Baby gift

Organic cotton muslin squares. Cant have too many of them with a new born.

I have just been looking for recycled and ethical baby stuff too.

The Woodland Trust and Lily and Sid have baby grows and vests. Mulberry Bush and Ethical Superstore have baby toys.

A word of advice, if you are buying clothes, buy the six month size as they grow out of the smallest sizes very quickly, unless they are prem.

I won’t buy clothes because I know she has plenty but I will check out those sites for toys.

Do you want to get something for a baby? Or, would a suitable toy be appropriate? Don't they make good quality wooden toys?

Spindrift that’s what I was thinking,

Knit or crochet an item with wool you already have. A striped pram blanket or a tiny teddy.

Feelingmyage55

Knit or crochet an item with wool you already have. A striped pram blanket or a tiny teddy.

My mother k it’s some really lovely jumpers for her g-great grandchildren. They always get comments.
I would knit or buy something for a child to wear later. Usually new parents have so much for newborns these days.
I expect they have already got washable nappies?

Lots of mums don't use wool for babies.
Maybe bamboo if knitting?

NotSpaghetti

Lots of mums don't use wool for babies.
Maybe bamboo if knitting?

My grandchildren are both happily dressed in hand kits. I am in awe of the skills involved as I’ve never mastered them myself and they look amazing.

Yes. Some of my grandchildren too!
Lovely!

But now i think about it, I think the OP said not clothes?

My knitting skills are very limited and have never mastered crocheting. But have seen some nice toys on ,the sites mentioned.
I’ve not asked about nappies but am sure it won’t be disposables.

A little wooden toy perhaps. Even if it s gotr when the baby is a bit older. They’ll get loads of plastic stuff.

Have a look on Etsy - there are some lovely handmade or personalised items on there. I got a beautiful little wooden musical carousel for my baby GD.

I like to give books. First picture books or a nursery rhyme book ( which, I admit, is more of a keepsake than something which the baby will actually use.)

You can make toys out of old clothes. I have unravelled a white cardigan which my DH's aunt knitted herself. She was a funny shape so it's no good for anyone. I have used the wool to make baubles for Christmas trees but it would be ideal for crocheting or knitting a doll or a teddy. It's synthetic so no problems with allergies.

I also made a teddy out of an old sock (its partner had a huge hole in it). Can't find the picture I took of that.

Just some ideas.

BloomWillow7

I'd just get her Amazon gift card. New parents always end up needing random stuff they didn't think of and it's way more useful than guessing.

Quite a few people have objections to buying through Amazon and OP's friend sounds as though she may be one of them, given the job she is in.

Can you knit? We loved hand knitted baby clothes.

I’d second books. You can’t have too many!

Always a classic book to be enjoyed later.

Can you sew? If you can drive a sewing machine it’s really easy to make bibs or a simple tummy time mat that will have years of use. 1meter ish square. It only needs straight stitches. Use recycled cotton or a charm pack of ready cut squares.

My grandson still has the set of wooden letters which spell his first name. They have always been displayed on a shelf in his bedroom.

Vinted has excellent, brand new unused wooden toys. I've recently bought lots of colourful wooden bricks and then sewed cotton bags with cord drawstring. I used upholstery fabric, also bought on Vinted. I've made one for each of my adult granddaughters to have when they have babies (a way off yet!). It will be a little bit of me for their children if I am no longer here.

I'd give her a John Lewis gift card, their baby department is lovely, lots of cotton clothes and great equipment.

Cheeky Wipes reusable baby wipes in bamboo velour. Basically small flannels which can be sanitised and reused. My daughter holds them under the tap, wrings them out, and tossed the used ones into a bucket of sanitising solution. Work much better than disposables and don't sting.

Gift card is a good bet. Many new p can parents and be overwhelmed with stuff when the baby has just arrived.

And will need stuff later. Nobody thought about.

John Lewis sounds a good choice.
Or maybe Boots. Do they still do Baby items.