Whether you are having your first baby or your fourth, it is important to consider having gifts and items that are going to practically help you throughout your pregnancy, birth or postpartum period.
Although those swaddles and outfits are cute, they’re not the most practical items for helping you in this period. As a midwife and mum of 4, I’ve seen it all (and tried it all) so here is my list of top gift ideas for new parents.
- Meal delivery service It is crazy how much one tiny little human can occupy your entire day, leaving you with very little time for basic tasks like cooking. The thought of having to cook and what to even cook can quickly become a daunting task. A meal delivery service can be a lifesaver in providing healthy but hearty meals to nourish the new parents during the postpartum period.
- Nappy subscription service A nappy subscription service will allow nappies to be delivered to the new parent’s door, saving them time, energy and the panic of “oh no, we’re out of nappies!!”. It also prevents parent’s having a large stash of newborn nappies and them going to waste because the baby grows so quickly.
- A baby carrier In the first few months, babies don’t actually recognise that they’re separate beings from their mother. So, it is no wonder that they want to be held all the time. Holding your baby, keeping them close and responding to them will never create a bad habit. A baby carrier will allow new parents to hold their baby close while having their hands free to go about their day.
- Postpartum care kit If you’ve had a baby before you may have been shocked with just how little information there is about what actually happens during the postpartum period. A postpartum care kit that contains Bare Mum postpartum briefs and hot/cold pack, bath sitz, breast ice packs and comfortable postpartum loungewear can help support the mother through this difficult transition.
- Photoshoot A family photoshoot may not be at the top of the list for some new parents, however capturing the priceless memories of a newborns birth, first few days or those special moments as a family is something that will be truly treasured by new parents.
- Education Good quality education during pregnancy is essential in helping new parents feel empowered, confident and prepared for their birth, postpartum and parenting journey. One Mama Midwife Antenatal Classes are holistic birth classes that support new parents from pregnancy through to parenting.
- Vouchers Sometimes one of the best gifts you can give a new parent is gift vouchers that they can use sporadically throughout the postpartum period. These might include – cleaning vouchers, food vouchers, baby store vouchers (like the memo).
- Collection for big items Sometimes the big items required for a baby can feel overwhelming for new parents. Putting in money for big ticket items can be a great way to take that stress off the new parents. These may include a pram, car seat, bassinet or cot.