Gift Ideas for New Moms

Let’s start with something crucial: Sleep. It’s common knowledge that newborns aren’t very good at snoozing, and the Hatch promises to help facilitate those ZZZs. The sound machine (in case you didn’t know, infants love white noise and other soothing sounds) doubles as a gentle, calming nightlight that can illuminate p.m. feedings. Ellie put this on her list, and I’m starting to think I should follow suit.

Given that infants sleep a lot, what happens when they need to drift off during an outdoor adventure? Ellie wisely added this portable Hatch sound machine to her registry, which means that she can access that vast library of sounds while on the go. For babies who need noise to drift off, this device ensures they can do so while on that hike or road trip. 

When babies are in rear-facing car seats, it’s important to have a tool to check up on them (unless you want to stop the car and jump into the back seat every once in a while). Both Ellie and I put this mirror on our registries; after all, it’s big enough to see the baby without straining and it’s super easy to install.

It’s an unfortunate fact of life that babies get sick (why can’t they be born with an immune system?). This life-saving kit includes a nasal aspirator, a pacifier medicine dispenser, chest vapor rub, and snot wipes. Ellie has this on her list and she influenced me to add it to mine. 

A diaper pail is a must-have for any new parent (and maybe some childless folks with a pet or accident-prone person in their care). But do they really have the magical powers to contain the wildly strong smell of baby waste? Not all of them. The Dekor promises to trap obnoxious odors without absorbing them — which is crucial if you want to avoid filling the nursery with an unpleasant stench every time you open the pail. This is from Ellie’s registry, and the 6500 5-star reviews ensure she’ll be happy with it.

Did you know that babies love to sleep with their arms up above their heads? Also, if it’s been a while since you’ve been around infants, you may be surprised to learn that it’s no longer safe for them to sleep with blankets in their cribs or bassinets. This innovative swaddle is the perfect solution for safely keeping them warm and letting them keep their arms up. On the other hand, a single layer of fabric reduces the risk of overheating. Both Ellie and I placed these on our registries.

Ellie requested this digital picture frame on her registry, which is a smart move. Parents take a ton of photos of their kids, and it feels wrong to confine those special memories to the screen of a smartphone. But who has enough shelf space or frames for all of those photos? For all these reasons and more, digital frames are a great gift for new parents, especially if they’re as chic as Aura’s. Anyone can connect to and add photos to this device, and you can even add videos to the slideshow that this frame displays.

Speaking of photos, I added this smartphone printer to my registry because I also want analog photographs of my kid. That said, I wanted to avoid the increasingly inconvenient task of figuring out where to get photos printed. This lightweight printer connects via Bluetooth to your phone to print Instax photos (which are similar to Polaroids). It’s a cute and easy way to turn digital pictures into more permanent memories.  

I do a ton of cooking, so it’s my selfish dream to put my child to work in the kitchen once she’s in control of her limbs. A toddler tower is a more secure solution than a stool, plus the platform is adjustable depending on the height of the kid using it. And it’s sleek enough to blend into the rest of my kitchen decor. 

Hear me out on this one: The postpartum phase is full of aches and pains, and that’s before you’ve got a toddler to lug around. Plus, booking massages becomes way more complicated when you need to arrange childcare. If you really want to spoil a new parent, give them a massage gun they can use to unwind at home easily. If you’re not a fan of this one, we rounded up the best massage guns right here. 

A hooded towel is your best bet if you want to pick the perfect present that combines cuteness with practicality. This newborn-sized towel is made of gentle bamboo viscose that’s soft on skin. Buyers say the wrap’s thick material is extra absorbent, too. Ellie added this to her registry and inspired me to plop one in my Amazon cart.

This is a pick from me. One undeniable fact that I know about babies (and kids) is that they make a mess. And as I spend more time on her care, I’ll have less time for cleaning. I’m hoping someone will buy me this Roomba so that the smart vacuum can effortlessly eliminate pet hair, discarded baby snacks, and whatever other debris happens to fall onto my floors. 

On the topic of floors, babies spend a lot of time down there, so it makes sense that Ellie is requesting this gorgeous, soft, safe, wipe-clean playmat. It’s made of EVA foam, which is super cushioning. Buyers say that it’s durable, truly as easy to clean as advertised, and looks surprisingly sophisticated in a living room or other non-nursery space.

My baby niece influenced me to add this pack of teething tubes to my registry. They’re affordable silicone straw toys with bump and stripe textures that guarantee a fun sensory experience. They’re also hollow, which makes them an easy lift for young babies. Plus, they’re food-grade silicone, which means they’re perfectly safe for gnawing. 

I love a strong, hot cup of coffee — but something tells me that when my daughter arrives, I’ll be easily distracted and my mug of joe may go cold. If you know a new parent who loves (and needs) a caffeine boost, why not spoil them with a cup heater that ensures that morning latte stays warm even if it’s abandoned until the afternoon? I’m a fan of the safety features: The self-heating mug comes with a lid and the charging coaster turns off automatically — which will be ultra helpful for forgetful parents (like future-me) and curious kids. Just be sure to remind them that the coaster does have a cord, so they might want to set it on a high surface to avoid accidents around littles. 

If you haven’t been around newborns for a while (or ever), you might not be familiar with “tummy time.” No, we’re not referring to the sessions you spend facedown on the couch after a long day at your desk. We’re talking about the increasing intervals of time newborns need to spend lying on their front. Another fun fact: Many babies hate this at first. To make this difficult task more enjoyable and fun, Itzy Ritzy developed a gorgeous and interactive play mat that features built-in toys. The added bonus that the design is pleasing to an adult’s eye is one of the reasons Ellie added it to her registry. 

People love giving new babies books — maybe it’s to appear well-read or simply a lack of imagination. Either way, we’re fine with it because books are a pretty big hit with little ones. That said, when they add up, they can be hard to store. Ellie placed this wall shelf on her registry, which is very wise because that means the books (or whatever else she places on the shelf) can double as decor.

Admittedly, a newborn won’t be able to play with blocks or dolls, but it’s never too early to think about tidying up. I put this playroom set on my list because it’ll give me the space to organize all their new toys. Plus, the chair and table set are nice bite-sized furniture pieces for her to enjoy on her terms. 

Both Ellie and I have this on our registries — it’s a portable, collapsible baby chair that clips onto a table or counter. It’s a perfect choice for parents whose kitchens have ample counter space, but it’s also handy to bring along to restaurants that you aren’t sure will have a highchair. 

This block set has it all: 70 pieces in a variety of fun shapes and colors — enough to keep ‘em busy for minutes (which will feel like a lifetime in new-parent-time). Whether you manage to teach your kids to tidy up or you’re doing it yourself, the blocks can be stored in the set’s wooden box that transforms into a pull car. Once they’re older, you can bribe them with a ride if they put all their blocks away! Buyers say the pieces are sturdy enough to withstand rough play and that kids tend to really use their imaginations when playing with the set. It’s no wonder Ellie put this on her registry.

Ellie and I both have this pick on our registries to address a seldom acknowledged pain: The aches that develop when you kneel on a tiled floor and rest your elbows on the edge of a tub long enough to wash a full human. These suctioned pads create a cushion that will save your joints and make bathtime far less agonizing. 

When someone in my life has a child, I try my best to send over a food delivery gift card — and I would love it if someone would do the same for me. (How’s that for subtle hinting?) In decades past, it might have been routine to bring over a lasagna or casserole to new parents — and don’t get me wrong, I would still appreciate the gesture of homemade food. But I love that gift cards can be sent long distance and are also a bit easier to navigate if the new parents in your life have food allergies or sensitivities, or just aren’t in any condition to welcome visitors.