SingaporeMotherhood | Parenting
August 2016
16 Insanely Awesome New Mummy Gifts
It’s not always easy to think of what to get for a special lady who’s having a baby. To help you along, we asked several mothers what new mummy gifts they most loved or most wanted, especially if money were no object.
So your sister, cousin, niece, or best friend is having a baby and you’re so excited for her. Now to think of the best post-natal pressies to congratulate her with. When we asked first-time mother Elaine Quek what mothers like her most needed after giving birth, she exclaimed emphatically: “Baby-sitting services while she sleeps! SLEEP IS SO PRECIOUS!”
“Other things new mums may need is adult company for their sanity, such as high tea with girlfriends. I had a mummy friend who met up with me every week and it really helped to get out of the house once in a while, with baby in tow of course,” continued the 38-year-old marketing professional who had baby Liam five months ago.
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So it’s not all about what you can buy. Still, apart from sharing your time – and baby-sitting skills – with your freshly popped BFF, we rounded up a selection of products and services that are worth splurging on, as suggested by mothers in Singapore and beyond.
If you’re preggers, you might want to consider putting these into a gift registry. Your friends and family will thank you for solving their headache. And if you’re the excited daddy-to-be, well, here are some ideas on how to thank the lady who’s about to give you the greatest gift of all!
New Mummy Gifts to Help with Baby
1. Stylish diaper bag
Marrying sophisticated style with intuitive functionality, diaper bags from Petunia Pickle Bottom are well-known for craftsmanship and versatility. Our favourite is The Boxy Backpack (US$189), which has a wide top opening, a spacious, well-organised interior and a very useful fold-out exterior diaper changing station.
It can be carried one of three ways: hands-free as a backpack, slung over the shoulder as a messenger, and attached to a stroller via specially designed stroller straps. Made with glazed coated canvas, it is also practical for easy clean-ups. Your only headache is trying to pick which of the many stylish designs to go for.
2. Ergonomic crib for infants
Simulating the feeling of being in the mother’s womb, The Cocoonababy (S$350) lets baby lie in a semi-foetal position. This helps reassure baby and promote deep sleep. A combination of supportive and reactive foams allows baby to move freely and safely, while limiting the risk of plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome). Its slightly inclined position helps prevent and relieve gastric reflux and colic. Hips and knees are also enveloped in a position ideal for baby’s development.
Get it at Mothercare stores islandwide or online at Pupsik Studio. Protective covers are washable and spare fitted sheets are available in various colours. Best of all, if baby gets a good night’s sleep, mummy does too!
3. Versatile baby carrier
Made from 100% cotton canvas, the Tula Baby Carrier is a soft yet structured baby carrier that’s easy to use and durable. It comes in a wide range of prints and in two sizes, Standard (from S$229) and Toddler. Adding the optional Tula Infant Insert to the Standard allows it to be used from birth. Used for both front and back carry, it provides an ergonomic M-position seat to support optimal development. A removable hood supports baby’s head and protects her from the sun.
The Tula Coast variation is popular in Singapore as it uses a breathable mesh material while maintaining all the features of the original. Get it online at Baby Carrier Singapore or Pupsik Studio.
4. Programmable swaying infant seat
Mothers the world over sway from side to side, and gently bounce up and down to comfort infants and soothe them to sleep. The 4moms mamaRoo Infant Seat replicates those exact actions so mums can get a much-deserved break now and again. It has four built-in sounds, is compatible with any MP3 device and Bluetooth-enabled so that you can control it via compatible smart devices. Featuring five unique motions and five speed options, its adjustable recline allows baby to lie back or sit up for more interaction.
Available in a range of fabrics, you can find the Multi-Plush design at Pupsik Studio for S$499. Add the optional 4moms Newborn Insert to provide additional support for newborns.
5. All-in-one stroller and bassinet
From newborn to toddler, versatile Bugaboo strollers adapt to any lifestyle with ease. Our favourite is the original yet practical all-in-one, the Bugaboo Cameleon3. With one stroller, you get (numbered 1 to 9 above) a rain cover, underseat basket, base seat fabric, seat/bassinet frame, carry handle, wire frame, chassis with wheels, extendable sun canopy with bassinet apron, and base bassinet fabric. A one-handed release converts the bassinet into a seat, facing you or the world. Reverse the handle bar to put either small or big wheels forward to go from city sidewalks to rough terrain. The self-standing seat and bassinet also work independently on the ground.
Get the full set (S$1,600) at Mothercare and motherswork outlets around Singapore.
Post-Natal Pampering for New Mummies
6. Post-pregnancy beauty spa package
Trimmings Salon & Spa offers a wide range of treatments for hair and scalp, as well as face, body and nails. Indulge her with the Beautiful Bump day spa package, which is suitable for both pre- and post-natal stages. It comprises a Decleor Radiance facial, signature deep exfoliating scalp treatment and hot cream manicure and pedicure. Other recommended post-pregnancy treatments include a lymphatic massage to drain toxins and address water retention, as well as a scalp treatment that uses stem cells to treat post-natal hair fall issues.
Popularly known as Loewen Spa, it also has a second outlet at Robertson Walk. Book the 210-minute Beautiful Bump day spa package (S$235) or let the experts at Trimmings Salon & Spa tailor a package just for her. Call 6471 1922 (Loewen) or 6737 8512 (Robertson) for details.
(See also: Grooming for New Mothers)
7. Post-natal massage therapy
If leaving the house is too difficult, the expert therapists at The OutCall Spa will make home visits! A full spa massage station will be set up to provide Javanese post-natal full-body massage treatments using traditional ‘urut’ and ‘binding’ techniques. Benefits include toning and tightening of stomach muscles while helping to expel wind after delivery.
A 5-day package (S$788) comprises 90-minute full body massages and Bengkung binding, with complimentary traditional Bengkung cloth, plus elastic tummy and hips binder. The 8-day (S$1,188) and 15-day (S$2,088) packages include additional 30-minute thermal blanket slimming therapy sessions. Call 8782 0561 or visit theoutcallspa.com to book.
8. Body and face skincare range
Due to all the hormonal changes, a good skincare routine is essential for new mums. Clarins has put together a collection to help maintain skin tone and elasticity as well as provide relief for fatigue and fluid retention. It includes an Exfoliating Body Scrub with smoothing natural bamboo powders, Tonic Body Treatment Oil to nourish and tone skin on the body, and Energizing Leg Emulsion to relax and rev up tired legs. Fixing one of new mummies’ biggest peeves is the Stretch Mark Control Cream, while the Shaping Facial Lift Total V Contouring Serum helps fight against puffiness and saggy facial skin.
Order the Clarins Beautiful Mum collection (S$185) online and get it delivered to her for free, or get it at Clarins outlets islandwide.
9. Revolutionary hairdryer
From the makers of the revolutionary vacuum cleaners comes a beauty tool sure to make her day. The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer uses intelligent heat control to maintain an optimum temperature, which helps to prevent extreme heat damage. Choose from one of four precise heat and three different speed settings for fast drying, regular drying and styling needs. Using a high-pressure, high-velocity jet of air that gets amplified thrice, it also produces negative ions to reduce static. No more bad hair days, no matter how frazzled she gets!
The Dyson Supersonic (S$599) is available online via Lazada or at major electronics and department stores islandwide.
Baby Bonding and Body Shaping for New Mummies
10. Personalised lactation consultation
When you ask around about a good lactation consultant, the first name that pops up is invariably Sister Kang Phaik Gaik. And with good reason. Sister Kang is Senior Lactation Consultant and Manager of the Alvernia Parentcraft Centre at Mount Alvernia Hospital. She has also published a book called Successful Breastfeeding – A Practical Guide. Services offered include personalised consultation on breastfeeding, newborn care, bottle feeding, weaning and even baby massage.
If mummy and baby are having nursing problems, make an appointment for her at the Parentcraft Centre, or engage Sister Kang for a home visit or two. For enquiries, call 6347 6641 during regular office hours or email [email protected].
11. Workout classes incorporating baby
The barre phenomenon is the workout that celebrities from Madonna to Ryan Gosling swear by, and WeBarre offers a series of classes designed to bring pre-pregnancy bodies back. Each 50-minute Mum & Bubs class works to strengthen the core and pelvic floor, while toning muscles in all the right places – all while bonding with baby! Babies love the pulses and motions, often being soothed to sleep in their baby carriers, while mothers get build up a good sweat. She can choose to do it without baby too.
Purchase the 10-class pack (S$380) to be used within six months. A one-time trial class (S$28) is also available.
(See also: 9 Activity Courses for Baby and Mummy to Bond Over)
12. Personal fitness and Pilates trainer
For one-on-one training, call on ooberfit. Founded in 2012 by personal trainer and mother of five, Sam Blakey, ooberfit offers post-natal fitness training, Pilates and HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) bootcamps. In fact, Sam is the go-to personal trainer for many post-natal mums across Singapore and specialises in working with those facing complications like abdominal separation and pelvic floor issues. Or try ooberMummies (above), a twice-weekly hour-long fitness training group class for new mothers who want to burn off that baby fat. Babies are welcome to come along and watch from the comfort of their strollers!
Book the personal training services of Sam (S$120 per hour or 10 hourly sessions at S$1,200) or one of her trainers (S$100 per hour or 10 hourly sessions at S$1,000). If she’d prefer a group class, sign her up for ooberMummies package (6 sessions for S$150, 12 sessions for S$300 or 20 sessions for S$460).
New Mummy Gifts that Help Create Cherished Memories
13. Pretty accessories
A fun addition to Lee Hwa Jewellery’s typical selections, these whimsically designed pieces are sure to please. Mark the birth of her little prince or princess with this range of earrings, necklaces and brooches inspired by fairy tales of everlasting friendship, love and dreams. Each piece incorporates a bright pop of colour, resin-coated enamel set in silver, and will surely bring back memories of this cherished time in a new mother’s life.
The Little Dreamland Collection is available at selected Lee Hwa Jewellery boutiques islandwide.
14. Luxury keepsakes
One of the first companies ever to offer tokens of luxury for newborns worldwide, the artisans at Tiffany & Co. continue to craft exclusive creations that make perfect gifts for mummy and baby. Our absolute favourite of the moment is the Tiffany Elephant Baby Bank. This earthenware coin bank with hand-painted green polka dots acts as baby’s first savings account, and will eventually become a cherished heirloom for future generations. It also comes in duckling and bunny variations. If you prefer the more traditional Sterling silver keepsake, consider the timeless Tiffany 1837 Baby Combs that come with either a blue or pink tassel.
Head down to Tiffany & Co. boutiques at Takashimaya, ION Orchard, Raffles Singapore and The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands and pick up something that comes in that iconic Tiffany Blue Box.
15. Professional mummy and baby photo shoot
For a new mother, there is nothing quite like those fleeting adorable moments – the funny grimace, the poo-poo face, that first smile. The next best thing is to have them captured in photographs that she can look over and relive those times long after baby is all grown up.
As there are just too many great baby photographers out there to simply feature one, we’ll give you a list of 31 Best Maternity, Baby & Family Photographers in Singapore instead. Take your pick!
16. Getaway with holiday nanny services
There is nothing like a vacation to rejuvenate both mind and body, but new mummies are usually hesitant to take a newborn along. The answer? Book that vacation AND the services of a holiday nanny! Just Us Childcare & Eldercare Services offers a wide range of nanny and babysitting services, including matching the family with a qualified nanny who will travel with you and share a room with the child, taking care of her every need. This gives travelling families peace of mind and allows them to take their first vacation together.
Visit the Just Us website to learn more. As for where to go? Here are some ideas: 5 Getaways to Reclaim that Pre-Baby Spark (yes, even with the kids in tow!). If going overseas really isn’t feasible, book her one of these 17 Family-Friendly Staycations to Suit Every Taste.
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