Gifts for New Moms (Not Just for the Baby)
- 20 gift ideas
- From under $10 to $100 and up
- 8 niche picks
Good gifts for new moms are things for her, not only the baby: nursing pajamas or a soft robe, a nursing pillow, a silk sleep mask, a screen-free baby care timer or a five-year journal. A diaper bag backpack and a first Christmas ornament also fit. These 20 ideas cover the first months.
Quick picks
- Best overall: Nursing pajamas for round-the-clock wear Soft clothes for day and night that look tidy for visitors. Idea 1
- Best splurge: A diaper bag backpack with 19 pockets A backpack-style diaper bag with 19 pockets and a changing pad. Idea 13
- Best stocking stuffer: A baby's first Christmas print ornament A photo and handprint ornament for the first Christmas. Idea 20
- Best screen-free pick: A screen-free baby care timer Tracks feeds, changes and naps without an app. Idea 9
- Best under $25: A mom's five-year one-line journal One line a day for five years makes an easy keepsake. Idea 18
Most baby gifts go to the baby. We started with the new mom: what she might wear at 3 a.m., what makes a long day easier and what she will want to keep. A few gifts for the baby's routine are here too, because new moms use them every day.
The ideas are sorted into comfort, feeding gear, everyday gear and books and keepsakes. If you are shopping for both parents, Gifts for Parents has more gifts for new parents. Ask about sizes and plans, since some items depend on her choices.
Ideas 1 to 5
Comfort gifts for the first weeks home
Clothing and small comforts for her, from the hospital bag onward.
1. Nursing pajamas for round-the-clock wear
Soft pajamas with easy nursing access can be worn day and night in the first weeks, which suits a new mom who plans to breastfeed. This Kindred Bravely set has a stretchy top and matching pants, and it looks put together enough for visitors. The listing opens Dusty Mauve in size Large, so check her size and color before you order.
Tip: Ask about her size and color before you order.
2. A soft knit robe for night feeds
A lightweight knit robe is easy to throw on for a night feed or a visitor, and it works long after the baby stage. This Kindred Bravely Emmaline robe has satin trim, and the listing opens grey in size 1X-2X. It pairs with nursing pajamas or a gown set. Check her size, since sizes vary by listing.
Tip: Check her size, since the listing opens size 1X-2X.
3. A nursing gown and robe set for the hospital bag
A matching gown and robe is a comfortable alternative to a hospital gown and looks tidy in first photos, which suits a mom packing a hospital bag. This Ekouaer set has a sleeveless nursing nightgown and a long-sleeve robe, and it keeps working at home. The listing opens Mauve in size Large, so check her size.
Tip: Give it a few weeks before her due date.
4. A silk sleep mask for naps at any hour
A contoured silk sleep mask blocks light for a nap taken at any time of day, which suits a new mom whose schedule is no longer regular. This Slip mask has a 100 percent silk shell in a contoured shape that sits away from the eyes. The listing shows Rose. It is a small, personal gift that fits in a stocking.
Tip: Rose is listed, so check her color preference.
5. A Yogasleep Dohm white noise machine
A white noise machine plays steady fan-style sound, which can cover creaky floors, a doorbell or street noise in any room of the house. The Dohm has a real fan inside and has been made since 1962, according to the listing. It suits a mom who wants a quieter background for her own rest. Follow the maker's directions for placement and volume.
Tip: Follow the maker's directions for placement and volume.
Ideas 6 to 8
Feeding gear for new moms
Ask first: these suit moms who plan to breastfeed or pump.
6. A firm nursing pillow with a back panel
A wraparound nursing pillow holds a baby at feeding height, and this My Brest Friend Deluxe also has a cushioned back panel for use in a soft chair. The slipcover is removable and machine washable, with a pocket. It suits a mom who feeds at the breast or with a bottle and wants a dedicated pillow. The listing shows Soft Sand.
Tip: Ask whether she already has a nursing pillow.
7. A hands-free pumping bra
A hands-free pumping bra holds a pump in place so a mom has her hands free for a phone, a snack or a book. This Simple Wishes bra is adjustable with an 11 inch velcro back panel and holds single or double electric pumps. It suits a mom who plans to pump. Ask first, since not every mom pumps.
Tip: Ask first: not every mom pumps.
8. A Boon Grass drying rack
Bottles, pump parts and pacifiers need somewhere to dry, and the Boon Grass rack keeps them upright on a countertop. It is a two-piece rack with grass-blade holders and a design that drains excess water. It suits any new parent who washes bottles by hand, and it is a small gift that gets used every day. The listing shows gray.
Tip: Check counter space before you order.
Ideas 9 to 15
Everyday gear for new parents
Practical items for diaper changes, tracking and carrying the baby.
9. A screen-free baby care timer
At 3 a.m. it can be hard to remember when the last feed, diaper change or nap was. This pocket timer counts up from each event at the press of a button, and a slider marks which side was used for the last nursing session. It is a tracking tool only, and it needs no app, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It also has a soft nightlight and a back clip.
Tip: Remember it only tracks times and does not give advice.
10. A zip-up newborn swaddle
A zip-up swaddle replaces folding a blanket, and this Love to Dream style has a two-way zipper that makes night changes quicker. It is a 1.0 TOG cotton sleep sack, and the listing opens the Newborn size, 5 to 8.5 pounds, in gray. Follow the maker's size chart and safe-sleep guidance. It suits parents of a newborn or a baby on the way.
Tip: Follow the maker's size chart and safe-sleep guidance.
11. Oversized muslin swaddle blankets
Oversized muslin blankets are used as light blankets, burp cloths or play mat covers, which suits parents who want a few versatile pieces. These aden + anais blankets are 44 by 44 inches and cotton muslin, and the listing opens the Country Floral print. They are an easy add-on to a bigger gift. Check the set count on the listing before you order.
Tip: Check the set count on the listing before you buy.
12. A felt diaper caddy
A portable caddy keeps diapers, wipes and creams within reach in any room, which suits parents in a two-story home. This Parker Baby caddy is felt, measures 13 by 9 by 7 inches and has eight outer pockets and a long handle. It is a low-cost gift that gets used every day. The listing shows oatmeal.
Tip: Check the color against the nursery or living room.
13. A diaper bag backpack with 19 pockets
A backpack-style diaper bag leaves both hands free, which suits a mom on the go. The Itzy Ritzy Boss Plus has 19 pockets, stroller straps and a wipe-clean changing pad, and the listing shows cognac. It looks like a regular backpack rather than a baby bag. It is a larger gift, so ask what she needs before you buy.
Tip: Ask what she already carries before you buy.
14. A stainless steel diaper pail
A stainless steel diaper pail with a sliding lid and a childproof lock takes regular trash bags, so there are no special refills to buy. It suits a family that wants a pail that fits in a nursery or a kitchen corner. The Ubbi listing shows white. It is a practical gift that gets used every day.
Tip: Check floor space before you order.
15. A stretchy newborn wrap
A soft wrap lets a parent keep a baby close while they make coffee or walk the block. This Solly Baby wrap is a one-size wrap for babies from 8 to 25 pounds, and the listing shows Basil. It suits parents who like babywearing. Follow the maker's wrapping instructions, and ask whether she plans to use a wrap before you buy.
Tip: Follow the maker's wrapping instructions.
Ideas 16 to 20
Books and keepsakes for new moms
Reading and memory-keeping for the early months.
16. The First Forty Days cookbook
This cookbook by Heng Ou has recipes and rituals for the weeks after birth, which suits a mom and the people who cook for her. It is a 224-page book, so a friend or family member can cook from it and share the meals. Give it with a meal-train offer or a promise to cook from it.
Tip: Give it with an offer to cook a recipe.
17. Cribsheet by Emily Oster
Emily Oster's 352-page guide goes through common baby decisions with data, in a calm, non-judgmental tone. It suits a parent who likes evidence over opinions and covers birth to preschool. It is a good fit for a parent who asks a lot of questions and likes to see the evidence behind a choice.
Tip: Check whether she likes data-based books.
18. A mom's five-year one-line journal
One line a day is a small amount of writing for a busy new mom, and five years of entries add up to a keepsake. This 372-page journal shows the same date across years on each page. It suits a mom who wants to remember small moments without a long journaling session. It is a low-cost gift.
Tip: Start it on a birthday or the first of the year.
19. A baby memory book
A memory book with drawn photo frames makes it easy to record firsts, from pregnancy to age five. This Lucy Darling Little Camper book is a 9 1/8 inch square hardcover with a lay-flat wire binding. It suits a parent who wants a keepsake and likes a book that opens flat. Check that the theme suits her taste.
Tip: Check the theme suits her style.
20. A baby's first Christmas print ornament
A white wooden ornament holds a photo on one side and a handprint or footprint on the other, using a clean-touch ink pad. It marks a baby's first Christmas and suits a mom who keeps ornaments from each year. It is a low-cost stocking stuffer. Allow time to take the print.
Tip: Take the print a few days before the holiday.
Frequently asked questions
What are good gifts for new moms that are not for the baby?
Think of her comfort and time: nursing pajamas, a soft robe, a silk sleep mask, a white noise machine, a five-year journal or a cookbook. These are for the mom herself, not the baby. Ask about her sizes and plans before you pick clothing or feeding gear.
What are good gifts for new parents?
Everyday gear, such as a diaper caddy, a diaper pail, a screen-free baby care timer or a baby wrap, helps both parents. A memory book or a first Christmas ornament suits a keepsake gift. Check whether they already own the item, since new parents often get duplicates.
What are good Christmas gifts for new moms?
A first Christmas ornament is a small keepsake, and nursing pajamas, a robe or a silk sleep mask suit a gift for her. A diaper bag backpack or a nursing pillow is a bigger gift. Check sizes and ask about her feeding plans first.
How do you pick a gift for a mom who is breastfeeding or pumping?
Ask first, since feeding plans are personal. If she has told you she plans to breastfeed or pump, nursing pajamas, a nursing pillow, a hands-free pumping bra or a bottle drying rack all fit. If you are unsure, choose comfort or keepsake gifts instead.
What can you give a new mom without buying baby items?
Choose gifts for her: a robe, pajamas, a sleep mask, a cookbook, a journal or a meal you cook. The First Forty Days works with an offer to cook a recipe. Time and help count too, so a note offering to babysit or run an errand adds meaning.
What should you avoid when buying gifts for new moms?
Avoid anything that assumes how she will feed, care for or soothe the baby. Skip items that need exact sizes unless you ask. For baby sleep products, follow the maker's directions and safe-sleep guidance, and check with the parents before giving any item meant for the crib.
