There’s nothing quite like bringing a perfect bundle of joy home, with that super soft skin, fresh baby smell, and those adorable newborn cuddles. It’s a wonderful time, but it’s also pretty tiring for a new mom. Leaping from the discomforts of pregnancy, straight into labor recovery, sleepless nights, breastfeeding, and general exhaustion means postpartum gifts are totally deserved!
But what do new moms really need?
What do you put in a postpartum care package?
You’ll find shops filled with beautiful gifts and essentials for new babies. From baby gowns and blankets to booties and building blocks, there are some gorgeous items on the market for little ones.
But what about mama? She needs some attention too.
If you’re putting a care package of postpartum essentials together for a new mom, don’t fall into the trap of going heavy on beauty treatment products.
The chances are, she won’t have time to sit down and give herself a mani-pedi for a good few months! Go easy on the perfume, too – heavy fragrances can easily bring out allergies in a new baby.
So, how can we show the mamas out there some love with appropriate postpartum gifts they actually need?
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What are good postpartum gifts for Mom?
Let’s break it down. Some of the best postpartum gifts for moms help keep the house together, while others will help her feel physically and mentally great after her body has been through quite an experience! Here’s a selection of top postpartum gifts.
1. Cleaning service
Cleaning will be one of the last tasks a new mom has time for. But it can also feel dismal to spend so much time in a messy home where the dishes are piling high, and the floor is in desperate need of a vacuum.
That’s why cleaning services are among the most popular postpartum gifts for moms — you can’t beat the reassurance of someone coming in for a few weeks to help out with basic household chores.
Cleaning companies in your area may have a gift card service. For example, check out Molly Maid, which has pretty good coverage across the US.
2. Food delivery
If there’s one thing new moms don’t have time for, it’s hitting the grocery store. And even if you arrive with bags of food, she’s even less likely to have the time to whip up a meal for everyone from scratch.
A super kind gesture is to cook a batch of frozen homecooked meals for the family – perhaps some lasagnas, casseroles, or meatloaf.
But if you’re not local and still want to offer some hearty nourishment, consider buying gift cards for food delivery services like Grub Hub. They operate from coast to coast and feature more than 320,000 restaurants in over 4,000 cities.
3. Meal prepping
Another option to quickly assemble a tasty family meal is to subscribe to a fresh meal kit service. Whether mom is a vegan, a vegetarian, a pescetarian, or simply watching calories, there’s an option for everyone.
The idea is simple: recipe cards and ingredients are sent directly to the doorstep in a healthy bundle. It’s then easy to knock up a delicious meal without the worry of running out of lentils or linguine.
Subscribe to services like Hello Fresh, Sunbasket, or Home Chef to give mom a helping hand in the kitchen.
4. Diaper delivery
Can you imagine the panic of being out of diapers when there’s just been a poop explosion in the middle of the night?
Make sure this unfortunate scenario never occurs by subscribing mom and baby to a diaper subscription service. Mom will have the reassurance of regular diapers arriving on the doorstep, and it’s easy to adjust the settings when baby needs the next size up.
Choose from diaper subscription services on Amazon, Hello Bello, and The Honest Company.
5. Laundry services
Newborns get through a lot of laundry! And it can be hard to keep on top of mounting piles of washing that need sorting, ironing, folding, and distributing back to the right room.
Many laundry services will be local to your area, so your best bet is to check out Google for companies that offer gift cards. For example, in San Francisco, WashClub Bay Area offers “the gift of laundry and dry cleaning for your friends, family or loved ones!”
6. Doula services
How about the gift of a good night’s sleep? Zzzzz, sounds good to us!
If mama is struggling to get any rest whatsoever and the whole house is exhausted, how about gifting a doula or night nanny to lend a helping hand during the witching hours?
Doulas tend to be available during the day to support mom and baby adjust to each other, while night nannies take the reins later in the evening.
Make sure you hire a professional with the necessary skills. While plenty of babysitting services are available for when the baby is a little older, a newborn requires specialist care. Use sites like the International Nanny Association or the Newborn Care Specialist Association to find someone suitable.
7. New mama affirmations
Motherhood is incredibly rewarding, but there are also days when we need a little mental strength to get through the latest challenge. If her baby is refusing to sleep, feed, or is struggling with teething, moms can benefit from a pick-me-up, like these affirmations for new moms.
For a truly personal gift, pick a handful of these affirmations and find a way to present them to mama. Print them onto a pillow, frame them, or pop them in a card, and she’ll love the confidence boost they deliver.
8. Neck and back massager pillow
Neck, shoulder, and back pains are all common in new moms due to:
- Imbalanced distribution of weight during pregnancy
- Strained positions during childbirth
- Repetitive movements such as feeding positions or looking down at the baby
- Carrying the baby
All of the above can cause muscle tension, tightness, headaches, and pain radiating throughout the neck, shoulders, back, and arms. Regular stretching may help to an extent, but a better option is to use a heated neck and back massager pillow to promote circulation and soothe tired muscles.
9. Fitness snack subscription
New moms need to keep their energy up in the first few weeks and months after birth. When you’re constantly cradling a newborn, it can be difficult to find time to sit down and eat a hearty meal. But regular healthy snacks throughout the day are a great way to keep the nutrition coming in, which is vital for breastfeeding mamas.
Chips and chocolate may taste good, but they don’t provide the vitamins and minerals the body needs to recover. A fitness snack subscription filled with high-quality goodies will help moms fuel up and even provide energy for a gentle postpartum workout.
10. Postpartum vitamins
As important as it is to eat well, sometimes moms need something extra. And that’s where postpartum vitamins come in to provide vital support during labor recovery and breastfeeding.
This blend from Nature Made provides 20 key nutrients for baby and mom, including high concentrations of vitamins A, C, D, and E to support the demands of feeding. At the same time, Omega 3s will aid the development of the baby’s brain and eyes.
Of course, you’ll want to consult your physician to see which vitamins are most appropriate for you!
11. High-waisted yoga pants
Postpartum clothing decisions are tough. Many moms are sick to the back teeth of their maternity pants but not quite ready to slip back into their favorite pair of jeans. So, where’s the middle ground?
Moms should never feel the urgency to regain their pre-pregnancy figure, but it’s nice to feel comfortable in the meantime. And that’s exactly where yoga pants come in.
This pair of high-waisted yoga pants come complete with handy pockets to stuff accessories into when carrying baby from room to room. And the high waist means in-built tummy control, so mama will feel confident when she’s out and about, too.
12. No-slip fuzzy socks
There’s nothing like a pair of brand-new fluffy socks to help mama feel relaxed and pampered. And for new moms who are awake at all hours, it’s important to keep toasty while putting their feet up.
But the best socks for new moms are non-slip fuzzy socks with grips on the bottom to prevent any slips or slides when carrying a very important passenger!
13. Postpartum recovery tea
If you’re looking for a cup of tea for new moms to enjoy as a hot beverage, this isn’t it! Instead, this blend of postpartum recovery tea is designed to soothe and calm the perineal tissues after pregnancy and labor.
Made from Epsom salt, marshmallow root, witch hazel bark, chamomile flower, and more, it’s perfect for any mama suffering from soreness or stitches.
14. C-Section seatbelt
Any car ride can be uncomfortable for moms who have recently had a Caesarean section. In particular, the seatbelt can dig into the incision and be quite painful. That’s where this seatbelt tummy pillow is an amazing invention for any type of post-surgery car ride.
The regular seatbelt slots between the cushioned pillow, which can be filled with either ice or a hot pocket for extra comfort.
15. Postpartum compression corset
Postpartum belly binding is common in various cultures around the world. It encourages recovery, offers back support, and can help C-section incisions to heal. This may also encourage the uterus to contract back to its pre-pregnancy size.
Instead of wrapping the abdomen, one garment that can help moms achieve the same results is a postpartum compression corset worn beneath regular clothing. Hello, flat tummy!
16. Breast care kit
Breastfeeding can take its toll on new mamas, and it’s common to feel pain and discomfort. A breast care kit can be a godsend to help soothe and comfort the breasts between feeds.
Say goodbye to clogged ducts, let-down lags, and sore nipples with the Frida Mom kit. The set includes a 2-in-1 lactation massager, heated breast warmers, a breast mask for lactation, and a breast mask for hydration.
17. Skin firming kit
Pregnancy can create plenty of changes to the skin, and they don’t all disappear straight after childbirth. From stretch marks and loose skin, to dry skin and itching, new moms need the right nourishment to tone and firm.
This skin firming kit for new moms includes a tightening body lotion, nursing butter, skin therapy oil, and a bust cream packed full of ingredients like cocoa & shea butters, Vitamin E, coconut, argan & almond oils.
18. Perineal cold pack
Hemorrhoids are a common side effect of pregnancy and labor, and they’re quite unpleasant.
There’s no quick fix to get rid of piles, but mom can use a perineal pack for either hot or cold therapy to alleviate pain in this area. This perineal pack is washable, reusable, and ideal for the first few weeks postpartum.
Stock up on postpartum gifts for mom
Now you have some ideas for treating the amazing mom in your life with some fabulous postpartum gifts. Still not sure? Don’t be afraid to ask her what she needs! Or if you’re hoping for a surprise, ask her partner to give you a handy hint to take the guesswork out of your postpartum gift buying!
She is also passionate about parenting, mental health, and women’s issues, including how these areas fit into working life. She covers these topics for publications like Business Insider and Entrepreneur.