Ask any new mom, and she’ll tell you: Nine times out of 10, well-meaning visitors come bearing gifts for the baby. Adorable onesies and diaper cakes are always appreciated by parents (and useful!), but after nine months of pregnancy, delivery and many a sleepless night, it has to be said: New moms need presents, too!
“Often a new or eagerly expected little one is the focus of gift giving,” says Dr. Katherine Hoops, a pediatric critical care physician at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore. “But it’s also important to show a little love to the new mom.”
Thinking of putting together a new mom care package, but you aren’t sure where to begin? Here are 17 gifts that will help every type of new mom — from the one who’s breastfeeding to the one who’s recovering from a C-section to the one who just had twins — survive the first few months of parenthood.
Practical gifts for a new mom care package
If you want to shower the new mom in your life with items that will make everyday life easier, here are a few options that are great on their own or can be paired with other goodies in a new mom survival kit.
1. Yeti Rambler
When kids enter the picture, it’s rare for parents to enjoy a warm beverage, so an insulated, stainless steel mug, like the Yeti Rambler, is a must.
“Once you become a mom, long gone are the days of drinking your morning coffee hot,” says Hoops. “I still thank heaven for my Yeti Rambler when my coffee is made at 5 a.m. and still warm by 9 a.m.”
Where to buy: Yeti Rambler Mug ($30, Yeti)
2. Food service gift card
When you’ve just given birth, cooking is one of the last things you want to do. Make mealtime easy for the new mom in your life by giving her a gift certificate to a food delivery service.
“One of my favorite new mom presents is a gift card to Daily Harvest,” says Jennifer Mayer, a Brooklyn-based mom of one, doula and the founder of Baby Caravan. “What new mom doesn’t want to have a few quick meals ready to go in freezer?”
Where to buy: Daily Harvest Gift Cards (starting at $50, Daily Harvest)
3. House cleaning gift card
“Hands down, the best thing anyone gave me after I had my son was a gift certificate for a cleaning service,” says mom of one Jaclyn Santos, of Hazlet, New Jersey. “Who wants to clean after having a C-section?”
Where to buy: Merry Maids Gift Card (various prices, GiftCards.com)
4. Netflix gift card
From long, lonesome maternity leave days to late-night feedings, new moms are always in need of some entertainment, so a gift card to Netflix is sure to be a hit.
Where to buy: Netflix gift card (starting at $30, Target)
5. Wine
“I was incredibly grateful when, instead of a onesie, a friend of mine came bearing a bottle of wine and a few good books,” says mom of two Annie Garland, of Wheat Ridge, Colorado. “[They were] great for unwinding after the baby went down at night.”
Where to buy: Wine.com Gift Card (starting at $25, Wine.com)
Gifts for breastfeeding moms
Looking to create a mommy survival kit for someone who’s nursing? Here are a few items to consider.
6. Motherlove Nipple Cream
A favorite of Mayer’s for breastfeeding moms is the nipple cream from Motherlove. Soothing and nourishing for cracked and sore nipples, it’s great for nursing moms during the beginning of their breastfeeding journey. Also, the organic ingredients make it safe for baby.
Where to buy: Nipple Cream ($13, Motherlove)
7. Nursing pajamas
Why not make a nursing mamas night time feedings easier — and prettier — with a cute nursing gown or pair of breastfeeding-friendly pajamas? She may be half asleep in that rocker, but she’ll look darn cute sitting there.
Where to buy: The Pointelle Nightgown ($98, HATCH)
8. Majka Lactation Bites
“The lactation bites from Majka are a yummy, nutrient-dense snack that support lactation and breastfeeding,” says Mayer.
It’s the perfect treat to throw into a new mom care package for women who are breastfeeding!
Where to buy: Lactation Bites ($59 for 6-pack, Majka)
Pampering gifts for a new mom care package
Once baby arrives, it’s all about them (forever!) So, why not create a pampering new mom care package that shows you remember them, too? They’’ll be eternally grateful.
9. Fancy body lotion
“I love the Sicilian Bergamot body lotion from Naturopathica,” says Mayer. “It has a light, uplifting smell, and since it’s all natural, it’s OK to be around babies.”
Where to buy: Sicilian Bergamot Lotion ($50, Naturopathica)
10. Pedicure gift card
“It’s important to help a new mom squeeze in a little self-care to help her feel like herself when she hasn’t slept or gotten out of her pajamas in days,” says Hoops. “A pedicure gift card and offer to snuggle the baby for an hour is always a good idea.”
Where to buy: Pedicure Gift Card (various prices, SpaFinder.com)
11. Candle
Help a new mom create a tranquil environment when baby is extra fussy with scented candle. “Another great gift I was given after I gave birth was a Wellness Candle,” says Santos. “It smelled amazing and helped create a somewhat serene vibe in the evenings when the baby was crying and I was trying to make dinner.”
Where to buy: Grounded Wellness Candle ($17+, Bee Lucia)
12. Face mask
Hoops recommends gifting a beautifying face mask for new moms, who not only feel tired, but who are in desperate need of some “me” time during such a wildly transformative period. Go for products that steer clear of parabens, which may be dangerous for both mom and baby, as well as ingredients that can treat and clarify unpredictable, hormonal skin.
The Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque from Aesop is geared toward normal and oily skin and uses natural ingredients like rose geranium, primrose seed and sage leaf to deeply cleanse and nourish.
Where to buy: Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque ($43, Aesop)
13. Notebook and chocolate
This is the perfect addition to any new parent care package. The Thoughts Box comes with a pen and notebook for jotting down notes about new parenthood or a grocery list for their partner. And if all else fails, there’s chocolate. They’ve thought of everything!
Where to buy: Tohfa Box Thoughts Gift Box ($32, Giftagram)
14. Cozy bathrobe
One of Mayer’s gift go-tos is a cozy bathrobe for lazy mornings (and afternoons and nights!)
Where to buy: Barefoot Dreams Robe ($125, Dillard’s)
Gifts for moms of twins
When putting together a new mom gift basket for someone who just had multiples, it’s important to think outside the box — because two (or more!) can be much more time-consuming and challenging than one. In addition to being doubly tired (two babies to feed at night!), twin moms may need extra recovery time, particularly if they had a C-section.
15. Twin necklace
Any mom of twins will cry upon seeing this sweet “twin” necklace with personalized card — and not just because of the hormones!
Where to buy: Twin Necklace ($52, Ornata Jewelry)
16. Mom2 tote bag
When you have little ones, you can never have too many tote bags. Twin mamas will get a kick out of this minimalist “Mom Squared” grab-and-go bag. So cute!
Where to buy: Mom2 Tote Bag ($28, Zazzle)
17. A girls’ night in
A new mom care package is great, but at the end of the day, all any mom wants is someone to be there for them to offer support during what’s often a tricky time. According to Hoops, no robe, gift card or candle is a replacement for a listening ear and helping hand.
She says: “One of the most important things you can do for a new mom is to tell her that she’s doing a great job caring for her little one and remind her that she should do the same for herself.”
