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Buying gifts for babies that are practical on one hand and user friendly on the other can be hard. It is easy to rock up at a baby shower with a basket full of diapers or a baby-grow, but it is hard to imagine that if the baby was able to talk that it would express its delight at these items.
They are necessities that need to be worn or owned but they are not exactly items that thrill at delight. They are the adult equivalent of receiving toilet paper or a handkerchief. So how do you go about finding items that fulfil the dual role of satisfying the baby and helping the parents adapt to life with a new little person in the house? Here are a few gift ideas to help you on the way.
The pain of experiencing the arrival of teeth can be quite awkward. As the sharp edges cut their way through gum for the first time the pain can be very uncomfortable. Helping to alleviate this with a soothing toy like a Sophie giraffe or an equivalent chewy item is a great idea. This is a gift that is cute to look at and cuddly to hold, but which also fits well in the mouth in a choke-free manner and which can soothe irritated gums. It is a real winner.
Mobiles, not the telephone variety, are proven to be of great development potential for babies who would otherwise spend a lot of time lying on their backs staring at the ceiling. Mobiles are entertaining and engaging and they stimulate and delight little ones as they lie in their cots waiting to be helped or fed. The gift of a mobile is, in short, the gift of entertainment and extra IQ points. Every baby should have one, although, sadly not enough do.
One of the best dual-purpose presents is the monitor teddy. It almost goes without saying that babies and little ones love teddy bears and cuddly things. On the flipside, parents cannot stay at their children’s side forever and they need to leave them alone as they sleep so that they can get on with their adult lives. But while this is happening it is nice to know that the babies are safe and sleeping soundly. A monitor device hidden inside a teddy bear allows the parents to listen to the noises and sounds of the nursery while they chill out in their rooms or entertain friends. As the child gets older and there is no longer a need for a monitor, the bear still remains functional and retains its utility to the child.
Children are never too young to be read to. And while they might not enjoy the story, or even understand it, what they do love is the one-on-one time with their parents and the sound of the soothing parental voice. Books encourage learning and they should be an integral part of any parent and child relationship. Give them with impunity.