Long story short - SIL had a baby at some point within the last 6 days. We don't know name, gender, condition, etc. Need to send a gift, but I'm clueless. There are also some special limitations I have to work around:

• Cannot be electronic (it's going to a foreign country and they're on DC)
  
• Cannot be language-oriented (so no books or things with words on them)
  
• Has to be gender neutral - we don't know what the baby is
  
• Cannot be "decorative" (e.g. bedding) because we don't know what the nursery looks like
  
• Has to be easily shippable, e.g. fit into a standard size box, not overly fragile, etc. Ideally it's lightweight, but that's not necessary
  
• Cannot be foods or perishables

This is their 2nd baby so most of the basics (safety things, hi-chair, etc.) should be taken care of.

I'd like to send something other than clothes, but with the restrictions above my creativity is pretty much tapped.

Any suggestions? For those with babies, is there something you got that's a must-have, that you maybe never thought of before you had kids?

A sweet teddy bear would be nice. I would get a "baby" one that they can hug and it won't have eyes that will pop off into their mouth.

You have a tough decision here. Good luck.

Maybe a neutral but nice blanket. It doesn't have to be blue or pink. They are always needed.

Does she have a baby sling? They are great, lightweight, and fit all your other criteria.

Even if she had one with her first child, it's probably well-worn by now.

When I had my second baby, I remember the best gifts were the essentials. Diapers, baby lotion, bath soap, bath towels with the little hoodies. It is nice when you don't have to run to the store and get these for a while.

a nice diaper bag with a stuffed animal and some onesies- universal baby wear!

A gift card!

How about a diaper cake? You can have one sent or make it yourself (google "diaper cake" for instructions or to have one sent). I've used this for the last three baby gifts and everyone loves them.

I was living in Germany when I had my daughter, and what I prized were those gowns with the elastic at the bottom and the little fold over thingys to keep little fingernails from scratching faces...

My best friend bought me this pj out fit that looked like a sack but with arm holes. It was flannel and very warm. I loved it cause even at 3 wks, my daughter managed to get all the covers off of her.

Where overseas are they? Do they have the same baby goods for the same cheap prices there? Oh and a big heck yea for the diapers. $40 for a big ole box of pampers that I didnt have to buy made my day!

A silky from comfort silkie. It is a small square foot blanket with silk on one side and cotton on the other. BEST PRODUCT EVER. Small, easy to ship etc... We lost my daughter's first one and in a panic I bought about 8 more. Believe me when I say my daughter always knows when one is missing. I don't have to carry a full baby blanket around - just her silkie. The website is www.comfortsilkie.com Hope it helps.

I agree, you can't go wrong with diapers, onesies, and baby socks, those seem to suck down the washer drains... For diapers I usually buy a small size and a larger size, so when baby outgrows the tiny ones, mom will have a transition bag already on hand. I get great appreciative comments on that.

Hooded bath towels & wash cloths

One of those new Temporal Artery Thermometers

Boppy -- Can always use more than one of these

Portable Changer Kit

http://www.estyle.com/common/dProductDetail.asp?pmid=19803&dept=36&sc=125

sleep Sheep

http://store.babycenter.com/product/gifts/special_occasions/gifts_shower/6848?intcmp=&stage=

Burt's Bees Baby Products -- The diaper cream cannot be beat and we have used several of their products

http://www.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10101&catalogId=10751&categoryId=11716&top=Y

I used tons of burt's products with my daughter, she has sensitive skin, we still use them. Do they have babies r us or walmart there? What about a gift card? Can you find out the sex of the baby? My daughter also lived in Old Navy sleepers, and Union Suits. I also bought tons of fleece blankets, pacifiers, those little hand covers to prevent scratches. I had several pair of nail clippers and would have liked a few more, I could never find them when needed. A nice insulated diaper bag or one with an insulated bottle carrier. What about something for mom and dad? A nice candle, or a nice picture frame? I enjoyed the bath gift set that I recieved and my husband loved the picture frame that my sister gave us, it is on the entertainment center with our first family portrait in it. There are some things that are universal, sleepers, onesies, pacifiers, blankets (fleece is a fave of a lot of moms), diaper bags. There have been some great suggestions here. Also consider, making a gift basket of small inexpensive things, nail clippers, hand covers, pacifiers and clips, a few neutral hats and socks, some baby sized clothes hangers, and some small rattles and such, inexpensive but needed items. ~Mandy

My vote is the "baby sacks" in linen white. Very classy, very comfy for baby, and look so darn cute when they sleep in their sacks!

I think a gift certificate from some place like Landsend is nice, they dont expire, you can send them from online, and she can use it on anything she wants or needs! I think they save time and money. Have fun and she will appreciate the thought of the gift more than the item, at least most moms do!