Gift Guide: New or Expecting Moms

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Gift-giving. Is it one of YOUR gifts? Either way, I am here to help you make this year’s holiday shopping for the new or expecting moms in your life a little easier. Obviously you can also use this list for upcoming baby showers at any time of the year.

Seven years ago when I was expecting my first baby, I had put ALL the things on my gift registry. I received some great gifts, and some gifts that never got used. Some of the things I registered for that I was certain I would NEED, actually ended up collecting dust. 

This list though I have made to be more of what MOM needs to make life easier. There are tons of lists for baby out there, so I wanted to make an essentials list for moms. That fourth trimester is HARD. So let’s make it a little easier. Or at least a little less hard.

So without further ado, check out these great gift ideas! (click on the pictures for more details)

A Good Breast Pump

If mama is breastfeeding and has to return to work at some point OR will be away from baby, this is essential. The more efficient the pump, the less time it takes (usually). In the last few years pumps have gotten smaller and much quieter (thank goodness!).

This one is about as close to hospital-grade as you can get without shelling out the mega-bucks!

Bonus–many insurance companies now cover or reimburse for this!

 

 

 

 

 

Washable Nursing Pads

The first couple of months many mamas want to stick with disposable nursing pads because the leaking is the heaviest for those first few months. Keeping everything dry is important for helping to prevent thrush or infections.

After awhile though those pads get pricey! Washable, reusable nursing pads are the answer. You might have to change them a little more frequently, but not shelling out big money every week for something you use briefly and throw away is worth it! Bonus: probably helping the environment!

These are my favorite: 

Nursing Tanks and Sleep Bras

I’ll be honest–I actually used these sleep bras while I was pregnant too. They just seemed to make things slightly more comfortable. Once that babe is here and you need a bit of support at night or even during the day because comfort is key, these are so soft and won’t pinch you anywhere. Plus they’re easy to slide down one side for those middle-of-the-night feedings when you are half asleep.

I did not discover these nursing “tank tops” until after I had my second baby. Oh my goodness do they go a long ways towards making nursing more discreet and comfortable! They keep your back and stomach covered, and can be used with any nursing bra that you like. They also come in multiple different colors.

Pretty, Comfortable Pajamas

Let’s be honest. Those first few days (ok, weeks) involve a lot of time in your pajamas. As it should be. So why not wear something comfortable that maybe makes you feel just a smidge prettier? Because you are!

My sister and I both love these from Victoria’s Secret.

Bath Goodies

I’m not going to promise that it will happen very often, but on the occasion that you do get the opportunity to soak in a hot bath, you should take it! And enjoy it. 

Here are a few of my favorite goodies to make that bath even more enjoyable. First–Epsom salt. Because labor and delivery is at least the equivalent of running a marathon right? So give those tired, achy muscles some love. Soothe them with Epsom salt in the bath water. 

How about some amazing-smelling bath bombs? These also will fizz and bubble and look pretty….which equals more relaxation, right?

Keep the good feelings coming with a nice warm heat wrap. My sister gave me this as a gift and I frequently use it on my neck and shoulders. All that breastfeeding and/or carrying and holding a baby can be quite the strain on your muscles. 

I love this one because it molds to the shape of you. 

*it also can be used as a cold pack*

Books

Drumroll please. I feel like I have read ALL the books. Every pregnancy I read more, feeling like I could be MORE prepared (spoiler alert: you’re never fully prepared). All the “What to Expect” books. Sleep books. Nutrition books. You name it. 

I’m going to give you the three books I recommend over and over again to my mom-friends though. This is sort of a “if you can only read/own three parenting books, these are your three” list.

In no particular order, they are Dr. Sear’s “The Baby Book.” I refer to this book any time I have a question. Baby refusing a bottle for the babysitter? Baby wearing? When to start solids? Colic? It literally covers it all.

“The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding,”  is a pretty self-explanatory title. All your breastfeeding questions answered. Milk storage guidelines and help pumping. Nipple soreness. Stages of growth and nursing as baby ages, etc.

Last but not least: “Sweet Sleep: Nighttime and Naptime Solutions for the Breastfeeding Family.” I get so many questions about sleep, and I am no expert. Every baby is so different, but this book was so helpful and really eased my mind about what is normal and common when it comes to babies and sleeping.

My last tip in the book category comes from one of my favorite gifts from my husband after I had our first baby–how to read all those books! He bought me a Kindle and it was worth it’s weight in gold. I read so so many books during the hours and hours sitting there nursing or rocking a baby. 

Water Bottle

If you have been at my house or at work or really anywhere with me, you know I am never without a water bottle.

For one thing, I am cheap and hate buying water at a gas station or anywhere when traveling when I can take my own free water with me. Secondly, nursing makes me SO THIRSTY times one thousand. All the time. Middle of the night. All. The. Time. 

Even if you are not nursing, drinking plenty of water all day is a super-simple thing you can do for your health. Trust me, taking care of a baby and/or kiddos is hard work and you need to stay hydrated.

My water bottle is my favorite because of these main criteria: it doesn’t spill, it has a straw (less spilling on the baby:-)), and it is 30 ounces (so it’s big! which equals less refilling). As a bonus it has positive quotes on it!

FOOD!

I think I saved one of the most overlooked things for last. New moms are SO short on time and energy, especially if they already have other kiddos. I promise you will be best friends forever if you make, order, or deliver food for her and her family.

After I had my first baby, one of my cousins, who lives STATES away, called a local pizza place and had pizza delivered to us one night. To this day, that simple, thoughtful gesture still means SO much to me. To have one night off from cooking and dishes is HUGE to a mom.

There are so many ways to do a form of this. You can go make freezer meals ahead of time with an expecting mom. Or you can make one and take it over. Or, you can cook a hot meal and drop it off after baby is born. Have a meal delivered from a favorite restaurant, give a gift card, or order a week or two of meals from a service like Hello Fresh or Blue Apron. 

The method doesn’t matter, but the act most definitely will make a lasting memory for a tired mom!

The Things Money Can’t Buy

Do you know what a mom really wants and needs? Maybe I’m only speaking for myself but I suspect not. A clean house! So whether you do it, or hire someone (ok, some things money can buy!), give her the ultimate gift of not having to clean for a few days!

The last and also one of the most appreciated gifts is alone-time with the baby. If a mama has older kids, offer to take them to the park for a couple of hours, or for a walk, or just play outside with them and let mom have some probably much-needed quiet time to soak up that new baby uninterrupted by snack requests every three minutes. 

I hope this list is helpful to you. Share it with a friend who might need it, and don’t forget to drop your email in the space at the sidebar so you never miss a post!

XOXO,

Michaela