"Congratulations!" Gift Ideas for Expecting Parents, from Moms Who Know
Updated by Jaime Netzer
Parenting is one of life's most rewarding journeys—and also, at least occasionally, one of its most challenging. Any expecting parent in your life deserves a congratulations gift that has both new baby and expecting mom and dad in mind.
From the moment they saw the sonogram, felt the stretch marks, or experienced their little one's first kicks, they knew their lives changed. And from the moment you received the pregnancy announcement or baby announcement, you might've been wondering: how can I find a gift that truly honors the occasion for the expecting parents I love?
Cratejoy spoke with two sellers, Cater to Mom and Rad Dad Box, about how to choose the very best gifts for expecting parents, whether you're joining them for a baby shower or simply sending your new mom gift along with your love.
For the Baby or From the Registry
New parents might approach childrearing differently, but no matter if they co-sleep, breast-feed , or sleep-train, all parents need some practical gifts to ease the transition into their new baby's arrival during trimesters. Baby shower or expecting mom gifts often fall in this category, being practical in nature due to the gift registry attached to the event. A well-curated gift basket can make for a thoughtful addition to a practical choice, including everything from onesies to bibs for the new mama.
But while we're talking about practical gifts, don't forget about the most precious and valuable resource to any new mom or new parents: time. Marsha, the founder of Cater to Mom , explains: "As a seasoned mom and having my third child, the best gift you can give new parents is home-cooked meals or meal delivery gift cards. I'm the only one who cooks in our household, so preparing dinner is not an option when, as a mom, you are recovering from birth and taking care of your baby."
Rad Dad Box founder Michelle, meanwhile, offers her own list of practical suggestions. "For both [of our] children, footed sleepers were important (since they kick off their newborn baby socks so easily); saline spray and a nose suction, bamboo washcloths (you'll need lots of them for those early baths), and a breastfeeding pillow were also essential."
She adds, "We also found sleep sacks to be essential for our son but not our daughter, and burp cloths essential for our daughter but not our son." Making sure the new parents in your life don't have to spend time thinking about these details can make for an incredible baby shower gift that the expecting mom or dad in your life will feel grateful for long after the onesies are outgrown!
Give the Gift of Sentimental and Memento Gifts (and Gift Boxes) to Expecting Moms
Maybe you love giving bibs and onesies, or maybe you want to lean more toward the sentimental side. Ideas like a framed sonogram photo, a memory book, pregnancy journal, a subscription gift box, or baby book are all incredibly thoughtful gifts in a pregnancy gift box for the expectant mom in your life.
Use the question, "Could this become a keepsake one day?" to guide your great gift selection. Maybe she wants a book to track her baby boy or girl's firsts. Maybe she wants to track her own thoughts and feelings as an expecting mother via a pregnancy journal. The first year is top of mind for all expectant mothers––and what better new baby gift could there be than the chance to better remember this precious time?
Pamper Mom and Dad with gifts, too
Here's the truth: everyone will shower the new baby with attention, affection, and gifts. But as any new parent knows, the journey is not without its bumps. Mom and Dad need care and thoughtful gifts, too. One idea for early and immediate help is to set up a postpartum doula: "If you do not have family or friends close by to help, enlist the help of a postpartum doula," Marsha says. "Having a postpartum doula available to help with the baby, support Mom, and help with light cleaning, cooking, etc. is so beneficial. New parents can set up a donation [or] gift fund for [their] family, and friends can contribute to a postpartum doula."
And what if that postpartum time turns even darker? Marsha explains that she had a tough time as a mom-to-be and then new mom. "I am a mom of two and with both my children I had postpartum depression and a very difficult postpartum recovery," she says. "I was given so many resources on what to expect during my pregnancy and how to prepare for my baby's arrival, but nothing in regards to postpartum. I truly was not prepared for the challenges that came with postpartum and I was so afraid to talk to anyone about my feelings for fear of being judged. I suffered in silence.
"No mom should have to feel alone in their postpartum journey," Marsha says. "I started Cater to Mom to help moms be better informed about maternal mental health and help them be better prepared for postpartum care." Maybe those gifts to Mom can include self-care boxes like lotions, bath bombs, or a pregnancy gift set. But if you have a pregnant friend or new mom friend who needs more than just pampering, remember that an open ear and offers to help are just as important as any gift.
Michelle, from Rad Dad Box, echoes the importance of self-care for new parents, dads and moms alike. "For us, some form of self-care was very important in those early days. For me, it was making time to take a shower every day (believe it or not, this is actually easier to do with a newborn than with a 1-year-old at home!). For my husband, it was going outside at least once a day." Don't forget about what makes that new Dad Dad , either, as DIY or self-care subscription boxes filled with goodies can help him keep his tank full, too.
They say that in parenthood, the days are long but the years are short––and the first year of parenthood is both the longest and the quickest by that measure. Truly thoughtful gifts for expectant and new parents, whether they're first-time moms or fourth-time dads, can go a long way toward making those days easier and those memories even more precious.
The Rad Dad Box
Shipping: June and December boxes ship earlier in the month so you will receive them before Father's Day/Christmas.
The Rad Dad Box - The Essentials
Shipping: June and December boxes will ship earlier in the month to ensure arrival by Father's Day and Christmas.
Cater to Mom
Shipping: First box ships within 2 - 4 business days. Subsequent boxes will ship on the 18th of each month.
Bookroo's Baby & Preschool Book Club
Shipping: Your welcome box will ship on Friday!
Breastfeeding Subscription Box
Shipping: We ship priority mail by the 10th of the month!
Check out our sellers' boxes and more gift ideas for new parents in our Gift Shop !
