Choosing the Perfect Gift for a New Mother

When my friend Laura had her first baby, I wanted to find the perfect gift. The challenge: do you get a new mother a present for herself -- or for her baby?

First I visited a local maternity store, because Laura kept complaining that none of her "before" clothes fit. I was concerned, however, that she might take a maternity outfit as a hint that I thought she'd never lose the additional pounds she had gained. Knowing Laura was already diligently dieting, I decided against that option.

Next up: a department store with an extensive baby section. There were adorable bootie and bathrobe sets, in miniature sizes that looked more like dolls' clothes than attire for a real baby! I lingered by the stuffed animal section: a cuddly teddy bear grinned next to a preening penguin, while a majestic lion sat cheerfully between an overstuffed cocker spaniel and a tiny, very fuzzy monkey. Although I was tempted, I remembered Laura had mentioned that her in-laws had given them a vast array of stuffed animals already.

Time to Let My Mouse Do the Shopping
I decided to check out online options for first-time mothers. Here the possibilities seemed endless. I could get an assortment of aromatherapy that promised to provide the new mother with energy from those sleepless nights (a somewhat baffling concept: did they bottle essence of caffeine?!). Lotions, bath oils, and other fragrant, skin-soothing options made it to my "maybe" list, while a "bonding kit" for the new mother to give to the new father went on the "definitely not" list (Laura's husband was the one getting up for those midnight and 3 am feedings - bonding guidance was not on either of their "need it" lists!).

On the "for baby" shopping list: A cute little baby blanket, complete with hand-embroidered duckies all over it, tempted me - until I saw the price tag ($100 for a teeny tiny blanket?!). I lingered over yet another set of baby booties and nightie, but as with all clothing options for a baby, size is a guessing game, and did I really want to buy a gift that would belong in the "To Donate" pile in a short period of time?

PajamaJeans Charm - and Tutortogs Technique
When I came across the PajamaJeans concept, I had that "yes!" sensation that my inner gift giver recognized: a definite win. These fashionable jeans are created from a denim fabric that combines spandex with cotton. Soft, stretchy, warm, wrinkle-resistant, these chic jeans are so comfortable that you really feel as if you're wearing your pajamas in public.

The perfect match for that gift? A fabulous find for a baby: Tutortogs! This infant wear collection - which includes always-popular onesies and baby caps - features a design in black and white highlighted with red that is designed to help infants develop their visual senses. The Tutortogs line-up also features designs for mothers, including shirts. Choices for both mothers and babies are beautifully designed, and the options for mothers feature easy access for nursing.