Up coming baby shower....

[Jesska]

My friends having a baby & we're all bringing our own gift baskets for her to the shower. I've got a few body lotions that aren't tested on animals (Natures Organics) etc for her & a bottle of that non alcoholic alcohol, degradable nappy sacks & degradable nappies. I know Johnson & Johnson are testing on animals & they're the leading baby specialists, so I need some help preferably from people in Australia because we have different shops to America & such. Am wondering if Huggies test on animals? I don't buy anything over the net so that again makes things more interesting. I've never bought baby stuff before but I'm assuming I should get baby wipes, shampoos & nappy rash creams- but I will only buy cruelty free & it's bloody hard when most baby products are tested on animals. I haven't really got any idea on what I should be getting so yeah- any help would be appreciated. I have about 3 weeks- so if you've had a baby shower or been to one- please let me know what I'm meant to get. Thankyou

[*AJ*]

Hey Jesska -

Sounds like you're already bought a lot of nice items for the mom to be.

I know Burt's Bees (obviously not all their products are vegan) is not tested on animals and they do have a full baby care line. example - http://www.goodhumans.com/Shopping/Babies-and-toddlers/Baby-bee-apricot-baby-oil-from-burts-bees
Aubrey Organics has a full line also - http://store.greenfeet.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=7509%2D00156%2D0000

She'll need maxi-pads after the baby is born. Do you have Natracare products out there? http://store.foodfightgrocery.com/naulpawiwi.html

another idea - baby sunscreen! also- organic baby clothing

The only other products I know of are online ... but maybe you could at least look at them and see if there are similar products in the stores out there - or request a store near you to special order it - if they can get it in in time.

http://www.goodhumans.com/Shopping/Babies-and-toddlers/Hemp-baby-salve-from-the-merry-hempsters
http://www.goodhumans.com/Shopping/Babies-and-toddlers/Natural-baby-and-kids-bath-soap-from-aubrey-organics

I hope that helps some!

[thebelovedtree]

You might see if you can find a sling locally, thats what I got my sister for her shower and she LOVED it. You might also try some natural/cotton baby wash cloths and onesies (a baby can never have too many). I would imagine you'd have better luck with cloth type items than with bath products, etc.

[Jesska]

Thank you guys :) I was going to buy some maxi- pads but my mum said that might be something she'd want to buy herself. I don't know if we have Natracare here....Would that be weired to open a prezzie & find maxi-pads? I was also going to get nipple cream but we're not sure if she'll be breast feeding. Would she need it even if she doesn't breast feed? Baby sunscreen is on the list too. My mission today is to find out if Huggies, Swispers or Curash are tested on animals. A sling is a great idea too. I'll have to go on a hunt because I've never seen one in store before. Um- is a onesie a towel with a hood? I have no idea what a onesie is haha. Just trying to think- a baby needs sunscreen, body lotion, mittens, shampoo/conditioner, nappies, wipes- oh- what about those cool spoons that change colour? Oh & bonjella for teething. This is almost fun. Please if you think of anything else....you know where I am :)

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

One thing I used a LOT of as a new Mom was plain terrycloth washcloths. They can be the pretty, soft "baby" type or the regular normal ones like you'd use to wash your own face... they are just handy for cleaning EVERYTHING (Mom, baby, faces, hands, as a burp-rag, etc...) and much better environmentally than baby wipes. (though I used those too).

Maybe a journal or scrapbook or that sort of thing?

How about some herbal teas and a pretty mug or teapot for Mom? Or coupons for a take-out restaurant or pizza even (new Moms have NO time to cook!!).

Or a coupon for a pedicure or massage or other Mommy-pampering type thing?

Or even some healthy snacks that Mom can grab when she's got a free moment: whole grain crackers, nutrition bars, dried fruit and nuts? I got a gift basket of that sort when I was in the hospital after my baby was born and it was my FAVORITE "baby" gift ever!

[Jesska]

That's a great idea!! I was planning on getting a few washcloths- but a journal is perfect!! I was looking at some of those do it yourself molds where you plaster their feet & hands but they were bout $200- well it does include the frame but that was way too much. Coupons are a great idea. I did see lots of great baby food that keep for ages- all organic too. Chocolate would probably be good as well. This is great thankyou- am writing all of these ideas down- but please keep them coming- I'll be passing some on to my other friends to help them with their ideas :)

[Jesska]

OK bad news on the companies I was interested in :( Apparently 'Swisspers' are owned by Johnson & Johnson so they're out, Huggies test on animals & can't find ANYTHING on Curash. I spent an hour looking at baby stuff last night & there are so few products that aren't owned by Johnson & Johnson. I thought about going to The Body Shop- but I heard they got taken over by a company who tests on animals. Did you hear about that? I've done a lot of searching & am finding two different answers on that. Maybe I should find a store just for babies. Or maybe they might have stuff like that in organic shops. This sucks- I didn't think it would be so hard- this is meant to be fun.

[thebelovedtree]

this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onesie) is a onesie

When my sister's baby was little she would go through 3+ a day so it's good to have lots

[Jesska]

Ah- a bodysuit!! Yes I saw some of those am going to buy a beautiful yellow one with a catapillar on it. Thankyou guy please keep the ideas flowing :)

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

A good book on breastfeeding? :sealed: (just because I'm so very much for it).

A bitty pair of baby sunglasses! Great to protect baby eyes when out in the stroller.

Organic jarred babyfood - it's convenient. Even die-hard "make-it-yourself" Moms appreciate some convenience.

Hmm... maybe I'll think of somethin' more later...

[*AJ*]

Boy Jesska - you sure are going all out for this mommy-to-be ... you know you're going to get all these baby shower invitations now that we all know what great gifts you give! : )

I'm not having human kiddos but maybe you can put together a baby shower for my next adopted doggie???

: )

[Jesska]

Haha she's been a wonderful friend to me when I needed her & she's never asked for a single thing, she's only 21 & hasn't got a very tight family so they're not much help to her. At the moment she's only got us :( Besides I have a few extra $$ & I love shopping :) No human kids for me thanks- I prefer the furry ones that don't cry all the time haha.

[*AJ*]

yeah me too - I prefer my furry love child!

anyways - you're such a good friend to be doing all this - I'm sure she'll really appreciate it!