I love the idea of a postpartum gift basket – it makes a fantastic baby shower gift for the mom to be!
Because unlike traditional baby shower gifts, this basket is focused entirely on mom and her recovery, her comfort, and well-being – things that often get overlooked with the joy of welcoming a new baby to the family.
If you’re looking for the perfect way to bless a new mom, here’s a guide to putting together a thoughtful basket filled with essentials and little luxuries to make her that much more comfortable after birth.
Keep reading for a collection of top quality postpartum recovery items plus some nourishing snacks for the mama who will be breastfeeding her new babe.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I could earn a commission if you make a purchase using them. This comes at no additional cost to you and all opinions expressed are my own.
Postpartum Gift Basket Essentials
Here are some must-haves that fit beautifully into a postpartum gift basket, many of which are exactly what I included in this gift basket that I made for my sister 🙂
I personally used all of these items with both of my babies and can’t recommend them enough.
Recovery & Healing Products
Here are a few items that first time moms might not think of buying for themselves – but they’ll be SO thankful to have on hand after giving birth!
- Earth Mama Herbal Perineal Spray – cooling relief that helps with postpartum soreness. This will bring her pain level down during days spent at home recovering.
- Earth Mama Organic Perineal Balm – soothing must-have natural care product for healing after vaginal birth. This was an absolute life saver!
- Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter – a lifesaver for nursing moms to avoid chapped nipples.
- Pink Stork Perineal Salts – sitz baths are an amazing way to speed up postpartum recovery.
- Frida Mom Postpartum Underwear – disposable, comfortable, and designed specifically for new moms. Unlike what you get at the hospital, this doesn’t tear easilt either.
- Frida Mom 2-in-1 Postpartum Ice Maxi Pads – a practical necessity that never goes unappreciated! These padsicles can live in her bathroom instead of having to be kept in the freezer for a much more convenient postpartum recovery. Don’t be suprised if these things end up being her absolute favorite item in the gift basket.
- Frida Mom Peri Upside Down Bottle – provides gentle, targeted relief for new moms after childbirth! It’s much gentler and easier to use than the bottle they give you at the hospital.
Snacks & Hydration
Between frequent and late night feedings, an overwhelming amount of sleep deprivation, and far less time for herself (thanks to plenty of phantom crying), a new mom will often forget to take care of herself. Add ready-to-go snacks and treats to show her you care.
- Milkmakers Lactation Cookie Bites – not only are they actually tasty but they help support milk supply.
- Traditional Medicinals Mother’s Milk Tea – this is a super calming and nourishing tea option for breastfeeding moms.
- Large Stainless Steel Water Bottle – Hydration is so important for new moms, especially when they’re breastfeeding. Keep her hydrated with a leak proof water bottle like this that she can keep next to her in bed.
More Comfort Items for the Postpartum Mama
Postpartum days call for coziness and convenience. Here are a few extra add ons to consider for the postpartum mom in your life.
- A soft, dark-colored blanket – perfect for snuggling on the couch (and dark colors are forgiving during recovery!).
- Frida Mom Delivery Gown – this gown is SO soft, modest, and easy to breastfeed in after delivery! It’s a serious upgrade from your standard hospital gown.
- Cozy socks (with grip) or slippers – gift her footwear that’s easy to get in and out of postpartum.
- A new mom devotional (this is another beautiful choice)
- Postpartum journal for encouragement – remind her that she is a Good Mom every time she picks this one up!
- Lip balm or hand cream (because hospital air and endless hand washing can be drying)
Will the new mama in your life be having a C-Section? Frida Mom makes a wonderful recovery kit to help these new moms feel as comfortable as possible postpartum as well.
More pregnancy tips for new moms:
- A to Z Modern Baby Items List (Printable PDF)
- Printable Hospital Bag Checklist (Pack What You Need, Ditch What You Don’t!)
- 500+ Beautiful Girl’s Names for Your New Babe!
- Printable Newborn Baby Checklist (The Essentials You Actually Need)
How to Assemble Your Postpartum Basket
I’d recommend taking most items out of the packages when setting up your gift basket! This will make it easier to style and fit more items inside your basket.
- Choose a basket – A wicker basket like this is beautiful and can be used as home decor afterwords. This is another great option that’s more affordable and could be used to store kids toys later on.
- Create a soft base – Fold muslin swaddles or a blanket (this one is cute and has affirmations new new moms on it!) and place it at the bottom of your basket – you could put a swaddle like this on the bottom or gift her the Frida Mom delivery gown 🙂 that’s what I included in my sister’s basket. Not only does it look cozy and give the rest of your items a lift but it also doubles as part of the gift too.
- Arrange by size – Place large items like pads or towels at the back of the basket, and add smaller items like sprays, balms, and snacks (this electrolyte drink mix is another great add on to consider as are these gummies) to the front.
- Add a finishing touch – Wrap your gift basket it in clear cellophane or leave it open so mom can easily be reminded to grab what she needs as soon as she needs it!
- Bonus: Are you an experienced mom? Write a love note with a few instructions or an explanation of what some less obvious items are – for instance, my sister didn’t realize the dark grey fabric at the bottom of the basket was a delivery gown until I told her! She then took it out of the basket and packed it in her hospital bag along with a few other items (perennial balm, nipple butter, upside down Peri bottle, cooling pads, and the Frida Mom disposable underwear).
Final Thoughts: Taking Care of the Postpartum Mom
New moms need love and care just like their new babies do and a postpartum gift basket is a beautiful way to tell her how much you love her and want to support her during this exciting new time in her life.
Your gift basket is sure to be an absolute blessing to your new mama during those first fragile weeks of motherhood.
Happy gifting, friend!
– Nikki
