Pls help me choose baby gifts for my soon-to-be-born niece!
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I am getting more and more excited! My very first niece is due to be born in late March and I'm heading back to Singapore and will touchdown on 1 April. I'm thinking of buying a few unique baby gifts from Australia but am not sure if the stuff I'm looking at are actually available back home. I want to travel light and don't exactly want to lug stuff around if the same brand is available in Singapore.
Sooo... I'm appealing to the moms and dads here, or to those who have recently been out scouting for gifts for the babies of friends / relatives to please give me their honest opinion about the next few selected gifts on my list. I'm not necessarily buying ALL of them, but it's a bit hard to make up my mind!
Here's the Nuk First Choice Starter Kit.
Winnie the Pooh Feeding Bottle with Two Handles
Summer Butterfly Long-Sleeved Bib
Monkey or Miss Kitten Bibs
Pacifiers... and I just found out today that they are now called by a new-age-y name - Soothers!
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Childcare Brand Reverse Handle Strollers
Baby Einstein Feeding Set
Below are a few Swing sets... which one's your personal fave? Your vote may influence my decision! Hehe!
Fisher-Price Take Along Sensory Swing
Fisher-Price Power Plus Swing
Fisher-Price Playful Pets Swing
Fisher-Price Newborn to Toddler Rocket
And I like the name of this high chair...
Fisher-Price Healthy Care Brown Bear High Chair
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I would forgo all else but the swing. That swing is a lifesaver for mothers everywhere. Babies just love the comforting sensation. JMHO.
Soothers are a personal preference. Many people don't believe in using them. My own daughter was so dependent on this crutch, it affected her bite and pronounciation.
Bibs are a great idea. My two kids always had one on them. My collection back then was quite fierce.
As for bottles, ask your sister in law before you buy. With sooo many different brands on the market, many come in different sizes. Some are proprietary because of the larger size teat. JMHO.
Have they picked out a name for the baby yet?
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an elmo doll
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the 'soothers' are really nice! =D
well...nice to look at anyway....erm...i think bibs are good. though im not sure if they have lots of that in singapore...
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Originally posted by jetta:
I would forgo all else but the swing. That swing is a lifesaver for mothers everywhere. Babies just love the comforting sensation. JMHO.
Soothers are a personal preference. Many people don't believe in using them. My own daughter was so dependent on this crutch, it affected her bite and pronounciation.
Bibs are a great idea. My two kids always had one on them. My collection back then was quite fierce.
As for bottles, ask your sister in law before you buy. With sooo many different brands on the market, many come in different sizes. Some are proprietary because of the larger size teat. JMHO.
Have they picked out a name for the baby yet?
Orh... *frantically scribbles down notes... It takes a mom to give great advice! Ta!!
I kinda like the stroller and the swing, although I can't make up my mind on which swing!
Kids my time had no colourful swings with nice dangly stuff in front and what-not to play with... maybe that why we grew up a bit dumber because no mental stimulation, can only look up at the ceiling when placed flat on the bed! 
Harharhar!! Babies and kids these days are soooooo lucky!!
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Originally posted by laurence82:
an elmo doll
Hmm... eh... I don't exactly want my niece to turn out like you leh!
Was that what you played with growing up? *frantically scribbles notes in the What NOT To Give section...
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Originally posted by udontknowme:
the 'soothers' are really nice! =D
well...nice to look at anyway....erm...i think bibs are good. though im not sure if they have lots of that in singapore...
Oh yeah! That page with the soothers is so colourful! I had to laugh too cause one of the soothers looked like a UFO, another two were so boldly coloured that it'll look kinda amusing on the baby's face when in use, and some are so cute, you just want to keep them for display!
In my time, just PIAK! Nah!! One boring, solid-coloured pacifier. Don't talk about the colour... even the shape of the teat also very unimaginative! Look at the variety these days!
Machiam got stylo-mylo teats, techno saavy teats, calm and peaceable teats or bold and vibrant teats! And with the silicone teats, I wonder if baby doesn't wonder how come mummy's texture not as good?
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Thanks to all for your feedback!
Only three feedback nia... 
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Originally posted by Rhonda:
Orh... *frantically scribbles down notes... It takes a mom to give great advice! Ta!!
I kinda like the stroller and the swing, although I can't make up my mind on which swing!
Kids my time had no colourful swings with nice dangly stuff in front and what-not to play with... maybe that why we grew up a bit dumber because no mental stimulation, can only look up at the ceiling when placed flat on the bed! Harharhar!! Babies and kids these days are soooooo lucky!!
The stroller is nice, but I had three. (Back when there were no three in one combos.) The first one was a heavy duty one, good for taking baby out on long walks while I got my exercise. This is great for when baby is young and cannot sit up just yet.The next one was a fixed umbrella stroller. Fixed meaning, fixed back rest, no adjustable settings. Very light, very easy to fold/unfold, great for heading down to the shops for a quick errand. Remember to buy a netted basket to attach to the back of this stroller so your sis-in-law can free both hands up to push the stroller. These sell for as little at S$10, great for when baby is a little older and able to sit up. The third one is a nice blend of the above two. Light enough to maneuvre while shopping, has a 3-position (or more) adjustable back so baby can sit up (on the upright position) and see the world or sleep (3-position). Chicco (Italian brand) makes a really durable one. Pai seh to tell you that I still have mine stash in Mum's house in Sg.
This Chicco one I had also had an adjustable shade to protect baby's tender skin. Chiccos aren't cheap though but they last a heck of a long time.What I found most useful was a plastic sheet (Toys R Us) which you can drape over the entire stroller on wet days. Baby stays dry and can see the world at the same time.
As for the baby swing, get one that has a long battery life, with many features like adjustable speeds, etc.
You might also want to think about getting a bouncer. This is great for young babies who can't sit up yet. It allows them to see the world. My kids loved it.Get the one with the mesh fabric. Not only is it cooler for baby and breathable, but when baby spits up, it's easier to clean.
And one more thing, if your sis-in-law decides to go the pacifier route, get a pacifier tether. Head for Robinsons, they have a nice range of stuff. The tether is great for making sure the pacifier doesn't land on the dirty floor when baby spits it out. Don't get the one that uses a safety pin to attach to baby's shirt. Get the clip variety.
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Originally posted by jetta:
The stroller is nice, but I had three. (Back when there were no three in one combos.) The first one was a heavy duty one, good for taking baby out on long walks while I got my exercise. This is great for when baby is young and cannot sit up just yet.The next one was a fixed umbrella stroller. Fixed meaning, fixed back rest, no adjustable settings. Very light, very easy to fold/unfold, great for heading down to the shops for a quick errand. Remember to buy a netted basket to attach to the back of this stroller so your sis-in-law can free both hands up to push the stroller. These sell for as little at S$10, great for when baby is a little older and able to sit up. The third one is a nice blend of the above two. Light enough to maneuvre while shopping, has a 3-position (or more) adjustable back so baby can sit up (on the upright position) and see the world or sleep (3-position). Chicco (Italian brand) makes a really durable one. Pai seh to tell you that I still have mine stash in Mum's house in Sg.
This Chicco one I had also had an adjustable
shade to protect baby's tender skin. Chiccos aren't cheap though
but they last a heck of a long time.What I found most useful was a plastic sheet (Toys R Us) which you can drape over the entire stroller on wet days. Baby stays dry and can see the world at the same time.
As for the baby swing, get one that has a long battery life, with many features like adjustable speeds, etc.
You might also want to think about getting a bouncer. This is great for young babies who can't sit up yet. It allows them to see the world. My kids loved it.Get the one with the mesh fabric. Not only is it cooler for baby and breathable, but when baby spits up, it's easier to clean.
And one more thing, if your sis-in-law decides to go the pacifier route, get a pacifier tether. Head for Robinsons, they have a nice range of stuff. The tether is great for making sure the pacifier doesn't land on the dirty floor when baby spits it out. Don't get the one that uses a safety pin to attach to baby's shirt. Get the clip variety.
Waaaah... experience speaks!!
Thanks, jetta! I've seen the mothers here push around some pretty fanciful strollers. Some look like the Mercedez Benz of strollers!
I think I'll get the stroller, don't care if they are already buying one, because you will need more than one, right?
I kinda like the swings too... think they can bounce in it, if I'm not wrong. I still like the Brown Bear high chair too!
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i used to love carrying babies with tinkets on their feet. it will jinggle when they kick or start running. a silver tinket may be a better option then a gold one.
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i'm going to be totally unimaginative and brutally practical..
give the parents a few hundred bucks in a red packet.. it's much better than all those things..
unless the parents are loaded, hard cash is much much better...
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New born? A swing would be nice to have... Cos it would save the mother a lot of trouble in terms of comforting the baby... Anyway, best if you convert the gift in cash.... they will need it....
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i vote for the swing!
kids love it!
nt sure for the toddlers tho.haha..
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Originally posted by the Bear:
i'm going to be totally unimaginative and brutally practical..
give the parents a few hundred bucks in a red packet.. it's much better than all those things..
unless the parents are loaded, hard cash is much much better...
Baby is already going to get a $500 ang bao. These are on top of that.
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If i'm not wrong fatum has lots of baby thingies prepared. can ask him
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Originally posted by caleb_chiang:
New born? A swing would be nice to have... Cos it would save the mother a lot of trouble in terms of comforting the baby... Anyway, best if you convert the gift in cash.... they will need it....
Same msg, but put in a much nicer way. See, Bear!
Thanks, for your input, caleb! 
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Originally posted by SevenEleven:
i used to love carrying babies with tinkets on their feet. it will jinggle when they kick or start running. a silver tinket may be a better option then a gold one.
Erm... why? I like the look of Silver better, but is there another reason why you recommended that?
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Originally posted by hisoka:
If i’m not wrong fatum has lots of baby thingies prepared. can ask him
Haaaaar?!!
Fatum? Not even conceived yet, already going this far? Or, Fatum, is there something you're not telling us? -
Some babies may not take well to swings or contraptions, and soothers are parent's preference. Strollers too, because there is cheaper versions readily available in sg, and most babies, before the age of 2, prefer to cling/sleep in mother's arms.
Rhonda, its best to check with the mom in question what she wants.
Baby clothes, you need to check for buttongs and stuffs at the back cos babies lie on their back most of the time.
Might I suggest a B feeding cushion? Its curved like a horse shoe and help the mother/father by supporting the baby when feeding and I dont see a lot of it around in sg. Its also voted as the top item to have for new parents.
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Originally posted by viciouskitty74:
Some babies may not take well to swings or contraptions, and soothers are parent's preference. Strollers too, because there is cheaper versions readily available in sg, and most babies, before the age of 2, prefer to cling/sleep in mother's arms.
Rhonda, its best to check with the mom in question what she wants.
Baby clothes, you need to check for buttongs and stuffs at the back cos babies lie on their back most of the time.
Might I suggest a B feeding cushion? Its curved like a horse shoe and help the mother/father by supporting the baby when feeding and I dont see a lot of it around in sg. Its also voted as the top item to have for new parents.
Oh? I've never paid particular attention to baby products but now that you've mentioned it, I'll keep my eyes open!
Yeah, you're right about checking with the mom and dad. I wanted to give them a surprise though.
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hi rhonda,
my 2c worth...
This can be used all the way until 3yrs old...i had it...just gave it away nia...
tis a good thing to have...and eventually the parents will defintely go for this..
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Originally posted by Mospeada:
hi rhonda,
my 2c worth...
This can be used all the way until 3yrs old...i had it...just gave it away nia...
tis a good thing to have...and eventually the parents will defintely go for this..
Ooh... sounds like it'll make a great gift then! Thanks a lot for your advice!
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Originally posted by Rhonda:
Ooh... sounds like it'll make a great gift then! Thanks a lot for your advice!
it is to me...
cos when we take out the table top, we can pull the high chair close to the table and the baby can eat with us on the same table, which they always wanted