Of course there is always that dreaded "gift registry" But doesn't that suck the fun out of the perfect gift picked out by you! This guide will help you find that perfect gift for the new mommy, and hopefully something that she has never seen before. Something that everyone will say "wow, what a great idea!"

Here is my top ten list of useful, unique gift ideas in no particular order.

1.Baby sling, my favorite is the brand "Over the shoulder baby holder" This is a great gift for the mommy to use to hold her little one close while she shops, vacuums, or just takes a walk to shed those pregnancy pounds! Over the Shoulder Baby Holder is safe, comfortable, quality, easy to use, and promotes health benefits for attachment parenting. Today, the Over the Shoulder baby holders / baby slings are rated the number one baby sling by hundreds of baby experts including baby authors, lactation consultants, pediatricians, and The Red Cross.

2.Diaper Cake, this is a wonderful and useful idea! An inedible cake full of diapers, lotions, baby nail clippers, baby brush, bibs, receiving blankets, and any other item that baby can use. Personalize the cake with monogrammed bibs, or themed to the baby's nursery. There are easy directions to make your own diaper cake. Or just buy one pre-made on eBay!

3. Mommy Books, Some great books for mommy to read before the baby is here and up through the first year are What to expect when expecting, and What to expect the first year by Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi Eisenberg Murkoff, Sandee E. Hathaway. Another great book is Shepherding a Childs Heart by Ted Tripp, this is a wonderful biblical child-rearing book that helps mothers in the instruction of bringing up your child from a biblical viewpoint. Another favorite is Fun with Mommy and Me by Cindy Bunin Nurik and Jane Schonberger. This book gives great ideas to mommy of things to do with her little one in each new stage of their developmental life, activities intend to help boost the emotional, physical, social, and intellectual growth of children from birth through age 5. And lastly is Sign with your baby by W. Joseph Garcia. This book helps parents teach their children sign language between the ages of 8 and 22 months old to better articulate their feelings and increase their capacity for learning, while parents enhance their levels of communication and bonding with their children. 

4. Baby Books, I could  make a guide on this list alone. Reading them to her child will strengthen their bond, and the baby will begin to learn to appreciate the beauty of the written word. This is a wonderful gift to give for mommy to start her little ones book collection. Always learning and soaking in everything you say to them, get them started with some great touch and feel books like Ten little Ladybugs by Melanie Gerth. There are many baby einstein books to choose from, and some of my other favorites are by Sandra Boynton like Moo Baa LaLaLa.

5. Baby Feeder Bag, This is a great gift, they will not use it right away but will be a life saver in the end. The Baby Safe Feeder is a great way to aid teething and to get baby to make the transition from bottle to soft foods. It has an easy to hold handle and reusable mesh food bag. The top unscrews to fill the bag with baby's favorite foods and screws back together. It is also dishwasher safe! You can also buy refill bags.

6. Taggie Blanket, What another great idea, thumbs up to the person who invented this! What baby is not fascinated with the tags on any toy you give him/her. This is the perfect entertainment for those busy learning hands to explore, feel and taste every tag on the blanket! My daughter was entertained for hours with this item!

7. Pre-made Scrapbook, This is truly something that mommy and child will cherish for a lifetime. It is like a baby journal but so much more. Pages can include spots for photos and journaling. Places to put hand and footprints, lists of baby firsts, and more. You can custom order these for any theme any style, buy pre-made that you can view and get shipped immediatly, or make your own. But whatever way you do it this will be a gift that will speak to the heart. The preservation of special events and growth of the child is timeless! Contact me if you are interested in one made special for you!

8. Mommy Spa Bag/Basket, The perfect gift for mommy. Everything does not have to be for the baby, it will be when he or she is here so why not pamper mom for a day. You can include great things in a spa bag or basket such as gift certificates for manicures or pedicures, perfumes, comfy slippers for those achy pregnancy feet, rolaids, magazines,lotions, and any relaxation "feel good" gift. Don't forget to add in a bag of Dove Chocolate!

9. Music CD's, Some great music CD's that will help baby learn from newborn to toddler are 25 nursery Songs by Sing with Me. Favorite Childrens Songs is a great one to get by Baby Genius. And everyone needs that soothing "help get them to sleep" music. Especially new parents! Here are a few CD's that will help calm baby and entice sleep. Baby Einstein Lullaby Classics is a great one to start with. Spirit Flutes by David R. Maracle always calmed my little one, the rhythmic indian drums soothed her in the car and at home. Music for babies ~Sleep Baby by Mozart is another wonderful pick.

10. Grocery Cart Cover, Keep germs away and baby in a clean safe shopping environment with a shopping/grocery cart cover. These are available in many styles and can be put on a highchair also.