13 Gifts for New Moms That AREN’T for the Baby
This post may contain affiliate links and we may earn commissions when you make a purchase through these links (at no extra cost to you). See our disclosure policy for more details.
Things New Moms Need for Themselves After Birth (That Probably Aren’t on Her Registry)
Today, we’re on the hunt for useful gifts for new moms that aren’t for the baby — things new moms need for themselves, although they might not put them on their gift registry.
Let’s be real: she deserves it.
Because becoming a new mom is a LOT of work! Not only did she grow a baby for the past nine months, but she labored, gave birth, and is taking a brand new baby home.
(And even if the baby was adopted, she has her work cut out for her in the months ahead!)
Mom has been through a lot, and now she has a newborn to care for. It’s only natural to want to spoil the baby, but Mom deserves attention too.
Oh, and Dad has also gone through a major life change, too, so if you want to throw in some handy new dad items, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. 😉
Gifts for New Moms After Birth
You’re looking for non-baby gifts for new parents, and you’ve come to the right place. Expecting moms might not even think about what they’ll need for the first month to care for themselves.
And this is where YOU come in!
Mom is going to want to focus on healing and settling into her “nest” with her new addition — without having to worry about the normal demands of daily life.
As a considerate friend or relative, you can help her out in this area.
In this article, we’ll go over a few different gift basket ideas, plus some items that are just plain handy for a new mom to have.
And if you’re not really into materialistic gifts, but prefer to give gifts of service, I have ideas to cover that too! The gift of time is always appreciated by an exhausted new mom.
Mom is going to want to focus on healing and settling into her “nest” with her new addition without having to worry about the normal demands of daily life. Here's what new moms need for themselves (that probably weren't on her registry).Click To Tweet1. New Mom Care Package
You might be wondering what kinds of things new moms need for themselves.
New mom care packages are a thoughtful way to provide items that she can keep handy while caring for her new little one.
She probably doesn’t want to run all over the house looking for these things, so gifting a basket or a decorative box to contain these items will keep them organized and reduce Mom’s stress level.
Here are some items that you could put in a basket. You could include just a few, or even all, of these things:
– Chapstick
– Hand sanitizer
– Personalized insulated coffee mug
– Snacks (granola bars, chocolate, etc.)
– Her favorite drink
– Cell phone charger with extra long cord
– Bottle of wine
– Words of encouragement
2. Postpartum Recovery Kit
Her body has been through a lot, and a postpartum recovery kit is just what she needs to heal and recover. Here are a few things that she’ll really appreciate:
– Heating pad
3. Self Care Basket
New moms need a little pampering and can certainly benefit from an at-home spa gift basket. (But consider adding a massage gift certificate to it, as well!).
For this new mom care package, I would buy a plastic bin to place the items in so it can double as a foot soaking tub.
Include items such as:
– Bottle of wine
– Candle
– Quick drying fingernail polish
– Foot lotion
4. TheraBox
If you would prefer to have someone else put together a self care box for the new mama, consider gifting her either one month or a monthly subscription to a service like TheraBox.
At around $30, it’s super affordable, not to mention a phenomenal value (over $120 worth of product). In each box, she’ll receive:
- 1 happiness boosting activity
- 6-8 full size self care wellness products
You can read my full review of the “Sweet Dreams” TheraBox here or jump on over to my list of the best postpartum subscription boxes for new moms here.
5. Home Cooked Meal
Cooking is the last thing new parents want to do when they’re sleep deprived with a new baby to care for.
Get together with a few other local families and put together a meal train.
Putting together a few meals and delivering them to the new parents takes a lot of the stress out of the first few days or week after birth.
6. Meal Delivery
Not much of a cook? That’s okay! Or perhaps you don’t live near the new mom and dad.
First, communicate with the new parents and ask them what they like to eat. Ask when a good day and time would be to purchase their food, and then have it delivered to them at that time.
This is a great way to provide them with food that you KNOW they will like!
7. Restaurant or Grocery Gift Card
If neither of the above options appeal to you, or you just don’t know this new mom very well, you can’t go wrong with a gift card to a local restaurant.
Don’t know what kind of food they like? That’s okay! Grab a gift card that offers a few different restaurant options.
If you go this route, they aren’t committed to eating at just one place, but can choose from a few different options.
8. Grocery Delivery
Groceries are an incredibly helpful gift for busy moms. This is an especially great option if you know them well and feel comfortable asking them to make you a list of groceries that they need.
Due to the pandemic, there are more grocery stores now offering curbside pick up or home delivery. This could be a great option if you don’t have time to do the grocery shopping in person.
Simply shop online and have the food delivered when it’s convenient for the new parents.
If you’re not comfortable doing someone else’s grocery shopping for them (or you don’t know how to work the online shopping and delivery system), the new mom will appreciate a gift card for groceries instead.
This also gives the new parents the freedom to use the funds on the gift cards when they need them, since they may have enough groceries already after baby is born.
9. Snack Box
New moms are often so busy taking care of their baby that they forget to eat. But it’s super important that she keeps her energy and blood sugar in check — especially if she’s breastfeeding.
And that’s where healthy snacks come in.
With HealthyMe Living Snack Box, you could order a one-time snack box delivery…
OR you could make sure she’s provided with healthy munchies every month for the first few months (or even the whole year) after having a baby.
Each box comes with:
- 7-10 individually wrapped items
- Hand-written card with gift message
- Multiple shipping options
Use code HEALTHYSNACKS25 at checkout for special discount!
10. Housekeeping
This is also a unique gift to give the new parents. It also depends on how well you know them, and how comfortable you are with helping out in their home.
As stated earlier, there is a lot for the new mom and dad to adjust to, and they may just not have time to keep up with laundry and the household chores.
Let them know that you are willing to help them around the house!
If you’re not much of a housekeeper or don’t really care for housework, ask the new mom if you can offer a gift certificate to a cleaning service.
They can help her with a deep cleaning at a time when she feels like she needs it the most.
11. Comfortable Clothing
This one works best if you’re close enough to know her style and what size she needs — or are comfortable asking her.
Trust me, though: she doesn’t want to squeeze back into her pre-pregnancy jeans immediately after giving birth.
While most moms don’t need a ton of postpartum clothes, she’ll probably need a few different options (no thanks to spit up, milk leakage, and more).
A few ideas to help you out:
- yoga pants
- leggings
- flowy sundresses
- a robe
- nursing tops
- loose t-shirts
- easy-access sweaters
- nursing bras
- comfy nightgowns
Pro Mom Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask her what she needs the most from this list! She may not have even thought about what she’s going to wear yet, but she’ll definitely be able to tell you what her postpartum wardrobe is missing.
12. Cozy Slippers
If it’s the middle of the winter, she’ll probably want some warm wool socks or cozy slippers — but even in the summer, her sore, swollen feet will be thankful for something comfy to wear.
An inexpensive pair of slippers will work wonderfully, although if you reeeally want to spoil the new mom, she’ll LOVE a pair of wool Glerups. (Trust me on this one!)
These babies are made in Denmark and have the capability to adjust so that your feet are a comfortable temperature in both hot and cold weather.
You can grab her a pair right here.
13. Diary or Bullet Journal
Thanks to hormones, not to mention the HUGE life change of adding a baby to the family, moms experience a plethora of emotions after giving birth.
A lot of new moms experience mental health issues, like postpartum depression and anxiety.
While nothing can replace the care of a healthcare professional, having a journal to write down whatever comes to mind can help immensely during this time.
Check out this bullet journal kit that I found on Amazon — the teal journal comes with fineliner colored pens, stencils, stickers, washi tape, and a black pen.
Gifts for New Moms That AREN’T for the Baby
You definitely aren’t limited to this list — there are so many other options for gifting a new mom or dad! New babies are so exciting and a wonderful reason to celebrate.
But why not be the one friend who is different and spoils Mom?!
I dare you to give her the most unique, yet useful, gift that makes her feel special, loved, and rewarded for her hard work.
(Didn’t find the perfect non-baby gift for mom on this list? Check out the posts below for even more ideas.)
More Gift Ideas for Moms:
15 Personalized Gifts for Mom (That She Actually Wants)
19 Consumable Gifts for Minimalist Moms
9 Simply Charming Succulent Box Gifts for Mom
