Looking for the perfect gift for the expecting mama in your life? Or maybe looking for ideas for yourself? Picking out the perfect gifts for moms to be can be difficult at times. Especially if you want a gift that acknowledges and celebrates her pregnancy.
While you could get her any old gift, in all likelihood you’re looking for something special. Something that shows her how much you care about her, and how happy you are for her.
But you may find yourself drawing a blank when it comes to what kind of gift would be meaningful enough to show that.
In this gift guide, you’ll find gifts that will be truly meaningful and helpful for moms to be. You’ll be sure to find the perfect gift for the expecting mama in your life!
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Guide to the Best Gifts for Moms To Be
There are so many different kinds of gifts that moms to be will love. That’s why I’ve broken up this guide into sections to help you easily find the type of gift you want to give. Whatever gift you ultimately choose, I’m sure she will love it!
Pregnancy Gifts for Moms To Be
Looking for some pregnancy specific gifts that she can enjoy right now? These are some great options!
Belly Band / Maternity Belt
They can help alleviate some of her discomfort, reduce strain on muscles and ligaments, and help her breathe easier. If she doesn’t have a couple already, a belly band can make a great gift!
Maternity Clothes Shopping Trip
Assuming she doesn’t already have a full wardrobe, a shopping trip for maternity clothes might be the perfect gift. Of course, even if she’s all set, she’ll likely appreciate a new piece or two to add to her maternity wardrobe!
Maternity clothes tend to be on the pricey side, and only get used for around six months at the most. It can definitely put a financial strain on expecting mamas to buy new clothes for such a short period of time.
When I was pregnant, someone gave me some money to get some clothes, and it was so helpful! I was able to get some cute pieces without breaking our rather tight budget. So even if it’s just money to go get clothes, it can be such a help for new moms!
Pregnancy Cookbook
Eating healthy and nutritiously is one of the many things that pregnant moms think about often. Eating well enough to support both themselves and their growing baby is so important, but it can also be overwhelming.
Many new moms know the importance, but don’t know how to actually make it happen. That’s why pregnancy cookbooks can be so helpful. Cookbooks geared toward pregnancy help ensure that pregnant moms get all the nutrients they need. Without all the stress of figuring out what to make for dinner!
My two favorite pregnancy cookbooks are Mommy Labor Nurse’s Pregnancy Cookbook, and the nutritional guide/cookbook Eating for Pregnancy.
The latter is a bit more information intensive, so if you’re looking for something a bit lighter I recommend the Pregnancy Cookbook. But Eating for Pregnancy also includes a lot of great recipes that are easily adaptable for pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, as well as restrictions such as vegan and vegetarian.
Pregnancy Journal
Weekly checklists, to do lists, appointment reminders, and gratitude help moms stay on track throughout their pregnancy. Journal pages with prompts help new moms create a beautiful keepsake with all their special pregnancy memories, including bump and sonogram photos.
This device friendly journal can be used across any device, or printed off.
Maternity Photoshoot
Another great gift for expecting moms is a maternity photoshoot. While it can be a bit of a pricier gift, if you have the budget for it, it can be an amazing gift!
Maternity photos give moms a chance to celebrate their pregnancy in a beautiful way. It gives them a keepsake to treasure, and often helps them to feel better about themselves as they near the end of their pregnancy.
Self Care Gifts for Pregnant Moms
Self care gifts are a classic way to spoil the mom to be!
Spa Day
I know, it’s kind of the obvious choice! But spa days can feel amazing to a pregnant mama. This is especially a good idea toward the end of pregnancy, when she begins to feel more and more uncomfortable.
Take her on a spa day to a local spa, or grab some spa supplies and have an at home spa day. Alternatively, you could simply gift her a spa gift set in her favorite scent.
Prenatal Massage
While I haven’t personally had a prenatal massage, I did have my first massage last year and I am majorly hooked. It felt so stinking good! I can only imagine how much better it would feel while pregnant—especially towards the end!
When you book it, be sure to do so with a certified prenatal massage therapist. Massaging in certain areas, such as the Achilles heel, can set off contractions. So it’s very important that you have someone who knows what they are doing.
A prenatal massage therapist will also be able to properly massage specific problem areas for pregnant women. It can feel so good, and help a pregnant mama feel so much better!
Prenatal Chiropractor Care
I honestly never thought I’d say this, but after visiting a chiropractor several times, I’m a big believer in the benefits! And beyond the usual benefits, visiting a chiropractor while pregnant can help to prepare your body for labor.
If your pelvis is out of alignment, it can hinder labor and make delivery more difficult. For an easier labor and delivery experience, try visiting a prenatal chiropractor, especially closer to birth. And of course, be sure that they are certified to do prenatal chiropractic care!
A Good Book
Is the mom to be a reader? A good book can make a great gift for expecting mamas. Although I highly encourage moms to make time to read, it’s very true that free time is limited once a newborn arrives.
It may be a while before she can find time to enjoy a good book. Or, she may enjoy reading while nursing her little one. Either way, taking advantage of this pre-baby time and reading a book can be a great way to pass the time until baby arrives.
Some of my favorite books for moms include:
Favorite Candle
Personally, I’m a big fan of Bath & Body Works’ aromatherapy line. My favorite candles are their Stress Relief and Energy.
Body Scrub
I stepped out of my comfort zone last year and tried one of Bath & Body Works’ body scrubs. And oh. My. Word. It is amazing! It is by far one of my absolute favorite self care products, and one of my favorite things to do for myself.
Let’s have some real talk here for a minute. It can be really hard to feel good about yourself while you’re pregnant. I’m sure there are some who don’t struggle with this reality, but I think most moms do. Everything is uncomfortable, you feel like a whale, and if you’re human at all you’re probably struggling to feel good about yourself.
Honestly, a little bit of a self care splurge can go a long way in helping a pregnant mama feel better about herself. And that’s a great gift to give!
Lotion/Belly Butter
I made the mistake of not starting a bump lotion routine and until late in my pregnancy. In retrospect, I should have started much sooner! Good gifts for moms to be can include either a good lotion or belly butter for her bump.
Here are some popular brands of belly butter for pregnant moms:
- Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter
- Bamboobies Belly Balm
- Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Tummy Butter Balm
Birth Preparation Gifts
Every mama gets excited (and a bit nervous!) towards the end of her pregnancy. Preparing for birth and the arrival of her baby is one of every mama’s favorite parts of pregnancy. Why not gift her some birth and newborn educational courses to help her prepare?
Of course, if that’s not your jam, there are also plenty of other things you can give as gifts to moms to be.
Birth It Up (birth education course)
This is my favorite birth education course! Taught by a labor and delivery nurse, Birth It Up is an amazing birth education resource for new mamas—and second time mamas refreshing their memories!
The course is online, has lifetime access, and is easily accessible on any device. I love that Leisel teaches new moms everything they need to know about labor and delivery. Moms will learn about the stages of labor, pain management options and techniques, and so much more.
Every new mom should most definitely check out and take Birth It Up in preparation for childbirth! Use this code to get 10% off: MOMCORNER
Newborn Basics 101 (newborn education course)
Here’s the thing. New moms typically spend a lot of time preparing for childbirth—and they should! Labor and delivery is a hard experience that should absolutely be prepared for. However, the focus tends to stay on birth as the end goal. And this can leave new moms at a loss for how to care for their baby when he/she arrives.
Too often new moms go into motherhood having no clue how to care for a newborn. It can become an overwhelming time as they try to quickly learn on the go. But it doesn’t have to be so stressful!
That’s why I love the course Newborn Basics 101. Taught by a labor and delivery nurse, it goes into everything new moms need to know to take care of their newborns.
Knowing how to care for a baby is obviously important, but too often newborn education completely lacking for new moms. Taking an online course, like Newborn Basics 101, can make the transition into motherhood so much easier, and far more enjoyable!
Baby, We’re Home, Now Let’s Sleep! (newborn sleep education course)
Right along with newborn care, learning about baby sleep is another area of new mom education that is greatly lacking. Coping with a newborn’s sleep patterns and learning to help their baby get more sleep is probably the biggest challenge new moms face.
That’s why taking a newborn sleep course is so incredibly important! Getting more sleep—and more quality sleep—helps new moms heal from birth, helps prevent postpartum depression, and overall makes motherhood far easier.
Personally, I loved the online newborn sleep course Baby, We’re Home, Now Let’s Sleep! Taught by a baby sleep consultant, this course teaches new moms everything they need to know about newborn sleep.
It is not a sleep training program, and doesn’t involve any “crying it out.” Rather, new moms learn to understand natural newborn sleep patterns, as well as techniques to help their babies fall asleep and stay asleep longer. I highly recommend this newborn sleep course, and it would make a great gift for a new mom! Use this code to get 10% off: MOMCORNER
Birth Affirmation Cards
If you’re looking for a small but meaningful gifts for moms to be, a pack of birth affirmation cards are just the thing! Birth affirmation cards are simple cards with positive affirmations written on them. They are read and used during labor to help moms maintain a positive mindset.
A mama’s mindset is actually a big factor in the labor and delivery process. Staying positive can help things to progress easier and faster. On the other hand, negative thoughts and fear can cause labor to slow or even stall. Birth affirmation cards can help laboring mamas get past the negative mind blocks and have a smoother birth experience.
Labor and Delivery Gown
Some wear them during the actual labor and delivery, while others like to wear them after delivery. Personally, I wore mine after delivery—I didn’t want to get mine messy from birth! Getting a new moms to be a labor gown and robe can make the perfect gifts!
Comfy Socks
Be sure to get socks with non-skid grips on the bottoms. Hospital floors can be very slippery—grips help prevent her from falling.
Baby Preparation Gifts
Pretty much any gifts you get moms to be to prepare for their new baby is a win. But, picking out just the right one can be hard. Here are some tried and true favorites that every new mom is sure to love.
Anything Off Her Baby Registry
Before you go buying baby stuff for a mom to be, take a quick look at her baby registry. Baby registries are the perfect way for new moms to let others know what things they need and like.
Starting with her registry is the best way to help her out with things she actually needs and wants for her baby. Even if you don’t end up buying anything off her registry, you’ll probably get a good sense of the types of things she likes and needs.
Big Ticket Items
Really want to spoil an expecting mama? Why not get her a “big ticket” item. Think car seats, nursery furniture, and other baby necessities that tend to be pricier. If you have the money to swing a more expensive gift, blessing her with one of these items will help her out immensely.
Here are some ideas for big ticket items you can gift to her:
Baby Swing & Rocker
I loved that this one could function both as a swing and a rocker. Ultimately it saved space, and was super versatile. It also has a ton of functions and extras at a very affordable price (as far as swings go). This baby swing/rocker is a definite must have in my book!
SwaddleMe Original Swaddle
The velcro keeps it securely on, and makes it super easy to get on and off. These make fantastic gifts for new moms!
Cute Baby Clothes
Fair warning: pretty much everyone loves to buy baby clothes for new moms, so she will probably already have a ton. But if you can’t resist, baby clothes are good go to gifts for moms to be.
I’m a big fan of these brands for baby clothes:
Sound Machine
Even if she doesn’t think she’ll need one, every new mom should invest in a sound machine. I love that the Hatch Baby sound machine also includes a night light perfect for night feeds!
Play Mat/Gym
One thing I will say is that you should definitely invest in a gym that has two crossbars. The one we were given had only one bar going across, and it quickly gave out from being constantly kicked. If I invest in a new one for a future baby, it will definitely be the Skip Hop Silver Lining Gym.
Boppy Pillow/Lounger
Boppy pillows are great for helping support the baby, as well as getting baby into a good position. You can also use them to prop up baby. I even used mine for tummy time sometimes.
Haaka
This inexpensive Haakaa is designed to catch breastmilk from the breast baby is not nursing from. No more leaking milk while breastfeeding, and no more wasting it. It can also serve as a manual breast pump in a way.
Baby Carrier / Wrap / Sling
There are tons of different styles to choose from, including baby carriers, wraps, and ring slings. Personally, I used and liked the Baby K’tan Original Wrap. Although, I do like the look of ring slings—I’d love to try one in the future!
Pajamas / Sleepers With Zippers
The truth is, for all the cute baby clothes out there, sleepers are honestly the easiest thing to dress a baby in, especially as young babies. And, they’re the easiest thing to wear to bed at night!
If you decide to give baby sleepers as gifts to moms to be, be sure to get ones with zippers. No one wants to mess with buttons in the middle of the night. Zippers are all around easier to use. Bonus points if you get inverted zippers!
Baby Monitor
Every new mom needs a baby monitor. This is the easiest way to keep an eye on the little one while he/she is sleeping, without having to be in the same room 24/7. This is especially great if baby will be sleeping in his/her own room!
There are tons of different designs for baby monitors. We ended up with a cheap, sound only monitor at the last minute, so I don’t personally have any specific recommendations for this item.
Breastfeeding Nursing Cover
But nursing covers aren’t just great for breastfeeding. They are actually super versatile and can be used for so many other things. Think car seat and stroller covers, blankets, and more. Definitely a worthwhile gift, even if the mom to be decides not to breastfeed.
Diaper Bag
Backpack style diaper bags are great for keeping mom’s hands free, especially if she already has a child.
Postpartum Gifts
Few people think to give postpartum gifts, but new moms will be so appreciative of them. Whether it’s something for healing or something to make life just a little bit easier, postpartum gifts are pretty much a guaranteed hit.
Postpartum Care Kit
Nobody likes to talk about it, but the truth is that new moms have a whole lot of healing to do after giving birth. And we get it—it’s sort of a personal thing, and can feel awkward to talk about. But not talking about it at all leads to unprepared new moms.
If you’re looking for truly thoughtful gifts for moms to be, why not put together a postpartum care kit for her? Buy one premade or make your own with these postpartum essentials:
- Peri Bottle
- Disposable Underwear
- Tucks Cooling Pads
- Dermoplast Pain & Itch Spray
- Reusable Perineal Cooling Pad
- Sitz Bath
- Sitz Bath Salts
- Breastfeeding Cookbook (for yummy snacks that support milk production)
Frida mom
These kits contain pretty much everything a new mom needs to support her healing process.
Subscription Box
Every mom loves to a little something for herself. So often new moms forget that they matter too, so anything specifically for them makes them feel special and important. A subscription box might be just the thing to regularly remind a new mom that she matters.
There are so many different types of subscription boxes out there, but some popular ones include:
Postpartum Journal
The journal also includes extras such as trimester to do lists, a birth plan template, and more.
Meal Service Subscription
One of the biggest struggles of being a new mom is learning to juggle meals along with caring for a baby. New moms often struggle to remember to eat adequately, particularly during those first few weeks.
One way to help a new mom out in this area is to pay for a meal service subscription. Some subscriptions send ready made meals, while others just cut down on the amount of work involved.
Another alternative option is to take care of picking up her groceries for her, or having them delivered.
Newborn Photography Session
One fantastic gift for new moms is a newborn photography session. While I didn’t think about it much in the moment, looking back I do wish I had more professional looking photos of Elijah as a newborn.
If you can swing the cost, it truly is a wonderful gift for new moms. If you plan to give this gift, be sure to schedule it while she is still expecting. Newborn sessions are best done within the first few weeks. And since you don’t know exactly when baby will arrive, it’s important to have it scheduled ahead of time.
Amazon Prime Membership
Amazon Prime is pretty much every mom’s best friend. Giving a Prime membership as a gift is a great way to help her out in so many different ways. With a Prime membership she’ll get free two-day shipping, streaming for thousands of movies and TV, and so much more.
Alternatively, you can pay for her membership to Amazon Family, which is similar to Prime but has extra benefits for families. With Amazon Family, she’ll get:
- 20% off diaper subscriptions
- Exclusive coupons and deals for baby
- Extra baby registry benefits
- All the same benefits as Prime
I don’t think there’s a gift option for Amazon Family yet, but you can give her the money to cover it or use your card to pay. Either way, it’s well worth it! We’ve thoroughly loved our Amazon Family membership and have had it for a while!
Treat the Mom To Be to Something Special!
By now you probably have some pretty good ideas for what to give your pregnant mom friend! Don’t be afraid to go all out—new and expecting moms need all the extra love and support.
Whether you’re getting a gift for Christmas, a birthday, childbirth, baby shower, or just to let her know you care, she’ll certain appreciate it.
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