If you know anyone that does needlecraft, a good birthing gift is a hand made newborn's hat, with or without a baby blanket made with the same yarns. Some gift shops, children's stores and department stores carry these items; and, they may be ordered online from craftspeople.

I was suprised at how appreciated handmade baby gifts have been when I gave them.

One of my students and her husband had a baby recently and as a gift, I crocheted a set of four baby hats for them from a soft natural fiber. When the child becomes older, she can use them for her dolls!

I also make larger hats for the child as she grows. It's fun to do and does not take a long time.

Below are some pictures of baby hats I have made fo rchildren of my friends and students and their families. Some of the pictures are of a friend's cat modeling some of the hats!

Most recently, I made a large batch of baby hats, ponchos and blankets and sent them to the local Ronald McDonald™ House at Children's Hospital. There, the families of sick children are able to find shelter, good food, and fellowship at no cost if they cannot afford accomodations.

The hat you see pictured to the right is one that I have crocheted in a number of natural fibers, including wool, cashmere, cotton, and others.

A newborn's hat takes about an hour to crochet, and I change each one slightly in its pattern stitches so that it is unique to the baby that receives it.

Sometimes, I make a matching hat for the mother as well, or a baby blanket of matching fibers. However, thre are times that the mom-to-be could benefit form something special for herself, especially inthe last trimester when the waing can make her impatient. A special store for gifts that pamper moms-to-be♥ is located at The Doula Store

The following stores and online shopping sites offer birthing gifts for mother and child from a wide array of perspectives and viewpoints from serious to whimsical.

LIFETIME MOTHERS

The Twelve Gifts of Birth

Birthing gifts from Cartier

Native American gifts

"Empowered Childbirth"

African-inspired gifts

"Too Cute"

GiveThat.com

Unique baby gifts under $50

Birthing gifts from the UK