Gifts for new mums: the only presents she really wants
If you're after some gifts for new mums, you've come to the right place. As an expectant mother myself, I've got a fairly comprehensive list of items that I think the baby will need, and the ones that I'll need (a little TLC goes a long way).
Because we're talking gifts and not everyone has a huge budget, I've tried to keep the prices reasonable, as I'd personally hate asking my friends to part with too much cash. So keep scrolling for the best gifts for new mums that I genuinely think she will love.
Gifts for new mums: things to make her life easier
These are the things that are going to help on a day-to-day basis. Her time isn't her own anymore and things that she used to take time doing, just don't happen in the same way. Luckily I have a wealth of friends who've already had babies, so a lot of these gifts have come recommended, or I've gifted them myself.
Don't forget to check our Marie Claire vouchers site before you shop for the latest offers and discounts from your favourite brands - think, Selfridges, The Outnet and Browns.
Pretty Wild Muslin Swaddles (Pack of 3) - £55 at Silver Cross
One thing I've found out is you can never have too many muslin cloths, since you sometimes go through several a day. These beautiful fashion-inspired muslin swaddles are crafted from certified-organic cotton and bamboo fibre for long lasting softness and breathability.
Silky soft to the touch and perfect for newborn baby skin, this Pretty Wild collection features three trend-led wildlife prints with hand-painted illustrations commissioned exclusively by Silver Cross.
Little Dutch Memory Box - £27.95 at scandiborn
Documenting each little memory, the big things, the small things and everything in between, this memory box will be treasured forever.
With little boxes, envelopes, cotton bags and notecards to keep each little memory of your kids’ start in life safe.
Luxe Mat - £69.99 at Toddlekind
This double quilted, organic cotton Luxe Mat is perfect for newborns, toddlers & the whole family. With a water-resistant centre, these machine washable, reversible design mats provide a soft and luxurious space for playtime and reading.
Music Mobile, Peacock - €42.40 at CamCam
This decorative peacock music mobile comes with fine embroidery for the nursery, and is perfect for hanging above the cot or the changing table.
Ride on Deer - £99.95 at Le Toy Van
For when baby is a bit older (12+ months) this gorgeous ride-on toy will make for a super addition to the nursery.
Ada Backpack Sand - £275 at JEM + BEA
This is at the higher end of the spectrum, but a great joint present if you're clubbing in with friends. The Ada Backpack provides the ultimate bag for hands-free styling. Ada comes with all the signature Jem + Bea DNA inside, plus new features including a concealed insulated bottle pocket, a strap to hold water/drinks bottles upright, a long key strap and fully padded slip pocket for laptops or devices.
Bugaboo Changing Clutch - £29.95 at Bugaboo
Large enough to fit multiple diapers, wipes and creams. With the integrated changing mat, you can turn anything into a changing station and the clutch can be easily stored in your favourite bag.
Slate Blue Cotton 3/4 Sleeve Skin to Skin Top - £45 at Seraphine
Made from a soft stretch cotton, this top is gentle on both mum & baby’s skin, while the wrap ties provide great support, securing baby in the optimal position and allowing you to enjoy hands-free snuggles.
It can also be worn as a stylish wrap nursing top, providing easy access for breastfeeding – it’s a must-have for new mums.
Luxe Maternity & Postnatal Leggings - was £55 now £41.25 at Natal Active
These soft maternity leggings are designed to see you through every stage of your pregnancy and can still be worn postnatally too. The buttery soft fabric feels like a second skin and will stretch as you grow for a totally flattering fit. The low rise waistline has even been specially designed to avoid irritating C-section scars.
Gifts for new mums: pampering presents
I know setting time for myself is hugely important before (and after) baby arrives. With a hugely rewarding yet tiring period ahead, a little bit of TLC will always go a long way. I've often gifted beauty sets to my pregnant friends in the past, and they've been so grateful since a lot of the time, presents are baby-centric. I've also added in some pampering gifts for baby, because it's a lovely time to share together.
Evereden Soothing Belly Mask - £11 at Cult Beauty
Built on the principle that there’s no such thing as being *too* safe when it comes to caring for you and your family’s skin, Evereden prides itself on producing multi-generational skincare, developed by a team of doctors who are themselves mothers. This belly mask provides instant relief for overstretched skin.
NESSA Organics Body Blitz - £45 at Cult Beauty
Developed to offer skin saviours at every stage of your life, from parenthood right through to menopause, NESSA Organics makes products with purpose. I use this on my bump every morning and night and it feels so luxurious.
AROMATHERAPY ASSOCIATES Essential Bath & Shower Oils, 3 x 9ml - £34 at Net-A-Porter
I'm well aware baths are a luxury I won't be able to afford much longer, so I'm making the most of them while I can. This set is perfect for new and expectant mums.
VICTORIA BECKHAM BEAUTY + Slip VB's Power Sleep Set - £160 at Net-A-Porter
Sleep will also be a rare commodity soon so this luxurious gift is the perfect send-off for mums-to-be.
My Little Coco All About the Bump Gift Set - £15 at Boots
Lovingly made to be the simplest and softest of formulas for all of our Baby Mama's. Enriched with nourishing organic coconut oil and rosehip to care for your gorgeous growing bumps.
Indulge in a relaxing bath with our Nourishing Bath Soak, put your feet up and treat yourself to a Bump Sheet Mask and finish up with the Cocooning Bump Butter.
Honey Cream Conditioner - £4.99 at mini u
The re-vamped Mini U collection which includes a bath, hair and skincare range, are created from brand new formulations, guaranteed to make bath time more fun for everyone, with no mess, no stress, and no tears.
Mini Mio Bundle of Joy Gift Set - was £35 now £28 at Mama Mio
Providing parents with all the essentials for their mini me, the Bundle Of Joy kit by Mama Mio is the perfect gift for a friend or family member to help them bond with baby and make bath time fun.
Made with respect for the environment and the nutritional quality of food, this steamer is an eco-designed product using 48% less Carbon dioxide and 50% less water and energy consumption than the Babycook® Solo model. Pretty and practical.
These 100% mulberry silk scrunchies are here to fight frizz and tame those knotty locks, getting you school run ready in no time.
This comfortable baby nest is made of organic cotton and is ideal for the crib, at the hospital, in the pram or floor.
Sophisticated, earthy and positively brooding, Nailberry’s Taupe LA Lacquer (£15), a deep taupe shows you mean business. Its sleek hue and rich colour payoff are particularly well suited to neutral tones, amping up the allure of your chosen outfit! Plus it's toxin free so perfect for pregnant women.
This pack of 3 modern makeup removal pads will be your new go-to sustainable, reusable beauty must-have. By quickly and easily removing makeup with water only, using its innovative HaloTech fibres that reach deep into pores to gently draw out and catch makeup and other impurities without the need to excessively rub, this is a staple for any busy mum to be.
The Mama Hug Arrival Essentials Gift Box is a wonderful gift for a new mum who needs a good dose of TLC, and comes with a few essentials to make those first few days and weeks postpartum a little more comfortable. For an extra special touch, this gift hamper includes some exclusive JoJo favourites - the JoJo bunny, a soft cotton muslin and a gift card to include a special message.
Don't miss our Jojo Maman Bébé discount code.
Lit, launches their new fragrance - Vetiver, Bergamot and Clary Sage in celebration of Mothering Sunday. The Vetiver, Bergamot and Clary Sage candle has delicate notes that are herbal, warm and fresh. It's an elegant way to celebrate the aroma of Spring and the warmer months ahead, making it the perfect Mother’s Day gift. 10% of all sales go to animal charity WWF.
The new Sydney cropped silk pyjama shirt is sophisticated yet laid-back, draped form our signature sandwashed silk. Wear it with the coordinating silk pyjama bottom for a chic sleepwear edit.
The Cheeky Panda’s bamboo nappies and baby wipes offer a biodegradable alternative to traditional products.
Mum & You’s range of skincare for time-strapped mums includes hero products such as My Breast Friend restorative bust cream, Easy Tiger stretch mark fighter gel, Tummy Time firming and toning gel, Can Can water retention milk for heavy legs, and Hands Off nipple saviour spray – with the range completely innovated by the brand’s workforce of mums, you can be sure the products are hassle-free and effective. The skincare is also available in bundles, perfect for gifting to new mums or mums-to-be, for a pressie they’ll really make use of.
The award-winning Smart Sock tracks the most important indicators of your baby’s well-being so while they rest easy you can, too. Use the Sock to track your child’s heart rate, oxygen level, and sleep trends from the first night you bring them home to their first day of school, and enjoy peace of mind through every milestone. View your child’s readings in real time with the free Owlet App and receive notifications if readings leave preset zones, so you know when your child really needs you.
At the higher end of the budget, if you're all climbing for a joint present, then you won't go wrong with Stokke's new XPlory in Signature motif. It's the perfect choice for conscious parents who want the best for their baby without compromising on safety, quality, or style. Premium from top to bottom, Stokke® Xplory® X brings your baby closer for the connection they need to feel safe & loved. The protective seat with active, rest & sleep positions gives your child ultimate comfort every step of the way. Innovative Scandinavian design makes Stokke® Xplory® X effortless to maneuver and handle.
This Pink Macro Check Willow baby nest is unique and handmade especially for you by skilled artisans. Its cocooning design will delight your baby while resting or keeping snug inside the pram on a cold day.
BIBS De Lux is a new and exclusive design take of the original BIBS Colour pacifier. It comes with an elegant hidden gathering in an enhanced matte finish for a Premium look. The nipple is round and resembles the shape and size of the mother's breast to provide comfort to your baby. The shield is made of 100% food-safe material. Completely free from BPA, PVC, and phthalates.
Looking after a baby can be stressful, and finding the time to prioritise your recovery is challenging. What better gift this Mother’s Day than The Bump Plan Postnatal, where postnatal fitness expert, Hollie Grant, will guide you safely through a holistic recovery, education and fitness plan, leaving you to feel empowered, strong, and capable of dealing with anything parenthood throws your way! Whether vaginal birth or caesarean, The Bump Plan has a postnatal phase to suit your circumstances from day one. The plan includes an industry accredited educational resources library filled with videos and articles to inform your postnatal exercise plan and support your ongoing journey as a mother. £35 per month (gift the first month or full membership- rolls monthly until cancelled).
Daylesford Organic, one of the most sustainable farms and leading organic food retailers in the UK, has launched two brand new Breakfast in Bed hampers. Perfect for a spoiling spread over the Mother’s Day weekend. Designed for up to four people, the Nourishing Breakfast and the Farmhouse Breakfast come beautifully packed in a navy Daylesford cool bag. The hampers include Daylesford’s new organic apple and orange juices, their first sharing collection of cold pressed juices to hit the market. The Nourishing Breakfast includes Daylesford Organic Irish smoked salmon and half a dozen Blue Legbar eggs from Daylesford’s own rare heritage breed flock, famous for their beautiful pastel-blue eggshells. Organic sourdough bread, fresh from the Farm’s Bakery, pairs perfectly with organic salted butter from the Creamery. For those for whom breakfast isn’t breakfast without crispy bacon, the Farmhouse Breakfast contains organic unsmoked streaky bacon and a jar of intensely fruity jam packed with strawberries, delicious spooned onto hot buttery sourdough toast.
The Angelcare Baby Bath & Room Thermometer provides an accurate reading to ensure an optimal temperature of your baby’s bath water or nursery.
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Penny Goldstone is the Contributing Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK. She writes about catwalk trends and the latest high street and Instagram sartorial must-haves. She also helms the Women Who Win franchise.
She has worked in fashion for over 10 years, contributing to publications such as Cosmopolitan, Red, Good Housekeeping, and Stylist.
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