What to buy for a new mother?

[-]

ReflexArch@reddit

Your time.

Offering to clean the house or do the a few laundry loads. Take the baby whilst the parents sleep etc. Cooking loads of easy to reheat meals etc.

If you can't give your time. Then gifts that saver their time. As lots have said cook vouchers are good.

We had a friend clean the downstairs of our house whilst looking after our first when we both took a nap. Lovely surprise as we just thought we were getting some well needed rest but we also got a surprise house tidy which was a nice boost.

[-]

sweetpicklemilk@reddit

A lot of people say this is great, but it’s really dependent on the person. I’ve just had a baby, and the thought of even my mother doing my washing or cleaning my house brings me out in a cold sweat.

It’s a really nice idea though, but it really depends on whether that’s something you think they would appreciate as an individual.

[-]

HopefulBaking@reddit

Here to like second or third this also! I would absolutely love some food cooked for me but I absolutely hate people cleaning in my house other than me. I’m fussy and don’t like change so if stuff gets put back wrong or not how I like it, I feel more stressed.

Maybe a voucher for a cleaner so they can choose what gets done, like laundry or ironing or something like that?

[-]

ReflexArch@reddit

Yeah that makes sense. I'm a pretty open book who shares too much so it was fine for us.

[-]

prettybunbun@reddit

Yeah I would happily let my mom run around the house with a rag & a vacuum, the thought of any of my friends doing it makes me mortified. That’s on me for sure and my anxiety around that but it would 100% make me feel more stressed and I’d end up doing a ruthless pre-clean (i.e making the house spotless) before they came to ‘clean’ lol

[-]

SinkingSwimmer@reddit

This 100% 🫶🏻

[-]

_justsippingtea@reddit

Infinite upvotes for this comment.

[-]

slophiewal@reddit

Fooooooood!!!! A snack hamper, home made meals for the freezer or Deliveroo/just eat vouchers would be SO appreciated.

[-]

No-Bread9330@reddit

I made my friend a snack hamper and she loved it! I got her dog a toy too to help keep him occupied.

[-]

cloudyrainbowsky@reddit

Good quality keep warm coffee cup of lovely water bottle that keeps water cool.

[-]

lottiebobs@reddit

I really appreciated a fancy shower gel I’d never buy myself and a nice water bottle, it’s hard to stay properly hydrated with a baby so having extra nice water bottles so there’s always one clean was much appreciated. Hand cream is handy as washing hands frequently after nappy changes / washing bottles wrecks your skin.

For both parents we tend to buy nice ready meals and treats for the both of them.

[-]

Jemeter@reddit

Food vouchers for when baby first arrives (Deliveroo/Just Eat or if you’ve got one nearby, Cook do excellent frozen meals), and vouchers for her favourite coffee place for when SMP hits and she can still then pop out for a coffee and a treat without worrying about the bank balance.

[-]

lottiebobs@reddit

Seconding the Cook recommendation! They do a special selection for new parents that can be delivered, think it was 2x5 different single portion of ready meals for the freezer and they were all very nice.

[-]

hippyburger@reddit

I have 4 kids and I came here to say my favourite gifts were always food!!! Or coffee if she likes that. A nice hamper or just anything nice!

[-]

ihavetakenthebiscuit@reddit

Great shout. That was one we really appreciated the most. Nothing worse than having to worry about cooking after a sleepless night.

[-]

batterscraps@reddit

I was SO grateful for a Cook voucher we were gifted omg

[-]

Hour-Estate-2962@reddit

Yep, took us a few months to get round to using it and it was still SO appreciated in the tricky 4 months stage!

Regarding the toy, if you can write your name anywhere like 'love from...' on the label - do that. I wish we did that because as tired new parents I now have no idea who gave us most of the presents and feel super guilty about that. I remember who gave the cook voucher though because that was amazing.

[-]

Realistic_Beyond_903@reddit

Good ideas and COOK do new baby e-gift cards, their frozen meals are tasty 👍

[-]

goldentapestry@reddit

Food (takeaway vouchers, unless you know what) exact snacks she likes or comfy soft PJs, nothing fancy, my favourites post pregnancy were from Primark (button top for breastfeeding).

Offering to come round and clean the kitchen or change the beds etc would be even better than a gift!

[-]

ForsakenMidnight8061@reddit

I always recommend a thermal mug with a lid. You quite often end up trapped under a sleeping/feeding baby watching your hot drink go cold. The thermal mug keep it hot and the lid means you worry less about spilling the contents on the baby!

[-]

QuarantinisRUs@reddit

Or a good insulated water bottle for cold drinks, same reason

[-]

NecessaryTraining508@reddit

This. I used to get so dehydrated when my kids were small.

[-]

missstockholm@reddit

I had a baby 2 weeks ago, and some of the things that helped me a lot to receive were pjs (we sweat A LOT during sleep) and nipple cream + nipple silver covers, which are a God-sent if your friend plans on breastfeeding

[-]

emmax2120@reddit

I always gift neals yard wild rose balm to new mothers. It's multi use. Great for sore skin etc. and smells divine

[-]

TwoValuable@reddit

Honestly a voucher for food was very much appreciated. But also little things like take a seat I'll make the hot drinks.

Also do not ask for money back if you go in to the shops and do a small grocery shop. Asked my in laws to grab milk on there way to see us as we hadn't been out and the first thing his dad asked was for the £1.35 back. Nearly threw the milk at them.

Also ask if you can take photos of her and the baby to send over. I have so few photos in the early days because I was too busy being a mum. Whilst my partner is in so many it's almost not fair.

[-]

anythingnotordinary@reddit

Posh snacks like M&S treats etc, I ate so much after I gave birth especially breastfeeding and you haven’t got the time or energy to even think about things. Takeaway vouchers, anything food related! If someone buys me gift cards now I spend on baby but food stuff you can’t!

[-]

ChocoMcBunny@reddit

A year’s subscription to a patenting magazine was a fantastic gift that I loved.

[-]

RoutineCloud5993@reddit

Amazon vouchers. Takeaway vouchers. Basically something they can use to buy what they need after the baby comes. Because they'll be inundated with clothes and toys.

We had to donate a bunch of toys people gave us, because he had too many and couldn't play with any of them

[-]

Upstairs-Report-850@reddit

I will never give a baby a soft toy ever again. We were given mountains when my son was born and he's nearly 3 and still isn't really interested. I actually really liked receiving clothes, but appreciated when people thought about the season and included the receipt.

Food is always great.

My go to for a new baby now is an outfit in 6-9mo with a receipt and a home made lasagne.

[-]

RoutineCloud5993@reddit

Just don't do what my wife's stepmother did, she bought my son a 6-9 month sized winter coat. He was small and born at the end of October, so by the time he'd fit it would be the height of summer.

They did not provide a receipt

[-]

laurachristie91@reddit

As someone who is currently pregnant and due in June, ask if they have a baby registry with stuff on it - that way you can get something that they need. Other than that, the food vouchers are a good idea.

[-]

OyWithThePoodles328@reddit

Food. I’ve got a 6 month old and honestly all the pamper things people bought me are still sat there unused because i haven’t got the time. Vouchers for just eat or deliveroo, vouchers for M&S so they can get some nice ready meals, or just offer to drop meals to them/pick up shopping in the early days. But the thing i’ve appreciated most is people who keep checking in/visiting after the first 3 months. People love to crowd new mums straight out of the hospital while they’re recovering, have their newborn snuggles then not bother showing up again. Maternity leave can be really lonely and the people who show up when the baby isn’t a tiny newborn anymore are so appreciated.

[-]

garyisaunicorn@reddit

So much this. The amount of people who sent cards in the first couple of weeks and then haven't kept in touch after that is crazy

[-]

sweetpicklemilk@reddit

Agreed!

I’m also going to sound like really unappreciative, but everyone came round within 3 to 10 weeks. Wanting cups of tea, and giving gifts for baby that are all for between 6 months to 18 months. So I have piles of gifts, which is amazing but none of which I can use, and I’ve honestly not had time to sort out.

Vouchers, visits, coffee offers.

[-]

History_86@reddit

I got my friend some bath bombs, a couple of really nice candles and a Sherpa throw. Nothing fancy I know but she loves that sort of stuff

[-]

blankspacebaby12@reddit

The best water bottle money can buy to keep water cold and fresh. Like a yeti or Stanley or klean kanteen.

[-]

yearsofpractice@reddit

Hey OP. 49 year old married father of two here.

Two things:

Deliveroo/Uber Eats voucher for guilt-free takeaway food when baby is born. Cooking is the last thing a new parent wants or is able to do.
These things. They are brilliant and stop the de-socking little terrors in their tracks.

[-]

qt_31415@reddit

Amazon voucher would be useful.

I was gifted some bath bits from Neil’s Yard (mum and baby kit) and i loved that. Baby actually slept a lot the first 2 weeks so i did have plenty of time to have a nice bath (she’s 5 weeks now and definitely don’t have so much time any more!).

I received loads of toys and clothes which were lovely but also a little overwhelming!

[-]

spanakopita555@reddit

My friend sent me a hamper from M & S with cakes and cookies. Another friend sent a box of brownies. These were soooo appreciated.

Aside from that, I suggest a large drinking bottle/Stanley cup type thing; cosy dressing gown or slippers; drink holder for the pram; lanolin nipple balm (also great for lips) or, if you have a close relationship, some really big and comfy knickers.

[-]

Ecstatic_Dingo172@reddit

I’m 6 weeks pp. I got bought the ‘sleep’ shower foam from The White Company. I’m not usually one for posh soaps if I’m honest but it smells sensational - like being at the spa! And the scent lingers nicely on you without being too strong for baby. Showering with it is now my little luxury!

Also coffee shop gift cards so she can get out of the house for free x

[-]

teddysmami@reddit

Honestly not everything has to be baby related when it comes to mum, they were an individual before baby and they still are now<3

[-]

Gloomy_Custard_3914@reddit

Things I give my pregnant friends vary how close we are. If you're very close I'd throw in a pack of maternity pads, a tub of lotion you know she likes, food vouchers, long shelf life snacks, fluffy socks.

If you're not super close then od stick to long shelf life snacks, vouchers for food services, maybe a pack of whatever soft drinks she likes like pepsi

[-]

Tarja36@reddit

The best things I got for me were button up pajamas (you sweat/leak/bleed so much you never feel fresh) and a massive tray of brownies (if your friend is breastfeeding she may well be ravenous and it's great to have something you can just grab).

For the baby, one friend bought us a snoozeshade which was brilliant because my baby was born in winter and one day it was suddenly sunny and we didn't have to think about it. We also got baby socks which were great because everyone buys you clothes but you never have any socks for them.

[-]

princess-moo@reddit

I would recommend against giving flowers- it’s just one extra thing they need to care for/ think about

[-]

lookhereisay@reddit

Food vouchers. Either Deliveroo or Cook or whatever. Bring food to the food you’ve cooked all ready to eat or just heat up. No need to stay just being a lasagna.

[-]

prettybunbun@reddit

When my friend had a baby I got her some cute bibs for her baby and for her a box of chocolate and some posh bubble baths. She loved it, something practical she used for baby & for her she got to have a nice long luxurious bath whilst nomming ferrero roches.

[-]

BoopingBurrito@reddit

If they're anything like my brother and his wife when they had their kid - some nutritious and tasty food cooked, portioned up, and ready for their freezer so that all they need to do is reheat it, or at most cook some rice or pasta to have with it.

[-]

bunnyswan@reddit

I loved my cup and snack holder I could attach to my pram

[-]

katie-kaboom@reddit

Something for her, not something for her for the baby. Getting gifts "for you" that are baby gifts feels horribly like erasure. What's she interested in outside of reproduction?

[-]

tunnocksmystery@reddit

Vouchers and heavy duty concealer.

Personally I wouldn’t have wanted bath bombs, it’ll probably be a while before she could use one.

[-]

Learning-EFWH8045@reddit

I always get the expectant mum a pamper package for shower/bath, skin care, tissues etc. For the couple a mini bottle of bubbly.

[-]

DECKTHEBALLZ@reddit

Don't gift anything until Mum and baby are home safe it is bad luck.. an M&S voucher or a Waitrose voucher you can fill your fridge/freezer with posh ready meals.

[-]

dbspsm@reddit

Not a parent - but I got my friend some self care bits and bobs like a hair mask tub and face masks as she likes that kind of stuff. Got her a primark gift card as they have so many different things so she could treat herself or baby. Then got her daughter some older clothes like 6-9monthd I think?? As my mums advice was she’s probably already got newborn and first few months clothes sorted

[-]

Disastrous-Emu2013@reddit

I got all mine the USB mug warmer coaster as a new mum I don’t think they manage to drink hot tea/ coffee for the first 2 years and they all said it was a life saver so they didn’t have to microwave their drinks (sacrilege in the UK to microwave tea) , and baby’s too small then for it to be a risk of touching

[-]

Away-Breadfruit-35@reddit

Get an insulated cup, so their coffee remains hot.

[-]

melanie110@reddit

Make them a weeks worth of home cooked food that can be frozen and heated up. Honestly they will remember that more than any stuffed toy

[-]

Allyredhen79@reddit

Something pampering for her - nice body butter/ moisturiser, face masks, eye masks etc? Nothing too labour intensive, but that will give her a few moments to feel like her old self.

Or, we got a couple of friends a picnic basket full of treats for them to enjoy at home? Steer clear of anything that will go out of date in short order though, so it doesn’t go to waste!

[-]

Klutzy_Award1786@reddit

As others have said a food app voucher & maybe a small bunch of flowers, whilst something like a massage voucher is kind, you are giving someone who is already overloaded with demands on their time yet another thing to try to find time for, you want to make their life easier not give them another thing to do

[-]

Realistic_Beyond_903@reddit

It's sweet you're thinking of your friend, there's so much focus on the new baby that the mum often gets overlooked. I think M&S vouchers would be good as could spend it in the food hall or on clothes/toiletries. Cake or chocolate would always be welcomed by me too!

[-]

Careless-Actuary6641@reddit

I read that as 'Where to buy a new mother?' 😭

[-]

Visible_Pipe4716@reddit

Caffeine

[-]

sunheadeddeity@reddit

A copy of Beatrice Hollyer's Sleep before baby is born.

Food vouchers/cooking/cleaning afterwards.

[-]

Psychological_Bee_93@reddit

Not sure what your budget is, but I had my baby last June and my favourite gift was these pyjamas. They felt so soft and luxurious, I felt I was “dressed” even though I was just around the house which made a big difference for midwife/health visitor/ family visitors. I had a c section and the waistband sat nice and high above my incision. I also was breastfeeding so the button up made it easy. The material was lovely a cool despite being in a heatwave with a small hot water bottle (baby) permanently attached to me.

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E482651-000/00?colorDisplayCode=69&sizeDisplayCode=003

If your budget doesn’t stretch that far, snacks! Lots of snacks! Salty, sweet, crunchy, chewy, all of them! I was hungry all the time and had a trolley next to me at all times with a big straw cup of liquid and lots of snacks.

[-]

EyeSpy1359@reddit

Something that's just for her. Maybe a pampering kit? Or her favourite beauty items?

[-]

DameKumquat@reddit

Food vouchers. Anything else, it depends on her personally - some women love toiletries, others hate gunk or find after getting pregnant they can't tolerate anything smelly. Similarly some foods may become intolerable - SIL can't eat dark chocolate any more.

Generic food that doesn't taste too strong is probably fine. And offer to make drinks etc yourself when you visit.

[-]

Bubbly_Barracudas@reddit

I always do a pamper basket for new mums - so I put Epsom salts, baggy PJs (even better if the top is button up for BF), some night cream, face masks, body butter, lip balms etc, I also pop in a good size water bottle/stanley cup, so if they are nap trapped or BF they have fluids to hand

[-]

LavenderAndHoneybees@reddit

I was definitely over bath-salted and bath-bombed - honestly some gift vouchers for new clothes and bras etc were my fave, and I say that as a bath person 😂

[-]

Organic-Can7856@reddit

Definitely food vouchers or coffee shop vouchers

[-]

UnarmedTwo@reddit

We do a care package for our friends with a few of the hacks we came up with when our kid was a baby.

A baby backpack for carrying stuff in. Particularly with an insulated pouch for bottles. A travel pouch for baby wipes so you don't have to carry a full packet around. Travel steam steriliser bags for cleaning bottles while they're out and about. A small led lamp to keep the lights low whilst making bottles for night feeds. A thermos flask for carrying boiled water around and to not worry about boiling a kettle at 2am. A milk formula dispenser, so you can pre measure formula out. Because it's hard to count to three spoons at 2am. A swaddle blanket to help baby sleep.

We also cook at least one hearty meal for them if we can.

[-]

Current_Thing2244@reddit

Some really nice bubble bath, bath bombs, etc

A pair of comfortable slippers

Dressing gown

A snack box full of all her favourites

[-]

continentaldreams@reddit

Every time my friends give birth I give them a Deliveroo voucher for about £100.00 - every time I do people are SO appreciative. It gives them two or three meals when they're dead on their feet and can't be bothered to cook.

They will have everything they need already!

[-]

runforseven@reddit

Honestly? Deliveroo or Amazon voucher. Or some nice treat snacks - I nearly cried with joy when my sister in law gave me an M&S Big Daddy bar in the early breastfeeding days. Maybe a gift voucher for a local coffee shop so they can get coffees when walking with baby?

Don’t bother with flowers - they’re just something else to worry about keeping alive. Ditto with skincare - I barely felt like I had time to eat, never mind have a bath or do any sort of skincare routine.

If you want to get something useful for baby - we got a lot of use from a small, portable UV steriliser that a friend bought us.

[-]

WillingApplication10@reddit

Not a bath bomb cause you never seem to have time to bathe again but nice shower stuff was appreciated. My mum brought a delicious giant m&s sheet cake and that was amazing. Food vouchers. We were gifted butchers meat before so my husband could make delicious freezer meals before baby came.

[-]

Grouchywhennhungry@reddit

Someone got me icecream,that's was my favourite

Anyone who turns up with food or hangs washing out is amazing.

Anyone who turns up with an etsy style gift and expects post partum me to make them a brew can leave

[-]

Ill-Situation73@reddit

My friends pitched in together and made me a me time hamper, some hot chocolate, box of chocolates. Face masks, moisturiser - hands, body and nipple (especially if breastfeeding) bath bombs, bubble bath, fluffy socks & slippers. There was more but as it was 15yrs ago I have forgotten 🤣 Maybe a gift card for just eat/uber?

[-]

Appropriate_Zebra876@reddit

My friend got me a little tray which was for biscuits / tea and biscuits. I loved it so much 😄 Nice to have some snacks for times she is feeding the baby. Maybe something like that with easy to eat one handed treats !

This friend also made me a hamper with pyjamas and a cup and made a couple of meals that we could stick in the oven like lasagne. But that was so much and I wouldn't expect anyone to do that!

[-]

When replying to submission/post please make genuine efforts to answer the question given. Please no jokes, judgements, etc. If a post is marked 'Serious Answers Only' you may receive a ban for violating this rule.
Don't be a dick to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on.
This is a strictly no-politics subreddit!

Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.