A first-time mom is filled with a variety of emotions: excitement, anticipation, nervousness and self-doubt. When choosing a gift for the first-time mom, take into consideration how she might be feeling through those first few weeks and months of having her new baby home. Anticipating those feelings can help you choose a gift that she'll not only use, but need, as the weeks pass by. Having a new baby is a miraculous event; celebrate the new mother by giving her a gift tailored to her needs.
Magazine Rack
Those first few weeks of constant nursing or feeding can be long and laborious for a new mom. Soften the boredom by giving her a magazine rack or basket, stocked with monthly magazines for her to peruse while she feeds her baby. Magazines are easily flipped through with one hand, meaning she can occupy herself while still tending to her baby. You could also sign her up for a few subscriptions to keep them coming throughout the year.
Pedicure Gift Card
A new mom rarely has time for herself. She may feel frazzled and frumpy as she adjusts to her new role. Help her get her groove back by giving her some much-needed pampering at the hands of a pedicurist or manicurist. It might be just the time out that she needs to feel better. To sweeten the deal, offer your services as a babysitter so that she can go and have her pedicure done stress free, for some time off.
Diaper Bag
All new moms need a diaper bag, but instead of purchasing a frumpy, obvious one, look for a more chic and streamlined diaper bag to help make the new mom feel a little more fashion forward. Specialty companies like Skip Hop and Petunia Picklebottom make trendier diaper bags that are big enough to fit all of the essentials without being too ostentatious, but you might also just purchase a large tote or hobo bag that will work double time as a purse and a diaper bag.
Maid Service
Give the new mom some much needed rest and bonding time with her baby by prepaying a month of maid service to come in and do those deep cleaning tasks that she might not have time with. If she has less time worrying about scrubbing the bathrooms and vacuuming the hall, she'll be more relaxed and happy in the weeks and months following her baby's birth, and have you to thank for it.
Basic Books
Give the new mom a basic baby parenting book that answers questions that she might not have thought of, or will have need of in the future. A What to Expect the First Year book or other new parenting book will help when she has quick questions that she needs a trusted reference book for. You can also write your phone number in the front so that if she has further questions, she can give you a call for advice or a listening ear.
