20 of the Best Gifts for New Parents

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    Becoming a parent is a big adjustment, so it means a lot when you send a little something their way. Here are some of the best gift ideas for new parents, from helpful subscriptions to self-care tools.

    If you know a new parent, you likely know someone who hasn’t shopped for themselves in a while. They’re too busy pouring their heart, soul, formerly restful nights, and finances into their tiny little human.

    It’s no joke: New moms and dads are some of the most selfless people we know. And chances are, the ones in your life need a little pampering and spoiling.

    That’s why we polled moms and dads in the Healthline office to ask them about their favorite “just for me” gifts when they became new parents. Because, when you ask your new-mom BFF for her wish list, she might be more likely to say diapers or onesies than the spa day she deserves.

    We took it to the next level by further researching products on the market and finally, by evaluating each item. Read more about our brand and product evaluation process.

    1. Money toward a postpartum doula

    DONA International logo

    A visit from a postpartum doula is a gift that can benefit the whole family.

    Like a modern Mary Poppins, doulas arrive ready to offer parents of newborns the chance to sleep. They can also offer answers to parenting questions, a listening ear, referrals, and help with cooking and baby laundry.

    A bonus: Some doulas have special training in massage and belly binding, so parents can get these services from the comfort of their own homes.

    If you need help locating a postpartum doula, you can check out the DONA International webpage or ask local medical professionals and friends for recommendations.

    Search DONA

    2. A water bottle

    Reduce reusable water bottle

    Newborn parents are frequently more concerned with their baby’s needs than their own. That makes reminders to stay hydrated more important than ever.

    Plus, having a water bottle or two nearby means they won’t have to worry about getting up from the couch for a cup right after their baby finally falls asleep on them. Large capacity is key.

    Depending on your budget and the new parents’ style, there are several options.

    This Reduce Everyday mug with lid and straw holds 50 fluid ounces. So, they can sip or gulp their way through their daily water needs without constant refills.

    Shop at Amazon

    3. A new coffee machine

    Nespresso Verto coffee machine

    Consider gifting your friends a new coffee machine to help them through those tough nights after bringing baby home.

    Let’s face it, they very well may be leaning on caffeine for many years to come. If your kids aren’t keeping you up late, they are waking you up early, eh?

    The Nespresso VertuoPlus is a Healthline favorite for its ability to make both creamy espresso shots and good ol’ drip coffee. It makes a great upgrade to a standard drip coffee machine if the new parents you’re shopping for like the different drink options coffee shops offer, but they don’t have the time to go to one.

    Note that some moms may be opt to go caffeine-free while nursing, but this coffee machine gives them something to look forward to when they’re ready for those creamy espresso shots again.

    Shop at Amazon

    4. A snack subscription

    SnackBox subscription

    Subscription snack boxes can be a lifeline for parents as they’re trying to stay fueled in those early days.

    Their schedule is totally changing. They may not have time to plan meals like they used to. Mom especially may be yearning for the extra calories if nursing.

    So, having a snack on hand to provide necessary energy boosts or buy time and brain power until they can figure out a full meal are, in a word, helpful.

    SnackBOX is Healthline’s pick for the best vegan and gluten-free options.

    Shop SnackBOX

    5. A new scarf

    For moms, a new accessory can go a long way in bringing back glamorous feelings after months of wearing maternity clothing.

    Scarves are a particularly useful accessory since they can hide spit-up on the collar of an outfit, cover up oily hair, and even be used as a cover during breastfeeding sessions.

    We love the Bebe au Lait Muslin Nursing Scarf for summertime use. The muslin makes it breathable and cooler.

    For something that offers a little more coverage, the Bamboobies Nursing Shawl is worth checking out.

    Shop Bebe au Lait Shop Bamboobies

    6. A tracking device for those easily lost little things

    Sleepless nights and a space filled to the brim with baby gear mean it’s easy for new parents to misplace their car keys, wallet, and phone.

    With a gift like Tile, they won’t have to spend precious time frantically searching for these essentials when they’re ready to go somewhere, and they’ve already spent more time than they ever used to trying to get out the door.

    Trust us when we say this is a gift sure to save the day more than once.

    Shop at Tile

    7. Comfy loungewear

    Whether your friend is on maternity or paternity leave, a stay-at-home parent, or splitting their time between the new tiny human in their life and the office, they’re probably going out a lot less these days.

    In the words of one new mom who works at Healthline: “If you’re not leaving the house, you might as well be happy about what you’re wearing!”

    Enter athleisure loungewear. Cute enough to answer the door and receive casual guests, but comfy enough for snuggles in bed or on the couch while feeding the newest addition.

    You don’t even need to leave the house to shop, with so many loungewear options available online. We like the Everyday Lounge Joggers by Kindred Bravely (which also pair great with many of their nursing tops!) and Vuori’s Sunday Performance Jogger.

    Shop Kindered Bravely Shop at Vuori

    8. Food delivery, dine-in, or takeout gift certificate

    Although this may only come to mind in the immediate weeks after delivery, we promise it’s a welcome gift throughout the baby’s entire first year.

    In fact, in many cases, parents of babies in the 6- to 12-month range find themselves with even more demands on their time. And those with little ones are still adjusting to a new normal. So, providing a meal (or two, or 20) is always a cherished gift.

    “A co-worker gave me an Uber Eats gift card, and I’m pretty sure we lived off takeout for the first 6 weeks,” shares one Healthline parent.

    Food gifts for new parents

    The options for food delivery are practically endless. A couple of our favorites include:

  • Grubhub
  • Postmates and Uber Eats

    • You could also gift them a handful of meal delivery kits that don’t require cooking and come ready to heat and eat. Some to consider:

  • Sunbasket
  • Daily Harvest
  • Splendid Spoon

    • 9. Noise-canceling headphones

    One Healthline editor (and mom) shares: “Something indulgent for my husband was noise-canceling headphones, so he could still chill out to TV even though I was breast-pumping and our baby was crying in our loft.”

    Feeling extra generous toward a special couple in your life? Buy a pair of Bluetooth noise-canceling headphones for when one of the new parents needs some silence for a minute … or 5 … or 20.

    Of course, both parents shouldn’t be wearing them at the same time, but they can take turns getting some quiet time when they need it.

    You’ll find a wide range of prices for noise-canceling headphones online — all the way up to Bose, considered the gold standard. We really like their wireless QuietComfort 45 over-the-ear headphones that are equipped with a built-in microphone.

    Shop at Amazon

    10. Hand lotion

    Looking for that perfect gift for a new parent co-worker or neighbor? A luxurious hand lotion is a welcome addition to any diapering station, and one that may not occur to new parents as being a necessity.

    A Healthline mom shares that one of her most appreciated gifts was a “mildly scented but hydrating hand lotion that was a lifesaver with continuous diaper changing and handwashing.”

    We like the Norwegian Formula Hand Cream from Neutrogena and the Verbena Cooling Hand Cream Gel by L’Occitane.

    Shop Neutrogena Shop at L’Occitane

    11. Hair care

    Sometimes, shower time is the only “me time” new parents get.

    Couple that with postpartum hair struggles, and a hair care kit makes for a welcome gift. Moms won’t ever be able to prevent postpartum hair loss, but there are lots of products to help them mange and make hair appear fuller in the meantime.

    Consider shampoo and conditioner from Hairburst. They contain ingredients like panthenol that can encourage soft, shiny hair.

    Shop at Amazon

    12. Sterilizer and dryer

    Sure, this may seem suspiciously like an item more for baby than for mom or dad, but in our book, anything that gives the adults of the household more of their time back is a win.

    Faster and more convenient than washing everything by hand, this multitasker can take on sterilizing, drying, and storing of almost anything baby-related: bottles, pacifiers, baby utensils, plates — even breast pump parts.

    Consider the Deluxe Bottle Warmer and Sterilizer from trusted brand Dr. Brown’s.

    Shop at Amazon

    13. Modern photo gifts

    What’s more fun than having your photos on display in a coffee table book? Especially one that expands easily to add more pages and photos?

    You can get the new parents in your life started by building a photo book to gift.

    We like Artifact Uprising for their stylish album design and gift card options.

    Bonus: Just like photo gifts of the early 2000s, this makes a great gift for new grandparents, too.

    Shop at Artifact Uprising

    14. Postpartum care kit and babysitting

    One Healthliner shares that this is her go-to gift for new moms.

    Buy a cute basket or cloth bag and fill it to the brim with witch hazel pads, nipple cream, good lotion, undereye gel pads, ear plugs, a donut cushion, and a nice sitz bath solution.

    Pro tip: What’s a sitz bath solution if mama doesn’t have a chance to enjoy it? Offer to watch baby for a few hours while mom pampers herself.

    Explore other postpartum care ideas

    15. A new outfit

    Clothes can be one of the toughest gifts to buy for a person — but also one of the most personal and appreciated.

    As one Healthline employee notes: “It was wonderful to get so many lovely gifts for the babies, but a dress was the one thing just for me. I think any personal gift is nice to receive, especially clothes, as by a certain point … I think you’ve often been wearing the same things on repeat for months.”

    If you find yourself struggling to make a choice at a big-box department store, try something like a gift card for Stitch Fix. Mom and dad can experience the novelty of discovering new items for their wardrobe and doing something that’s just for them.

    Shop at Stitch Fix

    16. A helping hand

    Sometimes the most thoughtful gifts aren’t the tangible ones.

    “We had light bulbs out for months (and still do) because we have no time to think about it. A few months postpartum it seemed like our whole house was falling apart,” says one Healthliner.

    Consider offering a helping hand, especially around the holidays or special occasions when time may be particularly precious. Some ideas:

  • offer to do laundry or wash dishes
  • bring over tools for small repairs
  • do a deep clean of the refrigerator, oven, or bathtub
  • mow the lawn

    • 17. Guided journals

    The days can feel long, but the years go by so fast. And especially in the early months of new parenthood, parents can be too overwhelmed by the day-to-day to think to jot down precious moments they want to remember.

    One Healthline dad who received this as a gift says: “The baby takes so much out of you that having something to remind you to take time out and write down the good things is huge — especially knowing they’ll read it when they’re older.”

    Enter the guided journal. There are plenty out there. One we really like is called “When We Became Three.”

    Shop at Amazon

    18. Essentials, delivered

    Never underestimate the power of putting certain tasks on autopilot. Show us a new parent, and we’ll show you someone who has probably made at least one middle-of-the-night store run for diapers, baby wipes, formula, or … caffeine.

    Using Amazon’s Subscribe & Save feature, you can gift your friend 6 months’ worth of diapers or other essentials. “I didn’t have to think about it once,” says one Healthline mom who received this as a gift.

    To do this, choose the Subscribe & Save option when adding an item to your cart and select how often you want the item(s) delivered. And, most importantly, at checkout for the shipping details, fill in the address where you’d like them delivered.

    We like Pampers brand diapers, but there are many options to choose from on Amazon.

    Shop at Amazon

    19. App subscriptions

    And speaking of subscriptions, what new parent wouldn’t love a sleep or meditation aid? (It’s a great time to be alive.)

    Apps like Calm and Aura offer sleep stories, guided meditation, daily inspo, and more.

    Consider buying a yearlong subscription for that new mom or dad in your life and give the gift of peaceful sleep. Because, if you’re only getting a few hours at a time, it might as well be dreamy.

    Get started at Calm Get started at Aura

    20. Trip to the spa

    This was a popular gift among Healthline parents. No one should need permission to indulge in a good massage and other self-care goodness. But the truth is, we all suck at pampering ourselves.

    Give a new mom or dad the go-ahead by arranging for a babysitter and planning a glorious day of restoration and relaxation.

    There are nationwide chains or you can support your local independently owned spa by purchasing a day package for two.

    If you’re short on time, Spafinder lets you find participating day spas and salons with services like massage, facials, and even haircuts. Just double-check what’s in your friends’ area, then you can send a Spafinder gift card by email or post, or you can print it out to hand-deliver yourself.

    Shop at Spafinder

    The takeaway

    The truth is, the new parents in your life will appreciate any acts of thoughtfulness — whether they come wrapped up with a pretty bow or in the form of a phone call or visit.

    As one Healthline mom points out, sometimes the best gift is a big ol’ pan of mac and cheese and an evening of adult conversation. Trust us, this becomes a cherished commodity once the newest addition arrives.

    We hope these ideas will get you started, but the best gift you can give is just being there — and reminding new moms and dads that they’ve got this.

    Posted : 2024-05-28 14:46

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