Becoming a parent can be a wonderful time and a mixed bag of emotions. With this beautiful addition and new role, comes a laundry list of new to-dos, challenges and unknowns. Not to mention, recovering from the ultimate test of strength and endurance: labour, delivery and possibly surgery. All of this on little to no sleep! It’s a roller coaster, and not as smooth as shown behind rose-tinted glasses on social media. It’s confounding truly — your body, sleep and sense of self depreciate, but you still feel boundless love. It’s this time that new parents really need support. You can either take the utility route or the pampering route. Give them something that they will need and can’t get enough of, or celebrate and pamper them. These picks will help you delight or help new moms/parents.
Maternity leggings
Recap 2020 when you lived in your leggings — that’s how life is for mummas-to-be and new mums. The comfort and functionality of these makes them a no-brainer. The wide over-belly band in their cloud soft fabric ensures comfort pre and post delivery. A pair of these will make the moms feel put together and cosy. An additional bonus — they have pockets!
Buy here
Portable Diaper Changing Pad
This changing pad has a wipes holder, diaper holder, and a toy and cream holder, and the pad itself is oversized and easy to clean. It’s an all-in-one that moms never knew they needed. My organisation loving heart would skip a beat in case I forgot this when going out. Kopi Changing Pad tops the list in utility for me.
Buy here
Postpartum Kit
The fourth trimester brings many surprises for moms — not the good kind. Help in their recovery by gifting them a handy kit containing postpartum maxi pads, disposable underwear, perennial pads, abdominal binder and all the works. Most of these are useful in both normal and C-section delivery. Your new-mom friend will forever be grateful to you for this one.
Buy here
Tumblers
Any new mom will quickly learn how important it is to stay hydrated. The elixir looks aesthetically pleasing and will calm her nerves when nothing else looks in place. It can be used as a sipper or with the wide mouth opening. Easy to and available in various colour options, it can keep liquids hot or cold for hours! Although it can be cumbersome to carry around, especially when full, it’s perfect for those couch contact naps or to keep next to mom’s bedside for overnight hydration. Bottoms up!
Buy here
Smart pregnancy pillow
The natural breathable fibre pillow offers full body support for unparalleled comfort in the third trimester. The cover of the pillow can be removed and washed. The new moms in your life will swear by this multipurpose pregnancy pillow that will not only let them have a restful sleep, but also help to prop up their little one while breastfeeding.
Buy here
Swaddles in sweet patterns
Masilo swaddles have stood the test of time for the past 4 years for me. I have used them as swaddles, burp cloths, stroller cover/shade, nursing cover and now finally as a light blanket. Give them in a set of three since at least one of them will likely be dirty at any given time.
Buy here
Mom and baby hamper
Argan Rosehip stretch mark oil, Brahmi postpartum hair oil, peppermint pain relief oil, Nidara Massage oil for mum, and Badami massage oil, body cleanser, Moringa hair oil, hair cleanser and body lotion for baby — phew! This hamper has it all. Anushree Mimani has created a range of natural and organic products , with this therapeutic hamper focused on prenatal and postpartum recovery of both mum and bub.
Buy here
Sound machine
While this is technically only a gift for the baby, the mom will thank you much more. I can’t imagine a gift a sleep-deprived new parent would appreciate more than anything that might get them an extra hour of sleep. It will put not just their baby to sleep, but also the tired new moms who have barely had any shut-eye in weeks. The white noise machine is portable, rechargeable and compact. I still use this machine for my 4-year-old son when we travel.
Buy here
Guided journals
I always wanted an adorable baby book, but my lack of creativity and laziness got the better of me. Alicia Souza’s guided baby journal was my saviour — pages to stick photos, prompts to record baby’s firsts, likes and dislikes, letters to your baby and all the works. They also have a pregnancy journal called Bump to Baby, which lets you record your pregnancy journey easily. The books are joyful, creative and make for great keepsakes with the least amount of effort.
Buy here
When finding a gift for a new mom, think of the two P’s — practicality and pampering. The above list covers the practical bit. You can pamper them by sending them a meal, booking a spa or massage or just being there for them.When you’re a new parent, everything can feel overwhelming — from late night feedings, the seemingly never-ending dirty diapers and your own physical recovery. It gets easier, but the first few weeks can be pretty rough. Plus the pregnancy brain before this doesn’t help. Gifting registries should become a trend here too, but till people come around to that idea, these gifts just make the transition easier and are actually useful.
The author is an economist and full-time millennial mother, struggling to cope with daily chores
