It’s always exciting to celebrate a friend’s birthday. When that friend is a new mom, finding the ultimate gift lets you choose from an even more exciting list of splurges. After all, she’s likely juggling many new responsibilities: Waking up every few hours to feed her little one, constantly changing diapers, and generally adjusting to this new stage of life.

All that means is that there are plenty of ways to surprise her with something incredibly thoughtful and meaningful. Keep reading for our full gift guide:

As a new mom, finding time to take care of yourself can be challenging. A day at the spa is the perfect opportunity for your friend to relax, unwind, and feel pampered. It’s everything a new mama deserves but rarely gets to experience in the chaos of the first few months postpartum.

Consider purchasing a gift certificate for a massage, facial, or other spa treatment. If you want to turn that spa day into some quality time, book it for two people, and hit the salon together. There’s nothing quite so relaxing as an extended pamper and catch-up session in the sauna or at the nail salon, especially when it’s been ages since you’ve been able to prioritize self-care.

PS: Partners, this makes a top-notch Valentine’s Day gift too. 

The best gifts for new moms are often practical. In particular, first-time moms might appreciate something for their growing family.

Important note: You don’t only want to give your bestie something for her baby. Acknowledge her first as a woman instead of making everything mom-themed. That being said, it truly does take a village.

So, if you get your BFF some baby gear, don’t forget to wrap up something for her. You can package up some cute onesies, but include the leggings she’ll love or the sterling silver bracelet she’s been eyeing. (This rule goes for Mother’s Day Gifts too.)

Babies might be tiny, but it sure does take a lot of equipment to take care of them! Consider getting your friend a practical gift, such as a baby carrier, which will allow her to keep her hands free while keeping her baby (and her sanity) secure. This is an especially great gift if she registered for these big-ticket items for her baby shower but didn’t get the ones she wanted.

There are a bunch of carriers on the market; do your research to find one that suits your friend’s preferences and lifestyle. Some popular options include wraps, slings, and structured carriers. Don’t assume you’ll have to sacrifice style — these days, function and fashion go hand-in-hand.

Other practical baby gifts include strollers, car seats, and even something as simple as a shower caddy for baby bath time. Of course, when it comes to buying this type of baby gear, safety is a top priority. Look for strollers and car seats that meet safety standards and have been tested for durability and quality.

Lastly, be sure to include the gift receipt. (And don’t take it personally if that gift gets swapped out — new mamas can be picky about what they put their child in, and we get it!)

In the age of the smartphone camera roll, there’s something so nostalgic and special about having physical photo albums to flip through. For that reason, one of the best gifts for your friend is a photo album to help her capture those baby milestones.

Feel free to include pictures of her and her baby together, as well as shots of family and friends who have visited since the baby’s arrival. You can include sweet captions and handwritten notes, and even her baby’s sonogram to make it super personal and meaningful. Trust us when we say that the new parents will absolutely adore this keepsake.

Becoming a mother for the first time can be seriously overwhelming, and anything that makes your life easier during this time is pretty much essential.

Nursing clothes, for example, make the perfect gift because being able to feed wherever you go is just a million times easier than having to take apart your whole outfit to nurse (Hi, speaking from experience).

For example, maybe she’d love an ultra-soft nursing dress for both style and comfort while breastfeeding. Or perhaps a luxe French terry nursing sweatshirt is more her speed — who said that middle-of-the-night, sleep-deprived night feedings couldn’t be chic?

If you know her well enough, ask her what nursing bra she’d like (if that’s in her postpartum plan). 

One of the biggest challenges for new mothers is finding time for all the moving parts of life — running errands, checking your inbox, and especially, finding time to cook and eat.

One of the top gifts is a subscription or gift card to a meal delivery service. This will save her time and energy in the kitchen and ensure she gets the nourishment she needs to keep up with her new role as a mom.

She hasn’t changed out of her favorite PjS for three days (no judgment here), and the diaper bag is in shambles. The first year is pure chaos sometimes. 

Let’s face it: keeping a clean house with a new baby is nearly impossible. Just like planning and cooking dinner every night, cleaning and organizing tends to fall by the wayside when adjusting to life with a little one — and that’s totally normal! 

Chances are, your friend could benefit from a house cleaning service during this time, even if they only come tidy up once or twice. Consider hiring a service or offering to find one for her in the first few months after pregnancy. Not only will this take a load off her shoulders, but it will also give her the most thoughtful gift of all: more time to spend with her little one… or sleeping. 

Strollers, high chairs, and cribs can all make great gifts, but there are several smaller practical items that she’d likely benefit from as well.

For example, for moms who are breastfeeding, a nursing pillow can be a lifesaver. Nursing pillows support the baby and help mom maintain a comfortable and ergonomic position while breastfeeding, making this perpetual task a bit easier.

A baby monitor is another practical gift that any new mom will appreciate. The benefit of a baby monitor is that it allows you to keep an eye on your little one when you’re in another room, which promotes peace of mind and a bit of freedom — both of which tend to be in short supply during the fourth trimester and postpartum recovery period. 

The baby monitor might help your friend sleep better, but you can include something to help her mini-me sleep better too! Try a white noise sound machine or a totally adorable night light. 

Finally, items like baby bottles, pacifiers, burp clothes, and (of course) diapers will always be appreciated. 

Few things are harder to come by during those first few months postpartum than self-care. Your life becomes monopolized by caring for your little one, and for a good reason — babies need a lot of attention! But that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to have a few moments to yourself, too.

As a new mom, it’s important to prioritize self-care, and you can help your friend do just that by putting together a self-care gift set with items like face and eye masks, bath bombs, and scented candles. 

As far as specific self-care items go, we particularly love this soothing mineral-rich bath soak with organic coconut milk and Himalayan salt — it doesn’t get much more luxurious and relaxing than that. (And yes, you CAN take a bath during pregnancy.)

For the best in skincare, try this quick-dry botanical Belly Oil for hydrating and smoothing away stretch marks that will make the most of her TLC time.

Another part of a self-care gift basket (or gift tote bag) is a journal for her to write down her thoughts and feelings. Early motherhood can feel like a total whirlwind, but someday she’s going to look back and want to remember these precious moments.

Maybe center your self-care gift box around a theme. Make it mermaid-centric with hydrating/moisturizing presents like luxury lotion.

While pregnant or breastfeeding, staying hydrated is a big deal: Make it a breeze by gifting her (machine-washable) water bottles. Then, add in a cute rose gold tumbler and mermaid-themed swaddle (for baby). 

Finding the perfect birthday gift for a new mom is a delicate balance. On the one hand, you want to help her celebrate (and survive) this time in her life, and buying her a gift geared towards her new motherhood seems like a good call. On the other hand, it’s HER special day, and you want to focus on her, too! 

The key to finding the ultimate birthday gift for this special woman in your life is to focus on what you know about her. What will she appreciate more: a practical gift or a sentimental one? Does she love styling clothes, or is she all about self-care?

We could give you gift ideas until we’re blue in the face, but ultimately, it’s up to you to use what you know about her to pick out the perfect gift. 

Put some thought into it, and you have nothing to worry about.

Sources:

Durable Infant or Toddler Products | CPSC

Ultrasound: What It Is, Purpose, Procedure & Results | Cleveland Clinic

The fourth trimester: What you should know | Harvard Health

How Much Water Should I Drink While Breastfeeding? | Verywell Family