Being asked to visit a new mom in the hospital is an honor. You are invited into a raw and emotional time in a couple’s life. This time could be even more sensitive if the new mom has had a traumatic birth experience. When you visit a new mom, never show up without a gift, big or small. This list of 25 best gift ideas for a new mom in the hospital will go through meaningful gift ideas you can give to a new mother after she has welcomed her little miracle into the world.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission if you purchase through one of my links at no cost to you. I only recommend products I love, use, or thoroughly review.
Here are some tips when visiting mom in the hospital:
- Stay within your welcome. The new parents and baby are exhausted, and since they invited you to visit, they want to see you but pick up on queues about when it is time to leave.
- Don’t show up unexpectedly. Come when the new mama invites you. All hospitals have visiting hours, so make sure you are coming within those times.
- Always greet mom first before coming to see the baby. Momma went through a lot in her pregnancy and birth to bring this baby into the world; make sure you acknowledge her first and ask her how she is doing and if you can get her anything on the way to the hospital before your visit, which leads into our the next tip.
- Ask the new mom and dad what would be best to bring them to the hospital; this will help you narrow down a gift idea.
- Don’t visit the baby if you are sick! Babies are super susceptible to sickness, and the last thing you want to do is bring any illness to a new baby.
Let’s get into the best gift ideas for a new mom in the hospital:
Comfortable Gift Ideas
- Cozy Robe
A luxurious robe for a new mom to wear in the hospital and at home will make her feel like royalty. If this is a winter baby, a new robe is a perfect gift idea.
2. Matching Lounge Set
A new matching set is a luxury a new mama will love to wear in the hospital and at home. Make sure you know the mom's size and possibly sizing up so she's extra cozy and comfortable. She may have packed a set in her hospital bag, so check with your friend before you buy.
3. Nursing Pajamas
If your friend is a first-time mom, she may not have nursing pajamas or want some new ones. Get her some to wear in the hospital and at home.
4. Cozy Blanket
Help a mama feel cozy in the hospital with a soft, warm blanket she can lay on her hospital bed and help her feel more at home. If you are bringing this blanket to the hospital, please wash it before you give it to her.
5. Silk Eye Mask
A hospital room will not be pitch black, so if your mom-friend has difficulty sleeping, you should get this silk eye mask for her. This can also help her nap during the day when she has those sleepless nights with her newborn.
6. Mama & Baby Toiletry Kit
How cute are these matching toiletry bags for mom and baby? It already has a few toiletry items, like a toothbrush, comb, fuzzy socks, and nipple pads. Mama can put some essential items she gets from the hospital in these cute toiletry bags. You can pack self-care gifts in these bags, like an ice roller, face mask, body wash, nipple balm, or any other self-care items a new mom would want.
Nourishment Gift Ideas
7. Stanley Cup
Stanley cups are well worth the hype, in my opinion. I have one and LOVE it! For a new mom, it can be handy because you need to drink a lot of water when breastfeeding and caring for a newborn baby. If I received a Stanley in the hospital, regardless of whether I had one, I would be overjoyed.
8. Snack Package or Gift Basket
Postpartum moms need healthy snacks, especially if they are breastfeeding. If you are short on time, order the new mom a snack package like this, or create your own with some of her favorite snacks, fresh fruit, dark chocolate, or any other healthy food.
9. LMNT Electrolyte Packages
Hydration is essential postpartum; ensure mama has some with these LMNT electrolyte packages. I would recommend Nuun or Liquid IV, but the LMNT packets have been my new favorite, and I can feel a difference with them. You can also get a free starter pack on their website if you want to try it.
10. Coffee
Sometimes, all you need is a coffee from your favorite local shop, which can be the best gift for new parents in the hospital. Some couples have everything they need and don’t need physical gifts, so see if you can bring them a coffee and a pastry from their favorite shop; that will be the perfect little treat.
11. Takeout Meal
Like the coffee idea, get the couple a meal from their favorite restaurant. Hospital food usually isn’t the best-tasting food, so bring a new mom a meal she will look forward to eating. She will be so appreciative! If she asks for sushi, know that this is a special treat she has been waiting nine long months for, as pregnant women are advised against eating raw fish.
Postpartum Care Gift Ideas
12. Lactaction Cookies
For a new mom on a breastfeeding journey, gift her some lactation cookies to help with her milk supply. Breast milk can take some time to come in, so these cookies or any lactation gift are great gift ideas.
13. Postpartum Doula Services
This can be a pricy gift, but if you can afford it, getting a postpartum doula to help a new mom can be life-changing for her. It’s not the most reasonable gift for some people, but if you know this mom is hiring someone, you can consider giving her money to help pay for this service.
14. Nursing Pillow
If your friend or family member didn't receive a nursing pillow at her baby shower, then gift her a soft nursing pillow she can use for breastfeeding.
15. Breastfeeding Cover
If the new mama is breastfeeding, get her a feeding cover she can use throughout her breastfeeding journey. This practical gift will be something she will use often.
16. Postpartum Care Kit
Most hospitals have postpartum care items for new moms to take home, but if the new mom wasn't prepped for her postpartum journey, she will love this Frida Postpartum Kit, which she can use while in the hospital and at home as she recovers.
Practical Support Gift Ideas
17. Food Gift Cards
Sometimes, getting takeout from your favorite local place is tastier than ordering hospital food. One of my favorite ways to give a gift to a momma postpartum is by sending digital gift cards. I pick a place I know she loves, and if they have a digital gift card, I will send it via text or email. If you are unsure of the couple’s favorite local restaurants, you can send them a Grub Hub or Door Dash gift card, and they will be just as happy getting to pick where their food is coming from.
18. Home-Cooked Meal
First-time parents will always appreciate a homemade meal or freezer meal. You can bring it to the hospital if you know they will be leaving that day or tell them in the hospital that you will be dropping off a meal on their front porch when they are home to enjoy.
19. House Cleaning Service
One of the last things you think about when surviving the newborn stage is keeping your home clean. If you know the new mom will appreciate it, you can gift her a cleaning service gift card. This may not be the gift for every mom, as some would not like a stranger cleaning their home, but it can be a huge blessing for a mom who needs/wants it.
20. Babysitting Older Siblings
If you are a trusted close friend or relative of the parents, offer to watch their older children or child for them while they are in the hospital. This can be a huge help; even though this isn’t their first baby, adjusting to life with a newborn is tough. The older siblings will need extra attention during this time, and if you can help babysit, that’s a gift any parent would love.
21. Running Errands
This is another gift only a trusted friend or family could give the couple is running errands for the couple. Whether it’s picking up something, like their dog or child, filling the fridge with groceries, or something the new mom needs from the house, you can give the gift of being helpful.
22. Laundry Service
Whether it’s dropping laundry off at a wash-and-fold laundry mat or going over and doing laundry for them, laundry is one of those chores that can pile up, and gifting a laundry service would be much appreciated in those early days.
23. Meal Delivery Service or Meal Train
During the postpartum period, meals are an underrated gift any couple will love, and paying for a meal delivery service for the couple or little family could be a lifesaver. If you don’t have the money to spend on meal service, you can always create a meal train for a new mom where people in your community can make meals and deliver them to a new mom.
24. Massage Gift Certificate
Freshly postpartum moms need some self-care. If you know this new mommy loves massages, consider giving her a gfit card to her favorite massage place. This gift is a thoughtful way of showing your family member, friend, or best friend how much you care about them.
25. Amazon Gift Card
An Amazon gift card is a great idea for a couple who has everything and needs practical items like diapers, wipes, and things they didn’t realize they needed until they had a baby.
The best gift you can give a new mom during her hospital stay is something she needs and likes. Before you go, you must check with her or her spouse about the best gift to bring. Some women love fresh flowers but don’t love bringing them home from the hospital. So make sure you think about what she wants and needs. Whatever gift you choose, big or small, the new mother will appreciate your loving gesture during this critical time in her little family’s life.
Other blogs you may like:
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.