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What to Buy for a Christening Gift? Being invited to a little one’s Christening or naming ceremony is such a special privilege. It’s likely to be the first special day in their life, and it introduces their relationship with god. Many of us want to gift the baby a heartfelt keepsake, but it can be difficult to know what to buy for a christening gift. My 1st Years has a huge selection of personalised gifts perfect for christenings, naming ceremonies and all other special occasions.   WHAT IS A CHRISTENING? Christenings are held to mark the beginning of a baby’s journey in the Christian Faith. The ceremony is a Christian blessing where the baby/child is baptised, this is a traditional ritual where water is sprinkled or poured over the head of a baby. The tradition comes from the bible where Jesus was baptised in the river Jordan in the hands of John the Baptist. At a Christening parents and chosen godparents will make a promise to support the child, pray for them, teach them to be a good person and help them to learn about the Christian faith. After the ceremony many parents choose to host a small party or tea, to spend time with the guests and carry on celebrating the child. For those who like the name of officially welcoming a new arrival and marking the importance of their name but are not religious, many places now offer a naming ceremony. This usually includes non-religious promises and a welcoming of the child.   WHAT TO BUY FOR A CHRISTENING GIFT? It is not compulsory to gift the child on their christening but many of us like to treat the new arrival to a timeless keepsake they’ll treasure forever. For a truly unique gift that shows that you’re thinking of them, we recommend a personalised gift. My 1st Years have a huge selection of personalised items including religious pieces, books, frames and money boxes. Discover our top presents to purchase for a christening below…

How to Choose Memorable First Birthday Gifts From Grandparents A first birthday is an exciting occasion for the whole family. Everyone wants to celebrate a little one’s first 365 turns around the sun, including their grandparents. And we all know a birthday celebration means presents! But finding a memorable first birthday gift isn’t easy. Luckily, with our handy guide to birthday gift ideas for grandchildren, you’ll soon find the perfect present. HOW TO CHOOSE FIRST BIRTHDAY GIFTS FROM GRANDPARENTS You know you’ve chosen a memorable first birthday gift when it’s fun, cute and will stand the test of time. Here’s what to look out for when shopping for first birthday gifts for your grandchildren. FIND OUT WHAT YOUR GRANDCHILD LIKESMake sure your gift is memorable by choosing something you know your grandchild likes. This might seem a simple tip — after all, why would you buy something they don’t like — but so many gifts end up relegated to storage because children don’t play with them. Think about what they enjoy playing with most or their favourite animal, and go from there. STIMULATION OR COMFORT?The first few years of a little one’s life are crucial to their development, making educational toys a fantastic choice for a birthday gift. Designed to stimulate tots’ senses, educational toys help them develop important skills like hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. While toys are an easy (and sweet) win, they aren’t the only option. Little ones grow so quickly, and parents are always in need of new pyjamas and adorable outfits. WHAT WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIMEIf you want your gift to be memorable, it’ll need to be something they’ll cherish forever. Durable wooden gifts will last for many years and may even be enjoyed by your great-grandchildren in the future. SAFETY FIRSTSafety should always be considered when buying anything for a child, including birthday presents. Buying from reputable manufacturers will make sure toys or clothing adhere to safety standards. GO FOR PERSONALISATION!Personalising their special birthday gift is the perfect way to make it memorable. While a soft toy is cute, a toy with the birthday tot’s name on its chest will quickly become their favourite nap-time companion. SIX MEMORABLE FIRST BIRTHDAY GIFTS FROM GRANDPARENTS Ready to start shopping? Here are our top six birthday gift ideas for grandchildren. CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES From cosy dressing gowns and pyjama sets to welly boots and raincoats, there are dozens of clothing and accessory items you can gift to your adorable grandchild. Growing tots always need new clothing, so you can’t go wrong with a sweet jacket or outfit. Plus, as they get ready to take their first steps, they’ll require comfy and sturdy shoes to help them on their way! A reminder of one of the most important developmental milestones, parents will remember those shoes for years to come. CUDDLY TOYS Cuddly toys are a classic baby gift for good reason. Lots of children rely on their favourite toys to soothe them to sleep, and many keep them close throughout their life. Ask any adult, and they’ll likely be able to tell you the name of their beloved childhood teddy! KEEPSAKES Look no further than a special keepsake gift for a more practical first birthday gift that’s guaranteed to stand the test of time. Adorable money boxes or personalised baby blankets make wonderful mementoes for a tot’s first years. WOODEN TOYS With a lovely natural texture, wooden toys are long-lasting, beautiful, sanitary and perfect for helping children develop hand-eye coordination. From push-along activity walkers to playsets, countless adorable wooden toys are available to help one-year-olds develop their fine motor skills, matching abilities and creative thinking. PUZZLES AND ACTIVITY TOYS Puzzles and activity toys are wonderful for inspiring developing minds! These toys are designed to keep little ones entertained for hours as they grab, arrange, move and match. Our favourite gift ideas for engaging children’s curiosity include shape sorters, wooden puzzles, stackers and activity cubes. BOOKS Last but not least, we have books. Books are an essential part of any child’s life, helping them learn about the world, develop their language skills and engage their imagination. MAKE YOUR GIFT MEMORABLE WITH PERSONALISATION Whether you choose an engaging wooden toy, cuddly teddy bear or adorable pair of shoes, add a little one’s name to turn your thoughtful gift into a memorable keepsake with our personalisation service. For more inspiration, look at our selection of personalised first birthday gifts from grandparents.FOLLOW US Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram Google+

Special and Fun Ways to Ask Someone to Be a Godparent Asking someone to be a godparent is a special and meaningful moment. It’s a memory that’ll be cherished by the person being asked and is a lovely story to tell the child who will be blessed with a loving guide and mentor. If you’re planning to ask someone to be a godparent, you’re likely looking for fun and unique ways to pop the question. Here are a few ideas to help make your proposal unforgettable. 6 WAYS TO ASK SOMEONE TO BE A GODPARENT  1. HOST A GODPARENT-THEMED PARTY Invite the future godparent to a special party in their honour. Make sure to include decorations, games and activities that are themed around the role of a godparent. You could even include a special ‘godparent proposal’ as part of the event, such as a scavenger hunt with clues leading to a special gift. 2. PERSONALISE A MUGIf you’re looking for a fun, simple and practical way to ask your special person to be your child’s godparent, nothing can beat a good mug.  Invite them round, pour them a cup of tea, and see how long it takes them to notice they’re sipping from a ‘World’s Best Godparent’ mug. For bonus points, add personalisation. 3. PERSONALISE A BABY ONESIEThere’s nothing cuter than a personalised ‘Will you be my godparents?’ onesie! This super-cute gift idea is sure to bring a tear to their eyes. Plus, this gift doubles as an outfit your baby can wear every time they see their godparents. Score! 4. CREATE A SPECIAL KEEPSAKEGive the person you’d like to ask a special keepsake they can keep as a reminder of their special role. This could be a personalised piece of jewellery, a custom-made ornament, or a special photo of the child with a heartfelt message. 5. CREATE A VIDEO MESSAGECreate a short video message you can share with the person you’re asking to be a godparent. In the video, you could include a message from the child, as well as a heartfelt message from yourself. You could also add pictures and videos of the child and the godparent together, highlighting the special bond they already share. 6. HAVE A SPECIAL CEREMONYPlan a special ceremony to formally ask that special someone to be a godparent. You can host the event at home or arrange a small ceremony at a meaningful location and include special readings, prayers, and other elements that reflect the significance of the role.  4 TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOMENT SPECIAL  Here are our tips for getting the most out of this special moment. TAILOR THE MOMENT TO FIT THE PERSONWhether you decide to plan a party or opt for a mug-based proposal, remember to make it personal and heartfelt. Being a godparent is a sacred and special role, and the person you ask will be honoured to be chosen for this task. By making the proposal thoughtful, fun and heartfelt, you’re setting the foundation for a beautiful and long-lasting relationship between your child and their godparent. TAKE A VIDEOTrust us when we say you’ll want to record the moment you ask some of the most special people in your life to be godparents to your tiny bundle of joy. Moments like these pass in seconds but mean the whole world, so make sure you capture it in video form and take lots of photos. These are photos you’ll cherish forever and will be some of the first you add to your child’s first scrapbook or photo album. MAKE IT A SURPRISEThink of a creative way to surprise the person you’d like to ask to be a godparent. This could be an elaborate scavenger hunt, a flash mob-style performance, or a surprise visit. MAKE SURE YOU NEVER FORGET ITImmortalise this special moment forever with a sweet personalised photograph, keepsake or picture album from our wonderful homeware range.FOLLOW US

Top 10 unique christening gift ideas A baby’s christening is a special day for them and their family. Christenings are a wonderful opportunity for new parents to share their faith and the joy of welcoming a new life to the world with their nearest and dearest. This special moment calls for an equally special gift, one that is thoughtful, timeless and personal, with the best christening gifts becoming cherished keepsakes representing an important milestone. Find the perfect gift to celebrate a beloved little one with our list of 10 unique and unusual christening gifts. 1. PICTURE FRAME Popping a photo in a beautiful picture frame is an excellent way to commemorate a special occasion. With countless styles and materials available, you can find the perfect frame to surprise new parents with. Picture frames can be given empty, allowing the parents to frame a photo from the christening, or you can print out your favourite snap of their little angel. 2. PERSONALISED PHOTO ALBUMA personalised photo album is a wonderful and thoughtful christening gift. Photo albums are designed to be customised and can be personalised with the baby’s name and christening date to make it as unique as they are. Parents will love this present because they can fill its pages with joyous photos of their baby’s christening day and beyond.   3. COSY BLANKET Few items are as synonymous with newborn babies as cosy blankets. From classic cellular designs to heavenly cashmere, there are plenty of marvellous styles on offer. White or ivory are traditional colours for christenings, symbolising innocence and new beginnings, making a bright white blanket a fantastic christening gift. 4. KEEPSAKE BOX The first year goes by in a blink of an eye, so parents hold on to mementoes they want to keep safe. These precious baby trinkets, including hospital bracelets, first teeth and locks of hair, are lovely to look back on, so why not give them a sweet keepsake box? 5. SILVER JEWELLERY Silver gifts are one of the most traditional christening presents, as purchasing silver was previously considered a good investment for the baby. Beautiful, crafted silver jewellery is a modern twist on this gift that honours tradition. A silver piece of jewellery, like a baby bracelet or elegant locket, can be treasured for years to come. 6. SOFT TOYS For a budget-friendly yet unique gift, look no further than a cuddly toy. The options are endless when shopping for cute and fuzzy companions. Whether they love teddy bears, super-soft bunny rabbits, or crocheted farmyard animals, you can find the perfect plush for your christening gift. 7. HOME DECORATIONS If you know other guests have the more traditional gifts covered, why not consider a more modern option? Home furnishings are unique yet practical, doubling as decorations for their nursery. Comfy cushions, wall hangings, and ornaments can be placed around the house to remind the family of their special day. 8. MUSIC BOX If you love the idea of a trinket box but want to elevate your gift, consider a beautiful music box or wind-up toy. These precious music players also make beautiful ornaments, producing lovely tinkling tunes that soothe tired babies to sleep. 9. WOODEN TOYS Playful tots will love nothing more than a charming toy set! This Wooden Animal Ark Play Set is a beautiful gift that offers hours of fun and helps teach little ones the marvellous story of Noah and the ark. Wooden toys are a perfect christening gift as they’re gorgeous, durable and can be passed down through the generations. 10. MONEY BOX A must-have for all children, money boxes help encourage little learners to save up their pocket money. From elegant designs to boxes adorned with beloved children’s characters, there are many options to choose from. Make sure you’re the first one to add a coin or two! CHOOSING A CHRISTENING GIFT THEY’LL CHERISH FOREVER Which gift from our list was your favourite? If you select a unique gift from our curated range of christening gifts, make sure to add an extra special touch with our personalisation service. Adding a little one’s name and the date of their christening to a cuddly toy, blanket or music box will guarantee your gift will be treasured for years to come — and may even become a family heirloom. FOLLOW US

How to Manage Sibling Jealousy on Birthdays The big day has arrived, it’s your child’s birthday! The presents are wrapped and the party is planned but what about their siblings?When they’re really little, kids can have a hard time being patient, taking turns or accepting that today is not all about them because let’s face it, most of the time it is!  On birthdays, your other children may throw a tantrum, sulk or even refuse to participate. Don’t worry, you haven’t done anything wrong as a parent and they will grow out of it. In the meantime, there are some steps you can take to help your little one realise just how fun it can be to celebrate the people they love. After all, there is a lot of satisfaction to be found in making other people happy!  To promote fairness for the whole family, try to keep birthdays consistent. No matter how old your children (or you) are, stick to a rough plan for everyone that will give each family member an idea of what to expect on their own birthday.  Shop Gift Sets >   Make wake-ups a big event, enjoy breakfast together, ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ over gifts and plan special birthday activities. Let the birthday child choose their favourite foods to eat on their own personalised plate and spend the day doing things they enjoy. If their sibling starts to make a fuss, remind them that it will be their day soon and then everyone will be focused on them!  If your little one is feeling left out, find ways to make them feel a part of the festivities. If they are really young, you can assign them small tasks before the big day such as drawing a pretty picture in their sibling’s birthday card, choosing which balloons to blow up or even simply stirring flour into the cake batter.  Shop Greetings Cards > As they grow up, assign your kids the role of ‘official birthday helper’ to perform very important tasks, which may include hanging up decorations, icing the birthday cake or waking up the birthday child. This will help your little one to feel useful, wanted and hopefully a little excited to watch their sibling enjoy their day.       If your little one is complaining about what they don’t want to do, gently remind them what they get to do. After all, birthdays can be fun for everyone! When else do you get to go to a party, eat lots of yummy cake and play all day?    Over the last few years, you may have heard about a new trend, unbirthday gifts. This is a gift that is given to the non-birthday child to stop them from feeling left out or less loved than their sibling. While opinions may differ on whether or not this is a good idea, there are ways to involve the whole family in the gift giving process. Take your children to choose a toy that they can play with together or pick out a gift set that they can share. Take turns playing shops with a wooden cash register, personalised with your family name, or dress them up in matching robes to celebrate their special sibling bond.  Shop Sibling Robe Gift Sets    As your children grow up, birthdays will become easier and easier. Rather than worrying about the possible problems that come with birthdays, think of these as opportunities to encourage your little one to develop empathy and to understand the importance of showing those we love just how important they are to us. The most valuable lesson we learn from having siblings is that sharing is caring – and it’s cool to care. If one of your children has a coming up, share the joy with us by tagging us on Instagram @My1stYears and using the hashtag #My1stYears so we can see how your family celebrates this momentous occasion.  With Love,  My 1st Years x

10 Things to Add to Your Baby Keepsake Box Chances are, you’ll want to keep every tiny, precious thing that belongs to your tiny, precious baby. After all, every outfit, every toy is a memory. On the other hand, you don’t want to see your home disappear under piles of stain-splattered rompers and bibs! Don’t let clutter take over your life. Instead, pick a few of the most special baby items and store them in a beautiful keepsake box. It’s a decorative yet compact way to keep your mementoes and is designed to be passed down through the generations. But how do you decide what goes in? Here are ten great ideas:  1. BABY’S HOSPITAL WRISTBANDThe first item ever to grace Baby’s tiny body – of course, the hospital wristband should be in there! It will include Baby’s name, their date of birth, weight and height and Mummy’s name. When your little one is all grown up, they’ll look back on it in wonder.     2. A LOCK OF BABY’S HAIRWhen Baby gets their first haircut, be sure to hold onto a curl of hair. This long-held tradition results from an old saying: keeping the first lock of Baby’s hair will bring luck! Pop the little lock inside an envelope to keep it tucked away neatly.   3. BABY’S FIRST CLOTHES AND SHOESStore away the first set of clothes and shoes that Baby ever wore. You’ll feel a swell of joy and nostalgia every time you look at them in the years to come: could that great big kid of yours ever have been so tiny?     4. BIRTH AND BIRTHDAY CARDSIt’s lovely to look back on the congratulations and well-wishes you received when Baby was first born and on their earliest birthdays. You’ll get to pull them out once your child is old enough to read and the two of you can pore over them together.     5. MUMMY’S BABY JOURNALLots of Mummies keep diaries of their pregnancy and Baby’s first year. These little books are perfect time capsules. They capture all the big milestones and lots of little memories you might have otherwise forgotten, like the names you were considering and the foods you craved.   6. A NEWSPAPER FROM BABY’S DAY OF BIRTHWhen your child turns 18, sit together and read the newspaper from the day they were born. You’ll be marvelling at how the world has changed, and it will remind you both of how you’ve changed alongside it.     7. BABY’S FAVOURITE TOYAKA Baby’s first-ever BFF. There’s always that one particular soft toy or soother that Baby reaches for again and again. If it actually gets them to calm down during a tantrum, it might just become Mummy’s BFF, too.     8. PHOTOS OF SPECIAL MOMENTSPrint some of your very favourite snaps and put them together in a little photo album. You’ll probably have bigger albums elsewhere, but this can be a selection of the absolute most precious. Don’t forget Baby’s first ultrasound scan!   9. BABY’S FIRST TOOTHThis one comes later, when Baby has turned Toddler. It’s always a special moment when that first milk tooth pops out. Once The Tooth Fairy has paid her visit, tuck that tooth in a little trinket box for Baby to discover a few years down the line. 10. (NO LONGER A) BABY’S FIRST SCHOOL REPORT!Getting your child’s first school report can be unexpectedly emotional. Yes, the first day of school marks the end of an era, but the first report is a chance to see how your baby bird flies! It’s a joy to see your child through the eyes of the world and to get to know the person they’re becoming. Discover gorgeous personalised memory boxes and keepsake baby gifts at  My 1st Years.

You love your niece or nephew more than you can even explain. But as soon as it comes time to write a thoughtful message for their birthday card, your mind goes blank. We get it. It’s impossible to write a message that conveys just how much love you have for them! But fret not. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of messages to write in a birthday card for your niece or nephew. From funny messages to endearing throwbacks to the day they arrived and changed your world for the better, we’ve got 15 ideas to help you show just how much you care. Whether you want to bring a tear to their eye or have them rolling around in a fit of giggles, we’ve got you covered.  WHAT TO WRITE IN A BIRTHDAY CARD FOR YOUR NIECE OR NEPHEW FUNNY MESSAGE There’s nothing more magical than the sound of a little one giggling, especially when they’re laughing at a joke you’ve made. Tailor your message for their sense of humour to have them laughing all day long. Happy birthday to my brilliant, funny, clever, and adorable niece! Clearly, you take after your favourite aunt — me! You’re the best niece in the entire world. I love you. Happy birthday to my incredible nephew! My birthday present to you is a whole day to spend with me! Lucky, lucky you. Happy birthday to my incredible nephew. Did you know that being super cool and clever runs in the family? You must have got it from me! Happy birthday to you! Aren’t you lucky to have a clever brain, creative hands and an awesome aunty?! To the coolest dude in the family. Happy birthday! I hope you have the most fantastic birthday ever and have lots of fun. From your uncle (the second coolest dude in the family).    Inspiring Message Their birthday is the perfect opportunity to uplift them with an inspiring message or quote. Happy birthday to my darling niece. I wanted to share some special advice with you on your birthday. “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”  My lovely niece. You have many fantastic years ahead of you, and I am excited to see what you do with them. The world is waiting for you, and I will be by your side every step of the way. To help you along the way, here’s one of my favourite Maya Angelou quotes, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” My little nephew. How small you are, but how big you’ll become! The fabulous Dolly Parton once said, “If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.” Sometimes I wonder if she knew you’d be born to turn all my frowns upside down. TELL A STORY Little tots love nothing more than a good story. So, treat them to one written by their favourite aunt or uncle. I will never forget the day you were born. It was the day our family changed for the better forever. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It really was the perfect day. Happy birthday, my little niece. It was snowing this morning, just like on a special morning three years ago. It is a pleasure watching you grow into such an amazing person. Happy birthday to my favourite nephew. There once was a boy called Jack. He asked his mum for a snack. They sat down to eat and enjoyed a treat, and now he’s feeling laid back. LIST YOUR FAVOURITE THINGS ABOUT THEM When in doubt, spill all that love out of your heart and straight onto the page. There is so much you love about them, so let them know! Happy birthday, my clever, incredible, creative, gorgeous, cuddly, lovely nephew! I love you because you’re smart. I love you because you’re kind. I love you because you’re brilliant. I love you because you’re you. I hit the niece jackpot with you, my talented, clever, creative, charming niece! ADD PERSONALISATION To make your card as thoughtful as possible, personalise it with your little niece or nephew’s name. Choose a lovely card from our selection of greeting cards, personalise it with a sweet message and get ready to wish them a magnificent birthday.

Blog post written by Placenta Plus Team Placenta Plus was started by Founder, Danielle Kinney. Danielle had suffered from post-natal depression after her second daughter. When becoming pregnant with her 3rd baby, straight away panic set in. Would PND strike again? After searching the internet for natural remedies to help with this Danielle came across placenta encapsulation. It sounded like the perfect solution, so she began to look for a specialist. It was at this point Danielle really struggled. The women she came across had a very relaxed approach to the process. One lady asked her to take home her placenta in a Tupperware tub and put it in her fridge until the specialist could get to her. This just didn’t feel like the premium service that women should expect. Hygiene and correct refrigeration also just did not seem to be deemed as important as she knew it needed to be. Desperately wanting to try out placenta pills but knowing it had to be done to Danielle’s own high standards of cleanliness and professionalism, she decided she would do it herself. Danielle trained in all things placenta but never planned to set up a business at all. When her baby boy arrived Danielle thrived from her placenta pills and decided she would do it for close friends and family. Word soon spread around Liverpool and Danielle was inundated with pregnant women wanting to try out placenta pills. Placenta Plus was born. Placenta Plus was the first placenta encapsulation company in the UK to offer the level of responsiveness and professionalism that Danielle commanded. For Danielle it was important that women should never be expected to take their placenta home or have lengthy waits for collection. A new mum should not have to take responsibility for the care of their placenta. Most importantly she believed women should never pay more for a faster collection that should always come as standard. Placenta Plus quickly became a celebrity favourite. Coleen Rooney, Rochelle Humes and Amy Childs to name but a few have come to Placenta Plus to experience the benefits of placenta encapsulation. Placenta Plus is now a national company and prides itself on the top-class service it provides. Providing mum with everything they will need for birth at no extra charge to ensure their placenta is stored correctly. Placenta Plus will always collect from baby’s birth location and within five hours of birth. Placenta Plus consider this to be a necessity to ensure you get the very best from your placenta with minimal stress on mum. We are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year so regardless of what time your baby arrives we are available to collect your placenta. Pills are then delivered within 72 hours to ensure mum gets the best support in those important early days after birth. Placenta encapsulation has been around for many years with mum’s around the world reporting lots of amazing feedback. Mum’s often say they felt energised, no baby blue’s, increased milk supply and many more.

When a close friend has a baby, you want to support them in any way possible. Even if you’ve never had kids of your own, you can still imagine just how exhausting and overwhelming it must be. But if you’ve never had kids of your own, you might be a bit unsure about the best way to help. If we’re unsure, we tend to react by avoiding. You might tell yourself that what your friend truly needs is space. And it’s true, she does, but then again, you can give her space and also be there for her when she needs you. Here are 7 ways to do exactly that.   1) BE PRESENT BUT CONSIDERATERule Number 1: never stop by unannounced! To be fair, these days most of us will text a warning of our arrival. But remember, your new mum friend won’t be checking her phone very often. If you do plan to stop by, ask well in advance if that will be okay. Also, don’t linger on your visit. It’s best to go with a purpose in mind, like dropping off an essential or helping with a task (see below). Once you’re done, you’re out the door! 2) ALWAYS BRING FOODIf you’re heading over to her place, bring food along every time. There’s no such thing as too many home-cooked meal deliveries for sleep-deprived mummies and daddies! Bring something freezer-friendly that can be reheated as needed if you can’t or don’t have time to cook, no problem. Stop by their favourite takeaway or bring some nutritious snacks for breakfast and lunch. 3) DO ALL THE RUNNING AROUNDAsk your friend if she has any errands that need running. If there’s a letter that needs posting or a prescription that needs picking up, that’s a job with your name on it. If it’s something she needs to do in person, offer her a lift. When you do your weekly shop, pick up extra toilet paper to drop off at her place. 4) HELP AROUND THE HOUSESee that huge pile of laundry next to her washing machine? You can make it magically disappear. Those crumbs on the carpet? They’re no match for your vacuum skills! Let everyone else send her flowers and chocolates. You can be the one who’s there on the battlefield, getting the hard work done and giving her the gift of time. 5) REQUEST 1-ON-1 TIME WITH BABYSome new mums aren’t okay with this, which is perfectly normal. Don’t be offended if they don’t want to leave you alone with their newborn – it’s just that protective maternal instinct kicking in. For some new mums, however, a little break to nap, shower or just breathe is an absolute godsend. Offer to hold Baby for a little while and give her a chance to feel human again. 6) LOOK OUT FOR BABY’S BIG SIBLINGIf this is your friend’s second child, she’s still dealing with a completely new experience: taking care of more than one kid at a time. If the older sibling is still very young, it’s especially hard. The last thing any parent wants is for an older child to feel neglected. You can help with that! Bring gifts just for Big Bro or Sis, or take them out for the afternoon to make them feel special and give Mum a break. 7) PLAY IT COOL WITH ADVICEEven if you’ve had children yourself, what works for you might not work for someone else. Chances are, your new mum friend has read all the books and received loads of advice from midwives and mothers-in-law. She won’t need to hear it from her friends, too, so don’t offer your advice unless she specifically asks for it. Instead, be her outlet to vent and support her with hugs and sympathy.   Welcome your friend’s new baby to the world! Discover personalised gifts Mum and Baby will love at My 1st Years.