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There are so many Mother's Day gift guides for moms out there that include items like baby swings, crib sheets, and baby carriers. You know, things moms probably need, might want, and maybe will allow them to drink a cup of coffee or put in a load of laundry, but really aren’t gifts for them.
A big adjustment new moms face is that that their needs take a backseat to their baby’s. When I had my first child, I was surprised, in retrospect, how it just happened. There was no question about it, and I wouldn’t have it any other way—despite the fact that I’m well aware of how important and valid it is to take care of yourself amid a big life change, especially when others are depending on you.
But that fact made me draw a blank when I was asked what I wanted just for me. What do I want when I’m exhausted, when my whole life has changed, when there’s always laundry to do, when I’m blissfully happy one moment and in crisis the next? Everything? Nothing? This list can help you in moments like that.
We hope these gifts help new moms relax, pamper themselves, and maybe even reminisce about a time when they weren’t keeping another human alive 24/7. I’m a mother, but I’m also a woman. And for the holidays this year, it would be amazing to get something just for me. So consider this your cheat sheet on making the new mom in your life feel special.
The best gifts for new moms
This woman-led brand is backed by Meghan Markle and is one of Oprah’s “Favorite Things”—do I even need to go on? Moms like me heavily rely on caffeine, but even if your recipient not a coffee person, these yummy chai, matcha, and rose cacao super lattes (you can pick your flavors) will give them a much-needed energy boost. They contain probiotics for immunity, and ashwagandha to reduce stress.
These drink mixes will bring the barista to your loved one's kitchen, just in case they haven’t showered in a couple of days. Bonus: All they need is hot water and a frother (which the kit includes). Just be sure that they speak with their doctor about the ingredients if they're breastfeeding.
The one thing I wish I could have paid for as a new mom was more sleep. When you do get a bit of shut-eye, having a bed you can fall into that makes you feel like a queen can sometimes be a welcome change. Enter these stunning, soft silk pillowcases that come in a ton of colors, and can be machine washed on a delicate cycle in a mesh bag.
Speaking of sleep, you may be aspiring to “nap when the baby naps," which might be in the middle of the day. Trust Ostrichpillow, the makers of the viral napping pillow that looks like a full old-timey scuba helmet, to keep the daylight out for any midday naps with their eye pillow. Soft fabric and an eye cupping design make it both comfortable and functional.
Diapers are a reality of being a first-time mom, and there isn’t very much that’s chic about it. But, the bag you use to carry all the changing must-haves certainly can be upscale. Enter: Dagne Dover’s Indi Diaper Backpack, which says “sophisticated carryall” more than “poop-cleaning prop.”
Its neoprene material makes it easy to wipe and keep clean, it includes a changing mat, and it has plenty of zippered compartments for all the items you’ll want to store (and keep separate) in your diaper bag. My favorite feature is that it’s a backpack, not a shoulder bag, so I can be totally hands-free. And, as a bonus, my husband likes wearing it, too.
There were definitely days as a new mom where I never left my apartment, but was craving a little bit of nature. This personal garden fits on your windowsill, and will give you tons of pride as you see your greens, herbs, and veggies grow.
And if the idea of keeping another life form alive sounds impossible, this smart herb gardening system has you covered. It features alerts for low water or nutrient levels, so you’ll never forget to water your plants, even with “mom brain.” This cool garden even has automatic LED lights to ensure a perfect environment for your plant babies. The starter kit comes with 12 seed pods and nutrients.
Congrats, you’re not pregnant anymore! If you want to celebrate with a drink, but have all of the time (zero) and energy (also zero) of a new mom, may I please recommend a canned margarita?
Before I became a mom, I thought, who would ever drink canned margaritas? Why wouldn’t you just make one? Now I know: The answer is moms. It is the easiest possible thing you can drink, tastes like a delicious treat (this variety set comes with three flavors!), and is weaker than a restaurant margarita, but strong enough to pack a punch.
Moms want sleep more than anything (are you sensing a theme here?) and taking a hot shower with this creamy body wash will feel like a trip to the spa. Even if you know you’re not going to get a full eight hours of sleep, this gentle, 98 percent natural formula has ingredients like lavandin, orange, jojoba, and chamomile to relax your body and mind.
There’s nothing better than the taste of a fresh coffee first thing in the morning. This gorgeous machine will give your recipient a stunning shot of espresso and also has attachments to make perfect cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos at home. A good coffee machine is truly a must for any and all moms.
Made in Los Angeles, Babygold uses 100 percent recycled gold to make luxury jewelry that will really mean something to any mom. This line is loved by celeb moms like the Kardashians, Shay Mitchell, Ashley Graham, and many more. As someone who lives in a small city apartment that has been chock full of large baby and toddler gear for the last three years, a timeless, dainty necklace would be the perfect space-saving gift.
I have these slip-on sneakers in “Desert Cat,” and they’re lightweight and perfect for strolling around town. They’re cute and comfy while still being stylish; plus, they’re machine washable. I definitely feel trendy and fashionable in these without having to wear wedges or heels, another plus for moms who inevitably end up carrying their toddler around town. The brand recommends sizing up one size.
Want to know what’s better than silk? Washable silk. And you know what new moms don’t want to wear? Real clothes. Lunya has so many washable silk options, but we love this silk tee set the most because it comes with shorts and an extra flow-y T-shirt top that make life so much more comfortable and breathable—which is useful when your hormones are all over the place.
Other amazing features include a no-slip grip (it doesn’t ride up at night) and a no-twist waistband (no bunching up, ever). The silk material also feels extremely soft and luxurious. Trust us, every new mom (honestly, every human) will love this gift.
This massage cushion is on the pricier side, but it is *so* worth it (and considered a single 60-hour massage can run you between $100-$175 with tip, this pays for itself after two or three times).
The running not-so-funny joke with new moms (and all parents, really) is that our backs hurt constantly. This cushion is awesome because while mom is sitting (and hopefully relaxing for a bit), this kneads muscles all the way from the shoulders to the lower back using SmartScan technology that actually reads where you body is. It might be a bit tricky to use while breastfeeding, since your chest will inevitably move up and down, but, hey, it’s likely been done.
If the new mom in your life doesn’t have an Apple Watch, it’s absolutely worth it. While it’s never a replacement for an actual doctor’s visit, it does have really cool features like ECG test capabilities, a mindfulness app, irregular heart rhythm notifications, and a crack-resistant screen. You can also use it to monitor your sleep, which I actually found comforting: Even waking up multiple times a night, the watch can show you’re still cobbling together some hours.
After having a baby, there are a lot of people who want to help, but don’t exactly know how or what to do. Cooking a healthy, nutritious meal for the family would be much appreciated. This meal-service makes it easy for anyone—partner, grandma, or a friend visiting for an hour—to whip up something satisfying.
Meals come with pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step instructions so you can focus on your fam and less about meal prepping, shopping, and cooking. HelloFresh has gift cards available, and the base subscription is $50/week, which covers shipping and two meals for two people.
If cooking is just not going to happen in your household, try a service like Territory Foods, which delivers pre-made “chef-crafted, nutritionist-designed fresh meals delivered straight to your doorstep.” You can microwave them in minutes or reheat them in the oven. The meals are healthy, free of gluten, dairy, and processed oils, and taste great.
This service is available in major cities like the Washington, DC metro area, NYC, Philly, and Southern California, among others. There’s an option to send the service as a gift where you choose a custom amount—one meal ranges in price from around $10 to $30, so something in the $50 range should provide a nice dinner for two.
This digital frame brings so much joy to my home. You can upload photos to it anytime, showcasing recent moments or older memories. The rotation is constantly bringing me back to favorite trips, treasured moments at the beach or in the mountains, and other picture-worthy times in my life.
One idea: This could be a great gift for a set of girlfriends to gift a new mom. Friends can download the app and load pictures that play on a loop for mom to remember the good old days—the ones when she wasn’t covered in spit up.
I’ve personally done this three times, and I’m so happy each time. Shoot is a platform that connects you to local photographers in metropolitan areas throughout the country. You book a free 30-minute photo session near you and only pay for photos you love.
Many moms don’t feel like their best selves right after giving birth, but having these sweet newborn and family photos will seriously make Mom smile for many years to come. There are several pricing options: You can pay for “a la carte” for $25 per photo or buy different packages. Their 10-photo package costs $180, so each photo runs $18.
As a mom, it’s so much easier when things are hands-free. This little device goes around your neck and has built-in Bluetooth, so you can take a call or listen to music without having AirPods in your ears.
It’s luxurious, absorbs fast (important for when you simply don’t have time for your hands to be all goopy), and the coconut milk scent will make you feel like you’re on the vacation you deserve (whenever that will happen again). Kopari’s body butter is formulated with hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5, so it actually retains moisture (why you don’t have to apply again and again to get soft, supple skin).
This is for the new mom who loves to cook… that is, when they’re not tending to their newborn and trying to squeeze in naps and showers. In other words, this is the fancy-pants frying pan they’ll want to use when they finally do have some time and want to get back in the kitchen again.
This non-stick frying pan cooks food so incredibly evenly, and is easy to take care of and wash (it’s even dishwasher-safe). Plus, it’s gorgeous, as all Smeg products tend to be. It’s the type of gift they want but would never buy themselves.
Babies, as tiny and cute as they are, produce a LOT of laundry. Give mom a break by gifting her back time and energy she would spend on this tedious chore.
Laundry will be picked up, washed, folded, and delivered back to your home within 24 hours. It’s in 500 cities nationwide with more markets coming soon. Gift cards are available, and at $1 per pound, Poplin says a hamper generally costs $10. Plus there’s free pickup and delivery.
Once I started nursing, I lived in tank tops with built in boob shelves, middle school camisole-style. All that milk needed a combo of comfort and support. My favorite ones were those designed for nursing because they provided that Goldilocks structure, as well as easy access for my baby.
These nursing tanks from Knix have those easy-to-use clasps and some absorbency, so you won’t need to wash them immediately if (when) you get milk and vomit on them. Throw in some Knix leakproof underwear for those first six weeks postpartum, and you’re golden.
Having a glass of wine at home when you’re a new mom sometimes feels like more of a necessity than a treat. This gift set of wine from Avaline, Cameron Diaz’s wine company that uses organic grapes, makes an event out of it. I was able to host an incredible low effort, high fun “DIY wine tasting” party with this gift set that made me feel like I was out with my girlfriends again.
Trying to sleep on command when you really, really need to can be stressful in its own right. But sleep aids can be tricky when you’re postpartum if you’re breastfeeding, or really just need to be alert when you’re up and are prone to feeling groggy after taking melatonin. This mild sleep aid is soothing without side effects. Magnesium, L-Theanine, L-Glycine, and chamomile flower extract support sleep quality, stress reduction, and relaxation.
No joke, this is the birthday gift I asked for the year I became a mom. Since I was the one who got up to feed my baby in the morning, I wanted to be able to have a freshly brewed cup of coffee made with freshly ground coffee beans that did not require me to do anything more than press one button. Enter: the Breville grind control.
While this machine is not perfect—it requires nightly cleaning, it’s pricey, and it is not great at making a single cup, versus a pot, of coffee—it does do exactly what I want it to do. And that felt like something simply just for me.
Help give a new mom the ultimate relaxing gift just for her—getting off. Being a new mom affects people’s libidos in different ways. But whether she's solo or with a partner, audio erotica may be able to help.
Dipsea has an audiobook and short story library that frequently refreshes with new content, including multi-chapter stories and guided sessions. You can gift an annual subscription for just $71.
If you’re breastfeeding, I cannot overstate how hungry you will feel all the time. A girlfriend gifted these bars to me (in the oatmeal chocolate chip flavor) because she liked snacking on them during night feeds, and I’ve subsequently given them to multiple new moms for how often they came in handy those first few months. They’re packed with ingredients said to promote lactation (hello, oats), but really, I just found them extremely satisfying and yummy (also, oats).
This snap-down, long sleeve dress goes from maternity to nursing seamlessly, and the name does not lie: It is so incredibly soft. It’s the perfect garment for when you want to be comfy, you want to look presentable, and most of all, you want easy access to the boobies.
If you have a dog, bringing a new human baby into the house will be an adjustment for your fur baby. My dog was deeply unsettled when I was attending to the baby, which was all the time. But something that seemed to help was creating a space in the nursery that was just for her.
I got my dog a super comfy donut dog bed, like this one from Petco, and placed it right next to the rocker so she knew she was part of everything. In this new world, she still belonged. While this is a present for your pooch, doing that for my dog made me feel good that I was still showing her some love.
Speaking of doggies’ needs, sometimes sitting calmly in bed just wouldn’t cut it. But it was harder to participate in playtime with my dog when I had a baby! A lick mat like this one came in handy. It gave my pooch a treat, and kept her occupied and stimulated while I had to attend to my baby’s needs.
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