Jellibean Journals

Playtime activities, cloth diapers, and too many desserts!

  • About
    • ADVERTISE
  • RECIPES
  • PLAYTIME ACTIVITIES
  • CLOTH DIAPERING
  • Family Life
    • FAITH
    • TIPS & LIFEHACKS
    • SKINCARE
  • PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM
    • PREGNANCY
    • POSTPARTUM
  • BLOG TIPS

Best New Mom Gifts Nobody is Buying

July 8, 2015 By Jelli 26 Comments

If you’re  soon to be holding or attending a baby shower, STOP everything you’re doing and pay close attention.

How many gifts have you graciously received that were a million miles off from being something that you’d have chosen for yourself? Ever been in the “Oh gee, thanks!” scenario, smile plastered on while wondering where on earth you’d ever put a twelve inch marble vase with cherubs carved into it?

Or how about this: you’re at a baby shower and the mother opens not the first, but the second blue fleece blanket- exactly what you’d bought too. You hang your head in embarrassment as she unties the ribbon from your package, grateful you’d enclosed a gift receipt.

Gift giving can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be.

I’ll show you how to be an unforgettable gift giver AND give you a brilliant list of new mom gifts that nobody’s buying, but should be to set you apart from the crowd at your next baby shower.

Best gifts for new moms that nobody's buying | Jellibeanjournals.com

Gift her something out of the ordinary that nobody else is buying.

Bless that mama’s socks of with a gift that shows you:

  • Made it personal. Focus on what you know about the new mom, her stage in life, and her style. Put in serious thought. Connect with her spouse, as he should be able to tip you off toward finding the perfect gift.
  • Were sensitive to her needs, giving her something to make days less hectic, tiring, busy, and messy.
  • Veered away from the monotonous and steered toward extraordinary, creative, and meaningful.

She’ll never forget it!

[Tweet “Make a new mom’s day. Learn how to be unforgettable gift-giver!”]

I’ve attended oodles of baby showers both for myself and for other mothers. (My third is coming soon!) I can predict which gifts are most likely to appear on the gift table and how deeply most moms wish someone had taken the time to ask what they really needed. Of course, every mother’s list will be different depending on if she uses cloth diapers, chooses to nurse or to bottle feed, her budget, her closet space, and ultimately, her personality.

The best gift a new mom can receive is something she’s asked for.

So don’t be shy. ASK!

To make it easy for you, I’ve compiled a list of gifts that other mothers and myself have desperately wished had appeared wrapped in curly ribbons and poofy bows on our baby shower tables.

These, my friends, are gems- guaranteed to make you the gift-giving star that everyone at the baby shower is secretly envying. These are the best new mom gifts nobody is buying, but should be!

Nursing tanks

These tanks can be worn 24/7 and are super comfy as pajama tops too!

Glamourmom Nursing Bra Long Top: They’re supportive and long enough to cover any telltale tummy pooch and soft as your favorite worn in tee. Glamourmom nursing tanks are also more modest than my other favorite brand. They layer well and offer discreet nursing coverage for nursing when you’re out and about. I wear these day in and day out for months after birth.

bravado nursing tankBravado Essential Nursing Bra Tank: Bravado tanks are also long, soft, and perfect to wear from maternity through nursing. The built in bra has an adjustable back closure, which is nice as your weight will fluctuate from maternity through postpartum. This tank is also more supportive than the Glamourmom, though my biggest pet peeve with it is that it is low cut, and not as modest as I’d prefer. The nursing flap also exposes much more skin than the Glamourmom, which makes nursing easier, but harder to hide.

Nursing bra

This staple of every nursing mom’s closet is often the most overlooked by shower-goers. Most new moms are happy to share sizing info if you ask, so don’t be shy. She’d love this gift, even if you’d rather gift it pre or post-shower.

A few faves (of mine and my mommy panel):

Bravado Bodysilk Seamless Nursing Bra

Bravado Essential Embrace Nursing Bra

Pedicure

nail-polish-435692_640

She hasn’t seen those toes for months, and goodness would a foot massage make.her.day!

Maid Service

sponge-52113_640

Flip through your yellow pages for local maid services and watch mom’s eyes instantly brighten!

Lanolin

Many nursing mothers swear that applying lanolin after nursing reduces nipple damage and dryness.

Prenatal Vitamins

Sure, she’s going to have a baby in her arms soon, but physicians recommend lactating mothers to continue boosting their body’s nutrient bank with prenatals until the baby is weaned.

Nursing Pillow

pillow

Especially helpful for brand new moms to perfect their positioning while spending hours nursing each day. Pillows with removable slipcovers that you can toss in the wash are even better!

Baby carrier

Mei Tai Carriers 101: Helpful advice on how to use the BabyHawk mei tai. *Great list of pros and cons! from Jellibeanjournals.com

You all know I’m all about baby carriers.  We’ve talked about using baby carriers with newborns, the pros and cons of ring slings, and chatted away about mei tais. No matter which style carrier you choose, mama will be over the moon when she tries it out and realizes just how much easier wearing her baby makes running errands and getting housework done, not to mention the ease of babywearing for air travel.

Postpartum pads

Three words: she’ll use it! Purchase heavy flow menstrual pads to keep her clothes and bedding protected.

Rosemary postpartum healing pads

rosemary_16x9

A simple, inexpensive DIY gift to refresh new moms right after giving birth.

Massagers for labor and birth

My personal tried-and-true fave: tennis balls inside a sock. Check out the tutorial video here.

Mattress cover

Protect her bed from unexpected ruin with a mattress cover. Birth and newborn mothering isn’t a Mr. Clean commercial, as we talked about here.

Netflix subscription

So she can enjoy her favorite shows during nursing sessions.

Babysitting services

If mom has more children at home, offer to take them to the park, a children’s museum, or even just to lunch at a kid-friendly spot with a playplace.

Grocery delivery

Fresh produce delivered to her doorstep! Be sure to schedule grocery drop-off for a time when someone will be home to receive your thoughtful gift. Contact your local supermarket to contract delivery services.

Cloth diapers

bumgenius

If she’s cloth diapering, you can’t go wrong with a BumGenius One Size Diaper. If you’re unsure about cloth diapering choices, my cloth diapering posts will get you well on your way to appreciating and understanding all you could ever want to know about cloth diapers.

Mama cloth

mama-cloth

Eco-friendly reusable menstrual pads she can toss in the laundry with baby’s cloth diapers. These aren’t your grandmother’s sanitary napkins! This is all I’ve used for the past 7 years and these things last for ages. Most of mine have been purchased from Etsy sellers, most similar to these.

Flower to plant in honor of birth

When my son was born, my husband surprised me with a colorful orange-pink rosebush. I loved that beautiful bush and wish I could’ve dug it up when we moved.  Choose a perennial!

Salon/Spa Services

Most new moms aren’t feeling great about their appearance. They’re adjusting to their new body and could use a boost in self-confidence. Treat her to a haircut or manicure to transform her day… or at least get her out of her pjs for a couple of hours. If she’s like me, she’s likely not painted her nails for at least 9 months.

Giftcard

starbucks giftcard

Give her the gift of shopping! Pick up a gift card to her favorite shop or café.

Now, who’s ready to make a baby shower shopping list?! After you pick up your unforgettable baby shower gift, be sure to wrap it up pretty! Everybody loves unwrapping a meticulously adorned package.

What would you add to the list? If you have a favorite new mom gift to give or receive, please share in the comments below.  We’d all love more creative ideas for how to bless new mothers. After all, baby’s getting all her attention. Let’s show her a little love too!

And be sure to share this post with your friends. We all want to be remembered as unforgettable gift givers! If you’re a new mom itching for the items in this baby shower gift list, give your friends a heads up by sending them a link to this post.

Follow me on Pinterest for more tips and tricks to make life simpler!



jelli sig text png

Filed Under: mommyhood, natural family, tips Tagged With: Baby, gift guide, postpartum, pregnancy

About Jelli

Jelli is a blogging veteran and avid baker who’s been selling sweets to feed her chocolate addiction for 8+ years. When the polka dotted apron’s hanging up, she’s a full-time mama to three kidlets enjoying the crazy days of motherhood and pumping out brownie recipes from her sunny Costa Rican kitchen.

« Indulgent Dessert Inspired Popsicles
Rustic Chocolate Picnic Cake »

Comments

  1. Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says

    July 8, 2015 at 8:59 pm

    I love your baby shower gift ideas!

    Oh how I would have loved maid service! That would have been the BEST gift ever! Salon and spa services are great too (especially if you want a pedicure in the last couple months of your pregnancy)! lol

    Thanks for sharing!
    xoxo

    Reply
    • Jelli says

      July 9, 2015 at 2:04 pm

      Glad another mom agrees with the baby shower gift list. It’s always so dull when gift after gift is the same thing. I can’t even count how many baby blankets and washcloths I’ve received in the last 3 years. Don’t get me wrong, most of the washcloths have become baby wipes of some kind, and extras are always donated, but goodness, a little creativity sure is a breath of fresh air! Thanks for visiting, Jennifer.

      Reply
  2. Roxanne says

    July 10, 2015 at 7:10 am

    I was FULLY prepared to add maid service if it wasn’t here – BRAVO! These are FABULOUS gift ideas!

    Reply
    • Jelli says

      July 10, 2015 at 12:25 pm

      Gosh, thanks, Roxanne! Glad to hear you agree. Thank you so much for taking a moment to pop over today.

      Reply
  3. Christine Smith says

    July 10, 2015 at 7:17 am

    These are wonderful and thoughtful ideas! I am adding it to my gift-giving Pinterest board. thanks

    Reply
    • Jelli says

      July 10, 2015 at 12:24 pm

      Thank you so much, Christine, for sharing the post. Let’s get the word out and bless more moms out there!

      Reply
  4. Jolleen Ruiz says

    July 10, 2015 at 8:21 am

    YES. Love this list. The nursing tanks are a must. And a Netflix subscription? Perfect!

    Reply
    • Jelli says

      July 10, 2015 at 12:23 pm

      Yay, so happy you agree! Hope other mamas share the word so that the millions of baby washcloth gifts are a thing of the past.

      Reply
  5. Heather says

    July 10, 2015 at 8:49 am

    maid service and food! Yes! I am so thankful for the people that would bring me meals after all three of my babies arrived.

    Reply
    • Jelli says

      July 10, 2015 at 12:22 pm

      Glad to hear another seasoned mama agrees with the list. My husband’s been better than any maid, but goodness would we love to get this gift with our baby due in September. Thank you so much, Heather, for stopping by today.

      Reply
  6. Winter says

    July 10, 2015 at 10:29 am

    This is a really great list! I will have to keep this for future reference!

    Reply
  7. Marie says

    July 10, 2015 at 11:13 am

    Love these! I try to get a book in place of a “card” and something neat for the mom too, like this post suggests.

    Reply
    • Jelli says

      July 10, 2015 at 12:21 pm

      Yes, Marie! I totally forgot about books. Books are a perfect companion during those long hours of nursing. Wonderful idea. Thank you so much for sharing your insights and taking a moment to visit!

      Reply
  8. Caroline @ In Due Time says

    July 10, 2015 at 3:12 pm

    This is full of so much good info – especially for the life stage I am in now 🙂

    Reply
  9. Andi says

    July 10, 2015 at 3:54 pm

    i think the most important thing we can give is love and attention

    Reply
  10. Marissa says

    July 10, 2015 at 5:51 pm

    We send gift cards to new moms often. Usually for desserts and coffee, so it’s fun. And I try to always bring over a meal they can eat right away or freeze depending on their needs and space.

    You have a great list!

    Marissa

    Reply
    • Jelli says

      July 10, 2015 at 6:16 pm

      Yes, freezer meals and food are definitely appreciated by new moms and moms with little people running around all day long. You must be a great neighbor, Marissa! Thanks for visiting.

      Reply
  11. Brandi @ penguinsinpink.com says

    July 10, 2015 at 7:08 pm

    Great list! Even though I have two babies, I have only had one baby shower and it was with the second. The most amazing gift I got was a gift card for a massage. It was amazing!

    Reply
    • Jelli says

      July 11, 2015 at 1:37 pm

      Oooh! A massage sounds beautiful, Brandi. With my 1st pregnancy my husband willingly watched YouTube videos on pregnancy massage. His heart was in it, but mama would’ve really enjoyed a pro massage. Thanks for the suggestion!

      Reply
  12. Kandi says

    July 11, 2015 at 10:07 am

    I always do the gift cards. That way they can use it on diapers or what ever as they need it. Or pick up anything that they didn’t get but need.

    Reply
    • Jelli says

      July 11, 2015 at 1:32 pm

      Yes, gift cards to stores that sell baby gear are a great idea, Kandi. You’re right that many times we make registries but still wind up in need of a few items that never get purchased. Great thinking. Thank you so much for adding to the baby shower gift list.

      Reply
  13. Chelsea @ Life With My Littles says

    July 11, 2015 at 12:44 pm

    I love all of these so, so much! These are such amazing ideas! I am definitely saving and sharing this one! Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Jelli says

      July 11, 2015 at 1:31 pm

      Happy dancing, Chelsea! I’m so glad to hear that you a) agree with the picks and b) are sharing them with friends. Cheers to less boring baby showers everywhere!

      Reply
  14. Chari says

    July 12, 2015 at 8:02 pm

    I love anything spa related lol! I also love making inspirational jewelry and keychains for new mommas!

    Reply
  15. Laura says

    May 29, 2016 at 6:16 pm

    April, Love your blog! Wish I had found it sooner. The baby shower list is awesome. I didn’t even know there were breast feeding tank tops!? Need to get my hands on some of those : ) Thanks for sharing

    Reply
    • Jelli says

      June 7, 2016 at 1:29 pm

      So happy you found your way over, Laura. Bravado makes amazing nursing tanks that actually do keep the “ladies” supported. They do have a little cleavage going on because they’re v-cut, but I love them for sleeping and to wear under button-ups to make for discreet nursing. Hope you find more helpful info here. Take care!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi, I'm Jelli! I snagged the best guy around, birthed four tiny kidlets, scribble down too many dessert recipes, love Jesus, and grow veggies in my front yard. Read More…

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Readers’ Favorite Recipes!

Homemade Croissants. Buttery, flaky and downright YUM! | JellibeanJournals.com
Easy homemade bagels | jellibeanjournals.com
Life-Changing Skinny Avocado Brownies- crave-worthy at a fraction of the calories and made from TWO ingredients! #brownies #lowcalorie #dessert from Jellibean Journals
Thin Mint Fudge- ready in five minutes! Jellibeanjournals.com
no bake snowball cookies
Easy Homemade DARK Chocolate Pudding | Jellibeanjournals.com
Link Party Recommendations
Privacy Policy & Disclosures
Seasoned Pro Responsive Minimalist Food Blog Theme

Copyright © 2025 · Jellibean Journals