60 Gifts for New Mothers That Will Make Postpartum Life Much Easier
These picks are editor-approved.
Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Procuring gifts for new mothers is slightly different than for seasoned moms. Women with newborns and infants tend to want more practical and useful goodies than their more veteran counterparts, who are often happy with breakfast in bed, a hand-written card, and a fragrant bouquet of flowers. So we went ahead and asked some of the House Beautiful editors with babies what they wish they got after their first, and what they’re asking for with their second child. Their answers may surprise you, so keep reading to see what they’re coveting ahead of Mother’s Day this year, which is on May 12.
From a breathable muslin blanket that works hard to prevent inevitable postpartum night sweats to a healthy food subscription service, we’ve listed plenty of options that are new mom-approved, so this Mother’s Day, get the woman with the hardest job in the world something she wants and will actually use. And for the sentimentalists, there are plenty of worthy picks, including a lariat bracelet with an engraved name plate, a “girl mom” mug, and an old-school Polaroid camera to capture all of the cutest moments with her baby.
Luckily, plenty of our favorite finds are available on Amazon, so if you often wait until the last minute to snag your gifts, these will arrive just in the nick of time. That said, if you’re going the customization route, you may want to start brainstorming now because the more personalized touches you add, the longer your gift will take to arrive, and a late Mother’s Day gift is not ideal.
Vitruvi Stone Ultrasonic Aromatherapy Diffuser
Deputy Managing Editor Olivia Hosken, who has a two-year-old daughter and a bun in the oven, says, "Some people are leery of having artificial fragrance around babies and children (I legit have not lit a candle in my house since my daughter was born). Essential oils are the perfect way to have a safe, sweet-smelling house." If you, too, air on the side of caution with your little ones, you'll love an aromatherapy diffuser, which enlists nothing more than just purified water and all-natural essential oils to create the dreamiest custom scentscapes.
It's our personal opinion that everyone loves a personalized gift, and we cannot overstate the cuteness of this custom iPhone case. You can choose the size, placement, and color of the font (plus the shade of the case itself). Every time they look at their phone, they'll be greeted with their baby's names or initials so it's a sweet gift to give. Plus, between now and March 17, BaubleBar is having a massive sale. Get 25 percent off everything and 20 percent off anything customizable, like this phone case.
Anyone who's had a baby knows that the night sweats are real (and are both totally normal and to be expected), so if you know a new mom or a pregnant woman who's about to become a new mom, give her the gift of a chill night's sleep in the form of Buffy's cooling comforter. No matter how hot she gets, there's no way she'll push it onto the floor: it's that good.
When you're in your new mom phase of running on no sleep, getting dolled up in jewelry is hardly top of mind, which makes this bracelet the perfect gift. It's adjustable, making it so easy to slide on and off without dealing with difficult clasps. That said, it's also so small and dainty that you won't really feel it on and may forget to even take it off. Lastly, don't forget to get it engraved!
"Naps can and should happen at all hours and this is one of the most comfortable silk sleep masks I own," Hosken says. It's likely so comfortable because of its 100 percent mulberry silk composition. If you know a thing or two about silk pillowcases, you know that mulberry silk is the best variety there is for all things bedding.
For new moms who are ready to leave the house and get back into a routine, help make this transition easier by giving them the ultimate diaper backpack. This one features a built-in foldout changing pad, an insulated interior pockets for bottles, a baby wipes pocket, and a removable fanny pack.
As its name implies, Mama Mio is a mother-centric brand that arguably makes the best baby skincare on the market. This one includes miniature versions of the brand's best-sellers, including the Sweet Cheeks moisturizer, the Comfort & Calm Bum balm, the Mini Moments massage gel, the Oh So Clean foaming hair and body wash, and the Tub Time bath bubbles.
No, this is not a children's book about a girl named Emma. It's a personalized baby book all about the newest addition to the family. If you don't fancy yourself a writer, worry not. It's a custom tale based on the letters of the baby's name.
Calling all Swifties: This hat would look amazing on you. Whether someone snags it for you or you decide to treat yourself, this hat is the ideal finishing touch on a day you didn't have time to wash your hair.
Any mom would tell you that their needs become secondary to those of their new child, which is why so many new parents totally forget to eat until they hear their stomachs rumble. Take all of the stress out of prepping and eating meals with this delicious breakfast collection from Daily Harvest. Everything is as healthy as it is delicious. Plus, all of the nutrient-dense dishes will give them plenty of energy.
"A mini fridge might seem extra, but when you are running up and down to the kitchen to mix formula or store breastmilk, anything that will save you the trip and keep bottles fresh is a lifesaver," Hosken admits. "Bonus: Once the infant days are done this can work in an office or as a skincare fridge." She's not wrong.
"My obsession with this blanket is not new, but there is truly nothing more perfect for hormonal night sweats," Hosken admits. Here's how: It's made of naturally breathable 100 percent pure muslin cotton, making it temperature-regulating to keep you cozy and not sweaty throughout the night.
Hosken says, "A pair of wireless headphones to listen to soothing music or audiobooks during late night feedings is a must." After all, running on no sleep can leave you a bit easily agitated, so listening to something to keep you calm when you're holding your little one is key.
"New moms spend a lot of time in bed recovering in the early weeks, so help make it as comfortable as possible with a sturdy breakfast tray for much-needed meals, snacks, and random storage," Hosken suggests. This one is both durable and elegant, with a painted frame and cane surface.
If you're not sure what to get, you can't go wrong with flowers. Peonies are a crowd-pleasing bloom that any new mother would appreciate. The best part? They can be delivered at any time on any day, which is perfect for mothers with no warning that the baby is coming.
"Extra-long phone chargers are a great gift—especially before the brith—because a lot of new moms bring them to the hospital where the electrical outlets aren't always near the bed," Hosken cautions.
As Hosken mentioned, new mothers spend a lot of time physically recovering in bed, so making sure it's as comfortable and supportive as it can be is a good idea. This wedge pillow helps keep them upright when feeding. It won't slag or slouch behind them, courtesy of the wedge shape that keeps the pillow in place.
One thing plenty of foodie moms miss during their nine months of pregnancy is sushi, which makes this sweet sushi set a perfect and kind of funny gift. They may not be able to make the rolls themself, but they can definitely use it to make their takeout cuter.
"I was terrified of slipping and dropping the baby and bought a whole bunch of grippy socks," says Senior Editor Elyse Moody after giving birth to her daughter.
Making plans with friends is not usually one of a new mom's top priorities shortly after giving birth. In fact, during those first few weeks, she'll hardly want to change out of her pajamas, which is why you can help make sure everything she's sleeping in is as cozy as it is chic. These pajamas from Boll & Branch are made of the same luxuriously soft fabric as its best-selling sheets.
Jessica Cherner is House Beautiful’s Associate Shopping Editor, a role she’s honed since joining the editorial team in September 2022. Since then, she’s been testing and reviewing , carefully curating timely , and tapping her vast network of interior designers to weigh in on that often have the Internet divided. Though most of her day-to-day is product-focused, every now and then, she manages to publish a few , which are the types of features she has written over the course of her eight-year career and in previous roles at 1stDibs and Architectural Digest. In her current role as a shopping editor, Jess has mastered the art of swapping decor in and out of her own New York City apartment to fulfill her seemingly never-ending quest for the perfectly styled space.
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