The gifts for new mums that they really want, according to mums themselves.
The perfect gift for a new mother after birth will not only make her feel special and supported, but will also be useful to have to hand during those whirlwind first few weeks at home. And whilst flowers are all well and good, gifts like a baby book that they can fill with precious memories to look back on or some soothing bath products can sometimes be just the tonic.
“Finding that perfect gift for a new mother can be tricky,” says GoodtoKnow’s Family Editor Stephanie Lowe. “As a mum-of-one and friend to many a mum, useful or tasty are my main two litmus tests when choosing a gift. Always remember that the term ‘fed is best’ works for baby, and mum and dad too. Send a COOK meal box or tower of brownies and you will go down in history as THE best gift giver at this new and exciting time. Especially when feeding yourself falls to the bottom of the to-do list.”
With this in mind, we’ve compiled a host of great (and useful) gifts for new mums that have been tried and tested by our teams or directly recommended by new mums, so you know you’re in good hands if you purchase these presents.
Best gifts for new mums 2021
1. New arrival essentials gift box
(Credit: JoJo Maman Bebe)
There are loads of great gift boxes out there for new mums but this one was a particular hit with us thanks to its thoughtful combination of bits for the baby and helpful gifts for new mums. Items like the Natural Birthing Company Bottoms Up Spray is a tried and tested product for soothing stitches and tears plus postpartum healing while the muslins are a must-have for any new parents.
A soft toy, with the baby’s year of birth embroidered on it, is a lovely keepsake.
2. Cast The Heirloom Kit
(Credit: experiencecast.com)
Bespoke baby fingerprint necklace
The Heirloom Kit includes everything you need to capture this moment in time and create a bespoke, precious piece of jewellery to treasure forever. Simply make an impression of your baby’s finger in a piece of soft putty-like wax and send it off to CAST. Their talented team will then cast a perfect replica of your design in the finest recycled silver, gold or platinum, creating a priceless memory of this special time to cherish.
3. Natural Birthing Co Mama’s Moments Maternity Kit
(Credit: Holland and Barrett)
“The bottoms up spray completely takes away the sting after the birth. Stopped using it thinking i maybe just wasn’t sore and then the pain came thick and fast. Used the spray and away it went again so it really does work.”
VIEW AT HOLLAND & BARRETT | £49.99
4. Deep Sleep Pillow Spray
Credit: Thisworks
This is proven to help you fall asleep faster. Made with ThisWorks’ award-winning superblend of Lavender, Camomile and Vetivert calms both mind and body, soothing you to sleep. Also 99% natural, cruelty free and vegan. Don’t forget to give your PJs a spritz too.
“I spray this before bedtime, firstly in the air above my bed then secondly over my pillow, the comforting gently sweet smell soon sends me to sleep. Like, it really does work.”
5. Elizabeth Jane Baby Hand And Foot Inkless Print Kit
We love the price of this simple yet fun gift for new mums that creates gorgeous little prints that in years to come will become truly priceless.
6. The White Company Nourish Bath Soak
(Credit: White Company)
This one is perfect as it’s designed to reinvigorate and rejuvenate, blending neroli, geranium and eucalyptus.
VIEW AT THE WHITE COMPANY | £35
7. Contigo Jackson Reusable Water Bottle
(Credit: Amazon)
“A water bottle with a leak proof seal that you can pick up and open one handed is a game changer. You get so thirsty those first few weeks, as you are either breastfeeding or just forgetting to drink water. Plus with a little one constantly making use of one arm/hand, a bottle that you can just have lying next to you is the best!”
8. Silver Engravable Bar Dot Bracelet
(Credit: Thomas Sabo)
“My sister-in-law gifted me a bracelet engraved with my son’s name after I gave birth. It was such a special thoughtful gift and something that I still treasure and wear years (and two more children) later!”
What we love about this sterling silver bracelet is that it’s great value and great quality from Thomas Sabo. Plus the middle of the bracelet can be individually engraved with symbols, numbers or letters. So you can engrave the baby’s name, initials, date of birth and more.
9. Oh Mumma – Just For Mum Pamper Box
Credit: JoJo Maman Bebe
Oh Mumma, created by two mums, for mums is an award-winning box subscription. It makes self-care a little more simple for new mum, available at JoJo as a one-off purchase. Give the gift of ‘me-time’ moments wit this Just for Mum Box. Inside is an edit of luxe beauty and lifestyle products curated to make little moments of self-care enjoyable and super easy – even on the go, which all mums always are.
10. Mamas & Papas Welcome to the World 6 Piece Set
(Credit: Mamas and Papas)
“It’s makes you feel really excited to meet your baby when you get the little clothes and they come in handy in those first months when you can never have enough baby grows for all the constant changes!”
11. Aden + Anais Essentials Muslin Swaddle Blankets
“Getting a pack of these swaddles just before I gave birth was so useful. They were a welcome gift because I had them saved in my Amazon basket for when I could afford them and so being gifted them meant it was one less thing to get!”
We love aden + anais swaddles as they are 100% cotton muslins and their quality and size is a cut above the rest. Our go-to swaddles, these muslins also come in an array of different colours and patterns, including a cute Disney themed range.
12. COOK new parents meal boxes
(Credit: COOK)
“One of the best things I received as a new mum was a week’s worth of COOK frozen meals – delicious, varied and healthy for when you have no time in that first few weeks!”
COOK have a whole range of meal boxes for new parents, ranging from a box of one portion meals that can be warmed up for lunch or dinner, to a whole box of meals that will last a fortnight.
13. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Eye Masks
Having a baby is exhausting work, so beauty and skincare products are thoughtful gifts that are bound to be appreciated by new mums when they don’t have time to think about it themselves.
The Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Eye Masks use hydrating properties to renew tired eyes in just 10 minutes. They come in a four pack and after being tried and tested we felt the skin under our eyes looked fresh.
14. M&S Ultimate Afternoon Tea Selection
(Credit: Marks & Spencer)
When you’re up all night and on the go most of the day meeting the needs of a newborn, having a handy supply of sweet treats and snacks nearby – and a good supply of caffeine – is essential.
With Marks and Spencer you are guaranteed good quality and this hamper is packed with treats considering the affordable price. As well as a Victoria Sandwich cake and sponge roll, this gift contains All butter Viennese raspberry creams, chocolate brownie mini bites, Cherry bakewell tarts, all butter shortbread fingers and tea and coffee.
Looking for a vegan alternative? We love this carefully curated hamper of vegan goodies because it also comes with a bottle of Royal Road Malbec vegan wine – because who doesn’t fancy a glass of wine after a long day (or pregnancy!)
15. John Lewis gift card
Credit: John Lewis
It can be hard to leave a new baby, so the fact these are valid for two years is a big tick in the ‘great gift’ box! A new mum will be welcoming some time to herself by the time the baby is 1 years old. A John Lewis spa day gift card and offering to watch the baby for a few hours will be a winner.
16. Audible Membership
(Credit: Getty)
Some of the best gifts for new mums are presents that you can give them that they wouldn’t think to buy themselves. When you’re up in the middle of the night for hours at a time for night feeds, having something to listen to in the background and keep you company can really help you through.
Buying a gift subscription to Audible gives your lucky recipient access to a new book every month from a vast archive of best selling fiction, new releases and much-loved classics.
VIEW AT AUDIBLE | From £7.99 a month
17. Hotel Chocolat Everything Sleekster Luxe
(Credit: Hotel Chocolat)
Hotel Chocolat chocolates feel like a luxury little treat. Even if they only last a brief moment. And lets face it, that might be all the time mum gets to herself in those first few weeks!
18. Cheeky Chompers Personalised Midnight Stars Luxury Baby Gift Box
(Credit: NOTHS)
The Every Cloud Gift Set from Cheeky Chompers is the perfect starter pack for new mums who will soon have little ones that need relief for their tender gums. It includes a Neckerchew, Neckerbib and Comfortchew. Plus, it can be personalised with the baby’s name embroidered on the comforter, and personalisation always makes for a thoughtful gift!
19. Gift of a cleaner
(Credit: Molly Maid)
“No matter what you say to them, friends and family WILL visit. When my sister-in-law gave me a ‘hire a cleaner’ voucher it was such a weight lifted off my shoulders! We had been in hospital for a few weeks and my house was left in such a state to have someone come and do it while I stayed on the sofa was a Godsend.” – Mum-of-two, Jasmine D
A family cleaning service, Molly Maids clean with their own range of eco-friendly cleaning products including their specialist disinfectant and anti-microbial cleaner Xtra Protect to thoroughly clean and sanitise safely – perfect if you’ve just had a little one.
20. Lola’s Cupcakes Brownie Boxes
Credit: Lola’s Cupcakes
“I almost cried with joy when these fell through the letter box. I hadn’t gone shopping and was so hungry, but couldn’t face the logistics of feeding a baby while getting the bread out, into the toaster, buttering and grabbing plate… but these? One handed, in the mouth – easy and delicious!”
As gifts for new mums go, this has to be the cherry on the top. And, as the saying goes: “Fed is best.” Applicable also to the parents! These gooey fudgey brownies are worth every penny, not only do they come in mouth-watering flavours.They also do gluten free and vegan options – perfect for the new-mum in your life!
VIEW AT LOLA’S CUPCAKES | £16.99 per box
21. Lumie Sunrise Alarm
(Credit: Amazon)
While it might not seem the most obvious ‘new mother’ gift, it’s useful for during all those night feeds, and will continue to be useful well into toddler-hood when they’re waking for teething and night-time potty training, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
“This was the best gift ever! It has 10 different light settings. We used level 3 for night feeds to minimise waking and level 9 for a CODE BROWN situation! A gift we didn’t know we needed!”
22. Nursing Chair and footstool
(Credit: Mamas and Papas)
Not a fan of grey? The chair and footstool are available in a variety of colours and finishes to suit whatever your nursery style is.
23. Nobody Tells You by Becca Maberly
(Credit: Amazon)
Written and compiled by Becca Maberly of A Mother Place this book will fill the void of information you may be missing. Now, newborns nap, a lot. So when you’re not napping too, get stuck into this fantastically funny and raw-but-honest book about pregnancy, birth and parenthood – warts and all.
24. Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1
Credit: John Lewis
“No one told me just how dry and chapped my lips would become. Baby always comes first which means gone are my super hydrated days. Sometimes I can go four hours before I realise I’ve had no water. My friend bought me this. Easy to use one handed and really works.”
This worldwide cult product is a great gift if you’re on a budget or the new mum doesn’t want a fuss. This lip balm nourishes and protects and comes in delicious flavours, such as pear, mint and cranberry. It may seem like a little gift, but it’s powerful, it works and the new mum in your life will be so grateful.
25. Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
Credit: Boots
We know this might seem unusual. But with these you are giving them the gift of listening to TikTok or scrolling Instagram without waking the baby. Or listening to their favourite podcast on the go. Anything hands free and wire free is perfect for the new mum in your life.
What are the best gifts for new mums?
If you’re looking for the best gifts for new mums, and want to be original, pull together your own pamper hamper. Buy all the things you know your friend will like – personal and tailored to her. That way nothing is wasted. You can include little handwritten notes of advice from other friends who have had babies. Plus the practical items you know she’ll need. Think chapstick – lips get so dry when breastfeeding. And also a water bottle that is leak proof and can be opened with one hand. Another nice idea is offering to do a food shop for her. She can just send you her list and you’ll deliver it, with a hot coffee too.
Additional advice from GoodtoKnow Family Editor Stephanie Lowe:
Bringing a whole new person into this world is a hugely overwhelming and mind-blowing experience. New mothers need to be heard and helped. Whether that’s with items that will make their new life easier – like a Lumie light up clock, or some essential me time. This ‘me time’ doesn’t have to be a day at a spa. It can literally be as simple as you taking the baby for a walk in the pram while she has a quiet hour to sit and drink a hot coffee and scroll instagram, catch up on TV or read a book.