28 Sweet, Thoughtful Gifts for New Parents

Your friend is about to be real busy taking care of their baby, so it’s nice to treat them to a gift that’ll make them feel taken care of—especially if they’re not the type to put on their own (metaphorical) oxygen mask first.

To find the best gifts for new parents, we asked SELF staffers which products they couldn’t stop reaching for during pregnancy and those first few months postpartum. Plus, we leaned into our own expertise to bring you ideas based on the presents that were hits with our own pals. Many of our top picks are also SELF Faves and award winners, so we know they deserve some hype.

Below, find our seriously good list of items to make parents feel a little more comfortable while they get used to their new routine.

1. Home Chef Subscription
2. Ember Smart Mug 2
3. Kindle Paperwhite
4. Bombas Sunday Slipper
5. Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
6. Lunya Washable Silk Robe
7. Tushy Classic 3.0
8. Lanolips 12-Hour Overnight Lip Mask
9. Nekteck Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager
10. Anyday Meal Prep Bundle

For more present picks, check out all of the best gift ideas of 2024 here.

Home Chef Subscription

Almost every new parent will appreciate food—whether that means bringing them a dish they can stick in the freezer or swinging by with takeout from their favorite restaurant. A creative way to gift them a home-cooked meal: Get them a Home Chef subscription, which comes with fresh, portioned-out ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes. They can customize their recipes every week and even opt for pre-prepped meals that are ready to pop in the oven.

Thrive Market

They’ll make good use of a membership to Thrive Market, an online grocery store that ships pantry staples, personal care items, and household essentials right to their door. It’s totally flexible: They can shop on demand or set up recurring deliveries on must-haves. “The subscription is super easy to sign up for and follow—I could cancel a delivery easily and the customer service was lovely,” one SELF staffer says. “I was also super happy with the range of snacks they offer.”

Ember Smart Mug 2

They won’t need to nuke their coffee a million times on early mornings with the SELF Fave Ember Smart Mug 2. SELF’s senior commerce writer says it changed her mornings for the better with its ability to keep her bevs at the perfect temperature (between 120 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit) for up to 80 minutes by itself or all day long on the charging coaster.

Kindle Paperwhite

Having a novel cued up on their Kindle Paperwhite will come in handy in the middle of the night when they’re soothing their baby (or themselves) back to sleep. This e-reader is a must-have for SELF’s senior commerce editor, who loves that it doesn’t have a glare and barely emits any blue light—meaning it’s easy on the eyes and won’t mess with their circadian rhythm (any more than being a new parent already has). Make it even easier for them to relax with a baby on their chest by grabbing them a Kindle stand and page-turning remote.

Homecourt Mandarin Basile Hand Wash

Help them stock up on some household must-haves—but make it nicer. This 2024 Healthy Home Award–winning hand soap won us over with its fresh-smelling scent—it’s the kind you break out when you know company is coming over. “It lathers well, leaves my hands feeling clean, and looks lovely on my counter too,” one tester wrote.

Eberjey Gisele PJ Set

This silky pajama set will help them feel cute and comfy while hanging out at home. “These pj’s are soft, flowy, and make me feel like a Nancy Meyers heroine on days when my chronic illness flares up and makes it hard to leave the house,” SELF’s editor in chief says. And if your pal is breastfeeding, the button-down top is a major plus for easy access.

The Cocktail Box Co. Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit

“Finally getting to drink your favorite cocktail after nine months is very exciting,” one SELF parent says. If you know they’ve been craving their favorite alcoholic bev, get them a tiny kit that’ll help them nail making it at home. One SELF editor even brought the Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit on a backpacking trip: “It’s super lightweight and compact. And it comes with everything you need, including little stirring sticks, which I feel like most cocktail kits don’t have,” she says. The Cocktail Box Co. also makes kits for a Moscow mule, gin and tonic, margarita, and more popular drinks.

Kindred Bravely Bamboo Nursing & Maternity Crew Pullover & Jogger

“I’m 6.5 months postpartum and [sweats] are still all I want to wear,” one SELF mom says. If you want to give them a set they can wear regardless of what stage postpartum they’re at, we recommend these 2023 Activewear Award winners. The pullover has hidden zippers that make it easy to nurse without taking their whole top off, and the joggers have a drawstring waistband that they can adjust to get the right fit.

Bombas Sunday Slipper

Walking on cold floors in bare feet? Absolutely not. Instead, give them these shearling slippers that SELF’s lifestyle writer says make her feel “so bougie and fancy.” “They look chic and expensive, come in all sorts of fun colors, and are supersoft and durable,” she adds. Important: They also have grippy rubber soles, so your giftee won’t slip and slide around in them.

Quince Cotton Fisherman Throw

Add even more coziness to their life with this minimalist throw blanket from Quince. “It’s warm but breathable (100% cotton), it’s thick and has a nice weight to it, and it’s bigger than most throws—so you can fully cover yourself and still have plenty of material to spare (and maybe share with your couch mate),” one SELF editor says. “It’s also really soft and just feels high-end. I truly can’t believe it costs less than $100!” One of the neutral earth tones it comes in is bound to match their home’s vibe.

Manta Sleep Mask

Everyone says “sleep when the baby sleeps,” and in some cases, that might be in the middle of the day when the sun is streaming through the window. SELF’s editor in chief recommends this contoured sleep mask that’ll block out light without putting pressure on their eyes.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera

One SELF mom suggests buying your giftee a Polaroid-style camera that captures hard copies of your memories. “It’s fun to have other ways to document the early days when you’re at home. It makes it feel special, as it should!” she says. Amazon reviewers like that this one is small, lightweight, and prints photos fast.

Youth To The People Superfood + Niacinamide Body Cleanser

Anything you can do to make mundane tasks like showering a little bit nicer is going to be welcome. One of our Healthy Beauty Awards testers says this body wash feels straight out of a spa: “If I imagine what a rich person’s body wash would look like in their luxury bathroom, it’s this product. My body felt super refreshed, revitalized, and hydrated after using this, and it’s become my new go-to.”

Papier Italian Summer Softcover Spiral Lined Notebook

A pretty journal like this one might encourage them to take some time for themselves, whether they use it to write out how they’re feeling or jot down their baby’s milestones. “They may want to keep track of firsts, little memories, or height and weight,” one SELF parent says. “It feels like there’s a lot to document once you have a kid, and having a dedicated space for your thoughts and feelings about it all is really nice—even if you only pick it up once every month or two (or even once a year).”

Omystyle Full Body Bath Pillow

When they can sneak in some time for a bath, this pillow—another SELF parent rec—will support their back for a comfier soak. It suctions to the tub, so they never have to worry about it slipping down. Bonus: After stashing it in the included mesh bag, they can throw it in the washing machine to keep it fresh and clean.

Tushy Classic 3.0

Multiple SELF moms recommend this Healthy Home Award–winning bidet for making bathroom trips a little easier. “If they have a vaginal delivery, they can’t really wipe for a while,” one editor says. “Having a bidet makes it way more efficient.” Plus, they can keep using it long after their kids are out of diapers.

Lilysilk La Terra Silk Scrunchies

Wearing a scrunchie on their wrist will come in clutch when they need to quickly throw their hair up to deal with a mess or avoid overheating. These Healthy Beauty Award–winning ones actually stay put, despite being silk, and won’t snag on their hair.

Lanolips 12-Hour Overnight Lip Mask

You can give their self-care routine a little boost with this 2024 Healthy Beauty Award–winning balm. The overnight lip mask packs nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides and has a thick formula that stays put.

Dr Teal’s Salt Soak

This salt soak soothed one SELF staffer during her pregnancy: “I used it a lot in my third trimester as my feet got HUGE and kept using it after giving birth just to help with overall swelling and inflammation,” she says. “Plus, it made me feel fancy at bath time.”

Atlas Coffee Club

Make their morning routine a little more interesting with this subscription that allows them to sample coffee from around the world. They can choose their favorite type of coffee (grounds, beans, and Keurig or Nespresso pods), roast, brewing method, and how often they want it delivered. They’ll never run out of their go-to joe again.

Nekteck Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager

This SELF Fave neck massager will be a real treat on days their neck, shoulders, or back are in major need—or should we say knead—of some TLC. It has eight massage nodes to break up knots, three speeds, and a soothing heat function. All together, it’s pure magic: “It never fails to loosen me up and chill me out,” our tester says.

Being Frenshe Body & Hair Radiance Oil

This Healthy Beauty Award–winning body oil is like a little after-shower treat: “It’s delicious smelling!” one SELF staffer says. “I used it on my belly the entire pregnancy, and now I put it on my legs too.”

Cliganic Organic Aromatherapy Essential Oils

“A variety pack of essential oils was a must during my pregnancy,” one SELF editor says. “They were great for smelling when I was super nauseous (and super anxious), and I also would put drops of them in a really hot shower—it’s so easy to do and makes the shower feel way more luxurious and relaxing.” This set of eight oils comes with the basics, like lavender and peppermint, and they can always mix two scents together to make a custom blend.

Rubirosa Pasta Sampler, Sauce & Olive Oil Gift Set

Pasta and a jar of sauce is a foolproof dinner—make it gourmet by giving the new parents on your list this set from Rubirosa. It includes three pasta shapes, vodka and marinara sauces, and a Pantry Award–winning olive oil.

Gaiatop Portable Clip On Fan

They can clip this fan onto the side of their hospital bed during labor or to their baby’s stroller on hot days. Because if there’s one thing parents and babies have in common, it’s that overheating makes them majorly cranky.

Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

This editor-favorite water bottle makes it so much easier to stay hydrated, even when you have a baby strapped to your chest at all times. Its two-in-one spout lets you sip through a straw or take big gulps, and the design keeps water ice-cold for hours. The lid also locks closed, so they won’t have to worry about spills in their car or diaper bag.

Pure Enrichment PureRelief XL Heating Pad

If aches and pains or chilly feet are keeping them from fully resting, this heating pad will come to their rescue. It has a large surface area, which is nice for soothing bigger muscle groups, and has a velvety-soft texture that gives blanket vibes. “I actually liked it so much I bought it twice,” SELF’s editor in chief says. “Now, I have one I keep at home and one that stays at my office desk.”

Lunya Washable Silk Robe

Wearing this silky bathrobe is even better than being naked. “Because this fabric feels like such a dream, I’ve gifted it to a few of my new-mom friends after they gave birth to make sure they have a way to show themselves some TLC,” SELF’s commerce director says. Bonus: It’s machine-washable.

Anyday Meal Prep Bundle

With this set, they can cook entire meals in the microwave and store the leftovers in the same containers. SELF’s editor in chief approves: “Since testing this cookware, I’ve evangelized it to everyone I know and even bought the starter set for my BFF for her birthday,” she says. “If you’re looking for a way to make meals less of a pain in the ass, I can’t recommend the Anyday Cookware enough.”

How We Picked These Products

The best way to know what a parent-to-be wants to receive is to ask them, so we chatted with SELF parents to learn which products made a huge difference in their lives during pregnancy and postpartum—and they delivered. We also included winners from our Healthy Beauty, Healthy Home, and Pantry Awards that we genuinely use and enjoy (and think will make great presents). And to round out our list, we reflected on years of baby showers and holiday seasons to share the gifts that were huge hits with our own friends.

Related:

• 45 Cozy Gifts for Your Friend Who Loves to Snuggle Up, Unwind, and Cancel Plans
• 35 Fun and Thoughtful Gifts That Cost Less Than $50
• 48 Wellness Gifts for Anyone Who Could Use Some Self-Care

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