One of your friends or family members are expecting a new baby so you want to get them something!
Before the baby shower, it can be nice to get the new mother a thoughtful gift.
You can always get them an item off the baby registry, it’s even encouraged, but maybe you want to get them something else to go along with it.
One of my favorite gifts to give to expecting moms is a new mom gift basket filled with items they wouldn’t think to ask for.
While that potty chair or new car seat is needed, it’s not always something you can purchase on your own.
I will sometimes grab a small item off the registry and then include a bunch of items they will need. Some registries will allow you to pay towards an item on the registry, so it deducts money off the items to help the new parents. When all else fails, you could grab a gift card for the new mama from the store she has her gift registry at.
I wanted to include a list of the following items that are perfect for a postpartum gift basket for new moms.
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What to Use as the Basket?
Before you plan out the items for your postpartum care package, you need to decide what type of basket to use for your great gift. I recommend using something postpartum moms can use for the new baby or themselves.
My favorite postpartum basket is an organizer cube or a storage bin because it is a reusable basket. I think these bins are a great idea because new moms can store anything they need to in them for baby. My children's toys, diapers, medical supplies, snacks, accessories, and more are stored in storage bins all over my house. You could get personalized items as well for the new baby if you know their name.
Another idea is to make a new mom care package out of a new diaper bag. You can organize the diaper bag so they can add it to their hospital bags if they want to.
By going with a reusable gift basket, you can try to go zero waste and the expecting mom will be able to use everything you gift them.
Check out these adorable Storage Bins options on Amazon.
What to Put in the Basket?
If you are purchasing gifts for a mom having their first baby, they may not know exactly what they will need in those early days after childbirth. I like to include some of my favorite things I used during the postpartum period.
1. Baby Clothes
You can't go wrong with baby clothes for the newborn baby, but I recommend not going with newborn size. Most family and friends will purchase the new mom newborn clothes and the baby will grow out of that size so quickly. I recommend going with size 3-6 months or size 6-9 months. I look for clothes that can be worn during any season like short sleeve onesies and footie pajamas. The new mom will appreciate the assortment of clothing and not having to run to the store to exchange sizes.
2. Baby Books
Many women expecting their first child will request books instead of cards. It's a great way to grow the new baby's book collection and for each guest to write a gift message that the new mom can save. My absolute favorite part about gifting a book is to pick out a good book my children love and then I always write a message in the inside cover of the book.
If you are looking for some great book ideas, check out my post Top 10 Favorite Bedtime Stories.
3. Frida Baby Nose Frida
In the middle of the night during those long sleepless nights, you will find yourself trying to figure out how to get your baby to sleep. Many times, the baby needs to blow their nose, but they don't know how to do that yet. This is where the nose sucker comes in handy. There are many different types to choose from, but the general idea is you put one end in your mouth, the other end in the baby's nose, and suck in. There is a filter that prevents the boogers from going into your mouth. The Nose Frida clears the boogers from your child's nose and allows them to breathe in clearly again.
4. Frida Mom Peri Bottle
Whether or not the expecting mom is having a vaginal birth, a peri bottle is a great addition to the postpartum gift box. Many hospitals will give new mom's a peri bottle to use at the hospital and take home, but it doesn't hurt to have an extra one on hand. Most women use peri bottles for their own postpartum recovery after using the restroom or taking a warm shower.
5. Lip Balm
Labor can be long, and many women are not allowed to eat anything or drink a lot during it. Lip balm can help with those long hours in labor and can still be used after. They may not know it now, but lip balm may become their best friend during labor.
6. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is highly recommended to use after childbirth because it is known to reduce inflammation and can help tighten skin. It can be very soothing if you have any tears or hemorrhoids. It is an ideal gift for any expecting mother, but especially a first-time mom who may have never heard of it.
7. Maternity Robe
If you're looking for a gift the new mom can use right up through her due date, a maternity robe is a perfect gift. Find a premium organic cotton robe or a thin robe with a soft texture for a great baby gift. An organic mom maternity robe can be worn at the hospital after giving birth and for years after. You can find a different brand on Amazon that the expectant mother might like more.
8. Spa Package
I wish I could make my own gift basket and add in a spa night for myself. You could do a full day couples spa package for the expectant parents or for only the new mom. I great option is to get a gift certificate to be used over the next year so they can go when the baby gets a little older. Once the new mom is more comfortable leaving her baby for a few hours, a spa package could be the best gift she receives.
9. Spa Gift Box
If you don't think the expectant mom would want to go to the spa, but would still like to have the spa experience, you could gift her a spa gift box. You can provide everything she needs for pampering herself, including face masks, eye masks, bath bomb, bath salts, sugar scrub, foot soak, lip balm, essential oils, herbal tea, candles, chocolates, and more.
10. Instant Ice Maxi Pads
A great item to add when assembling a gift basket for a family member or best friend is instant ice maxi pads. After giving birth, using an ice pack and a maxi pad, otherwise known as Padsicles, can help relieve the pain and swelling from childbirth. The hospital typically provides these for new moms but having some extras for home can be a lifesaver.
11. Water Bottle
An item anyone can use is a new water bottle. Expectant moms can use them to stay hydrated during pregnancy, bring it along to use during labor and delivery, and then continue to use them after they give birth while caring for their new baby. If the new mom is breastfeeding, staying hydrated is important to increase their milk supply. I've gone through so many different types of water bottles since having my kids. The best types of water bottles for expectant moms is the water bottles with the reusable straws, but any water bottle would work great.
12. Organic Shea Butter
Shea butter has been found to be one of the best moisturizers for pregnant women. It can keep the skin soft and healthy without clogging pores. Many women like to rub it on their belly to reduce stretchmark redness and strengthen the skin. You can also gift the new mom cocoa butter, but it has been found that shea butter works better for stretchmarks and scarring.
13. Baby Toy
Another item I like to add to the basket is a toy for the new baby to play with. It can be something as simple as a rattle, a cloth book, or even a rubber ducky. Mom will appreciate getting a new toy for the baby to go with the postpartum items for her.
14. Diapers and Wipes
I left the most important items for last... Diapers and Wipes for the new baby. You can never go wrong gifting the new parents with diapers and wipes because they will need them for the next few years. My diaper stock lasted for months after my daughter arrived and it allowed me time to adjust before having to run out, or send my husband, to the store to buy more. Try to buy sizes other than newborn and size 1 because babies grow out of those sizes so fast, and everyone tends to buy them.
There are so many new mom gift ideas to assemble the best gift baskets.
I love picking out postpartum essentials I think new moms will need once they bring their baby home from the hospital.
The best part is adding your own special touch and gifting something to the baby as well as mom.
If you're looking for even more ideas to get for new moms, check out my post Must Have Essentials for After Giving Birth.
The last thing a new mom wants to worry about is running out to buy items right after giving birth.
What are some postpartum recovery items you found helpful?
Comment below!
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