would enjoy is a nanny (friend)for a day to come and just help with the baby. Even a few coupons for resturants and a free babysitting for a night.
And even if the husband has allergies the new mother could still use some nice fruit and a bottle of wine. Even a couples day at a spa for a massage would be nice.I THINKING NOW AND AHEAD BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE LIKE ME LIKE ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET.
I THINK JUST BEING HER FRIEND IS A GIFT IN IT SELF.

I had a c-section a year ago. A boppy pillow is a definate even if she isn't going to breastfeed. It helps to take the pressure of the baby off of the incision. Granny panties!! All of my underwear sat right on my incision and my poor husband had to go buy me granny panties twice! I had a difficult time laying flat to sleep and ended up sleeping in the recliner for about a week. It would have been nice to have had one of the pillows that has arms on it. I think they used to call them "husband" pillows. A nice basket that could hold things like a pacifier, diapers, burp cloths, wipes, and anything else that she may need close at hand. A good book or some parenting magazines--I did a lot of sitting. A nice pen and some thank you cards already stamped. Healthy snacks like granola bars or dried fruit. Bottles of water. I got tired of just plain water and liked flavored waters just for a change. Flavored tea bags, scented lotion, chapstick, lanolin (for sore nipples). Some "coupons" for help doing laundry, washing dishes, etc. I would have appreciated anything that would have helped me relax and would have made simple tasks easier.

After my c-section, one of the best things we got was a home-cooked meal delivered by my aunt, but if her husband has allergies and is hard to cook for you may have to just get them coupons for take-out. I liked the idea of paper plates!
Maybe you could put in a little coupon book offering her free rides when she needs to go somewhere (even just to get out of the house) since not being able to drive was terrible for me.
It will be really hard for her to do housework (aside from the constant caring for the baby, she may be in a lot of pain and won't be able to physically), so offering to come over and throw in a load of laundry or dishes would be nice.
Granny panties are also an excellent idea! The ones I took home from the hospital were my most comfortable, but there was just that one pair, so it would be nice for her to have a large supply during the healing process.
Movies and books to watch or read during marathon breast-feeding sessions are always good, too.
Maybe some Tucks pads? C-section ladies get hemarroids too! :)

H., I was just thinking, I would let Dad go ahead and cook...he will enjoy providing anyway he can I think. If she is breast feeding, supply her with things needed for that. C-section Moms bounce back fairly well these days, but it's always nice to have someone around the first few days to do little things like cleaning, or just being a gopher for mom while she's recuperating. Unless, of course, her mother is there or your friend prefers to have time alone to 'bond' with the baby.(And Dad of course) If I were to put a basket together, I might put in Brest Pads, a little journal (so mom can keep track of feedings and which side she last used, If breast feeding; my daughter would always forget for some reason), her favorite snack, Dad's too, little burp towels, things like that that are cute and colorful. Just a few ideas for you.

Having had 2 c-sections myself - I think the most help was needed with cleaning and cooking. Since you're worried about allergies - I'd stick to nutritional handy snacks in the gift bag (popcorn, nuts, dried fruit maybe, granola bars, etc). I didn't really need the granny panties - I think I just wore whatever they gave me from the hospital. She may need some thicker pads tho and extra strength tylenol or advil handy! I also had a notepad near by to write down what I needed (so that I didn't forget AND someone could help me out). You could just call or come over to find out what she needed every couple days. If she has other kiddos - offer to take care of them. I breastfed both of my babies and the boppy was most helpful especially b/c the only hold I could do was the football hold after surgery. Other nursing essentials are nursing pads and lanolin cream. Otherwise, I'd stick to helping your friend out as much as possible. I was embarrassed (except when my own mom helped) about needing help with daily cleaning but it can feel overwhelming to a new mommy when you just can't physically do it all. I didn't have much problem with vacuuming but washing floors and doing the laundry were the most difficult. I'd say help her out with another friend/sister to get the job done faster - it would be best to get to the cleaning quickly and then spend the rest of the time with your friend and her new baby. Even going out for a walk (a slow one) is extremely helpful. My second was a heavy wt - and I didn't have much problem carrying him around (he was a 9 1/2 lb baby) even early on. Everyone recovers differently - make sure she listens to her body. 1st time around - the tenderness lasted longer but I didn't have to take as many pain meds. 2nd time around - I took the pain meds longer mainly b/c I wasn't taking them regularly at the hospital so, I wasn't keeping on top of the pain. Recovery seems to last no longer than 6 weeks.

I have had three c-sections and one thing that frustrates me is that you aren't suppose to drive. If she is the type that follows the Dr. orders, I'm not, get her things that she enjoys but can't get out to get. a good parent magazine or a book. Someone gave me a certificate for a massage after one of mine, I loved that! If I could have had anything after my c-sections, I just would have liked help. You aren't to go up and down stairs or vacuum. It isn't like you feel like doing either, but you also don't like looking at a mess. Dishes are hard because the counter bumps the incision and your back gets tired quick because you have no stomach muscles. I always loved my favorite water bottle filled with ice cold water right next to my rocking chair as I nursed. A good movie might be great. I always loved some nice soft socks my feet are always cold. Does she have some favorite take out place? I love Paneras and someone got me a few of my favorite bagels. She is just going to be soar and if in some way you can make her more comfortable.

I have had three c-sections. Here are some of the best gifts I received while recovering:

*Relaxing/uplifting Music CD to listen to in hospital/home
*A friend came up and gave me a relaxing neck and shoulder massage and rubbed my feet ( I would love that anytime!)
*Home cooked meals from friends/family and pretty paper plates
*DVD tv series -- borrowed to me (so when I got up to nurse in the middle of the night I popped one of those half hour shows in so I wouldn't do one of two things; fall asleep while nursing and lay in the chair half the night and get real stiff and sore or get into a two hour movie on tv and be tired in the morning. When the show was over most of the time the baby was done nursing and we both went back to bed. It was fabulous!)
*A favorite movie to watch with hubby, bottle of sparkling grape juice and popcorn
*Gift certificate to get a pedicure/hair done --and friend watched baby while I went
*Gift certificate to get a massage

You are so sweet to think of your friend at this time. Be blessed!

Having a c-section already and one scheduled on 9/17, Here are a few things that I would LOVE.

A nursing pillow (like a boppy) would be good for lack of pushing on the tummy. A nice pair of slippers with padded feet, nursing nipple creams and some nice non-scented skin firming cream for my tummy would be great too. Many are scented but scents are hard to deal with for a nursing baby. Some Scar creams might be nice too to help eliminate the ugly red scar...of which ITCHES really bad when it heals and the creams would help with that a bit. I'd think a nice new large water bottle so that she doesn't have to get up so much. Get her a nice medal one so it stay's cold for longer and is not the toxic plastic worry. Those new medal ones are sort of the up and coming technology and many people don't go out of their way to buy one for themselves, but are great as gifts.

Hope these ideas help...this is what I'd LOVE, infact...I might go buy for myself for my next c-section coming soon. I know they'd help me.

I had a c-section with my first, unexpectedly, and will be having another in December. Get her Granny panties! Seriously - the Hanes full briefs were a life saver. Anything else will rub on that incision and hurt. Also, offer to drive her places like baby's first Dr. Appt. and her 1 week incision check. Or offer to pick up her groceries. She won't be able to drive for awhile.

Offer to vacuum or do her laundry - those are all difficult things to do after major abdominal surgery.

Finally, since my c-section was unexpected, I was not prepared to have a baby at home that I couldn't carry up and down the stairs. (We only have one bedroom upstairs in our split, the baby's room was downstairs) Offer to help her move some things around so it will be more convenient for her to care for the baby. I had to move a changing pad from the baby's room to a bakers rack in my dining room (it worked awesome by the way and is a great tip even if you don't have a c-section!) I also had to move alot of the baby's clothes and supplies to my bedroom to make it easier on me. I'm sure she would appreciate the help doing those things.

I had a C-section almost 3 months ago and the best thing i had after I got hom was this post partum ab belt http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=286411... It's scary to put on at first because you think it will hurt, but it is the biggest help! I was able to scale way back on the pain meds while wearing this. There is a size chart on the box. Another bonus is it helps the uterus contract and go down faster. If she doesn't have one I would get her one.
Nix the magazines...there is no time to read with a newborn :)

Having had 3 c-sections and 2 abdominal surgeries myself-your friend needs things to keep her busy so she can rest and heal quicker-word search puzzles, handiwork kits, a good tv remote, water or juice pitcher and glass, Pretty 'house coat' with slippers that are safe and easy to put on, pampering supplies that she can do sitting or lying down (nail polish, etc), movies she likes to watch, telephone close by and whatever supplies her baby needs--oh and her baby close at hand, too! Or someone to help her while she is home alone--with housework, lifting baby, running errands, etc.

Hi H. -- I had my last c-section 30 years ago, and things may have changed, but in those days we weren't allowed to drive for 6 weeks (SIX WEEKS!) after delivery. If that's still the case, I bet she'd love a book of homemade gift certificates promising so many hours of driving/errand running during the 6 weeks.

Good luck! L.

You can put in the same kind of things you would with a regular birth mom. I had three c-sections and while it may have taken a little more to get up and around, the nurses were really quick on getting me up and moving. By the time I got released from the hospital, I was not even taking pain killers, just tylonol when I had any pain. One thing is they can't vacuum or heavy lifting for about 6 weeks so if you want to help her out with mopping, vacuuming or grocery shopping, it would be greatly appriciated I am sure.

Hi, H.! You have some great advice already, but I just wanted to say that for me, the best part of the gift basket I received was the basket and the food! I was ravenous thanks to being a new breastfeeding mommy, so be sure to include lots of snacks. I was on a sudden health kick because I felt so responsible for what I was passing on to the baby, so fruit and granola bars or even small boxes of cereal were my first choices.

Once the supplies were gone, I used the basket to tote around my breastfeeding station supplies as I healed and didn't want to get up and down holding a 9-pound baby all day. The supplies that came with it were great, but I had all of them from my pre-baby buying sprees and I would have appreciated the TV series DVDs that another poster mentioned!

Good luck and good for you for thinking of your friend!!

I never had a c-section, so I don't know if there are certain things that would help her. Maybe you could just do a nice "spa-like" basket. Bubble baths, shower gels, loofahs, bath pillow, facial stuff like masks/peels, candles, some relaxing music on cd, bottle of wine(if she is ok with that)& a wine glass, new plush feminine slippers/bath robe....I would have loved ANY of that stuff to help relax after a new baby! Then you could get a nice basket, put all the stuff in it and wrap it with some tulle netting, and put a nice ribbon bow on it...maybe with a sprig of flowers or greenery.

I don't know how soon she could use it with her C-Section incision, but she ought to be able to use it pretty soon! Plus it is a focus on JUST her, not the baby, or the family. Seems like once you become a mom, you always get stuff for the family rather than yourself. It is nice to get a little something just for yourself once in a while!

Is she going to nurse? If so, maybe you could get her a basket with all the things to help with that. The worst thing in the world is to have to head to wal-mart to get something you need 2 days after having a baby! Been there, done that! I am sure other posters out there will have more items then this, but the ones I can think of that helped me were lanolin(isn't that right?), nipple shields, breast relief pads(from Target back then-freeze or heat them & they fit in your bra), a nursing night gown/shirt, any books about how to do it, storage bags for milk, boppy pillow, a nice water bottle to keep with her while nursing...and maybe a bell to ring to summons your husband while you are nursing if you need something!! lol! I could have used that! Well, hopefully some of these ideas will help...or at least get your mind working! Good luck!

Give yourself as a gift. Offer to come in a few times a week and clean, help take care of the baby, etc. Or if you do not have the time, and if you have the finances to cover it, hire someone for them.
K.

I would make the basket just about her. So many times as we all know from being a parent me comes not only after kids, spouse work and even chores animals and everything else. We tell our loved ones take care of you but as receivers of that advise we never do.

She cannot do much so for once will be the most likley to actually do for her, from reading, pampering lotions or face masks, eating chocolate watching a dvd she never got to.

She will of course have a whole lifetime of doing for everyone else, but let her have this litte recharger for herself and bless you for being an awesume friend!

Hi H.,
I would include a bunch of quickie, healthy snacks like granola bars, nuts, crackers, yogurts so that she can grab them or have them at her side.. This is a really great convenience for nursing an infant and having easy access to easy, healthy snacks;-) Also, I don't think that you can ever go wrong with some nice bath stuff for a new mom. Even though she won't be in the bath for a bit with a c-section, she'll really enjoy them when she does get that chance and time away from the baby. I'm sure that she'll appreciate it no matter what you include! Have fun!

Melissa

Yes, I had a c-section in April, and the things that frustrated me the most were my restrictions. I felt stuck and at the mercy of my husband to take me somewhere because I couldn't drive. I needed help with the laundry cuz the laundry room is in the basement and stairs were supposed to be a no-no (I ended up doing it anyway a little, but could totally feel it afterwards). And the 10 pound weight limit was tough too. So how do you basket freedom and help? I'm not sure. The coupons are a good idea, cuz if your friend is like me, its tough to ask for help. Other than the driving, the restrictions are supposed to last for 6 weeks, so maybe offering some help a few weeks down the road would be even more appreciated than right now. After a week or two, the excitement wears off and people seem to forget you still need help.