The best gifts for new mums, picked by new mums: 25 genuinely useful ideas

When we asked new mums about the best gifts they’d received, there was one answer we heard over and over again: FOOD. Taking care of dinner in those first topsy-turvy weeks and months with a newborn will always go down well – as will any emergency breastfeeding snacks.

But their suggestions include all kinds of gifts to make a new mum feel well looked after, from soothing masks for sore boobs to a fresh pair of comfy pyjamas. Whether it’s a monthly flower subscription or a box of brownies to eat while they’re stuck at home, receiving a thoughtful gift could be the perfect postnatal pick-me-up.

The best gifts for new mums, picked by new mums

Taking care of the food

New parents meal boxes

_{From £74.60 for seven meals at Cook}
Gift cards

_{From £10 at Cook}

Cooking is the last thing you want to do when you’ve just had a baby. The best gift I had was food vouchers from Cook, as I knew I could eat something healthy each night without having to worry about it. Kirstin

Pampering at her own pace

Gift cards

_{From £10 at Treatwell}

I’ve been buying Treatwell vouchers for friends for a few years now. They last a year and can be used for loads of different treatments (haircuts, massages, nails etc) all over the country, so the mother can use them when she’s ready for a break. Caroline

Post-pregnancy luxury

Postnatal Care Trio

_{£51 at Neal’s Yard}

Little luxuries can go a long way to making you feel more like yourself after giving birth. I received this set from Neal’s Yard, which felt particularly fancy! Daisy

Soothing soreness

My Little Coco soothing boobie mask

_{£8.99 at Boots
£9 at Amazon}

I remember the booby masks being so nice when I was breastfeeding. Abbi

Lansinoh nipple cream, 40ml

_{£7.97 at Boots
£7.97 at Amazon}

Aveeno hand cream, 75ml

_{£5.99 at Boots
£6 at Waitrose}

I always buy new mums Lansinoh nipple cream and Aveeno hand cream as part of a care parcel. Sam

Recording memories

Customisable notebook

_{£18.70 at Papier}

A personalised journal from Papier, which was really lovely and thoughtful. It’s the sort of thing I wouldn’t even have thought about buying, but it’s a really nice way to record things and keep pictures. Camille

Breastfeeding reading

Kindle

_{From £159.99 at Amazon
From £159.99 at John Lewis}

Gift card

_{From £5 at Amazon}

A Kindle with a voucher to buy ebooks to read while breastfeeding. Ali

Button-down pyjamas

Cambric striped pyjama set

_{£28 at M&S}

Satin pyjamas

_{£34.90 at Uniqlo}

It’s nice to change into a fresh pair of pyjamas each evening because they get so much mess on during the night. Shirts with buttons are also very handy if you’re breastfeeding. Kirstin

Fresh flowers to liven up the house

Three-month flower subscription

_{From £75 at Freddie’s Flowers}

I got a flower subscription from Freddie’s Flowers, which was lovely. As I was spending lots of time in the house in the first few weeks, it was nice to have fresh flowers! Monica

For more bouquets, read our guide to the best online flower delivery services

Cheese that’s no longer off limits

New mum cheese collection

_{£38.90 at the Welsh Cheese Company}

I got sent a cheese box from Wales, with all the pregnancy-banned gooey, stinking cheeses. It was delicious! Emma

Mini-me matching outfits

The Juno long-sleeved breastfeeding top

_{£28.99 at Juno Jack’s}
The Juno baby/child twinning top

_{From £7.83 at Juno Jack’s}

Twinning sets of clothes. I got a cute nursing top with matching baby and toddler tops from Juno Jack’s when my youngest was born. I loved those. Ali

A water bottle

Hydro Flask, 621ml

_{£34.95 at John Lewis
£29.50 at Amazon}

I get so thirsty when breastfeeding but always forget to have a glass of water nearby. My Hydro Flask does the job and keeps the water refreshingly cool. Kirstin

Treats for the first few weeks

M&S Collection classic hamper

_{£55 at M&S}

An M&S hamper that was a source of various treats to keep me going in the early weeks! Emma

Hair strengthening

Daniel Field hair growth spray

_{£20 at Daniel Field}

This was so good, especially after the peak of breastfeeding where hormones go crazy and hair falls out. Monica

Emergency chocolate

Lindt selection box

_{£19 at Lindt
£19 at Amazon}

A huge box of Lindt chocolates. I was breastfeeding at 3am and felt so hungry I thought I was going to throw up. The box of chocolates was the only thing in reach and I managed to shred the box open with one hand. I ate them all like I was in a speed-eating competition. Rachel

Letterbox brownies

Three-month brownie subscription

_{£56.97 at Gower Cottage}

A Gower Cottage brownie subscription for three months. The best present! Louise

Thoughtful gift boxes

The Care Package

_{From £38.95 at Don’t Buy Her Flowers}

Create your own new mum gift box

_{From £5.50 plus the cost of the items at Don’t Buy Her Flowers}

I got a gift box from Don’t Buy Her Flowers, which was lovely. Helen

Milk opals

Classic breast milk ring

_{From £91 at Milk Diamonds}

My husband bought me a keepsake ring where the stone is made from breast milk. It’s not as creepy as it sounds! They look like opals. Nicky

Help with the chores

A friend came and unpacked our kitchen for us – we moved house and then I went into labour almost immediately so we hadn’t even unpacked. For six years, I didn’t know where anything was but I was forever grateful. Amy