Figuring out how to buy gifts for new moms that they actually like — and need — can feel hard. Should you go with the generic postpartum gifts or knock it out the park with something extravagant? These are extremely valid questions that will have different answers based on who you ask. But, the main person you should keep in mind is the mom you want to surprise. After all, entering motherhood for the first time can bring on a lot of emotions — just ask Ylleya Fields, mother of 6 and author of children’s book series, Princess Cupcake Jones.
"The first couple of years [of motherhood] are not your own, especially when you have multiple children," Ylleya said. She also mentioned that postpartum depression is such a real thing that's not always fully understood until someone experiences it. Even if new moms don't experience it, she said, "Anyone can feel inadequate or have moments of sadness while going through it." It's something she felt with every child, but Ylleya and I both agree that these moments are temporary.
That being said, she believes it's important for moms to receive gifts that will help them with their babies and self-care. Whether you're gifting a food delivery subscription or making sure baby can safely practice independent play, here are top 37 essential gifts for new moms!
Gifts For New Expecting Moms
Take it from a toddler mom — being gifted a skincare set is top tier. Sure things are shifting and stretching over a long period of time, so having items that prioritize a pregnant mom's skin is necessary.
I can't speak for other moms, but I started developing body acne and more visible stretch marks when I was pregnant. I would've loved to use a body oil that's meant rejuvenate and refresh my skin. It also targets discoloration and premature aging of the skin, making it one of the perfect gifts for expecting moms.
Sometimes a puffy face during pregnancy is inevitable. It can be a little jarring for an expecting mom who's not used to it, so I recommend using an ice roller to help with any puffiness she may experience.
As much as it's important to make sure you growing baby is nourished and taken care of, mams deserve to pamper themselves too. Let this gift set serve as a little pick-me-up on the days where she feels drained by pregnancy.
"I used a Baby Bjorn pregnancy pillow during my pregnancies and feel like this is hands-down one of the most important gifts to give," Ylleya said.
Although it's tempting to make sure a new mom has all the essentials she'll need in her hospital bag, don't forget to give her a 'just because' gift. Help her become comfortable with carrying tote bags by surprising her with Michael Kors' reversible design.
Gifts for expecting moms can be cute too! Although it may not matter to everyone, some moms would prefer to get out of their hospital gown after giving birth. This postpartum gown will be a real treat as mom recuperates from birthing her little one.
Postpartum Gifts For New Moms
There are many recovery kits that moms should be gifted after giving birth, but I truly love that Frida mom has a c-section recovery kit. Not every mom experiences a vaginal birth, so this gift is a nice gesture to remind c-section mamas that their care is equally important.
Recovering from giving birth can get messy whether you've had a vaginal delivery or a C-section. One of the things that helped me tremendously during postpartum was investing in comfortable underwear things healed down there.
In addition to having postpartum underwear, moms who have recently given birth need something to help heal their perineal area. The unfortunate fact about vaginal births is that sometimes moms can experience perineal tearing so having something that helps soothe and heal that area makes a world of difference. Luckily Ingrid & Isabel offers a Post Birth Gel Pack that can help provide relief down there!
Go the extra mile and make sure the new mom in your life has access to as many healing postpartum products as possible! With Lansinoh's Postpartum Essentials Recovery Bundle, moms will have access to an upside down perineal bottle to help clean her tender areas during bathroom breaks, an herbal postpartum spray that soothes any aches she may be feeling down there, and two cooling packs for her to place in her postpartum underwear!
Help the postpartum mom in your life ease into her new normal with this thoughtful gift set. She'll appreciate drinking tea that helps soothes her uterine cramps while wearing soft slippers.
What's included:
- Earth Mama Organic Periodic Tea
- Blush Pink Slippers
- Agni Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies for Postpartum
- Nurtured 9 Bloom No. 2 Non-Toxic Candle
- Nurtured 9 "Moment For Mama" Apothecary Matches
If you're truly in the giving mood, surprise a new mom with this soothing recovery postpartum gift box.
What's included:
- Nurtured 9 Maternity/Postpartum Pajama Set
- Nurtured 9 Bloom No. 2 Non-Toxic Candle
- Mother Mother Organic Postpartum Herbal Sitz Bath
- The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother
This cute little gift box is a congratulatory set that includes items for baby and mom.
Ylleya said, "After carrying a baby for 10 months, the diastasis recti muscles aren't going to be the same. Having a belt that helps those muscles contract — especially if a new mom isn't breastfeeding [for whatever reason] — is something that's needed."
If you know a new mom who interested in breastfeeding her newborn, take the pressure off her shoulders by giving her a hands-free breast pump system. It can be isolating to use one that has a bunch of wires, so be sure to add this to the top of your 'gifts for moms' list.
Don't forget to give the new mom in your life a nursing bra to go with her hands-free breast pump!
This breastfeeding and pumping hoodie is for all my cozy girls who love when fashion is combined with functionality. One of the best features are the dual zippers that'll make your nursing or pumping sessions super easy. If that's not enough to convince you, it also helps keep your temperature regulated.
Carrying a huge diaper bag can be overwhelming for some moms, plus there's a chance she can get flustered when looking for her keys or wallet! Eliminate her stress by gifting her this compact and stylish crossbody diaper bag by The Poppy Brand. It has two zippered sections — one for her baby's essentials and one for anything she needs — to help her find what she needs when she's looking for it.
It has features an elastic opening to store baby wipes and has a matching changing pad that can easily be folded to put back in the bag when she's not using it. Trust me, she'll love this gift!
Made with no synthetic scents and organic ingredients, these bathing essentials are clean and refreshing for baby and their mamas. Enjoy the soothing scents of lavender and rosemary for a relaxing bath experience.
Chances are that a new mom won't be able to get to a spa, so bring it to her with these refreshing peppermint shower tablets.
Gifts for expecting moms should include something that's going to provide optimal hydrating for their skin. As their hormone levels balance out, they can experience dry and sensitive skin from head to toe. However, Farmacy's Honey Milk Hydrating Essence works to rebuild the skin's moisture balance with the aid of white honey, chamomile, and vitamin B5!
This Peptide Body Creme is packed fulled of great ingredients like coconut oil and 3% AHA Complex to help repair a new moms skin while also moisturizing it. t's one of the most nourishing skincare gifts for expecting moms that just makes sense.
Food-Related Gifts For Expecting Moms
This is self-explanatory, but the last thing a new mom will be thinking about is buying ingredients to cook a full-course meal. Gift her with a Hello Fresh subscription so figuring out what to cook doesn't feel like another chore.
Whether she's breastfeeding or not, a new mom is going to be thirsty. Luckily, Stanley Cup has a 64 0z. tumbler that'll quench her thirst and then some.
And if she wasn't a big coffee drinker before, she'll likely need as much energy as she can get via coffee. Trust me — you can't go wrong with Keurig's single-serve coffee maker.
Just don't forget to include a box of Keurig K-Cup Pods when you surprise her with a new coffee maker!
Gifts For New Moms & Babies
If your new mom wants to do light housework without worrying about keeping an eye on her baby, she absolutely needs a baby carrier. "Baby carriers make things a little easier," said Ylleya.
Activity chairs are so adorable and will entertain a newborn like no one's business. Help the new mom in your life out by bringing this with you during your next house visit.
If a new mom isn't really keen on the idea of an activity chair, gift her this activity gym instead. It's one of those gifts for moms that'll help them encourage tummy time.
Weighted sleep sacks are a dream according to some moms I've talked to. It helps keep the baby safely in place while promoting a peaceful rest.
Whether a mom plans to breastfeed or not, having bottles nearby can be a big help for her. One of the brands that worked for my son was MAM because they have an anti-colic design that reduces the chance of newborns developing colic. The nipples on the bottles also have an anti-slip feature that ensures baby's milk will stay in their mouth instead of spilling down their chins.
As a bonus, this gift set features two pacifiers for mom to keep handy in case she decides she wants to give one to her baby.
I'm going to be candid — newborns go through a ton of diapers. This diaper cake by HONEST will be a blessing to a new mom for at least a month.
Speaking of restful sleep, this dream machine is — wait for it — a dream for new moms. It helps baby get used to resting at night with soothing sounds that lull them to sleep.
Ylleya said, "I'm one of those moms who still has a baby monitor, especially for my younger kids. I like to see what's going on." To help ease any fears a new mom may have about letting their babies sleep in nurseries, bring this baby monitor with you if you plan on visiting after she's given birth.
Recliners are essential for a new mom who will likely be up for late-night or early morning feedings. I spent countless hours in a rocking chair during the first few weeks after giving birth. It probably explains why my toddler prefers to be rocked to sleep now!
Gifts for expecting moms should benefit them as well as their little one like this Peg Perego stroller. It's designed to be easier to maneuver and collapse when not in use — two very important things that'll decrease a mom's stress! Also, the 360 degree wheels will help mom turn tight corners or simply walk through the grocery store without having to worry about the wheels locking while she's trying to pick up items.
While you're at it, be sure to gift her Peg Perego's compatible baseless infant carseat!
For the new moms who may be taking notes to share with their loved ones, Ylleya wants you to remember a few things. She said, "Don’t be hard on yourself if you're experiencing different emotions during postpartum. If you can, ask people to support you mentally or physically as you make the transition from being pregnant to caring for a child for the first time."
By far, one of my favorite things she said during our conversation is, "Being a parent is a learn-as-you-go process. Even with being a mom of 6, I'm still learning and that's okay. You just have to trust yourself and the process."
Which gifts for new moms are you thinking about adding to your holiday shopping budget? Let us know and sign up for our newsletter for more holiday gift guides!
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This post has been updated.
Lead image via Nurtured 9.
