Gift ideas for new parents

Have you ever been to a baby shower & all you’ve seen is gifts for the new baby? Yeah, me too.

Now listen, that new gorgeous babe will have EVERYTHING they need already sorted by their parents, I can assure you. ESPECIALLY if they’re first-time parents. So let’s leave the teddies, clothes & nursery accessories alone for a minute, and consider what might actually be a far better use of our hard earned cash. For you, but also for the new parents. 

Let’s think about mum. What does she need? You could ask her, or you could just read this blog and that’ll give you some amazing ideas going forward! 

Ok so number 1 best gift idea goes to… 

• A postnatal doula! Now I promise you this isn’t just a personal plug, there is a body of evidence out there which tells us that mums simply do not get enough hands-on support after birth (in the UK). Especially after their partner goes back to work and that newborn excitement from friends & family wears off. A postnatal doula can support mum as early as a few days post birth by feeding her (prepare nourishing meals to aid recovery), provide professional reassurance around baby feeding (breast or bottle), aid recovery by taking the baby so mum/partners can sleep and rest, provide a safe place for a birth debrief, signpost new parents to other professionals e.g. lactation consultants, provide practical support e.g. a light round of housework or laundry to alleviate pressure on the new parents… the list honestly goes on. If you or your friends need help finding a doula locally & would like to explore this idea, contact me and I can help you. 

  
  

• Next up, the mummy MOT voucher! There are some amazing women’s health physios out there, look at where the new mum lives locally and find out whether you could buy her a voucher or invest in some MOT sessions with a group of your friends. Try not to commit to specific dates (you don’t know how the mum is going to feel on certain days) but a voucher where she can choose when she’s ready would be perfect! Every new mum needs a thorough physical check after birth & to feel listened to and looked after. The 6-week GP check just does not cut it.

  
  

• Onto something practical, meals! You can either be a really organised friend and batch cook some yummy homemade meals in advance (make sure they’re safe to freeze) or you could invest in some Cook vouchers/order a box of Cook ready meals, ready to go straight in the fridge or freezer during mums nesting period. I say Cook, because they really are delicious (I can vouch, my friends bought these for me postpartum!) and are a little bit bougie still, so will make mum (and her partner) feel special and thought about. 

  
  

• Another good idea would be to put together a postpartum pack for mum. Think gentle bath salts, facemasks, nipple creams (if she’s thinking of breastfeeding), perineal spritz (not glam but VERY useful if she’s had a vaginal birth), some comfy oversized cotton undies, lavender spray, maternity pads, you get the gist. Anything which is going to make the new mums’ life that little bit more comfortable in the early days, she will thank you for it. 

  
  

• Another lovely idea would be to invest in a photoshoot for the new family. Again, vouchers will probably be best so that mum and her partner can choose when they’re ready. A lot of the time I see new mums taking hundreds of photos of everybody else holding her baby, but not nearly enough photos exist of her and the little one. So this would capture those newborn moments beautifully & professionally. 

  
  

• And finally, if you wanted to buy something for baby (because let’s face it, they’re too cute not to!), then I’d suggest something like a keepsake memory box or book, where mum and her partner can place precious items, photos or write memories which will last forever. This can be something they can even give to their little one in years to come, and how special if that idea came from you! 

  
  

I hope this blog was helpful!

Grace x