Hellobee

For most of the past 6 years, I’ve either had a new baby, been expecting a new baby, or been dreaming about adding a new baby to our family. During that same time period it feels like tons of my friends (as well as my sister and sister-in-law) were traveling the same path. Consequently, I’ve also spent quite a bit of time thinking about ways to support and encourage expecting and new moms.

This list of 10 gift ideas for new and expecting moms was really fun to put together – hopefully you find it useful this holiday season and in the future too:

1/ A non-preachy book about motherhood ($10) – I devoured the book, “Great With Child: Letters to a Young Mother,” by Beth Ann Fennelly, during my 3rd trimester of my pregnancy with Big P. I love that it’s a book about motherhood but not an advice book – also it’s very, very easy to read, which is helpful when you’re exhausted. I have given this book to so many expecting moms, and it’s always a hit. Other non-preachy book recommendations: 1, 2, 3, and 4.

2/ An insulated water bottle with a straw ($17-23) – Water bottles are having a moment right now (seriously, google “best insulated water bottle with a straw” and see how many articles pop up), but I’m pretty sure no person appreciates a good water bottle with a straw as much as a woman in labor. Except, well, maybe a new mom nursing her baby. Insatiable thirst basically comes hand in hand with being a new mom, so a nice insulated water bottle with a straw is a no-brainer gift.

3/ An Amazon gift card with a helpful list of postpartum must haves (your choice) – Let’s be honest … postpartum care is not elegant. It’s actually really gross and difficult, but there are a lot of supplies and things that can help. This blog post has an extremely helpful list. If you don’t feel comfortable buying granny panties and maxi pads for your bff, then consider an Amazon gift card with a funny/gentle list of things she may want to buy to make the postpartum period a little easier.

4/ Cooling leg gel ($21) – I’ve used this leg gel during each of my pregnancies, and I give it as a “just because” gift all the time to other expecting moms. This stuff is magical. Your legs literally feel lighter after you use it. Other than prenatal vitamins, this is the only pregnancy product I used consistently with each of my 3 babies.

5/ Netflix subscription (starting at $25) – I included a Netflix subscription on my gift guide for teachers, nannies, and coworkers as well, and honestly, I’m fairly confident most people would appreciate a Netflix subscription. But new moms are my very favorite recipients for this gift. When I came home from the hospital with Big P, I Netflix binged like it was my job. I sat on the couch for hours nursing my new Baby P watching every season of Friday Night Lights. It’s still one of my fondest memories.

6/ Keepsake Chest ($24) – When I was researching ideas for this post, I came across this keepsake chest, and I immediately wished I had one of these with each of my babies. In fact, I just sent the link to Mr. P and gently suggested he buy me 3 of them. I’m not an overly sentimental mom and, while I take 1000s of iPhone pics of my kids, I’m not very good/consistent at things like baby books. But there are things I want to save for each of my boys, and up until now I’ve have no good way to do it! This chest solves that problem!

7/ Your very favorite baby thing (varies) – New and expecting moms, especially first time ones, get a lot of baby things. They have showers and get tons of blankets, outfits, bottles, diapers, burp clothes, toys, board books, and gear. They often receive generous gift cards to pick out their own favorites. One of my favorite gifts for a new mom is to curate a few of my very favorite baby things, with a note explaining why you love it and how you used that particular product. Don’t worry about giving the best or most beautiful, unique, or useful thing – just give her the thing that saved your life as a new mom, whether that was a brightly colored play mat, a chewable giraffe toy, an amazing multi-use cover, your favorite pacifier, or an extra stretchy swaddle blanket.

8/ Body pillow ($60) – Body pillows can be lifesavers during pregnancy, but they are a little expensive and not necessarily something an expecting mom is going to splurge on for herself (which makes it a perfect gift idea!).

9/ Hand cream ($12) – Your skin can get super dry and itchy when you’re pregnant, and sometimes it’s even worse after the baby is born (especially with all the extra laundry and cleaning you may find yourself doing!). A nice tube of hand cream is a thoughtful, easy, and relatively inexpensive gift for a new or expecting mom.

10/ Nursing-friendly pajamas ($65) and a bathrobe ($99) – These are really 2 different (but related) ideas, but I included them both because they’re each amazing gifts for new and expecting moms. New moms spend a lot of time in pajamas (yup, it’s true) and having nice ones is truly a luxury. Having an amazing robe to go with it (and wear at the hospital to keep warm!) is a much-deserved bonus. Both of these are on my own wish list this year!

Are you a new or expecting mom, or do you have one on your gift list this year? I’d love to hear your gift ideas!