When a baby is born, new parents are inundated with gifts for their new bundle of joy – but new moms deserve presents too! What exactly do you buy a new mom?
You want to gift her something thoughtful, something she needs, and something that will make her motherhood journey easier. Or maybe you could buy her a luxurious treat that has nothing to do with parenting at all?
View in gallery
In this article, we share 15 things new moms need for themselves. If you have a friend with a baby on the way, or if you are wondering what you will need post-birth if you are currently pregnant, we have some awesome ideas for you.
In this article
What To Bring Someone Who Has Just Had A Baby?
It’s hard not to get carried away when buying gifts for a baby. The little tiny outfits are so adorable, and the cuddly soft toys are too cute.
If you’re into your crafts, knitting a sweet baby blanket is a lovely way to gift the new baby in your life something thoughtful and homemade. Buying for babies is easy.
Even if you don’t get sucked into buying all the gorgeous baby clothes and cute little keepsakes, there are loads of practical things you can buy for the little one.
New parents would be more than grateful to receive diapers, formula milk, or baby shampoo as gifts. These baby care items might not make exciting presents but they are super useful.
Choosing the perfect gift for a baby isn’t difficult, but what can you bring for mom? New moms will appreciate a gift or thoughtful gesture post-birth, even more so than their (probably sleeping during your visit) newborn baby.
There are two different ways to approach bringing a gift for someone who has just had a baby:
Make it all about her
She’s just had a baby, this woman is a rock star and deserves something amazing! The baby will be getting enough presents of their own, so why not buy the new mom something she will love?
Choose a personal gift, something you know she will like that isn’t necessarily linked to her new role as a mother.
Maybe book a spa date for a few months’ time, or buy her a luxurious skincare hamper or even just a basket full of all her favorite baked treats. The baby will not be going without any fuss or presents, maybe your new mom friend really needs a gift that is just for her.
View in gallery
Make it practical
Gifts just for mom are lovely, but some people would rather take a more practical approach. Being a new mom is nonstop and if there is ever a time a woman needs a helping hand, it’s during the post-partum period.
You could bring some diapers over, or grab a couple of packets of wipes when you’re at the store and make sure mom’s pantry is fully stocked up with coffee – most new moms can’t get through the day without at least one hit of caffeine!
You could bring over some food, a casserole or lasagna, something the new parents can easily heat up. Doing something practical for a new mom may not seem very fun but it will be greatly appreciated.
New moms should not be forgotten about when it comes to gifts and kind gestures after a baby is born.
It is important to remember that it is not always physical items that new moms need, they need kindness and support too. There are lots of things new moms need for themselves, keep reading to check out our list of 15 ideas.
15 Things New Moms Need For Themselves
Whether you are pregnant and wondering what you might need for yourself when your baby arrives, or you know a new mom and want to give her something she really needs, we have you covered.
Here is our list of 15 things new moms need for themselves.
1. Sleep
It is no secret that new moms do not get a lot of sleep. Between nursing all night or making up bottles, changing dirty diapers, and holding, bathing, and rocking their new bundle, there really is not much time for sleep.
If you know a new mom, chances are she is sleep-deprived and exhausted.
If you are about to have a baby, have discussions now with your partner and support network about sleep. Come up with a rough idea of when you may be able to catch up on sleep and stick to it as best you can once your baby is born.
View in gallery
If you know a new mom, offer to look after the baby next time you visit so she can catch up on some much-needed sleep. If you can see her eyes struggling to stay open as you talk, tell mommy you will not be offended if she heads up to bed while you watch the baby.
There really is nothing a new mom needs more than sleep.
2. Caffeine
With what we have just said in mind, gifting a new mom a tonne of coffee would not be a bad idea! New moms need their caffeine, period. Even breastfeeding moms are allowed a small amount of caffeine a day if they need a little energy boost.
If you are pregnant now and avoiding coffee, start stocking up on your favorite coffee when you buy your groceries – you will need it once your baby is here.
If you want to gift a new mom something caffeine-related, you can buy her some of her favorite instant coffee or if she has a coffee machine at home, you could buy her some pods for a more luxurious coffee.
Alternatively, you could buy a Starbucks gift card or even just pick up her favorite latte on your way to visit her and the baby.
3. New clothes
Pregnancy really does a number on the body and not all moms immediately bounce back into their pre-baby shape. Chances are you have been wearing maternity clothes over the last 9 months and now your baby has arrived and nothing quite fits right.
New moms will need comfortable clothes to wear postpartum and a trip to the mall could be much needed if they have been staying home a lot with the baby.
Some stylish but comfortable clothes make a great gift for a new mom. It is not just the baby that needs their wardrobe stocking up – new moms need some cute new outfits too!
You could buy a gift card for a new mom’s favorite clothes store, she is bound to appreciate the gesture and the opportunity to buy something to wear that she feels happy and comfortable in.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
4. Babysitting
Every new mom will need a babysitter at some point. Maybe she is missing date nights with her husband, wants to go to the salon to get her roots done, or just really wants to get a whole 8 hours of sleep.
Whatever the reason, at some stage a new mom will feel ready to spend some time away from her baby and you could volunteer to babysit. It is not easy leaving your baby, especially in the care of a babysitter you have never met before.
Asking a friend or family member to babysit is not always as simple as it should be, that is why it is always great to let your pregnant and new mom friends know that you are happy to babysit if they ever need childcare.
5. Food
Finding time to eat three meals a day is definitely easier said than done when you have a newborn. If you are due to give birth soon, get batch cooking ASAP.
Stock up your freezer with yummy home-cooked meals that you can easily pop in the oven, probably with one hand (you will be doing most things with one hand from now on).
Has your sister or friend just had a baby? One of the best gifts you can give her is food. It might not seem that exciting but whipping up a few meals will mean so much.
View in gallery
Not only are you saving a new mom from having to try and cook while she’s sleep-deprived, but she also doesn’t even have to think about making sure she has all the ingredients in or even just deciding what to cook.
Can’t cook? No problem! Why not gift a new mom her favorite take-out? Get pizza delivered over to her house or pick up her favorite order from her favorite restaurant and surprise her.
So much focus goes into making sure the baby is eating enough and often mom can be too busy to eat anything substantial.
6. Spa treatment
After spending nine long months growing a tiny human, new moms definitely deserve a pamper day. Whether it is a massage, a facial, or a mani-pedi, booking a new mom in for a spa treatment will be a much-appreciated gesture.
You could make a day of it, depending on how old the baby is. A spa day is the ultimate self-care treat and the perfect opportunity for a tired momma to enjoy some much-needed relaxing time.
If your baby is due to arrive any day now, start browsing local spa treatments and get something booked in for a couple of months’ time.
A spa day in the diary will give you something to look forward to on those days when you are completely exhausted and have changed what feels like a thousand diapers.
7. Groceries
Everyone would appreciate someone buying their groceries, regardless of whether they’d just had a baby or not! New moms need all their usual groceries on top of all the things they now need for their baby too.
If you know someone who has just had a baby, drop them a message and ask if they need anything from the store.
It can be hard getting out to the store with a newborn and a new mom is bound to be forever grateful if you take that tricky job off her hands.
If you plan to buy groceries as a gift for a new mom, don’t forget to buy some of her favorite snacks and treats too. You could even buy her a bottle of wine as well, she deserves all the treats she can get.
View in gallery
8. Breastfeeding essentials
This is another practical gift but something a new nursing mom is sure to love. If the new mom in your life has decided to breastfeed her baby, there are a few essentials she is going to need to help her on her nursing journey.
You could buy her reusable breast pads, comfortable nursing shirts, or high-quality nursing bras.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Are you pregnant and planning on nursing? You are going to need a breast pump and a nursing pillow will be useful too. Breastfeeding isn’t always easy and it is definitely worth buying some nipple balm to help soothe your nipples in the early days.
9. Subscriptions
Anything that makes life easier with a newborn will make a great gift for a new mom. Monthly subscriptions can save both time and money, or just give moms something to look forward to and enjoy.
For example, you could pay for 6 months of Netflix (for all the middle of the night binge-watching) or pay for an Audible subscription (for some entertainment during those long walks with the stroller).
Recipe subscription boxes like HelloFresh make a really thoughtful gift for new parents, especially if they are foodies and enjoy cooking.
Recipe boxes include all the ingredients needed to make tasty and exciting meals, saving new moms from having to head out to the store. You can get all different types of subscription boxes – make-up boxes, skincare boxes, craft supply boxes, or even just a subscription to Spotify.
Paying for a monthly subscription is a wonderful way to treat a new mom and show her that you care. Also, if you are about to become a new mom, subscribing to a subscription you are interested in now, will mean you have one less thing to remember once your baby is here.
10. Photographs
If you scroll through a new mom’s camera roll, she is bound to have hundreds of photographs of her baby. You will be sure to find shots from every angle and not a moment will have gone uncaptured.
Whilst photos of their baby are bound to be plentiful, it is less likely for a new mom to have lots of photos of her with her baby (nice photographs, that is – not just selfies).
Next time you are with your mom friend, snap some candid photos of her and her baby. Take some sweet photographs of the precious moments that often don’t make it into the photo albums.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
A lovely gift idea would be to take some photographs and then frame them for your friend. Often moms will have so many lovely photos hidden away on their phone when they should be in frames and displayed proudly around their home.
Moms-to-be, don’t forget that you need to be in the picture too! Don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family to take some photos of you with your bundle of joy when they come to visit.
Babies grow quickly and you will be glad to have your memories captured. You may not love how you look during the postpartum period but don’t let that stop you from being photographed with your baby, those pictures will mean everything to you one day.
11. Postpartum Care Package
Another practical but thoughtful gift for a new mom is a postpartum care package. Moms need to recover after giving birth and there are several products that can make the healing time quicker and easier for them.
You can make your own postpartum care package or buy a ready-made hamper. A new mom care package usually includes some – or all – of the following items:
- Postpartum pads
- Bath and shower products
- Perineum ice packs
- Soft and comfortable underwear
- Nursing friendly nightwear
- Snacks
- Belly band (for C-section delivery)
- Nipple cream
You can make the postpartum care package as big or small as you like. The more essential items in the care package the better, it will mean you have everything you need for a comfortable and swift recovery.
12. A girl’s night
You don’t stop enjoying time with your friends once you become a mom. Schedule a girl’s night in the diary for a couple of months after your baby’s due date.
View in gallery
By that point, you should be able to leave your baby for an evening with your partner or a babysitter. It is important to not become completely consumed by motherhood, you need to continue to spend time with your friends doing the things you enjoy.
If you have a friend who has just become a mom, be sure to still invite her on nights out or out to dinner. She will likely say no more than she says yes but it is important you let her know she is still thought of and valued as a friend.
13. Help around the house
Keeping up with all the household chores is almost impossible when you have a newborn. Suddenly the laundry becomes a constant stream of tiny clothes and dirty bibs and crib sheets.
It is a miracle if you can load the dishwasher before the baby starts crying again and don’t even mention vacuuming, that task is all but impossible when you have a sleeping baby in the house.
Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help from loved ones, even if it is not offered. Your friends and family will be more than happy to help and support you in any way they can.
Has your friend just had a baby? Don’t wait for her to ask for help. If you are visiting the baby, offer to wash the dishes while you are there, or fold some laundry or give the bathroom a quick clean.
Your friend might say no but let her know the offer is always there and you really don’t mind helping out.
14. Time
One thing that is in short supply for all new moms is time. Finding just five minutes of alone time can be challenging when you have a new baby who wants to be held and fed 24 hours a day.
All new moms need time to themselves, otherwise, they run the risk of becoming overwhelmed and exhausted by motherhood. Offer to look after the baby for an hour or so while she goes for a much-needed soak in the tub or to take a nap upstairs.
It is not just alone time that new moms need more of, it is time in the company of friends and family too. Women can go from having a busy work schedule and social life to suddenly spending weeks at home with their new baby.
It can be a difficult mental adjustment and it is important that moms still spend time with their friends and enjoy socializing too.
View in gallery
15. Treats
This is a given but new moms need treats! Pregnancy and birth are a huge deal, it is not easy bringing new life into the world. If you have a baby on the way, be sure to treat yourself to something special once your little one arrives.
It can be something as small as your favorite candy or something a bit more luxurious like a pretty piece of jewelry or your most loved perfume.
Friends, family, and partners of a new mom also take note, there is nothing more incredible than bringing a baby into the world and you need to treat the new mom in your life accordingly.
Whatever she loves, be it chocolates or flowers or something more personal, she deserves a treat.
FAQs
What do new mothers need for themselves?
It really doesn’t matter whether their children are newborns, toddlers, or even teenagers there are some things that all moms need – more time, more food, and of course more energy.
What do I need for myself after giving birth?
Here are some of the essentials that you will need for your postpartum recovery:
- Disposable underwear
- Epsom salts
- Ice pack
- Good maternity pads
- Witch hazel pads
The Final Thought
We all know what babies need during the postpartum period and buying gifts for a new baby is so much fun. It is important that new moms are not forgotten about during the postpartum period.
There are lots of things moms need after giving birth, some are practical and others are more thoughtful and will make heartfelt gifts. We hope our list of 15 things new moms need for themselves has helped you to plan a gift for the new mom in your life.
Alternatively, if you have a baby on the way, we hope this article has helped you prepare for the things you are going to need once you have given birth.
