As someone who just lived through the first year of life with twins, I know firsthand that the most precious resources for parents of babies are time and sleep. When picking out gifts for new moms, look for luxuries that make life nicer and easier—and don’t require effort on her part. “I suggest gift-givers think about presents that will enable the new parent to treat herself in small ways: chocolate, a beeswax candle, a decadent soap,” says Julie Brill, a doula educator and certified lactation consultant. She recommends looking for simple pleasures that help new moms feel cared for and remembered.
The best gifts for new moms balance usefulness with well‑deserved self‑care.
Illustration: Forbes / Photos: Retailers
Ahead, you’ll find my list of the best gifts for new moms—selected from interviews with postpartum experts, shopping experts, new moms themselves and personal favorites.
Best Gifts For New Moms At A Glance
- Petite Plume Pima Pajama Short Set
- Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème
- L.L.Bean Cozy Sherpa Wearable Throw
- Pure Mama Pregnancy Care Set
- Aura Mason Digital Picture Frame
- Dona Unsweetened Chai & Honey
- Grubhub Gift Card
Amazon
Cleverfy Shower Steamers
New moms often don’t have time to take a long soak in the tub, but these steamers make even the quickest shower more luxurious. One of my best friends sent me a box of shower steamers like these as a postpartum gift, and I really loved them. They helped me take a few moments to myself to relax, and reminded me not to rush through self-care.
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Sephora
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème
This eye cream is an editor favorite here at Forbes Vetted, and it made our list of the best eye creams—especially for those targeting dark circles. I can get dark shadows under my eyes even when I’m well rested, but the Banana Bright+ Eye Crème brightens me up without the need for a full face of makeup. It also layers well with other products.
NURTURED 9
Nurtured 9 Postpartum Care Package
Nurtured 9 specializes in gift boxes for new moms. It’s hard to go wrong with this set, which has tea, fuzzy slippers and other self-care goodies. The brand also has a range of other nice options, like a basket that includes gifts for the baby or the option to build your own box.
L.L.Bean
L.L.Bean Cozy Sherpa Wearable Throw
Sure, a cozy robe is great—but I was recently given this wearable blanket and I’m convinced it’s even better for snuggles with a new baby. You can wrap yourself and the baby up together for skin-to-skin time, and it still stays on your shoulders when you need to get up. I also love the large pockets to stuff snacks and my phone into.
Woman-Owned
Mejuri
Mejuri Letter Necklace
New moms deserve gifts that aren’t just practical. I love the sustainable jewelry from Mejuri, like these letter necklaces that are available in sterling silver and 14K gold that make for a nice personalized gift. You can get her initial or the first initial of the new baby’s name.
Revolve
Pure Mama Pregnancy Care Set
“This pregnancy care kit from New Zealand has been flying off the shelf,” says Elle Wang, founder and CEO of Emilia George, a lifestyle brand that specializes in maternity clothes, as well as pregnancy and postpartum products. “The clean ingredients and beautiful packaging make any new mom feel cared for.”
Amazon
Aura Mason Digital Picture Frame
A digital picture frame is an easy way to get all those adorable baby pictures off the phone and displayed in a place where everyone can enjoy them. The Aura brand tops the Forbes Vetted list of best digital picture frames, and I’m partial to this 9-inch frame. However, the company also offers a whole range of styles and sizes.
Dona
Dona Unsweetened Chai & Honey
Dona is an independently owned and woman-founded tea company that ethically sources all of its ingredients. The sweet little duo of Chai concentrate and coffee honey is perfect for new moms in need of a caffeine pick-me-up that’s a little more gentle than your typical cup of coffee (although some days may call for that, too). For the lovers of loose leaf teas, I’m also personally a fan of Dona’s Rose Is My Name black tea.
Amazon
Notes To Self ‘I Am Awesome’ Socks
It can be easy to second-guess yourself when you’re caring for a new baby, so a little pep talk—even from your socks, can be nice. “I recently had a client who was wearing ‘I am awesome’ socks like these,” says Brill. “I thought they were so great and asked her about them. They were a gift from a twin mom. No surprise this present was from someone who had been there herself.”
When talking to other moms about what they wanted the most right after their babies arrived, help with meals came up over and over. Bringing over a casserole or other homemade meal is great, but if you’re not sure what they like or if there are any dietary restrictions in the family, a gift card for takeout is sure to be a hit. This is true for parents with both a newborn and older kids, too. “After I had my twins, anything that made it easy to feed myself and my older kid was so helpful,” says Alicia Betz, Forbes Vetted’s baby and kids writer.
Bumpsuit
Bumpsuit The Goods Postpartum Kit
Bumpsuit founder Nicole Trunfio says this kit—stocked with essentials to support the physical recovery—is a bestseller for the company. It’s a great care package for pregnant moms or to bring straight to the hospital if you’re lucky enough to visit mom and her new baby right away.
MINA BAIE
Mina Baie Judie Suede Full
This spacious tote is designed with moms in mind and can function as an elegant diaper bag or return-to-work bag with plenty of space for a breast pump and a padded compartment for a laptop. The interior has pockets for bottles (either hers or the baby’s) and the exterior pocket can be unzipped to become a luggage sleeve.
For a more conventional diaper bag, consider checking out our guide to the best diaper bags.
MOST POPULAR
Amazon
Sol De Janeiro Delicia Drench Shower Oil
When showers become her main “me time,” gifts that make them extra luxurious can be particularly welcome. I like this shower oil from Sol Del Janeiro, which is moisturizing and has a warm vanilla fragrance. You can also consider pairing it with a matching body butter.
Amazon
Frigidaire Retro Mini Fridge
Parents of little ones have many more uses for refrigeration than you might realize. For breast-pumping moms, it can be a great place to stash precious milk without a trip to the kitchen. For breastfeeding moms, it’s the perfect way to keep her stocked with high-protein snacks like yogurt and smoothies. But just about any caregiver will appreciate a stash of cold drinks to keep at hand for those moments when they really can’t leave the baby by themselves.
Compartés
Compartés 20 Piece Signature Truffles
For moms who are breastfeeding, hunger can be a major drag, so extra treats are more than welcome. But honestly, the chocolate truffles from Compartés are so good that I think anyone would be happy to get this gift box. If mom had to cut out diary for her little one or prefers a plant-based diet for herself, the chocolatier makes excellent vegan options, too.
Gemi
Gemi Hand Sanitizer + Serum
For an elevated way to keep her hands clean on the go, these Gemi sanitizing sprays smell like perfume and have the added benefit of not drying your skin out. I personally love the Solenne scent. Plus (because you never seem to have enough hands when wrangling a baby), the twist-and-spray cap can be opened and operated with one hand.
When you’re deep in nightly feedings, the fatigue-induced forgetfulness can really come for you. AirTags are an easy leg up—new parents can slip one into the diaper bag, stroller and, of course, hook it to their keys. It’s just one way to worry a little less when something inevitably gets misplaced.
Petite Plume
Petite Plume Pima Pajama Short Set
A crisp, fresh pair of PJs could help me feel better postpartum, even if I was just changing out of sweats or leggings. This set from Petite Plume is made with 100% pima cotton and is available in pink, yellow and blue stripes. It’s nursing friendly, too.
I expected to need different clothing when I was pregnant. But when I was a new mom, I was shocked by how much of my pre-pregnancy wardrobe just didn’t work in the first months postpartum, between recovering from birth and breastfeeding. A clothing rental service can help smooth over all those transitions, and I’ve found Nuuly to have a great mix of stylish yet functional options—the service even carries nursing and pumping-friendly styles from brands like Hatch and Ingrid + Isabel.
Amazon
ESW Beauty Plant-Based Milk Mask Set
New moms might not have time for an elaborate skincare routine, but popping on a simple face mask while doing other things is an easy way to squeeze in a little self care. These sheet masks from clean beauty brand ESW smell great and provide a range of hydrating benefits.
“I often recommend the NüRoo to new parents,” says Brill. “This simple shirt with a belt enables them to wear their babies skin to skin (diaper only) and bonding.” It comes in four sizes—up to 2XL—and can be machine-washed and dried when those inevitable spit-ups happen.
Tubby Todd
Tubby Todd Mama + Baby Gift Set
Tubby Todd makes high-quality bath and skincare products, and this gift set has goodies that can be used by both moms and babies. It includes an organic nipple balm, an eczema-friendly ointment that can be used as a lotion or a treatment for dry skin, belly oil and a hair/body wash. You have the option to choose a set with lavender- and rosemary-scented body wash (I can attest to how great this smells), or a box with all unscented products.
Kizik
Kizik Women’s Madison
When you’re holding everything (the new baby, the diaper bag, the car seat, your keys…the list goes on), it’s a game changer to be able to put get shoes on without putting anything down. I own two pairs of hands-free shoes from Kizik, and they really help me get out the door faster, especially while baby wearing. If you don’t know her shoe size or aren’t sure what style she would prefer, consider giving her a gift card.
Corkcicle
Corkcicle 40-Ounce Cruiser Cup
New moms who are breastfeeding or pumping can find it particularly challenging to stay hydrated, but let’s be honest—most parents need a little help with drinking enough water throughout the day. A bottle in an extra big size means fewer refill trips, and a pretty bottle is just the cherry on top. I’m partial to the florals of the Corkcicle x Rifle Paper Co. collaboration, but Corkcicle also sells its 40-ounce cups in a range of colors and designs so you can match the taste of your recipient.
Cometeer
Cometeer Mixed Roast Box
After trying out 19 coffee subscription services, our testers awarded Cometeer the crown for the most convenient. That’s because the service sends pre-brewed, flash-frozen pods that just need the addition of hot water, delivering a great cup every time without any grinding, brewing or special machines. Our testers were impressed with the quality and say it’s also ideal for those who love iced coffee. If you’re willing to splurge, consider giving her a subscription—so she doesn’t have to remember to buy more.
Vera Bradley
Vera Bradley Shell Cosmetic Bag
Anything that makes staying organized a little easier is a big help to new parents, but making it extra pretty doesn’t hurt. This shell-shaped pouch has an interior pocket and a wipeable lining.
TheRY
TheRY Restorer Postpartum Compression Support Shorts
I wore these shorts a ton following the birth of my twins via a c-section. They have pockets (a must-have in my book) and plenty of smooth compression across the belly for postpartum support. If the weather calls for a warmer option, the brand also makes leggings with the same waistband.
Henry Rose
Henry Rose London 1983
Another nice-smelling pick-me-up, I like Henry Rose perfume as a new mom gift because it has ingredient safety certifications from both EWG and Cradle To Cradle (a sustainability label that indicates products are intentionally designed to mimic nature). With so much transparency, I feel good about wearing it around my kids. My favorite scent from the brand is London 1983, which is gently floral and figgy with notes of musk. But if you’re not sure what she might prefer, a sample set is a good choice.
Dionis Goat Milk Skincare
Dionis Inspire Goat Milk Hand Cream Gift Set
After all the handwashing, bottle washing, sanitizing and impromptu baby baths, mom’s hands can use some extra love. This goat milk lotion has a great texture, and travel size lotions are perfect for tucking into the stroller bag, diaper bag or changing table organizer.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The baby and kids gear team at Forbes Vetted researches, tests and interviews experts to help families find the products they need. We aim to make life with little ones easier and more joyful.
- We curate gift guides for a wide range of occasions—including gift ideas for moms and kids of all ages.
- Senior baby and kids gear editor Margaret Badore wrote this article. She has a 4-year-old son and 1-year-old twins and remembers vividly what it was like to be a mom for the first time. She has extensively covered pregnancy and postpartum topics.
- Rose Gordon Sala edited this story. She is a deputy editor at Forbes Vetted, a mom of three, and also regularly covers parenting topics.
- We regularly update this story to make sure our recommendations are accurate and available. It was most recently updated by Badore in April 2026.
Our Experts
- Julie Brill is a certified lactation consultant, doula and childbirth educator.
- Elle Wang is the founder and CEO of Emilia George, a brand that specializes in products for motherhood.










