When I had my baby, all the usual gifts flowed in: flowers, cards, trinkets with my daughter’s name engraved. I appreciated them all, but as I settled into life as a new mom, what I really craved was the practical equipment that didn’t seem glamorous enough to gift: stroller organizers, backpacks, baby carriers.
So take it from someone who has been there recently: more than anything else, the new mom in your life will adore something that helps her and her baby get through the day unscathed. Or that gives her the confidence to survive another day of scrubbing spit-up on no sleep. Or just instills a sigh of relief at the end of a long day. Here are some of the top picks that helped me through, including some I’ve already gifted to fellow new moms.
Cozy Earth Adjustable Bamboo Sleep Mask
My early postpartum days were characterized by sleepless, interrupted nights, but this cloud of an eye mask made it so much more bearable. A cooling bamboo viscose fabric stuffed with extra fill gives it a pillow-like feel that envelops the eyes and creates a total blackout. Unlike flimsy elastic-secured eye masks that stretch with time and wear, this one’s backed by a sturdy Velcro strap that holds the perfect fit, even throughout a night of tossing and turning. What more could she want after a long day of being nap-trapped?
BabyBjörn Harmony Baby Carrier
Some of the most cherished memories of my infant daughter were made with her aboard this mesh Babybjörn carrier. The secure “kangaroo pouch” allowed me to confidently bring her along on my day with my hands free, and the mesh design ensured I never overheated. Unlike similar carriers I’ve tried from mom friends, it’s super simple to fasten on your own, so she can feel confident on long days solo parenting. You can change between four different carrying positions, from front facing to “backpack” style once her baby demonstrates adequate neck support. Get this for the new mom in your life – she will use it for hours a day.
Lululemon New Parent Backpack
I can’t recall a day this backpack hasn’t saved me since bringing my daughter home. Sure, it has ample compartments for diapers, bottles, wipes and a spare change of clothes, but it also includes thoughtful features like an easy-to-clean changing pad you can stash in the laptop sleeve, and an included crossbody purse she can wear on casual days. Sleek, to-the-point and water-repellent enough to resist spills and accidents, this is a gift built to last long past those first few days back from the hospital.
David & Adley Amelia Pumping and Nursing Cropped Cami
I don’t think I took this nursing bra off the entirety of my breastfeeding career. Its comfort is unmatched, it’s silky-smooth enough to ward off sensitivity caused by hormones or latch issues and it looks cute enough to wear under an open cardigan. Clip-free adjustable straps allow for a seamless fit even in the wake of fluid fluctuations, and it comes in thoughtful, extended sizing to accommodate all bodies. The best part? She can use it in tandem with a pump, making it a flexible option no matter how she chooses to feed her baby.
Theragun Elite Bluetooth Massage Gun
After the first few weeks of wielding heavy strollers and car seats and contorting my body into bizarre positions just to get a proper latch, my body felt beat. Nothing brought my aching muscles back to life more than my Theragun massage gun, which I could rely on whenever I needed it, instead of having to book a pricey and time-consuming postnatal massage appointment. The uniquely-shaped triangular handle makes it easier for me to target hard-to-reach areas like my shoulder blades and lower back, without the device slipping out of my hands.
Cozy Earth Bamboo Stretch-Knit Long Sleeve Pajama Top
This pajama top was the first item to go into my hospital bag when I was thinking about what would feel most comforting to wear moments after giving birth. Stylish, ultra-soft and breathable enough to ward off night sweats, Cozy Earth’s buttery bamboo pajamas are a new mom essential. She can easily unfasten the top few buttons to nurse without having to completely disrobe, and if she tends to overheat, its cooling and sweat-wicking fabric will be a dream. The waistband on its matching pants also has tons of stretch to accommodate a sensitive C-section scar.
Ingenuity Boutique Collection Plush Modern Baby Rocker
When I needed a moment to do the dishes or send an email, I could always count on this rocker to keep my baby safe and entertained. Comparably priced bouncers from premium brands include nothing but a buckle to strap baby in, but this one has soothing sounds and vibrations that gently rock her baby into a state of bliss. Seriously, it worked like sorcery on my inconsolable newborn. Its gender-neutral colorway allows you to incorporate it into a range of décor schemes, or transfer it from child to child.
Savor Baby Keepsake Organizer Box
Babies come with a lot of paperwork, from medical records to ultrasound photos. Instead of mixing it all into an overflowing inbox, the new mom in your life can organize it neatly and stylishly with this customizable keepsake organizer box. In addition to documents, I use it to consolidate all of my daughter’s sentimental knick knacks, like her hospital bracelet and NICU graduation certificate, so her nursery stays tidy. It does a stellar job of creating a chic and bookish vibe to her room without looking like something plucked out of a physician’s filing cabinet.
Defresit New Mom Gifts
This care package contains a little bit of everything to get her started on motherhood: a cloth book, infant first aid kit, emotional support stuffed animal, onesie, headband, milestone card for Instagram-worthy photo ops and more. The included display box makes it super giftable too. Plus, it comes in pink or a more neutral yellow colorway with different offerings like a Mom and Dad tumbler, making it a thoughtful catch-all gift for any new mom. While I didn’t receive this one personally, my sister-in-law was delighted by it.
Momcozy Universal Stroller Organizer
All moms know stroller under-seat storage space is sacred, so help her make the most of it with this universal stroller organizer. It hooks to the stroller handle to prevent swinging around with every step, and it provides dedicated compartments for those most-reached-for items like her water bottle, phone, baby’s bottle, glasses, sunscreen and more. If stuck on never-ending stroller walks because the whir of traffic seems to be the only way to get her baby to sleep (same), this thing will become an absolute savior while she gets her steps in.
Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
