Pregnancy
When a new baby arrives, it’s tempting to rush out and buy tiny little outfits, cuddly toys, or a big bouquet for the new parents. Whilst they’re lovely, there’s only so many 0-3 month baby grows a bubba can get through. And let’s be honest, taking care of a baby is hard enough without the added pressure of taking care of flowers.
So we turned to our amazing community, to find out what gifts actually made a difference to them in the whirlwind of first time motherhood. Whether you’re picking a present for someone special or you’re currently pregnant and looking to point your loved ones in the right direction (hint hint), here’s some ideas…
“Photo printing voucher and a photo album, so I could print and keep the bajillion photos I took”
We take hundreds (if not thousands) of photos of our brand new babies – but how many actually make it off our phones? A voucher for a photo printing service like Snapfish or Photobox along with a photo album, means those memories can be stored, displayed and looked back on for years to come.
”My best friend gave me the Way Too Honest cards and I swear they’ve been more helpful than half the baby books I never finished. They say all the things I needed to hear – the hard stuff, the hilarious stuff, the honest stuff.”
Every new mum’s pocket-sized support system, The Way Too Honest cards are a deck of 64 cards that speaks to the real motherhood experience – the highs and the lows, offering the kind of honesty, humour and heartfelt encouragement that’s rarely found in traditional baby gifts. Use code HAPPYMUM for 10% off here (valid till 31st May 2025)
“A baby first aid course. I would never have thought of going myself and will hopefully never need it, but it gave me real peace of mind.”
Organisations like Mini First Aid offer brilliant in-person courses for your needs, up and down the country. Knowing what to do in an emergency builds real confidence and makes for a great original gift for new parents.
“COOK ready meals. Totally took the pressure off arranging dinner after a long day with little sleep”
When you’re deep in the fog of newborn life, the last thing you’re thinking about is what’s for dinner. So many of our community cited COOK’s frozen ready meals as an absolute life-saver in postpartum. Choose from their huge selection of meals here, or gift a voucher.
“A hamper with Calpol, Snufflebabe, nappy cream and those types of bits”
Package it up as the ultimate new-parent emergency kit and give a hamper full of baby essentials. A lifesaver to have at 3am when your little one is poorly and the shops are closed.
“A ‘Best Mum’ mug – a light for me on the rough day”
Sometimes it’s the little things that lift you up. A cute mug that reminds a new mum she’s doing an amazing job can be a daily hug in mug-form. Pair it with some tea bags or coffee for an extra thoughtful touch. We love this personalised one from Not On The Highstreet.
“A book called Hurrah for Gin – helped us to see the funny reality of parenting and helped us not to panic”
Hurrah for Gin by Katie Kirby is a refreshingly honest look at parenting. A perfect antidote to the pressure to have everything together, it’ll give new parents permission to laugh at the chaos.
“The Starsnug fleece by Tuppence & Crumble is my go-to gift for new parents!”
A gorgeous, super-soft fleece wrap for newborns that keeps them cosy without the faff of buttons and zips. It’s easy to pop on and perfect for quick trips out. Plus look how cute it is!
“A membership to a local zoo to encourage me to go out with my baby”
Getting out of the house with a little one can feel overwhelming. A membership to a zoo, garden or museum gives new parents an easy destination for fresh air and fun.
“A huge bag of snacks – all kept next to the sofa for when nap trapped or feeding”
Never underestimate the power of snacks during long feed marathons. Think flapjacks, mini chocolate bars, trail mix, or anything easy to grab & scoff with one hand. Look out for lactation-boosting ingredients like oats, sesame seeds and almonds. Make your own or grab a premade hamper from TreatTrunk.
“My friends all chipped in money to spend on a sleep consultant should I need it. I ended up needing it!”
Pooling together with friends to contribute towards a session with a certified sleep consultant or lactation consultant is a practical and compassionate gift that can make a world of difference.
“A nice coffee cup with a lid to keep it warm”
Becoming a mum for the first time, you’ll soon learn hot drinks are a rare luxury. A good travel coffee cup means giving the gift of enjoying a hot cuppa throughout the chaos of the day.
At the end of the day, the best gifts for new parents are the ones that make life a little easier, a little lighter, and a lot more supported.
