Maternity

12 postpartum gift ideas that a new mum will love

Navigating the early days of postpartum motherhood can be joyful but also overwhelming. After their baby’s arrival, new mums will be adjusting to sleepless nights and the challenges of caring for a newborn. That’s why thoughtful gift ideas can make such a difference. New mums are most in need of practical support and a bit of comfort during this life-changing transition. 

A collage of various products against a pale blush watercolour background, including: a wooden teething ring with black and white decorative streamers; a white shaker egg with black spots; a macaroni and cheese dish in a black and white metal baking pan showing a golden-brown, crusty top; a teal-coloured water bottle with ‘CHILLY’S’ branding; a yellow star-shaped baby swaddle with white trim and a matching item folded into a square; a lilac-coloured metallic insulated travel mug with a black screw-top lid; an orange gift box labelled ‘HEY, BABY’ and decorated with animal illustrations including elephants, giraffes, and zebras; an assortment of brownies and blondies in a sectioned box; a white bottle of nipple balm for new mums with a red label under ‘my expert midwife’ branding.

With that in mind, I present this list of postpartum gift ideas, full of items that any new mum will appreciate.

1. Thermal Mug or Water Bottle

New mums are often balancing a lot, and finding time to enjoy a hot drink can feel like a luxury. An insulated lidded mug keeps drinks hot or cold and spill-free. As a result, she can savour her cup of tea or coffee, even if interrupted by feeding or changing duties.

A modern, minimalist insulated travel mug with a matte lilac-coloured body and black screw-top lid. The container has a cylindrical shape that tapers slightly at the top and appears to be made of metal with a smooth, powder-coated finish. There's a subtle logo of the ‘Chilly’s’ brand chilli pepper etched on the side. The overall design is sleek and contemporary.

The Coffee Cup Series 2 from Chilly’s (pictured above) performs well in this category, with a rubber base to reduce noise and the chance of it being knocked over. A water bottle with a straw is also a great option. This will help mum stay hydrated whilst breastfeeding or running around getting jobs done during nap windows. Yet again, Chilly’s is a great choice of brand, with designs made reputable by aesthetics, durability and functionality.

A large turquoise water bottle with ‘CHILLY’S’ printed vertically in matching turquoise lettering on its body. The bottle has a matte finish and features a black plastic cap with a drinking spout and a small carrying loop or strap. The design is modern and minimalist, with a cylindrical shape that appears to be made of insulated metal.

As with their coffee cups, the Series 2 Flip Bottle is highly customisable, with different colourways, sizes and engraving options. 

2. Vouchers for Food

In those early days of motherhood, when life’s patterns are up in the air, it can be hard to find the time to plan and cook nutritious meals. Deliveroo or UberEATS vouchers are handy in a pinch, but healthier, homemade meals can be a more valuable gift, and much more beneficial. However, if you’re also short on time, then vouchers for nutritious frozen meal delivery companies are a great alternative.

A display of ‘COOK’ branded meal delivery items, featuring multiple packaged meals in dark green boxes, a large brown delivery box with the COOK logo and slogan ‘We COOK so you don't have to’, and a prepared dish that appears to be a pasta or casserole in a white ceramic dish. A decorative stork figure sits atop the delivery box to signify the arrival of a new baby. The items are arranged on a white surface against a light-coloured wall.
Eight ‘By Ruby’ frozen meal packaging cards arrayed on a dark green background. Each card is a different colour (orange, blue, sunflower yellow, red, beige, lemon, green and coral) and features the By Ruby logo with a simple line drawing of a person and food illustrations relevant to each meal. The cards advertise the dishes including Lasagne, Fish Pie, Free-Range Chicken Tikka Masala and Mushroom Risotto. Each card maintains a consistent branding style with varying ingredient illustrations.

Cook, for instance, offers a range of New Parents Meal Boxes for a variety of family compositions and needs. The New Parent Bundle from By Ruby, on the other hand, is a more affordable option portioned for 1 or 2 adults. Plus, one of the best benefits of vouchers is that you don’t need to check if she has the freezer space. As grateful as we were to our parents at the beginning, we quickly realised that there is such a thing as too many casseroles!

3. Books for Baby’s Library

Building a baby’s library early on is a thoughtful way to help new parents introduce their little one to the world of reading. Board books with bright illustrations and classic stories are wonderful gifts that can be cherished for years. It’s also a great bonding experience for parent and baby, encouraging early language development through stories, rhymes, and interaction. If you’d like some inspiration on what to buy, you can check out my posts on the best nursery rhyme books for babies and twenty classic children’s books.

4. Pampering Treats for Mum

Amid the demands of caring for a newborn, it’s easy for mums to neglect self-care. Pampering treats can help remind her to take time for herself. These might include luxurious hand creams, rich chocolates, bubble baths, or even a nice dry shampoo. Little indulgences like these can really help her connect to her own needs while life revolves around the baby.

5. Dimmer Night Light for Night Feeds

Night feeds are inevitable with a newborn. Having a gentle, dimmable table lamp to hand can make those late-night sessions a bit more manageable. Soft lighting creates a calming atmosphere for both mum and baby without disrupting sleep too much.

A modern table lamp with a cylindrical design featuring a glowing white translucent upper portion and a dark grey base. The lamp sits on a wooden surface alongside a yellow book and a small succulent plant in a woven basket planter. The warm light creates a cozy ambient atmosphere against a textured beige wall background.

A wireless light, like the G Keni Nursery Nightlight, is particularly useful as it can be easily moved around, making wakings less of a hassle.

6. Comfortable Loungewear

A new mother’s recovery means plenty of time at home, so comfortable loungewear items are great postpartum gift ideas. Cosy pyjamas, a fluffy dressing gown, soft slippers and warm socks are perfect for those early weeks when she’s adjusting to sleepless nights and frequent feeds (especially if the baby is born during the winter months!). Not only are these items practical, but they also provide a bit of luxury during a physically challenging time.

7. Baked Goods

Everyone loves a sweet treat, and freshly baked goods like brownies or biscuits can provide a much-needed pick-me-up during long days. Letterbox-friendly items are a great choice as they’re easy to send and don’t require her to be home for delivery.

A gift box of assorted brownies and blondies with a decorative ‘HEY, BABY’ lid featuring cute animal illustrations including elephants, zebras and giraffes in pastel colours. The box contains different varieties of brownies and blondies with toppings including chocolate chips, nuts and crumbles. A small plate with a couple of the treats is visible at the bottom of the image. The box has an orange-peach coloured trim and appears to be designed as a new baby gift.

Cutter & Squidge, for example, do delicious letterbox brownies in a wide variety of flavours. They also have next day delivery, which makes them timely as well as tasty!

8. Coffee Shop Gift Card

Getting out of the house with a newborn can feel like a huge achievement. When my son was really small, I cherished moments when I could escape for an hour to my local Costa Coffee or GAIL’s Bakery. Sipping a hot drink and enjoying a change of scenery really helped to clear my headspace.

Whether it’s to meet a friend or take time for themselves, a gift card for a local coffee shop can give new parents a good excuse to step outside. Postpartum gift ideas like these are small but thoughtful ways to encourage self-care. So consider purchasing a coffee shop gift card for someone you know. It might just give them the boost they need to enjoy a well-deserved break.

9. Waterproof Picnic Blanket

Once the baby is old enough for outings, a good-quality waterproof picnic blanket will help encourage trips to the park. It serves as a comfortable spot on which the baby can lie or play while mum takes a well-earned rest. It’s one of the more practical and versatile postpartum gift ideas, be it for impromptu picnics, outdoor baby classes, or just a quick sit-down on the grass.

A folding picnic blanket featuring a navy blue and white gingham check pattern. The blanket has a solid navy blue flap with the 'Belle & Sol’ logo and a carrying handle. The design is compact and portable, with what appears to be a waterproof backing. The blanket is shown folded and ready for transport.

It’s also one she’ll use again and again for years to come. We enjoyed this Pelle & Sol blanket, and still do, taking it to the Netherlands on a recent family holiday. It comes in a variety of colours and fits neatly into our son’s changing bag alongside everything else we pack.

10. Tuppence & Crumble Star Blankets

These stylish and functional star baby wraps  from Tuppence & Crumble are an ingenious way to keep a baby snug and cosy in their pram. They also won’t compromise on safety when strapped into a car seat. They’re easy to place around little ones in their first year, creating a comfortable fit without the hassle of bulky layers. Not to mention, they are just extremely cute!

A yellow star-shaped baby swaddle or wrap made from a soft fleece material and suitable for a new baby, with white blanket stitch trim and a decorative pom-pom on top of the hood, shown alongside a matching folded version.

11. Toys for Baby

While baby clothes are a popular gift, toys are sometimes overlooked. Toys that engage the senses of touch, sound and sight in particular can provide hours of stimulation and entertainment (for babies and parents alike).

A collection of baby sensory toys and cards from ‘The Little Peanut Company’ including black and white ribbon streamers, a textured ball, a clear ring with coloured beads, a white chiffon sensory scarf, a polka dot egg, folded squares of silver foil, and cards with the words ‘LEARN’ and ‘PLAY PROMPTS’ visible, arranged on a light surface with tissue paper.

For inspiration on what gifts to get new mums, check out the toys in this bundle by The Little Peanut Company. In the long term, rattles and shakers, high contrast fabric items, teething rings, foil blankets and textured balls are far more valuable to a baby’s development than an extra outfit. They’re also fantastic distractions too.

Three black and white folded muslins (hemmed squares of lightweight cotton cloth used to wipe up regurgitated milk when feeding or winding a baby) displaying different nature-inspired patterns: concentric tree rings, fern leaves, and dandelion seed heads. The designs are bold and graphic in style, and the items sit against a white background.

For instance, we received a lot of plain muslins as gifts, but these ones from Etta Loves actually went a step beyond traditional uses and into toy territory, helping time and again to calm a wriggly baby on the changing mat with their high contrast designs. It was the small things getting us through the day’s big challenges that we were the most grateful for.

12. My Expert Midwife ‘Mum-to-Be’ Collection

This gift set is a wonderful way to support a new mum through her postpartum recovery.  With five full-size products, including perineal spray, stretch mark serum and nipple balm, this kit covers many of the challenges she might face. It’s a luxurious and practical gift, developed by midwives, that shows you’ve thought carefully about her needs during this important time.

A collection of pregnancy skincare products from ‘My Expert Midwife’ brand displayed in a clear bag with red trim. Products include ‘Fantastic Skin Elastic’, ‘Spritz for Bits’, ‘No Harm Nipple Balm’ and other skincare items in white, orange, and turquoise packaging.

However, the best gift of all is YOU.

Cheesy, I know. Yet above all the postpartum gift ideas listed, the greatest offerings are your time and support. That might mean holding the baby so she can have a nap, or helping with household chores. It could also simply mean being there for a chat over a cup of tea. Honestly, your presence alone can mean the world. 

New motherhood is an extraordinary experience, but it also comes with an extraordinary amount of responsibility and risk of isolation. By being part of her village, you’ll help keep her afloat so that she can more fully enjoy this exciting new chapter of her life.

Posted In: Maternity

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