A young friend is expecting a baby soon. She works in sustainability and is very into recycling.. she already has lots of second hand items. Any suggestions for a present?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?