If you’re a new mother (or will be soon like me this July!), catering to your baby’s needs is probably the highest thing on your priority list. It’s easy to get lost in the midst of diapering, feeding, bathing and cuddling, but don’t forget that you’re in for quite a ride, physically and emotionally. Having been a mother eleven times over, I’d like to share my list of the top five things that can be so incredibly helpful.
Support
Your place is with your newborn, but that can leave a lot of other things undone. So line up the help you’ll need in the first few weeks. If you’re someone who’s looking for ways to support a new mother, here are some ideas:
- Bring a meal (ready to eat or frozen)
- Run an errand, or take a sibling to an appointment
- Take siblings on an outing (even better, have a sleepover with extended family and Mama can avoid the bedtime rush for one night)
- House cleaning (you can do it, or treat her to a maid service)
- Stay home with the newborn so Mama can go out for a while
- Hire a postpartum doula (chip in together with your friends)
A Gift Certificate
A new mother might be hesitant to tell you exactly what she wants and needs. It’s just a woman thing, I guess, arising from those pesky guilt feelings that plague us and the desire to be seen as a capable mother. So if you’ve got a friend who’s holding back and insisting that there’s nothing you need to do, a gift card works every time. Some ideas:
- Spas, coffee shops and book stores are popular options.
- How about some comfortable new shoes? My orthotic sandals for women have been a lifesaver for pregnancy and beyond.
- Spending money for a new outfit or nursing attire is fun!
- Grocery, cloth diaper and big box store gift cards are very practical.
Besides orthotic sandals for women, comfortable slippers make a great gift for busy days at home with the new baby.
Hydration
I’m one of the world’s worst when it comes to this one. But surely I’m not the only woman who tires of being told to drink water constantly from pregnancy to postpartum. I never reach for water unless I’m really thirsty. But dehydration is disastrous when you’re nursing a newborn full time. For me, the game-changer was finding something healthy, and tasty, that I actually wanted to drink. Something that could deliver more than just plain water but not be loaded down with sugar and additives. You might treat a new mother to healthy and refreshing beverage choices like Greater Than and Hint (my personal favorites).
Or surprise her with a cute and stylish water bottle. They even sell ones just for nursing mothers that measure your fluid intake with markers on the outside of the bottle.
Nursing Supplies & Support
When it comes to nursing, I always hope for the best, but nearly every time I’ve had to resort to using a pump for one reason or another. And a good one is a lifesaver. Thanks to my pump, I was able to overcome everything from mastitis to thrush. I wish I had known then about Pumping Essentials. It’s a a free service that helps new mothers access the breastfeeding services and supplies that may be provided free by their insurance companies. You’ll find trusted brands like Ameda, medela, Lansinoh and more. Pumping Essentials was founded by a group of women with over 20 years of combined experience in the nursing and lactation industries.
Avoid the hassle of phone calls with your insurance provider and take advantage of Pumping Essential’s 24-hour online order center, plus fast and free shipping. Their service reps are also available to help you out Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST. You can even schedule one-on-one time with a lactation professional at little or no cost.
These also make great gifts for nursing mothers:
- Pajamas
- Lactation cookies & tea
- Nursing scarf or cover
Essential Baby Gear
The number of stroller choices is staggering, but after many years and many models, I can attest that reliability and user-friendliness rank high on the features list. I love how easy it is to get fresh air and exercise with the Baby Delight Go with Me Dart Ultra Compact Stroller. Features include a lightweight but sturdy frame, 5-point harness, a roomy storage basket and retractable canopy. When you’re all done, it folds up with one hand and stows compactly in a carry bag.
It took me under five minutes to get our new stroller out of the box and up and running for Camille. The padded straps reclining seat offer customized comfort for all of our essential outings. Recommended ages 3 months to 3 years, the Dart stroller can accommodate children up to 50 pounds. And when it’s folded up inside the carry bag, it weighs just 14 pounds and is a mere 23 inches high.
What did you receive as a new mother that was most meaningful? What are your top postpartum gift ideas?
This post is a sponsored collaboration with Responsival.
These are excellent tips all around. Staying hydrated is key to overall health, and a good bra is so appreciated when you’re a new mom.
Beautiful ideas! Support in these areas when you just have a baby is so welcome. It’s not always available.
These are some great tips! It can be so overwhelming at the beginning, esp without family!
These are the right thing that a new mother needs! Especially good and comfortable shoes and nursing clothing.
Having someone to help you when you need it is always awesome. I love the idea of gifting something stylish or super comfortable for the mom.
Fantastic tips for helping each other! I could have used these things when I was a new mom.
These are great tips and items to add to a gift list! Motherhood can be overwhelming and having someone gift you with a meal or a gift certificate makes life so much easier.
This is really helpful for new moms! Thank you for sharing gift ideas!
I love the recommendation of a gift certificate. And I totally agree that frozen meals are so helpful. (Or even just snacks.) I totally wish more people had offered to help with meals after the birth of my children.
Oh I love this list! Great tips. Having support is so vital for new mothers.