What Can You Do for a Friend Who's Just Had a Baby?

Being a new parent is one of the most rewarding things a person can do with their life. But despite how fulfilling it is, parenting is not all fun and games. It comes with new challenges, stresses, and responsibilities that can completely change anyone's life. So if you know a couple who has recently become parents for the first time, it's nice to lend your support and confidence. One great way to do this is by giving them gifts that will help make parenting easier. Here are a few ideas for some of the best gifts for new parents. 

It can be hard to know what to give someone who's just had a baby, especially if they already seem to have everything they need to welcome a newborn into the world. But even the most thorough parents often forget little items that could make their lives with a new baby much more manageable. So if you have a friend who is a new mom and you're looking for the perfect gift idea to make her day, here are a few thoughtful options. 

Baby Food Maker

A baby food maker is one of those great gifts for new moms that most people don't think about buying. Though it's not the most traditional gift, it can be extremely helpful for new parents. Many new parents want to know exactly what's going into their baby's body at all times. Making homemade baby food is a great way to ensure their baby gets fresh ingredients and nutrients. 

There are many different types of baby food makers out there, so it's normal to have trouble deciding which option to buy. If possible, look for one that makes it easy to turn a variety of healthy foods into purees that a baby can easily eat and digest.  

Portable Baby Carrier or Sling

Whether your friend has a baby boy or girl, she'll need to carry her baby around. Even though babies are relatively lightweight, it's normal to experience back pain, shoulder pain, and arm pain after carrying one around all day. Not to mention that it's tricky to do other things when you're holding a baby in your arms. 

One of the best gift ideas for new parents is a portable baby carrier or sling. This will allow a new dad or mom to keep his or her hands-free to eat, clean the house, or take care of other daily responsibilities. 

Stylish Diaper Bag

Every new mom needs a diaper bag to carry everything from baby-sized tweezers to diapers and wet wipes. A diaper bag makes both a stylish and practical gift for a new mother. 

Look for a bag with plenty of pockets and compartments to keep various items separate and organized. You should also opt for a bag with smaller handles for holding and a longer strap so your friend can easily sling the bag over her shoulder or hang it from her baby's stroller handles while she's out and about.   

Diapers

Diapers make great gifts for expecting mothers. Many new parents are surprised to discover how quickly their little one can go through an entire bag of diapers. Diaper changes seem to be a constant need (especially during a baby's first few months of life). 

Diapers are one of the biggest expenses for new parents, so it's always nice to be able to give some as gifts. Many well-meaning people make the common mistake of gifting too many newborn diapers to a new parent. The truth is that most babies grow out of newborn diapers in a matter of weeks, so most parents don't need very many newborn-sized diapers. 

It's usually better to give size one or size two diapers since babies tend to stay in these larger sizes longer than they stay in the newborn diaper size. When in doubt, always ask the new mom or dad what diaper sizes they prefer. They'll let you know what sizes they don't have enough of so you don't accidentally get them sizes they don't really need.  

Baby Book

If you want to get the best gift for a new baby, look for a baby book. Once the baby girl or boy grows up just a bit, he or she will love looking at the pages. You can even find books with crinkly pages that babies love to scrunch up and chew on so they can hear the fun noises. Books with brightly-colored pictures also make great gifts for new parents.   

Book of Baby Names

Some parents really struggle to come up with the perfect names for their little ones. If you know of new parents who are having a hard time agreeing on baby names, you may want to give them a book of baby names to look through together.

If possible, try to find a book that lists both common and uncommon names and includes their meanings. Indecisive parents often have an easier time choosing the perfect baby name if they know which names have an important meaning. 

Gift Card or Certificate

After having a new baby, life can quickly become a blur of dirty diapers, baby bath times, and sleepless nights. It's natural for new parents to need a break every once in a while. To help encourage parents to get out and have fun together, you can give them gift cards or certificates to their favorite restaurant, movie theater, or other activity.  

Some people have the idea that a gift card or certificate isn't a very thoughtful gift. But it turns out that a carefully-chosen gift card is one of the best gifts for new parents because it helps them get out of the house and have fun together. 

Burp Cloths

Many moms underestimate how quickly their little one can go through a stack of burp cloths. Some babies tend to spit up more than others, but all babies do it to some extent. Even a single stylish burp cloth tucked into a gift box makes a great baby gift. 

When shopping for burp cloths, look for thicker cloths that can absorb more liquid. You also need to make sure the cloth is big enough to cover up most of the baby's body and block any spit-up from getting on the baby's skin or clothing. Since spit-up is acidic, it can irritate a baby's delicate skin and cause redness, rashes, or dry and peeling areas. Quality burp cloths help prevent this from happening. They can also prevent baby spit-up from ending up on your clothes when you're holding the baby. 

Gift Box

If you need gift ideas for parents who already seem to have everything they could possibly need, a gift box is a great option. Gift boxes make great gifts for parents because they are practical, fun, versatile, and generally liked by everyone. 

The nice thing about a gift box is that you can customize it to meet the needs of your giftee. If a new mom needs some bath bombs and lip gloss or a new dad needs some smoked salmon and shaving cream, you can create your own gift box containing whatever you think the giftee will want. 

If you'd rather save time, you can also find pre-made gift boxes online. Many of these boxes are also customizable, so you can select different food flavors or customized items for the hard-working new parents in your life. 

What Do New Parents Need?

Most new parents need a lot of things. Ideally, the gift haul from a baby shower should make a pretty good dent in the number of "must-haves" new parents still need to buy. But, even if a new parent receives every single item on the baby shower gift registry, they will most likely come up with a list of still-needed items that weren't on the baby shower gift registry in the first place.  

If you want a no-frills list of gifts for parents, here are some suggested items to buy:

• Crib
• Car seat
• Stroller
• Diapers of various sizes
• Wet wipes
• A baby monitor
• A quality breast pump (for moms who nurse their babies)
• Footed baby pajamas
• A swaddle (to mimic the warm and cozy environment in the womb)
• Onesies with mittens, so the baby doesn't scratch their face
• A diaper bag
• Nipple cream (yes, new nursing mamas definitely need it!)
• Burp cloths
• A comfortable recliner or rocking chair
• A baby bottle specifically designed to reduce colic and air bubbles
• Baby-safe laundry detergent
• Baby formula (though this may be harder to buy as a gift because the baby may require a specific type of formula)
• Baby clothing (appropriate for the season)
• Baby nail clippers
• A baby thermometer
• A sound machine (so the baby is less likely to wake due to noises around the house)
• Pacifiers and pacifier holders
• Baby utensils
• A nasal aspirator
• Gentle, non-comedogenic baby lotion
• A baby bathtub

Most parents would agree the above baby gift items are essential when you bring a newborn home. If you're looking for a baby gift that will help make life a little easier for new parents, you can't go wrong with any of the items from the above list. They come in all price ranges, so choose whatever gifts fit best within your budget. 

How Do You Pamper a New Mom?

The best new mom gift is one that helps sleep-deprived Mommy feel like she's still her own person. Sure, she's a mom now, and her new responsibilities include pampering and nurturing her new baby. But she deserves to be pampered and nurtured as well! Many moms forget this, so it's important to remind the new moms in your life that they need to take care of themselves if they want to have the energy to take care of a new baby. 

Sometimes, new moms feel like they need permission or approval to care for their own needs. You can give that permission and approval in the form of a thoughtful gift. Here are some ideas for pampering a new mom and helping her feel valued. 

Send Her to the Spa for a Few Hours

Many new moms deal with insufficient sleep and excess stress at the same time. Both of these things can lead to muscle tension, headaches, and other unpleasant symptoms. To help a new mom relax and give her body some much-needed rest, send her to the spa for a few hours. 

A soothing facial treatment or relaxing massage may be exactly what your friend needs to feel rejuvenated once again. It's amazing how a couple of hours of professional pampering can make such a huge difference in both physical and mental health. 

Schedule a Haircut and Styling Appointment

One of the most common complaints new moms have is that they don't have any time to get their hair done. That's why so many moms end up rocking the "messy mom bun." There is nothing wrong with that, but sometimes it feels nice to know you look your best. You can help a new mom friend out by scheduling a haircut and styling appointment for her and watching her baby during that time. 

Make sure you ask your friend where she prefers to go for her haircuts before you schedule an appointment. Some women are very particular about their hairdressers, so you don't want to send her to a hairdresser she may not trust. 

Offer to Babysit 

Most moms would agree that getting out of the house without taking a baby along is something they dream about doing. You can help make that dream a reality by offering to babysit every so often. It won't cost you any money, and it is one of the most meaningful gifts you can offer. 

Get Her a Robot Vacuum

Vacuuming can take up so much time, but it has to be done regularly to keep floors clean and shiny. To relieve some of the weight off of a new mom's shoulders, you can give her a robot vacuum. She can program the vacuum to start cleaning the floors at night after everyone is in bed so she can wake in the morning to spotless floors. 

Get Her Something From Uncommon Goods

If you've never shopped at Uncommon Goods before, you're in for a treat. The site features interesting and unusual items from all over the world. It is known for its great customer service and attracts wonderful vendors due to its strong affiliate commission structure. 

A gift from Uncommon Goods is ideal for new moms. You can also find something fun and unique for Mother's Day, a birthday, or any other holiday at this versatile online marketplace. 

Give Her Shopping Money

If you're looking for the ideal gift to give a new mom in your life, she may want nothing more than a bit of money so she can go shopping. There is a myth floating around that people don't like to receive money as a gift because it doesn't require any forethought. But for many new moms, a little shopping money is a dream come true. Don't forget to watch her baby for her so she can really enjoy her shopping trip! 

Make Her Some Meals

New moms often struggle with limited energy. Their efforts are almost entirely focused on caring for a precious little life they recently brought into the world. It becomes very hard for new moms to keep up with all their other duties when they're taking care of a baby. 

To ease some of a new mother's burdens, try making her some meals throughout the first few weeks of motherhood. She'll appreciate not having to worry about cooking while she's still recovering from giving birth. 

If you don't have time to make meals for someone else on a regular basis, why not have meals delivered right to your friend's door? There are a variety of meal delivery services available in most areas. Look for healthy options that will help bring your friend's energy levels up and boost her immune system while she's recovering from labor and functioning on limited sleep. 

Clean Her House

Any new mom will tell you that it's much harder to keep a clean house when you have a newborn baby. If you really want to make your friend's day, offer to clean her house for her. Focus on the kitchen, living area, and bathrooms. These are the typical areas of the home that guests are most likely to see. Your friend will appreciate the thoughtfulness of your gift and will most likely feel a lot less stressed out, thanks to your efforts. 

Take Her on a Girls' Night Out

While it's a nice gesture to babysit for a friend who is a new mom, it may be even more meaningful if you can take her out for a much-needed girls' night. If possible, arrange to have the baby watched by a spouse or family member so you and your friend can enjoy a night out on the town.

Take your friend to dinner, a movie, a concert, or any other event or activity you think she would enjoy. Make sure you're not going rock climbing or doing anything else that's too physically stressful if she's still in the recovery stage after giving birth. 

Buy Her Tickets to a Comedy Show

They say laughter is the best medicine, and you can test that theory by inviting your new mom friend to a comedy show. Parenthood can be very stressful at times, and a good laugh session can help relieve much of that stress. If your friend is feeling uptight before the show, she will probably emerge feeling much more relaxed and happy. 

Give Her a Thoughtful Gift Basket

A gift box is a wonderful gift for a new mother. Fill it with items like a coffee mug, a subscription to a wine delivery service, noise-canceling headphones, hair care products, and chocolate. It can be a lot of fun to customize a gift box for a new friend and fill it with all of her favorite things. Be sure to include thinking of you messages in her gift box, so she feels especially loved. 

What Are the Best Gifts Ideas for New Parents?

If you know someone who recently became a parent, you can rest assured they are probably feeling a lot of conflicting emotions. There are no words to express just how special it is to hold a new baby in your arms for the first time. 

But after the initial excitement and adoration wear off, it's time to take that baby home and care for its every need. This involves a lot of late nights, early mornings, and consistent sleep deprivation (especially during the first few weeks of the new baby's life).  

If you want to help a tired parent get through the most grueling parts of new parenthood, here are some great gift ideas.

A Weighted Blanket

Sleep-deprived parents may find that sleeping with a weighted blanket helps them finally get the shuteye they need. Science shows that weighted blankets can be very comforting and relaxing and can enhance feelings of safety. A weighted blanket may be just the gift for helping the new parents in your life slip peacefully off to sleep. 

A Gift Card to a Movie or Restaurant

Many new parents miss the simple things in life that they used to do when they could easily leave the house anytime they wanted. To help them kindle old romantic feelings and foster their love for each other, give them a gift card for dinner and a movie. Make sure you offer to babysit for them or have a babysitter lined up so they can go out guilt-free for the evening. 

An Instant Pot

Cooking dinner suddenly becomes 100 times harder when you're a new parent. Fortunately, there are appliances that make cooking much faster and easier. An Instant Pot is one of those appliances. It makes a great gift for new parents because it shortens dinner preparation and cooking time. It's unlikely that anyone else will think of it, so you can rest assured that your gift will be unique. 

A Comforting Gift Box

A comforting gift box is a great idea for sleepy parents. Look for a box with items to help a new mom or dad stay awake when they need to (such as coffee or favorite snacks), as well as items to help them relax and get sleep (such as a gift basket with soothing soup, comforting herbal tea, or a lavender-scented candle). 

Some Adult Interaction

Who says you have to spend a lot of money to give new parents a worthwhile gift? One of the most meaningful things you can do for new parents is simply to show up and provide them with some adult interaction. Plan a game night, outdoor barbeque, or just sit down and chat. The gift of your time may not seem like a particularly creative gift to you, but your friends will love it.

What Is the Best Care Package Idea for New Parents?

Care packages are mentioned in this guide a few times already, but that's because they really are the best gifts for new parents. You have the option of making your own from scratch or taking advantage of professionally-made gift boxes. They can be completely customized based on your friends' preferences and are a lot of fun to receive. 

There are some really great gift box options for new parents out there. Many of the best options involve food. Everyone loves to eat, but new parents don't always have the time to make delicious food for themselves. Sending a care package with soup, cookies, bread, or other items is a thoughtful way to make sure new parents aren't in danger of starving anytime soon. 

How Can Spoonful of Comfort Help Me Take Care of a New Mom?

Spoonful of Comfort is one of the best gifts you can give to new parents who don't have time to sleep, much less cook their own food. Each Spoonful of Comfort New Parent Care Package comes with:

• Six delicious rolls
• 64 ounces of a mouthwatering homestyle soup flavor of your choice
• Six classic cookies (in the flavors of your choice)
• A customized note card
• A shiny ladle for the soup

These delicious items are lovingly packaged in a reversible and reusable box. There are also add-on items available (such as a cuddly toy for the baby, organic tea, and fun seasonal items). Soup is one of the most classic comfort foods in existence and is the perfect option for sleep-deprived parents who need a little extra TLC. There are even vegan and gluten-free soup packages available for those with special dietary needs!