My friend is having her second son around December 16th. Her other child is... I want to say four? so she doesn't have many baby items. She can't work, and her boyfriend just got a job, but they also are being evicted so their landlord can turn their apartment into group housing. ☹️ When I found out she isn't getting a shower, I really latched on with passion, and have been making posts on social media all day, asking if my friends know of programs that could give her big things like a car seat and a crib/pack and play, if any of my mom friends have 0-18 month clothes they could go through and donate, as well as toys, books, anything that could help. I am disabled and have yet to be awarded SSDI, so I can't go buy everything myself, (and trust me when I say I absolutely would, that's me at my core and I love it about myself, ☺️) but I can absolutely go to bat for this girl and do my very best to get her anything she might need. I hid the posts from them, because I would ideally like to gather as much as I can, and give it to them all at once on a zoom call with her mom/anyone she wants to invite.

Another friend suggested joining Amazon wishlist gifting/blessing groups on Facebook, but there's a weird catch to it that I haven't figured out yet. I think I may have found a car seat giveaway the 15th of this month, but she basically needs EVERYTHING.

Which brings me to the advice portion. What items were/are indispensable to you when raising your babies? What were you gifted that surprised you with how much you used it? What items are essentials but also often overlooked? What was/is your favorite baby-related thing you received or bought for you or baby?

ALSO! What kind of items should I be seeking out for her post partum recovery? Someone suggested witch hazel, as well as lanolin for sore nipples. What item was a godsend for your comfort in recovery?

I want to be clear: I'm not here fishing for donations. I really love this sub and I don't want to abuse it, that's not what it's here for. However, if you want to help, let me know. We are located just east of Dayton, OH if anyone localish reads this and knows of anything like churches or organizations that would donate/guide me to places that can help.