Reddit mentions of Vicks Baby Rectal Thermometer Baby Thermometer for Rectal Temperature, Short and Flexible Tip with Fast Read Times and Large Digital Display

This is absurd. I feel like having some bizarre aversion to using a rectal thermometer is more weird than just using one and going about your day.

We've taken our daughter to the ER twice and they've used a rectal thermometer both times. It's because the ER isn't going to fuck around and risk getting an inaccurate temperature reading.

We have this one and I like that it's short. My fear prior to using a rectal thermometer was that I'd accidentally put it in too far. This one prevents that and I feel confident in the temperature reading.

Yay for your results! My son was born at 34 weeks, 4.5 pounds. It seems super small for people who aren't used to preemies, but as a NICU nurse, I can tell you those little ones are very feisty. Try not to worry too much about your cousin's baby :D

I'm not sure there's really any "cool" baby stuff, but here are some of my favorite random items:

• Nosefrida. Seriously, just buy this. You need it.
  
• Vick's rectal thermometer. Helpful for parents who aren't used to taking rectal temps. As you can see, you physically can't stick this in too far, so it seems less daunting. My only complaint is that it reads so quickly that occasionally it would read lower than I knew his temperature was. I would just repeat it and get the real result the second time around.
  
• Safety 1st nail clippers. Has a light and everything so you can see what you're doing. My friend would actually make me cut her daughter's nails with my clippers when she came to visit, lol.
  
  I also think everyone should have some sort of baby carrying device. If you get something with buckles (like an Ergo), make sure the seat of the carrier is wide enough to support your baby from knee to knee. Think an Ergo, not a Baby Bjorn.
  
  Hmm, that's all for now. I'll try to think of something cool ;)

Here's a list of items I found so useful for myself that I use as my go-to gift options for anyone I know having a baby.

1. Rectal thermometer Not only is this the fastest and most accurate way to check an infant's temperature, but it really helps with constipation. Around 8 weeks, breastfed babies may start to poop only once a week. My kid would get so uncomfortable, but he was too young to have juice or pureed fruit. My doctor recommended a rectal thermometer with Vaseline to stimulate a BM. Works like a charm!
   
   
2. Lots Of Links These are great for attaching toys to the carseat, stroller, and highchair. They're also thin and light, so they're great for really small infants to practice grasping and passing objects from hand to hand.
   
   
3. Coat Hangers - Since everyone insists on loading up your baby with clothes, you need somewhere to put them all. I used all 80 hangers I had - and that's with a boy!
   
   
4. Breastfeeding supplies - No one likes to buy this stuff, but if it's for a close friend or you know they're going to breastfeed, definitely get her some nursing pads (helpful even if she doesn't breastfeed and sometimes even before the baby is born) and lanolin If she is going to use a Medela pump, these membranes will come in handy. I also liked these wipes for cleaning any breastpump where there may not be a sink and these bags for sanitizing pump parts, bottles, paci's, etc.
   
   
5. While this probably won't be used for a while, this play yard is one of my favorite baby purchases ever. It came in handy especially during those 7-12 months where my kid was crawling and learning to walk. It kept him contained and also gave him a safe place to practice walking. My son is 16 months old and we still use this all the time.
   
   
6. No one did this for me, but I wish people had bought me a small package of their favorite generic/store brand diapers. No one wants to look cheap by buying off brand diapers, but in reality, you'll probably end up using them. Huggies or Pampers can run about $0.35 per diaper. It's great when you're getting gifts, but I'd like a chance to experiment with something lower cost without having to buy 15 brands. Target's Up & Up brand work great for me, and they're only around $0.15 a diaper. But babies are all shaped different, so what works for one kid might not work so great for another. You just have to try them out. It'd be nice to get some different brands as gifts.