20 Best Gifts for New Moms (Budget, Mid-Range and Luxury!)

Figuring out what to give as a gift to a mom who just gave birth is HARD!

In this list, I suggest the best gifts I received when I had my baby, as well as the gifts my closest mom friends appreciated the most.

I’ve organized this list by budget, because everyone shops for gifts differently! Overall, what you’ll find in this list are gifts for moms, not gifts for the baby (you can find those on any baby registry!).

Let’s get into it.

Under $25 (Budget)

A cute baseball cap

A baseball cap became a huge part of my daily outfits after having a baby. It’s not because I had less time to shower (this is true), but I also love the sporty look of throwing one on with a hoodie, workout tank or jean jacket in fall. I feel like a baseball cap turns any “mom outfit” into a “cool mom outfit.”

I tend to wear a basic cap from lululemon, but you could also get a cute one like a vintage-style hat that says MAMA or a modern one with a playful vibe that says MOM.

A baby milestone book

While I’m not super sentimental, I found out that my mom kept a baby book for me and it’s so sweet! I unfortunately did not have a baby book during my pregnancy, and got one way too late in the game to record the “early days,” but I was able to start writing in a baby book when our child started having a personality, so I have no regrets!

I pull out the book every now and then and record milestones, and I’m convinced that these are some of the best gifts for new moms because so many moms forget to include them on their baby registry must-have’s.

A great one is the Ziri & Zane Baby Book as well as the Pearhead Baby Memory Book.

An Amazon gift card

It seems like an easy way out, but there’s nothing as utilitarian for a new mom as an Amazon gift card. She can use it to buy literally anything, from postpartum supplies, to a Starbucks gift card for her first post-birth latte (YAY!).

I will tell you what I wanted in the weeks and months after I gave birth: Oreos, carbs, sweet treats and literally whatever the heck I wanted to eat, while nursing and recovering. You can get it all on Amazon. She can also get breastfeeding relief products, postpartum sprays, new skincare products for her postpartum face and anything she needs to stay chill. Trust me.

Nipple balm (lanolin-free)

While it seems a littttle personal, I did send nipple balm in a “new mom care package” to a friend, and it was very much appreciated. I timed it well, slightly after the birth yet soon enough where this type of product is highly required for the tough curve of breastfeeding and pumping.

Sending a nice organic nipple balm, or a set of a few, are something that nursing moms will want to use for months on end, like I did! Plus, the fact that they’re easy to put into a diaper bag or purse goes a long way.

My tip: stay away from lanolin; I found it to be really sticky. I opted for more oil-based balms and ones that were more like creams—all baby-safe. My recommended one is Motherlove.

Wildly Organic Health Foods

Something I constantly needed as a new mom was SNACKS—snacks, and decadent things to eat with my fruit, my oatmeal and everything Dan made me in the kitchen, like the Organic Raw Chocolate Syrup (vegan, and made of agave nectar!) from Wildly Organic.

I tried Wildly Organic’s nut products, like walnuts and trail mix, and along with other snacks I always kept on hand on my nursing cart, I decided that I could never be snack-less.

Check out the Wildly Organic site, and choose a few goodies for your new mom friend. She’ll be so thankful that you chose wholesome and tasty snacks and foods to make her newborn days a bit brighter and yummier.

A heating pad

Simple, yet useful and probably very appreciated: a heating pad is a gift that I got in my first month after giving birth. My friend Jenna used hers after giving birth, on her upper back, although lots of women prefer to use heating pads in the postpartum phase on their abdomen areas.

A heating pad goes a long way, too: expecting moms doing IVF like heating pads for nurturing sensitive areas after shots, and during pregnancy, it can calm things like prodromal labor or Braxton Hicks contractions.

Ear plugs that really work

Yup, ear plugs: something I got for myself from FLARE Audio much too late in the game, and something I talk about in How I Got Sleep with a Newborn. If your friend is a new mom and suffering (yes, suffering!) from exhaustion and maybe some anxiety, the SLEEEP ear plugs from FLARE Audio have a knack for putting anyone to sleep, even if a crying baby is nearby.

Sure, they look like a lame gift, but you can add on the capsule carrying case that makes them look like a polished put-together care package gift.

$25-50 (Bigger budget)

lululemon Belt Bag

Believe me when I say nearly every mom I know has this lululemon belt bag. It’s the one I sling over my shoulder when I’m dashing out of the house nowadays with my toddler, and it’s the perfect new mom gift for a mom who does it all and is the family’s superhero.

This waist bag and crossbody bag is nearly a mom uniform, and while that sounds lame, your new mom friend with a newborn will be grateful that you did the dirty work in helping her “mom-ify” when she was too busy feeding, sleeping and recovering.

Quince Postpartum lounge pants

Another strong contender for new mom gifts from Quince: these postpartum lounge pants are a new mom’s dream. When I gave birth, I was basically homebound because it was winter, and was feeding my baby and sleeping around the clock. I just wanted the comfiest pants ever that I could live in, sleep in and maybe even leave the house in.

While I’m partial to the “winter mom” experience, I’m also partial to Quince’s entire maternity collection. And pants like these also work for all seasons, especially a moderately-temperatured house with AC going during summer.

I also recommend the entire Quince maternity line in my Quince gift guide!

A food delivery gift card

All I wanted for WEEKS after I gave birth was sushi. I used every gift card to GrubHub or DoorDash to get it. I am serious. I had friends visit to see the baby, and ordered us all sushi. I told Dan we needed to have a “lunch date” at home amid all the napping and feeding, and we got sushi. Sushi all the time.

Get your new mom friend a food delivery gift card: they are so easy to buy, and always appreciated.

$50-100 (mid-range)

Cashmere nursing shawl from Quince

One of the hottest gift to give new moms right now is the Quince nursing cover that doubles as a chic shawl for all seasons. And, it “triples” as a stroller cover or car seat cover if you’re getting your new baby into a nap or some relaxation time.

I can’t think of any mom that would say “no” to a gift as thoughtful and useful as this one (as well as fashionable). If you’re looking for a stylish new mama gift that has a lower price tag, check out the equally-cute Cotton Cashmere Nursing Shawl, which is 20% cheaper, from Quince. I explain why I opted for this one at my Quince cashmere review.

Kibou Minimalist Fanny Pack

Wait for it: this favorite fanny pack of mine is a “minimalist diaper bag,” and it comes with me whenever I’m out for the day with my baby.

Plus, it looks like a regular vegan leather belt bag. PLUS, it’s unisex, so Dan can borrow it and wear it and look fine. Super plus, it has a fold-out changing pad, a wet wipes pocket, a zipper inside pocket and a front card slot pocket so I can be wallet-free.

This savior of sorts is known as one of the best gifts for new moms and if you think the price tag suits your budget for gifts, it is one of the most useful and appreciated things to give a new mama!

See my full Kibou minimalist fanny pack review at my Half Half Travel blog.

Kindred Bravely Hands-free pumping/nursing bras

If you want to help out a new mom friend who has just taken a nosedive into the world of pumping and nursing, send a Kindred Bravely Sublime bra. I reviewed the Sublime Sports Bra in my Kindred Bravely Maternity maternity review and the truth is that these bras do all their work in the postpartum phase.

💰UPDATE: Kindred Bravely is having major Year-End Clearance Sale! Get up to 75% off. 🛍️ Shop now.

If your new mom friend has settled for less (like pumping bras from Amazon—no!), introduce them to a brand they should know with the Signature Sublime Bra or the Sublime Hands-Free Pumping/Nursing Bra.

Shop Kindred Bravely and get 15% off with my exclusive code HALFHALFHOME15.

UGG Slippers

My friend Jenna says, her UGG Ansley slippers are the best gift she got as a new mom. And why?

“I can wear them inside and outside, and I literally wear them to the doctor and grocery shopping.”

These indoor-outdoor slippers are the perfect slip-on slip-off shoes that you could put on while you’re carrying a baby and have no hands free. One fewer thing to worry about! Plus, they’re cozy and cute, great for new moms trying to survive winter!

“MOM” Clothes

My sister said that getting any type of clothing or apparel that said “MOM” or “MAMA” was exciting for her in the months after having her baby. For a lot of new moms, this will be true, if they like the look!

Becoming a mom is a total new identity we should be proud of and embrace, and there are a LOT of nice styles out there if you want to bare your Mama status on your shirt, sweatshirt, hoodie or jean jacket.

Check out the adorable MAMA jean jacket from Ingrid & Isabel, or this budget-friendly one on Amazon!

Cinch Tote by Bellroy (A carry-all tote)

In her new life, a mom has to carry around a LOT of stuff. In addition to the diaper bag, she may want her own useful tote! I recently tried out the Cinch collection from Bellroy, and I can tell you that this tote bag has heaps of cool features like pockets and a water bottle holder. Above all, it “cinches” at the top, meaning if a baby knocks it over, everything stays inside.

Check out the Bellroy Cinch Tote.

Above $100 (luxury!)

Baby name necklace

My cousin Andrea loves the baby name necklace she got as a gift, and I have several other friends who have their baby’s name in gold around their necks as a birth gift.

As an alternate idea to personalized jewelry with her baby’s name on it, Andrea said: “My mom got me a cute necklace shaped like little baby feet with his name and birthstone on it!”

I suggest checking out some of the Baby Gold Custom Name Necklaces, which also come in versions for 2 and 3 kids!

Barefoot Dreams Bathrobe

This gift is 100% for a new mom friend and definitely not the baby: remember who’s doing all the hard work and who gave birth! My friend Bre says, “A friend bought me a new Barefoot Dreams bathrobe before I went to the hospital. I loved it and practically lived in it for months!”

I recommend checking out all the bathrobes at Barefoot Dreams—they’re plush, cozy, nursing-friendly and chic. They come in a variety of price ranges, mostly $100+ (worth it).

Momcozy wearable pump

For new moms who started pumping, they may have a travel pump on their minds, but they haven’t pulled the trigger yet. It could be because of price, or analysis paralysis or simply not having the time (relatable!).

A wearable hands-free breast pump makes a nice surprise gift and can present a new mom with some freedom to leave the house and still pump, in the car, or at the mall—wherever!

My friend Danielle recommends the MomCozy, which is also available on Amazon.

Tip: Make sure it’s returnable with a gift receipt, in case the new mom to whom you’re gifting it was set on another brand like Willow or Elvie.

Time (read why)

While there is no actual price tag associated with time, it’s something you can give to a new mom as a gift. It’s especially perfect if you are limited on funds and you do have your time to give to a new friend or family member who just gave birth.

Why time? My friend Sarah puts it best:

“Time: You lose all of it and just want some for yourself. I think your partner or your friends saying, “I’m going to come over at X time so you can shower, take a nap, get a manicure, whatever!” goes the longest way.”

So, give your new mom friend a call, or a text, or send a little card that says you’re gifting her 1 or 2 hours to do what SHE wants, or get the rest SHE needs. She will thank you forever and ever. <3