After someone gives birth, they have a lot on their mind: how to be a parent to this new human being, how much their body needs to rest and recover, how their life has just drastically changed — it runs the gamut.
In America, these new parents are also probably thinking about how they’re going to pay their hospital bill, what kind of childcare support they’re going to need, and how quickly they may have to return to work without any universal paid family leave programs.
While you, as someone who loves and cares about them, can’t remove those challenges all on your own, you certainly can show them you care, offer them some small tokens of support, and generously share your resources with them.
And if you’ve made it here, you already have a care package in mind. Good on you! If you’re new to this “my best friend/sister/cousin is a new mom, and I have no idea how to support her” thing, welcome aboard.
We’ve compiled some ideas of things to include in a new mom care package for the parent in your life who could really use some help caring for their new bundle of joy.
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Ideas To Include in a New Mom Care Package
Food
Frozen Meals
A casserole dish or a crock pot plug-and-go meal is always a thoughtful route for new parents, but what happens when the meal train ends — or your friends get tired of having lasagna for the third night in a row?
Meals that can be pre-portioned and frozen are an amazing help to make your support last — and diversify the home menu option during maternity leave.
We recommend:
One-Handed Snacks
Motherhood is all about multi-tasking. Get some snacks that are both nutritious and delicious and can be easily opened or eaten with one hand.
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Food Delivery Gift Cards
At the end of the day, nothing compares to the exact thing you’re craving. Set her up for success by supplying her with funds to get any meal she wants delivered right to her door.
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Pre-Portioned Smoothies
Smoothies are another great way to get your helping of nutrients and fresh produce without spending too much time in the kitchen — but it can be a pain to portion out your ingredients. Make it easier with some pre-portioned smoothie cups made for a queen.
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Instant Coffee Pods
Wake the Nespresso machine up! Whether you supply your loved one with some Nespresso pods, K-cups, or some good old fashioned microwavable instant coffee, you’ll be giving them a magic elixir in a world of little-to-no sleep.
We recommend:
- Nespresso Variety Pack
- Keurig Flavored Coffee Sampler
- Explorer Cold Brew Concentrate
- 356 By Whole Foods Instant Coffee
Self-Care Items
Breastfeeding-Friendly Loungewear
Nursing pajamas are a must-have. Not only does it make middle-of-the-night feeding times more comfortable, but cute and comfortable loungewear can make a new mom feel fresh and confident when she goes a few days without feeling like a human.
We recommend:
- Tank Top Nursing Pajama Set
- Long-Sleeve Button-Down Postpartum Pajamas
- Postpartum Zip Robe
- 24/7 Feeding Jumpsuit
Oversized T-Shirts
There’s a good chance the new mom you know has already stolen every oversized T-shirt from every man in her life, but it’s time she gets her own. Supply her with a pack of comfy tees that can take a little spit-up and provide mom with endless comfort when her jammies are in the wash.
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Dry Shampoo
There are going to be days where a shower feels like too much work, let alone hair-washing. Let the dry shampoo take a shift and help her feel at least a little refreshed, amid dirty diapers and drool.
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Warm Socks
Sitting on the couch or in the nursery glider isn’t exactly the best way to get your circulation pumping. Keep her toes warm with a pair (or two… or five) of comfy socks.
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Extra Long Phone Charging Cord
Is there anything more frustrating than not being able to reach your phone from your cozy spot in bed or on the couch? Okay, now add a newborn baby to that equation.
Every new mom deserves unlimited screen time, we just decided.
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Postpartum Recovery Items
A Large Water Bottle (With A Straw)
While some new moms receive a big ole water bottle from the hospital or have likely already been using one throughout pregnancy, it’s important to make sure your gift recipient is staying hydrated.
Bottles with a straw are often the best choice, so they’re easy to drink out of while she’s holding or feeding her babe.
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Chapstick
One common but not often talked about side effect of pregnancy and delivery is dehydrated skin (and hair!). Dry, scaly, and peeling lips are part of the gig. Make it a little more bearable.
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Soothing Wipes
Your loved one likely already has a care plan and plenty of resources from their doctor, but soothing wipes and cooling pads are always well appreciated during recovery.
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Ice Packs
You know when you have a headache and you use an ice pack, but then the ice pack stops being cold, but you don’t have another ice pack to replace the original ice pack... and your head still hurts?
That’s what we’re trying to avoid here. Help support the new mom in your life by making sure she always has an ice pack to turn to while she recovers from birth.
We recommend:
Postpartum Pads & Underwear
Make sure she has her fair share of pads and underwear easily accessible! Bonus points if you can make it fun with some cute wrapping, or stash them intentionally in an aesthetic basket that blends into her bathroom.
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Postnatal Vitamins
Your new mom in question likely already has a wellness plan, including supplements, set up with her doctor. But vitamins like biotin and collagen are great options to add into her repertoire for hair and nail growth, too.
We recommend:
- Mommy’s Bliss Postnatal Support Gummies
- Pink Stork Postnatal Mood Support Vitamins
- Mary Ruth’s Postnatal Probiotics
Nipple Balm
If she’s breastfeeding, the best thing you can possibly do is hook her up with some nipple balm. She’ll thank us — and you — later.
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Perineal Balm/Spray
There is no shortage of soothing solutions for soreness all over the body! Despite her existing collection of peri bottles, she’ll also probably appreciate some balms or sprays to keep her on the road to recovery.
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Laxatives & Stool Softeners
If you weren’t already thrilled by how glamorous this care package is, you’ll certainly be wowed by the next idea: laxatives.
Constipation is common in postpartum women, so as much as you might not want to add these to your cart, the new mom in your life will be so relieved, it’ll be well worth it.
We recommend:
Epsom Salts
Forget the rainbow bath bombs and bubble soaks of your adolescence; the joy of a postpartum sitz bath cannot be compared.
Help provide a little relief by supplying her with some epsom salts for the tub.
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Experiences
Audiobooks
Listen, we can all enjoy the soothing white noise machine for so long. If the new mom in your life needs some entertainment for those middle-of-the-night wakeup calls, an audiobook is the way to go.
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Home Cleaning Services
What most new moms are truly looking for is help. Gift baskets are thoughtful and appreciated, but at the end of the day, most new parents simply need someone to lighten the load.
We recommend:
- Volunteering to clean yourself
- Hiring a local small business to help
Newborn Photography Session
If you’re going in on a group gift for a new mom, or you want to give something especially meaningful, pay for a newborn photo session with a local photographer!
Many photographers will offer gift certificates, or you can reach out directly to your friend to cover the cost of any photography session she schedules.
A Massage or Facial
Postpartum massages and facials are the height of luxury. Book your loved one an appointment at a local spa or get a gift card that she can use when she’s ready.
