A Postpartum Gift Guide for the New Mom in Your Life

There is perhaps no experience as life-changing as motherhood. For new mothers—especially those who have just given birth to their first babies—the first few days and weeks following delivery are the most difficult.

Having a new baby means making necessary adjustments to practically everything in your life. New mothers in the United States reported having "complex feelings mixed with gratitude" about their new role, according to a survey published in 2021 in Frontiers in Sociology. While filled with excitement, they expressed urgent concerns about infant feeding, general stress and work/life balance.

While money can't buy everything, certain items or services may take some of the stress off a new mom's shoulders. If you have a new mom in your life, what postpartum gifts should you get to make the job easier? We talked to moms, an OB-GYN and a parenting coach to get their ideas.

What new moms really want

New mothers are so overwhelmed by their new responsibilities that they tend to be unable to look to their own comforts first.

"There is hardly a moment for yourself, a moment's peace, and most of the time, especially if you're a new mom having your first baby, you're clueless, sleepless, scared and uncertain. What new moms really need during the first few weeks are things that could help make being a mom easier," shared Katie Kleiman, 34, a mother of two toddlers in Delaware.

Emotional support and guidance, instead of opinions, judgment or shaming for their parenting decisions, are essential. According to Jill Davenport, 42, mother of three, help with tasks around the house is preferred to gifts.

"Looking back, I would have preferred a list of things the person is willing to do to help, like make laundry, do the dishes, go grocery shopping or meal prep. I could not get things done on time, and the house was a constant mess, so that would be what I need more than luxurious gifts," the Missouri mom explained.

What doctors recommend for postpartum moms

It's important to first ensure new moms have good nutrition options and solutions to help them heal after childbirth, advised Pamela Lewis, M.D., an OB-GYN in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

"Good nutrition is mandated, along with appropriate measures for dealing with postpartum pain and any residual bleeding," Lewis said. "Restorative solutions, such as meditation aids and child-safe aromatherapy, are also recommended to help new mothers get into a state of much-needed relaxation, as well as taking them into the correct headspace for nursing their newborns."

Moreover, it's necessary to have a competent team by a new mom's side to support and help her navigate the first few weeks. This team may include a pediatrician aligned with parenting style, a midwife or OB-GYN who cares about the physical and mental healing, a therapist to talk to during mood swings, a postpartum doula, a lactation consultant, a craniosacral therapist and a chiropractor for mother and baby.

What to put in a postpartum gift basket

Most of the time, whenever the word "postpartum" comes up, the first thought that comes to mind is a whole heap of diapers, blankets, darling little garments, bottles and even bottle warmers for the family's newest bundle of joy.

However, gifts should also cover the needs of the new parents—especially the birthing parent—particularly during the first six weeks following birth.

"When you are thinking of a mom basket, think of her as a woman. Almost everybody is focusing on the baby, and the reality is that mom just became a mom the same day the baby was born," said Joanna Peters, an Ohio-based pregnancy coach, yoga instructor and founder of the MOMFIT program.

After going through nine months of pregnancy, new moms will appreciate anything that offers physical and emotional comfort. With that in mind, here are a few items to consider for a postpartum gift basket:

Garments

• Clothing with a loose and comfortable fit, including maternity leggings and pajamas.
• Nonslip socks to keep mom's feet warm and mitigate post-birth swelling.
• Nursing attire, particularly easy-access shirts and blouses, nursing bras and nipple pads.
• Something luxurious, such as a silk robe, to help her feel fancy during those sleepless nights and exhausting days of caring for a newborn.

Nutrition

• Cooking or having meals delivered. Ideally, meals should be healthy and balanced, and cover breakfast, lunch and dinner for the whole family, so mom can focus on herself and her newborn. If it's financially feasible, you might consider signing the family up for a meal delivery subscription service for the first few weeks of postpartum life.
• Healthy snacks that are easy to eat, meaning they can be eaten with one hand while the other is carrying the baby.

Self-care and healing

• Toiletries for personal care. This may include fragrance-free and hypoallergenic shampoos, conditioners, soaps, body washes and moisturizers.
• Products that ease pain and stimulate healing post-delivery, such as soothing pads, salves, balms or creams, a peri bottle for easy cleansing and antiseptic preparations to help care for surgical stitches.
• A mani-pedi service at home.
• A gift card to a chiropractor or massage therapist who specializes in pregnant and postpartum patients.

Breastfeeding

• Milk collectors to protect from chafing, ease engorgement and collect leaking milk.
• Nursing pads, in case mom doesn't want or need to collect excess milk.
• A white noise machine to help both mom and baby get a good night's sleep. Some doctors recommend noise-canceling headphones.

Assistive services

• A gift card for a postpartum doula consultation.
• Babysitting services to care for any other children in the household.
• A diaper service to ensure fresh and clean diapers are available at all times.
• Come over to help with housework or hire a housekeeping service.

Mental health

• Something green, such as a plant or flowers.
• A record book for marking baby's milestones, either in the form of a tangible photo album or scrapbook or a digital scrapbook account that can be updated every month.
• A journal or diary.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, but that same care should extend to the new mom in the village, too. Supporting and appreciating new parents in whatever way they need is essential for both their physical and mental health, and that of the baby's.