30 Best Gifts for New Moms, According to PureWow Moms

Other than an extra pair of hands

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PureWow

As a new mom for the second time recently—and one with a healthy perspective on what’s actually useful or heartfelt during those hazy newborn days—I relished the chance to curate a list of new mom gifts that are not just thoughtful, they address a legitimate need. Because let’s be real: While there are quite a few new baby gifts that arrive beautifully packaged, the person that needs to the most R&R is mom.

After all, those early days are a whirlwind. Even with some familiarity as I re-entered new parenthood for the second time, I forgot how exhausting it is and how much brain power is required whether you’re charting the number of dirty diapers or doing a bit of boob math. Anything that makes the days and nights feel a bit more comfortable and special (and, frankly, easier) is not just welcome, it’s appreciated more than words.

Don’t just take my word for it. In addition to my own opinions and extensive research, I polled over 10 moms on the PureWow team about the best gifts for new moms. These are moms who, yes, have kids of all ages and are at various stages of motherhood, but also women who review products for a living. They absolutely know what’s worth it (for example, the Nik tote from MZ Wallace that’s chic, but also has a pocket for every single possible thing a mom needs to carry).

From my point of view, I’d say anything food-related is always a hit. But I’d also relish the chance to enjoy an excellent at-home foot massage at the same time that I’m nursing my baby. Also, something sentimental—like this birthstone necklace from Monica Vinader—is so lovely. Heck, even just surprising mom with a luxe hand cream feels thoughtful and sweet.

So, without further ado, here are 30 gifts she’s sure to love at a range of price points and sizes (because, with all the baby gear, sometimes she just doesn’t want another enormous item taking up room).

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goldbelly
Goldbelly

The fastest way to a new mom’s heart is clear: Feed her. When I gave birth to my now 18-month-old, I nearly cried when a dear friend sent Chicago-style deep dish pizzas to our door (and enough to stock our freezer with). For the nights that we were overwhelmed and sleep-deprived, it became the paint-by-number meal plan that we could pop in the oven and serve. Even better? Goldbelly has a zillion options to send—from sweets to meal kits and favorites from iconic eateries all across the country. You can’t go wrong.

It’s true: Nursing is a mom-only responsibility that will leave her feeling absolutely parched. The solution? A mega water bottle that is always filled and ready by her side. Take it from us, this option from Owala is as colorful as it is thirst-quenching. With a variety of sizes (24-, 32- or 40-ounces) to choose from, she’ll maintain her hydration levels at all time. It’s also easy to clean and the stainless steel design keeps beverages chilled for up to 24 hours. Not bad.

If you’re looking for a gift that’s extra thoughtful and considerate, this delicate design—featuring the birthstone of her newborn baby—is both stunning and understated (aka it’s the kind of thing she can wear 24/7). Crafted with 18k gold vermeil, there’s also the option to engrave this gemstone pendant on the reverse side to make it extra meaningful. I can attest that I’m a huge fan of jewelry to mark the arrival of a new baby—a piece like this is also something that makes me feel like my baby is with me even when we’re apart (like when he’s off at daycare).

cozy earth pajamas
Cozy Earth

Moms look forward to sleep no matter what. But these PJs—beloved by nearly every editor on the PureWow staff—make shut-eye extra inviting, not to mention cozy and soft. Made from breathable, stretch-knit fabric, they prevent night sweats while featuring a silhouette that drapes in all the right places. The delicate piping also makes this set feel flattering and luxe. Also of note? The elastic waistband that prioritizes comfort.

If there’s one thing new moms constantly wish for, it’s an extra set of hands. A gift like this functional (and fashionable) crossbody phone bag means she at least has one less thing to carry when out and about with baby. In other words, she can keep her phone on her person while holding a baby, a bottle and 19 million other things. I love that this one comes with hidden compartments that allow you to keep your phone, cards and cash all in a single place.

quince sheets
Quince

Sleep, glorious sleep. There’s nothing a new mom covets more. That’s why it’s the perfect time to treat her to a new set of sheets so that when her head finally hits the pillow, she’s cozy and comfortable, too. This particular set—crafted from organic bamboo and featuring temperature regulating properties—is known for its softness (and it only gets better after every wash).

barefoot dreams cardigan
Barefoot Dreams

Cozy is the name of the game when you’re a new mom. Better yet, the ultimate gift is anything she can throw on and go. This feather-soft cardigan combines both fashion and function and will be something she’ll live in 24/7 as she navigates this new (and ultra-busy) phase of life. A couple of mom-friendly features? Two inset pockets, but also a bum-covering length. (When I’m tending to baby—or kids—I know a longer hem always helps.) She’ll wrap herself up in at whether she’s at home or headed out.

These fan-favorite leggings pull double-duty to provide comfort and support during pregnancy—all the way through the third trimester—but also after, which feels an extra remarkable feat. Available in multiple colors and lengths, they’re stretchy, but also lift in all the right places. I’m a year out from giving birth and amazed at how well this particular style has accommodated all my various shapes and sizes from pregnancy through postpartum and beyond.

It’s the little things that go the distance for a new mom, which is why a soothing cream for her hands and nails is a helpful gift—and one she can stash by her bedside for a bit of self-care before the night wakings begin. “Fluctuating hormones, breastfeeding and washing your hands between diaper changes can leave your hands extremely chapped,” explains PureWow’s former senior food editor and recent mom Katherine Gillen. This intensive cream is loaded with grapeseed oil as its main ingredient and works towards repairing and nourishing your skin. Bonus points: It smells amazing.

Cozy, warm and made from RWS-certified merino wool, these clogs are something mom can wear around the house, but also slip on hands-free. They also tend to sell out at lightning speed. (That’s probably due to the contoured—and proprietary—arch support.) Yes, it’s a great indoor option for home, but this particular shoe also features ribbed details for added traction outdoors. Did I mention they’re machine-washable?

11. A HelloFresh Gift Card

Hello Fresh

Things that become a lot harder when taking care of a new baby: Going to the grocery store, making complicated recipes and deciding what’s for dinner. Take the guesswork out of cooking with these delicious meal kits that will deliver food weekly, plus simple step-by-step instructions. Another perk? HelloFresh can customize her delivery based on dietary needs—so if mom is gluten-free or vegan, this service has you covered.

A surprising perk she may not have considered in investing in herself: An at-home foot massager is exactly what she needs after a night spent rocking baby. This massager in particular offers a deep kneading Shiatsu foot massage with three kneading intensities, three air pressure levels and a soothing heat function. PureWow’s former executive editor Alexia Dellner recently reviewed this device and sang its praises: “I love using the RENPHO Foot Massager on a near daily basis to ease my sore feet and help my muscles relax. There are lots of options to customize the settings to whatever kneading and pressure level feels best for you, and it’s very intuitive to use.”

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Merit Beauty

A new baby means that time is no longer on mom’s side. That’s why this minimalist-inspired 5-minute makeup set from Merit is just what she needs to feel together enough to face the world on a stroller walk—and fast. What’s included? The brand’s most beloved products—for example, the complexion stick, the flush balm, tinted lip oil, lengthening mascara and more. Yes, this kit is quick and efficient, but it’s also top-rated.

14. The Sleepy Tie

Revolve

One of my mom friends swears by this innovative double-scrunchie design as a way to preserve her blowout—and reduce bedhead, too. All mom needs to do is wrap her blown dry hair into a high ponytail, then contort the Sleepy Tie into a bun (full instuctions are included). The luxurious satin will keep locks looking fresh and—like the 5-minute makeup routine—reduce the amount of time spent getting ready. A win!

Coffee is critical at this stage of parenthood. But just as soon as she’s brewed a fresh cup of joe, the baby needs changing (or burping or rocking or feeding). This handy travel mug will keep her drink at a consistent temperature—86- to 150-degrees Fahrenheit—so there’s no need to reheat throughout the day. Bonus: It also comes with a spill-proof lid.

If there’s one thing a new mom needs, it’s help staying organized. Sure, she has a diaper bag—or a cute diaper bag alternative—but she still needs a way to corrale the things she carries inside it. Enter this travel case set from Cuyana. Use one to contain mom-related needs (nipple balm, a travel pump, her keys), the other for all the things her baby requires (think diapers, Aquaphor, pacifiers and more). The luxe and easy-to-clean pebbled leather and cool color palette will leave her feeling chic even on the most harried of days.

There’s something extra special about this layflat photo album design. It provides a chance to showcase the prettiest photos from her newborn photo shoot using ultra-thick pages and a seamless design to enhance panoramic storytelling in keepsake form. It’s the heirloom quality that impressed us the most—also, the artful feel. This is an album worthy of your coffee table and one that will remain in your family forever.

jenni kayne cashmere socks
Jenni Kayne

You think you’ve got a pair of luxe socks—that is until you try out this cashmere set. Mom’s feet will never feel so well-cared for. And, at this stage of new parenthood, it really is the little luxuries that count the most.

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Tineco

If you noticed a theme to this new mom gift guide, it’s clear: Parents, especially ones navigating the early ages and stages, are short on time. Based on that, this two-for-one vacuum mop is dream. Not only does it make cleanups quick and easy, it’s chemical-free, so safe for kids (and pets).

lady tremaine
St. Martin's Press

A retelling of Cinderella, specifically from the point of view of the “evil” stepmom? Sign mom up. It’s the ultimate escapism—and also a story with a motherhood lens. Better still, it’s approved by Reese Witherspoon. (Lady Tremaine is her book club pick for March.)

Sometimes mom just doesn’t feel like cooking. (On a lot of days, it’s just one more thing.) That’s where a food delivery service comes into play. Starting at $161 a week, Sakara allows her to select a range of different nutritious ready-to-eat breakfast, lunch and dinner packages that will allow mom to take a break from cooking multiple meals a day. Dellner agrees: “A food gift card means you don't have to cook dinner! The ultimate gift.”

While a phone charger may not be the first thing that comes to mind in terms of gifts, new moms claim it's a lifesaver. “It's not a ‘sexy gift,’ but a phone charger is a must,” explains Dellner. “Feeding a newborn takes FOREVER per session so you’ll be on your phone a lot. Keep that baby charged!” This charger comes with a maximum 20-watt output, meaning your phone will charge three times faster than standard 5-watt chargers.

Encourage her to take a load off and unwind during those post-bedtime hours (minutes?) when the baby’s gone to sleep. This decanter will make her favorite bottle of wine taste even better and feel a bit more luxurious, too, by aerating the wine to let it breathe while enhancing the flavor profile, too. “This decanter makes my bottles of red taste flavorful and delicious,” explains PureWow’s former commerce editor Olivia Dubyak.

The ability to remain hands-free—we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, it’s the ultimate gift for a new mom. Enter this updated smart speaker from Google, which will make it a breeze for mom to set feeding timers, play the Laurie Berkner Band on Spotify when baby is fussy or simply just catch up on her own beloved podcasts. The recently re-launched device features superior sound, plus the ability to place hands-free calls with Google Duo and Google Meet.

OK, she’s ready to level up from her Sleepy Tie (see above). The next best thing to a salon-worthy blow-out is this at-home styling tool from the geniuses at Dyson. It’s ideal for straight or wavy hair and delivers ample volume, whether your hair is fine, medium or thick. She’ll especially love how intuitive it is to use and can even rely on the app for an extra expedient styling session—ideal now that the time allotted to her morning routine is much more limited.

Now that she’s taking a zillion photos a day, wouldn’t it be nice if she had a way to print them at home? This tiny printer offers ink-free printing thanks to something called zink-technology photo paper and picture quality that is tough to beat. This means she can print countless 2x3 images straight from her phone. (Yep, this printer uses Bluetooth connectivity to work.)

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MZ Wallace

27. MZ Wallace Nik Duffel

MZ Wallace

For all the things new moms need to carry (hint: it’s a lot). This duffel is the catch-all of our dreams with 16 total interior and exterior pockets, so that every possible baby-related necessity (from pacifiers to diapers) has a place of its own. No, it’s not a diaper bag, but it could certainly function as one. Still, our favorite use of this parent-friendly duffel is for travel.

Hand washing is required around baby—that we know. But why not level up the hand soap she’s reaching for on repeat with this exfoliating option, designed for moms with sensitive skin. The formula is enriched with plant-based emollients that’s hydrating, but, even better, will leave skin soft and smooth.

In royal blue, this statement-making hat is the perfect way to remind the new mom in your life that you love her. It’s also très chic.

30. Jeni’s Ice Creams Pint Club

Jeni's Ice Creams

Not kidding, this was the very best postpartum gift I received from a family friend. To receive a curated selection of ice cream flavors (there are four in total) once a month for the duration of my mat leave was the best-ever treat. It also exposed me to so many delicious new flavors. (Ahem, if you haven’t tried Brambleberry Crisp, you’re missing out.)


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Senior Director, Special Projects and Royals

  • Writes and produces family, fashion, wellness, relationships, money and royals content
  • Podcast co-host and published author with a book about the British Royal Family
  • Studied sociology at Wheaton College and received a masters degree in journalism from Emerson College

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Commerce Editor

  • Covers commerce content, including personal and collaborative reviews and product roundups across beauty, home, fashion and family verticals
  • More than 5 years of professional experience in journalism
  • Studied journalism at Duquesne University

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PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.