Present for my first grandchild?

A nursing/rocking chair and stool for mum to use during those long night feeds and cuddly moments. Xx

As others have said:
Baby monitor with video
Baby sling - supportive one. My daughter walked for miles during the first lockdown with her newborn and toddler.
Next to me crib.
Not a knitter either so I made a mobile with felt suns, moons, stars and pom-poms
High chair
Baby change bag

@Damdee, ditto to Merrythought teddies! Dd1 had one from one day old and took it everywhere into her 20s. Baby Bear (as he was known) even accompanied her on a very hairy trip on horseback through a Siberian wilderness when she was a student in Russia.

What puts me off the Steiff ones is that button in the ear. As a child I’m sure I’d endlessly have wanted to pull or cut it off! (I would as an adult, too - it’s be a permanent irritant.)

Why don’t you ask them what they need?

We’ve recently had two new grandchildren and as both sets of parents seemed to have all the big items we gave them money to either buy the smaller items they needed or to save for when the babies are a bit older and they need other things such as a high chair. We bought outfits for the babies and I’ve knitted various cardis/hats/blankets as well.

When each of our four grandchildren were born, we set up a savings scheme for them paying in a modest amount each month. New babies don’t really need much and whatever you buy will only last a short time. What about paying for a photo shoot for them.....that way they will have memories that last forever. You will no doubt see baby clothes you want to buy once you know whether it’s a boy or a girl!

Lots of good suggestions here, but few have mentioned books. It was only when one newborn grandchild was given a lovely selection of books by a friend, that I realised what a good idea it was. A mixture of titles suitable for babies and slightly older children makes a good gift, including some classics like Peter Rabbit and Roald Dahl.

From my experience (5 grandchildren in last 5 years) parents prefer to buy all the basic baby stuff, though money towards expenses is always appreciated. First babies get loads of soft toys and clothes from friends, many of which never get used.

Hello there,Congratulations! I will be Nana for the first time in Feb? .I have been sending " Bubb" as nicknamed presents including baby grows etc. Nearer the time I will buy a Stieff or Merrythought Teddy bear although will take care to buy one aimed at a baby.
On a practical note we are buying Aldis premium Nappies which have great reviews ?

Congratulations ellie22, first Grandchild is VERY special. I can’t remember anything we bought other than a Mommas and Papas cuddly rabbit, but sure there were lots of other odds and ends too!
For her Christening we gave a gold sovereign. Family history behind that as my Father was given one (as a youngster) by his Grandfather and then passed that same one on to our first child (D) so I thought it would be appropriate for my GC, now have 4 and bought each one a sovereign. Maybe they will appreciate in value - who knows.

Yes a lovely cuddly toy, my daughter had a hedgehog that went everywhere with her including uni. She still has it although she is a mum herself.

I set up a savings account for my granddaughter and my husband and I put money in on her birthdays and Christmas (of course also buy her a present). Or how about some premium bonds?

Set up an ISA for baby with whatever you can afford in it to start it off. And say you will try to pay a small amount into it every month (or every 3 months, or whatever suits) for as long as you reasonably can. This will come in very useful down the line, but is obviously a long term thing. You could also of course buy a nice cuddly toy or a set of clothes for baby too.

For our granddaughters we gave money for their passports. I also gave a digital photo frame for the bedroom with photos of their family and lullabies installed.

Best thing I bought granddaughter was a bath time toy with suction pads for the inside of the bath. She played with it until she was nearly 4.

How about promise to buy the next stage car seat. The pram will probably be one that has a car seat inbuilt but that doesn't last long. Car seats are very expensive. Of course a little gift initially would be a must.

We bought a few bits and bobs - including a travel cot as I recall, which was very useful when she stayed here.
As others, we opened a bank account for her. We put a monthly amount in, increasing it when we were able. It has just helped her to get through university.

As the name suggests, I'm not a nana (or a mama either...) but I have observed that babies get a tremendous amount of "stuff" - clothes which they grow out of very quickly indeed, lots (and lots and lots) of toys...none of which will be remembered as having been "given my a grandparent in years to come.

I suppose the question is "how well-off are you?" and "how much do you want to spend?"

If you are a bit broke (and aren't we all?) then perhaps you could save a small amount every week - by the time the child is 18 it will have grown into bigger amount for an 18th birthday present.

Perhaps you could find a nice wooden toy chest, or a child's wooden chair (antique or modern) which they in turn can pass on to their own children when the time comes. As someone said upthread, a child's chair can be turned into a chair for soft toys when the child has got too big, and a wooden chest in always useful for storage in later years...

If the baby is a girl. perhaps a nice piece of jewellery which might be worn as they grow up and which will be worn when they are grown up? (I recently had a pair of pearl drop earrings converted into 2 pearl pendants, one of which I put onto a gold chain for the baptism of a child of my acquaintance...she is too young to wear it now, but she will grow into it. (I kept the other one and wear it myself.)

If the baby is a boy that idea is a bit more difficult...

Congratulations ? grandbabies are the most wonderful things in the world. From personal experience if you're going to buy the Teddy ? the little one will love, buy 2 so there is always a spare if one gets lost or just getting washed. I bought loads of toiletries and nappies. Which you can never have enough of xx

Our granddaughter had an amazing present from her parents while on holiday when she was tiny and we have since bought the same gift numerous times for any new family or friend's babies and they all love it.. it is a seahorse that plays soft music but also has the sound of the sea gently playing in the background..it's on a timer and the child can press it's tummy to keep it playing.... its so soothing and calms them at bedtime..indeed our granddaughter used hers until she was about 5-6 and he's still on her bed now. A special present indeed.

I agree Calendargirl,i gave money to all four of my grandchildren and my son`s`and dil`s opened a bank account for them.

The Windsor chair sounds like a wonderful present.

I'll second the premium bond idea. This is long lasting and may even win a prize to add to it. Your new grandchild needs little as a young baby so along with a teddy bear, premium bonds would be good. My Nan bought me premium bonds and I still have them now along with a couple of wins. God bless her.

I bought all my grandchildren when they were born a 'Steiff' teddy bear. They range in designs and prices and are beautiful toys that should be kept and passed down. I still have mine that my granddad bought me and I will not be giving it away!

'Collectable' teddy bears are often not as collectable as you think. It takes years before a bear becomes worth something and then not always. Also you might feel upset if the child doesn't seem to love the expensive bear you bought. Or if they love it too much, it won't be collectable in the end! But if you want to choose a bear, buy British like Merrythought. Steiff are German.

Oh for the days when the news of an impending birth just meant a trip to Mothercare and job done!


Or a signal to get out your knitting needles!

I bought one of these for my grandaughter - she's 16 months now and it's still used every night to go to sleep.

www.fisher-price.com/en-gb/product/soothe-n-snuggle-otter-fxc66