Baby Gift Ideas for Sporty Geeks

May 13, 2012 4:31 PM

I need baby gift ideas for a new mom who is an engineer and likes sports.

My best friend is having her first baby. She's an engineer, and the person that people run to with math questions. She's also very into playing and watching sports (hockey, basketball, football.)

What would be some great gift ideas for either her baby or her as a new mom? The gender of the baby is unknown. Assume zero general baby/new mom knowledge on my part. (i.e., the more specific the suggestion the better).

Thanks.

posted by unannihilated to Shopping (8 answers total)

Thinkgeek might be helpful for you.

A few select items: This baby shirt with a schematic of the Futurama Planet Express Ship seems on target for an engineer. On the maths side, Introductory Calculus for Infants
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 4:45 PM on May 13, 2012

What's your budget? An e-reader or an iPod touch would give her something to do with her free hand while feeding the baby.
posted by backwards guitar at 5:35 PM on May 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: E-reader and iPod touch are both out of the budget. Preferably no more than $50...could go a little higher for something good.
posted by unannihilated at 6:00 PM on May 13, 2012

Not a direct answer but have you considered something less on theme and more new baby? Perhaps from her registry? I received a few fun thinkgeek baby outfits which I liked but the kid wore once/twice/never so meh or gag novelty books which I've looked at once. Other people gave us things like a Moby Wrap, the Ergo (out of you $), a bumbo, classic books like Good Night Moon, classic toys like stacking cups or the Aden and Anais muslin wraps that are amazing, loved and used everyday. I would second that the second class of gifts might be a better, more thoughtful choice.
posted by saradarlin at 6:08 PM on May 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

If you know her favorite team, pro-sports-themed onesies exist :). Just double-check to make sure they are gender-neutral, but most are.
posted by Snarl Furillo at 8:22 PM on May 13, 2012

Yes, just seconding saradarlin's comment that the gag gifts are well intended but (for me, anyway) mostly wasted on the new mom that has her hands full of baby for much of the day. Do you have a children's book that you remember loving? Give her a hardcover version of that (or more than one!) with an inscription. Honestly the best gift I received was nipple cream (Lansinoh) because who knew breastfeading was going to be so painful that first week before the body makes its adjustments and thank heavens a friend thought to give me some so it was there right when I needed it.

A few books that we read to my kid when she was a baby and still read to her now at 3 years old are: Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, Where Is The Green Sheep, and This Little Chick. These are great books that stand up to repetitive readings (I think I've probably read each of these at least more than 700 times to the kiddo, thank god they are well illustrated and amusingly written or woe unto me) but also aren't regular "standards" that multiple people might buy for new parents. I also like to buy parents Harold and the Purple Crayon, because I remember reading it as a young girl and I think it taught me to WANT to be creative and make things with my mind. Anyways, good for you for being a thoughtful friend, and good luck!
posted by onlyconnect at 10:48 PM on May 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: She has plenty of relatives who will clear out the registry. Just stick to the question as I asked it, thanks.
posted by unannihilated at 4:24 AM on May 14, 2012

Response by poster: And I never said I was looking for "gag" gifts.
posted by unannihilated at 4:29 AM on May 14, 2012