July 15, 2020
When you’ve finally shared the news with your friends/family/work acquaintances that you’re expecting your first baby, the cards and congratulations come in droves. Everyone – and I do mean everyone – has something to say, whether it’s a simple “best of luck!” or 45 minutes of advice that you may or may not ever use.
Nine months of preparations starts to seem like a lifetime as the parents-to-be come to the sobering reality that in a few short weeks (or days even), the little bundle of joy they’ve now formed their entire lives around will be joining them in person.
But as is the case with many life-changing events, it wasn’t until I had crossed the threshold into motherhood that I started to make my own realizations. The biggest of those? It isn’t the three-week old that needs all of the love and tenderness and healing – it’s the mamas.
After having Charlie, I had a lot of guilt as both a friend and a sister for not offering more support to my friends that had beaten me to motherhood. I suppose like most things, hindsight is 20/20. But that realization is much of why I decided to write this post. My message for today: don’t forget to shower those rockstar mothers that carry, birth, feed and care for a baby while still having to lead lives of their own.
Best Gifts for New Parents:
Time. Meals. & Help. Coming home from the hospital is a whirlwind. A constant stream of doctors while riding an emotional rollercoaster leaves you sleep deprived with a tiny human who is now trusting you with its life. Overnight, your priorities list gets thrown off the table and reassembled from scratch.
Time:
– The best gift I ever received: someone watching my baby so I could take a nap.
– Gift idea: offer to babysit so parents can enjoy a date night out!
– A phone call or text to check in and find out how mom is doing. Sometimes a non judgemental shoulder to lean on is all we need.
Meals:
Bringing over a meal or organizing a meal train is truly a life-raft for busy new parents. Check out these freezer meals or these breakfast burritos!
If you are not much of a cook OR you don’t live close enough to personally deliver food the below option are for you:
– Gift Card to Meal Delivery like DoorDash, Grub Hub, etc.
– Gift Card for oven ready meals from SunBasket (Use this link for $40 off )
– William & Sonoma Family Meals
– Send a box of Smoothies/Harvest Bowls from Daily Harvest
Help.
When coming to visit the new baby, ask new parents what they need help with around the house. Laundry, dishes, errands & household chores are pretty impossible to keep up with during the newborn stage and made me feel the most overwhelmed.
Gifts worth Giving:
Personally, I love a good basket theme. So while ALL of the below make great individual gifts, a combination of these may just send the new mother into tears.
For the Mom that likes to celebrate: A celebratory mini bottle of champagne! Opening a full size bottle of champagne isn’t realistic for a celebration party of 1 (or even 2 in the first couple weeks.)
Package up a mini bottle of champs, some OJ & let the new mama have her fun!
For the Mom that likes to relax:
– Robe
– Loungewear (I love anything from Aerie)
– Candle
– Bubble Bath – my favorite
– Non Toxic Face Masks & Treatment – My Favorite include : Rose & Peptide Face Mask, Fresh Face Mask, Charcoal Mask, Eye Gels
For the 2nd + Time Mom:
– Gift Card to a Spa Day or Pedicure, let her get out of the house & relax!
– Comfy Loungewear
For the Coffee Drinker:
– Coffee Mug
– Gift Card to Favorite Coffee Shop
For the Breastfeeding Mama:
– Large Water Tumbler or Large Water Bottle
– Nipple Balm
– Comfy Nursing Bras
-Night Gown or Sleep Shirt
– Lactation Cookies or Oatmeal (I loved Purely Elizabeth).
For the C-Section Mom:
– Pajamas that hit above the scar line
– Mother Love Herb C-Section Cream
For the Vaginal Birth Mom:
–Mom Frida Recovery Kit
– Sitz Bath Recovery Bath Salts
– Night Gown
– Lounge Wear
Sentimental Mama:
– Initial Necklace
– Mama Necklace
– Mama Sweatshirt or T-Shirt
– Baby Book
Didn’t find what you need? Shoot me an email & let me help you curate a gift!
