A simple and thoughtful gift guide for the postpartum mama and family. This is not your average gift guide with a ton of affiliate links and things “you have to have” or buy to make the experience better. These are REAL and supportive gifts you can provide that any postpartum family would love to receive. You can keep that onesie the baby may never wear.
I feel like new parents are typically showered with things for their baby but when it comes down to it, what we need to focus on is showering the new parents with love, support and food so they can keep caring for their baby without the burdens of household tasks. My number one thing on the gift guide is just simply your presence – which is free. Just showing up (preferable after two weeks postpartum and for less than an hour). Think showing up more frequently for shorter increments of time. When you come to the postpartum home, ask how you can be the most helpful and just get your hands dirty. Things your presence can provide: take out the trash, unload/load the dishwasher, fold laundry, bring a meal, make a warm tea for mama, give a listening ear with non judgment and maybe hold the baby while mama does something for herself like shower or take a bath.
- Your Presence
- My number one thing on the gift guide is just simply your presence – which is free. Just showing up (preferable after two weeks postpartum and for less than an hour). Think showing up more frequently for shorter increments of time.
- When you come to the postpartum home, ask how you can be the most helpful and just get your hands dirty. Things your presence can provide: take out the trash, unload/load the dishwasher, fold laundry, bring a meal, make a warm tea for mama, give a listening ear with non judgment and maybe hold the baby while mama does something for herself like shower or take a bath.
- Meals
- Set up a “Meal Train” website for the family
- Meal delivery, door dash gift card, grocery delivery
- Homemade food – One of my favorite resources for homemade postpartum meals is The First Forty Days book. Not all meals are postpartum friendly and nourishing. Do some research and keep it simple. Soup is always a nice option.
- Postpartum Doula Support
- This is also something that you could help fundraise or simply give a couple hours. For example if you live out of town and you want to be present for the postpartum family but are unable to be. This is an option that gives them physical support while you can be present virtually.
- Postpartum Doulas can provide homemade meals, help with laundry, dishes, other household tasks, baby care, lactation support, massage, body work, coaching and other supportive resources. They offer daytime support or overnight support so parents can get a full night’s rest.
- Lactation Cookies
- Healthy bites that you can stash in the freezer are great to have on hand for postpartum families. It is so nice to pull out a sweet, healthy and filling treat out of the freezer in the middle of the night for those 2:00am feedings. It is like you have something to look forward to in those hard moments.
- Also, it is important that mom or the birthing parent is keeping their blood sugar up and calories going in to help heal the body and support lactation.
- Here is my lactation cookie recipe with surprise, lentils in them!
- Sleep
- Come over and watch their baby so they can nap or even better, take them out for a long walk in the stroller so they can have the house to themselves and rest.
- Come over from 7:00 – midnight and let them sleep for 4-5 hours and you handle business with the baby. Adults need at minimum 4 hours of continuous sleep every night to function and avoid depression and other mental health symptoms.
- House cleaning service
- Finding time to clean the house while postpartum can be a challenge. Take this domestic labor off the family’s to do list by providing a gift card or scheduled cleaning service for them.
- Nipple Cream & Feeding Caddy
- Create a cute basket filled with all different types of feeding necessities for the lactating parent. You could fill it with a nice water bottle with a straw, snacks, nipple cream, burp cloths, extra long phone charger and some magazines or books.
- My favorite nipple cream is made by Motherlove. Use code ELLAFRAN for 15% off your purchase.
- Postpartum Bath Soak
- Massage Gift Card
- In home or at a spa would be a great gift for the birthing parent. An in-home massage is a really special treat. Do not forget to offer to watch their children or baby while they are receiving their treatment.
