What does a new mom need? She needs to feel loved and supported! So what to bring a new mom when you go visit? First of all you should always bring something even if it’s small. I remember a woman I had just met at church brought me a meal and a small insulated thermos and that meant so much. I hardly even knew her, but she was thoughtful enough to give me a little reminder to take care of myself too. She was a mom of four so of course she knew how important it was for me to feel special!
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Why is it Important to Bring a New Mom Something?
As a new mom you have been through a lot and everyday is all about taking care of this new life. You can sometimes feel a little neglected or forgotten.
When friends come over and just want to “ooo” and “aww” at your little one it doesn’t lift you up. Don’t get me wrong I think my new baby is the most beautiful and amazing little thing to grace this planet and your compliments are very welcomed. However, I need your support more than ever!
So just by bringing something simple lets me know you are there for me and I could reach out if I need help. That in itself is priceless to a new mom.
Things to Bring a New Mom?
So you might be thinking so what should I bring a new mom? Here is a list of things you can’t go wrong with. Almost every mother will love these items!
- Fun Water Bottle: Who doesn’t love a fun new water bottle, especially when you need to be drinking more water to keep up with your milk supply.
- Healthy Convenient Snacks: Along with hydrating, eating enough energy rich calories is so important to milk supply and maintaining your energy when you are recovering. Bring a basket of yummy treats!
- Mama Apparel: You have just stepped into this new role as mom. Who wouldn’t want to rock some fun mom apparel to shout it from the rooftops, you did it! It’s like joining a new club. You need the new digs.
- Cozy Robe or Slippers: Those first few months of postpartum your style is on a whole other level. It pretty much consists of pajamas and sweatpants. A nice cozy robe and slippers are perfect for enjoying those all day snuggles!
- Clip on Stroller Fan: this is great if your new mom friend who is having a baby in the summertime. Getting outside and going for a walk will help so much in her recovery. A nice little stroller fan will help keep that beautiful little baby nice and cool even in the hot weather.
- Yoga Pants: I mean this is a given. A great pair of yoga pants that can stretch regardless of size is perfect. It will get her out of those maternity pants, but can adjust no matter how long it takes to lose that pregnancy weight. No pressure mama’s it all takes time.
- Her Favorite Drink: For some moms they may have stopped having their favorite drink during pregnancy. Bring over her favorite coffee, tea, or adult beverage as a friendly reminder of how much you care!
- Diapers & wipes: No mother will turn this away. I would bring a size that is a little bigger than the baby’s current needs. Just incase they have gotten a lot of diapers already.
- Amazon Gift Card: As time goes on she will inevitably need something for herself or the baby. Why not let her choose what she wants.
- Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Subscription: When you have a new baby you spend a lot of sitting on the couch nursing, letting baby sleep, and recovering. It can be nice to have a good show or movie to engage in.
- Fun Self Care Product: some great dry shampoo, hand lotion, face mask, or candle can all be great options to help mom feel a little pampered in the postpartum period. Make sure it’s something she will actually use and not something that will just go into the beauty junk drawer.
- Made by Mary Necklace: They have beautiful affordable jewelry that you can personalize. There are so many options like birth flowers, engraved names, and many more customized options.
- Postpartum Doula: These trained professionals can be a huge support for your friend or family member especially if you are further away and can’t be there to support them. They specialize in helping new families adjust to a new baby by offering help with light housework, meals, newborn care, lactation support, and education.
Budget Friendly Gifts
This is where you can offer up some of your special talents without spending any money and just offering up your time.
- Babysitting gift card: You could make a fun gift card to offer up your services when they are ready to have a night out baby free, or you could purchase a gift card through urbansitter so they can choose their own babysitter from a trusted site.
- House Cleaning: Just bring your stuff and clean the house or pay for a cleaning service for them. They will not turn you down if you are there and ready to work. Not everyone will love this, but if you have that kind of relationship with your friend this could be a dream gift.
- Weekly walking dates: Be flexible but offer to go walking with them regularly while on maternity leave. It can be great to support them in their recovery and help them get a little exercise once a week. It’s also is nice to talk to an adult after being with a newborn all day.
- Postpartum photoshoot: Most moms get very few photos of themselves with their babies in that newborn phase. It is something that I treasure as my kids get older. You forget what they were like at that age when they grow. So if you have any photography talents offer to do a casual photoshoot at home. My brother, who does photography as a hobby, took some beautiful photos of my daughter as a newborn that I absolutely cherish now.
- Bring a meal: cook a meal that they can eat now or heat up and eat later. Put it in a disposable container so they don’t have to worry about returning it. If cooking isn’t your thing bring take out or a gift card to their favorite restaurant. Taking that off a new moms place can be so helpful!
Tips for a Successful First Postpartum Visit
This is about them and not about you. Try to dispel any expectations you have going into your visit. Once they have agreed to have you visit make sure you have something to bring even if it is something simple.
Dos:
- Come with a helpful attitude: wash some dishes, change a diaper, throw in a load of laundry, and whatever else could be helpful.
- Bring your own water and offer to fill up her bottle while you are there.
- Keep your visit short and sweet.
- Ask her about how she is doing, how her birthing experience was, if she is getting any sleep, and what she loves about motherhood so far.
- Wash your hands before holding or touching the baby.
Don’ts:
- Stay longer than an hour.
- Expect to be entertained.
- Ask to hold the baby, wait until she offers.
- Kiss the baby.
- Visit if you are sick.
- Offer unwanted advice.
- Tell her she looks tired. Believe me she knows.
At the end of the visit she should feel like you filled her up and cared for her not the other way around. As a friend or family member she needs you to support her in this precious time of her life. Becoming a new mom and caring for a new baby is a challenge. So just love and support her!
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
I know we are all excited about seeing the new baby. You will get a chance don’t worry, but it’s important to help mom feel seen and loved as well. We love hearing about how cute our little ones are, but we also need to feel your love and support too. Knowing what to bring a new mom postpartum can help make her feel extra special and loved. There is no need to break the bank for her, but give her a little something that will help her feel your love and support in this new role she is taking on.
Jess is a registered nurse with over 6+ years of critical care experience for patients young and old and is the mother of two small children. After having her own children she felt inspired to provide mothers with real actionable guidance and education to make informed decisions throughout their pregnancy and postpartum experience.
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