The Best Gifts For a New Mum
Have you ever wondered what’s on a New Mum’s wish list? Other than sleep obviously. I’m talking about something specifically for the new mum - not baby clothes, comforters, or blankets, and something other than flowers. Something that will be useful and wanted, something that will make HER feel special, and supported as she navigates her way through these tricky initial weeks. Whether she is a first time mum of just had her sixth child these are the gifts she will truly appreciate.
MOTHER MILESTONE CARDS
Everyone has a set of milestone cards for the babies first moments but did you know you can get them for the mum too? I was lucky enough to receive these and loved how the encouraged me to celebrate the little wins and mark the occasion with just as much importance as we were giving Oscar’s firsts. The cards include becoming a new mum, first night out, sending time in nature, and saying no to something or someone. The New Mother Milestone Cards by A Mother’s Baby Steps are £18, and made by the lovely Kerrie (who is currently on her own maternity leave!).
NEW PYJAMAS
There is no rush for any new mum to wear anything other than pyjamas, but whilst these might become a daytime staple for the initial weeks, I’d say it’s pretty essential for the nights for a long time after. We all know new parents are up and down for night feeds, settling, nappy changes and everything else, so it’s great to have a decent pyjama set to feel fresh in at bedtime. For breastfeeding purposes you can get gorgeous and comfy specific nursing sets from places like HappyMama boutique, but also button up shirt style tops are great to offer flexibility to feed on demand without stripping off completely. Cyberjammies have some beautiful prints in button up styles!
NEW MAMA NECKLACE
Mindful Mummies are two sisters who started a company as well as a movement based on the importance of self-care, they encourage and empower others to raise children to be honest, forgiving and accepting of love, by example. They have a beautiful range of jewellery, clothes and accessories, and I love their iconic MAMA necklace with its flowing script font suspended on a delicate trace chain. This pendant in silver is £35, and is hypoallergenic and nickel free, the perfect special gift (until the baby is old enough to grab stuff – then it might need to be for special occasions only!).
DELICIOUS BROWNIES
Gower Cottage Brownies are hands down the best brownies I think I’ve ever eaten. They were SUCH a welcome gift when they arrived on the doorstep and I kept them under the next to me crib as the perfect breastfeeding snack. They are made in Wales and beautifully packages with custom messages to make the perfect gift. They even offer nut free and gluten free options so really there is no excuse not to send a new mum a pack of these! The New Baby brownie boxes are £19.95.
NEW MOTHER HERBAL TEA
If you want to pop round for a cup of tea and to meet the new baby, then I urge you to take the tea with you! Don’t expect a new mum to be sticking the kettle on and waiting on you, also don’t expect her to have fresh milk in for your tea either! Instead, take round a box of Pukka Motherkind Baby Tea which is great for any nursing mum. It’s caffeine free and ethically sourced and made with aniseed, fennel, lemongrass, shatavari and turmeric – but I promise it tastes better than that might sound! You can pick it up in most supermarkets, Holland and Barrett’s or direct from Pukka online for £2.99 for a box of 20 teabags.
NON ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
After nine months without alcohol new mums are often ready to not miss out anymore, but with a new born baby I can’t imagine anything worse than a hangover!
So instead of taking champagne to whet the baby’s head, and leave the mum taking a few sips then watching everyone else down glasses of the stuff, why not take a non-alcoholic bottle of fizz like Freixenet 0.0% Sparkling Rose (£5 from Tesco).
If they aren’t a fan of fizz then I’d highly recommend a non-alcoholic Gin like Ceder’s Classic Floral and Balanced (£18 at Waitrose), for a cheeky cocktail or two!
POSTNATAL LEGGINGS
Any mum will tell you leggings are life, and in my opinion there are no better postnatal leggings than Mammarelli leggings. They have pockets that fit anything from your phone to a pint of ice cream – I mean do you need another reason?!. They are also super soft, totally squat proof and not see-through, and they are high waisted, supportive but not too tight so they are suitable even after an abdominal birth. I honestly wish I had a pair of these earlier than I did! They start at £45, and you can get 10% off your first order too so it’s basically like they are in the sale!
FOOD FOR THE FREEZER
Cooking is going to be the last thing a new mum feels like doing, and depending on the abilities or tiredness of their partner too it might be a good idea to give them something that means they are both well fed with nutritious food. If you don’t want to cook something yourself then why not give COOK vouchers? Better yet, they do a New Parent range including a New Mums Survival Box that includes 10 one-portions for dinner and lunch which would be perfect for those days when their partner goes back to work and they are fending for themselves with very full hands already. You can also remind her that she can get a 10% discount as a new parent for 6 months – which is well worth signing up to.
POSTNATAL YOGA VOUCHERS
Looking after a new baby takes its toll on a new mums body (not to mention what the pregnancy and birth might have done to it), so it’s great for them to find a postnatal approved outlet to keep the body moving to help with the aches and pains of the job. I’d recommend buying vouchers for Lucy Flow Postnatal yoga membership so that once they get the all clear from the doctor to exercise they can access yoga sessions at their convenience, at home and help increase energy & strength, and reduce stress and anxiety. They start at £20 for a one month membership, but you can buy 1, 3, 6 or 12 months as a gift voucher.
Of course, the best gift of all is just being there for any new mum. To answer her texts or calls, to sit and listen to every woe or worry, not just to offer to hold the baby but to offer and help do the washing up, put clean clothes away or run the hoover over the house.
Those are the gifts that are worth their weight in gold and will never go unappreciated.
What are the best gifts you received as a new parent?
