Things New Moms Need For Themselves – Pamper Yourself With These!

By Maria Wilcox •  Updated: 10/05/22 •  16 min read
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If you are a first-time mom, or are looking to buy for one, you may be wondering what things new moms need for themselves. Granted, buying for a newborn baby is tons of fun, but mama needs a little love, too! After all, she carries human life for nine months straight, gives birth, has to recover, and cares for the little one. Thus, moms often need a lot more than you might think! In this post, we’ll be going over some of the (somewhat) unexpected items the mama in your life might like to receive, along with a few tangible gifts you may give her as well. In addition, I’ll be recommending some of the best products moms can buy to pamper themselves during pregnancy and thereafter.

things new moms need for themselves

Things New Moms Need For Themselves During Pregnancy

First things first, and that’s tackling what new moms need for themselves during pregnancy. Yep, as you probably already know, pregnancy is hard on the body! Mamas do indeed need items at various points along the way to help keep them happy and comfortable. 

Things New Moms Need For Themselves Before Birth

The following is a list of things you can buy for new moms (or for yourself) that are absolute musts during the pregnancy phase:

Belly Band

A supportive belly band is just what the doctor ordered when your bloat turns into a bump.

You’ll be surprised at how much your belly can weigh and how much pressure it can place on your body. By placing a band around your bump, you help lift some of the pressure and weight, and as a result, can feel much lighter and more comfortable. 

AZMED Maternity Belly Band for Pregnant Women | Pregnancy Belly Support Band for Abdomen, Pelvic, Waist, & Back Pain | Adjustable Maternity Belt | For All Stages of Pregnancy & Postpartum (Beige)
Buy on Amazon

Reusable Water Bottle

If you’ve ever been pregnant before, you know the indescribably “parched” mouth feeling that starts very early on in pregnancy.

Fill your reusable water bottle as many times a day as you need to to stay hydrated. You’re not only drinking to satisfy thirst but to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy as well.

A GREAT Moisturizer

Pregnancy hormones can lead to dry, cracked, chafing skin in a jiffy. Tackle dry skin woes with a thick and creamy moisturizer that can keep skin soft and supple.

Don’t forget to apply the moisturizer to your belly, too! This can keep it from getting dry, itchy, and tight. It can also help lessen the appearance of stretch marks in some cases.

A Pregnancy Pillow

If it seems like it’s optional, think again!

Your heavy belly bump may surprise you and leave you achy and uncomfortable at night. Honestly, for me, this started much before the belly bump started to show. Grab yourself a contoured pregnancy pillow that can provide your belly, legs, and back some support while you get some much-needed rest.

Momcozy Pregnancy Pillows, U Shaped Full Body Maternity Pillow with Removable Cover - Support for Back, Legs, Belly, Hips for Pregnant Women, 57 Inch Pregnancy Pillows for Sleeping, Grey
Buy on Amazon

Pregnancy Books

If you’re a first-time mama, you probably don’t know heads from tails. Sure, you can ask those around you, but some moms, especially from older generations, may get a bit fuzzy on the details from when they were first moms. Snag a couple of recently published, well-researched pregnancy/baby books to help you absorb as much information as you can before your little bundle of joy arrives.

Maternity Clothes

You won’t be able to wear your “normal” clothes forever! Get a head start on maternity wear so you won’t be scrounging around for something that looks nice once your belly starts to protrude. Opt to buy both loungewear items as well as daily and formal wear. If you’re buying for a pregnant mom, she’ll really appreciate gifts like these. Just be sure to buy her normal size in the maternity category. 

“Preggie Pops”

You don’t necessarily have to buy the “Preggie Pops” brand (I prefer Pink Stork). However, there are many different kinds of lozenges that can help mamas feel oodles better in their first trimester. Pick from ginger-flavored candies to mango, cherry, or lime. There are several types out there, but all of them are aimed at providing mom with nausea relief when she’s feeling her worst. 

Preggie Pop Drops Morning Sickness - Nausea Relief for Pregnant Women. Assorted Preggie Pops for Morning Sickness Relief. Yummy Candy Drops for Pregnancy Nausea Relief. 48 Count
Buy on Amazon

Comfy Shoes

Last but not least, women’s feet tend to swell when they’re pregnant making comfy shoes a must. If you’re buying for yourself, make sure to either size up when you do your shoe shopping or at the very least, buy a wider size.

I personally went up a half size in shoes when I got pregnant, and guess what? My feet never went back to normal! Thus, it is important that you purchase the right kind of shoes when you fall pregnant. 

Things New Moms Need For Themselves After Birth

Now that you know what mamas could use prior to giving birth, you may wonder what they need afterward. Never fear, our recommendations are here! Select any of the following items from our list to ensure postpartum recovery goes as smoothly (and comfortably) as possible. 

What Moms Need After Having a Baby?

Try some of the following “must-haves” for moms after they’ve had a baby:

Always Secret (“Depends”)

Yes, Always has their own brand of “Depends” called “Discreet” that looks so much better than your standard adult diaper underwear. But honestly, either one works.

Diaper underwear is important because mama will likely bleed profusely after giving birth for quite a while (a month or longer at times). Thus, having disposable underwear can be a lifesaver.

Always Discreet Incontinence & Postpartum Incontinence Underwear for Women, Small/Medium, Maximum Protection, 32 Count (Packaging may vary)
Buy on Amazon

Frida Mom Instant Ice Maxi Pads

Any kind of cooling maxi pad will feel wonderful for moms after they’ve been in delivery.

The hospital often provides these before they send mamas home. But you can never go wrong buying a few extra to stash!

Frida Mom 2-in-1 Postpartum Absorbent Postpartum Perineal Ice Maxi Pads | Instant Cold Therapy Packs and Absorbent Maternity Pad in One Ready-to-use Padsicle for After Birth
Buy on Amazon

Tucks

Tucks are medicated pads that are useful for itching, burning, and hemorrhoids postpartum. The hospital will sometimes provide these, but they also may not. Grab a box for yourself, or someone else, and it’ll be much appreciated. 

Tucks Cooling Pads, Medicated, 100 Count
Buy on Amazon

Earth Mama Perineal Cooling Spray

Perineal cooling spray relieves the pain you feel in your perineum after having given birth. Simply spray the affected area to feel a cooling sensation, similar to what the cooling pads provide. This makes a great gift for new moms during the postpartum phase.

Herbal Perineal Products by Earth Mama | Safe for Pregnancy and Postpartum
Buy on Amazon

Reusable Water Bottle

Yep, the thirst is real after pregnancy just as much as it is during pregnancy. Get mom a cute reusable water bottle that will keep her sipping. Staying hydrated is vital after giving birth, especially if she’s planning to breastfeed, too. 

Gifts For New Moms After Birth

Still need ideas for gifts for new moms that aren’t for the baby?

Check out the following options: 

  • Nursing Bra – Good supportive nursing bras are great buys for new moms after giving birth. Not only do they provide support but also give moms an easy way to feed their babies without having to take their bras off. I found nursing bras and tanks invaluable, not only during the postpartum phase but also for all of the years I breastfed–even into toddlerhood! 
  • Loungewear – After giving birth, mom likely won’t be doing much else other than taking care of herself (hopefully) and her baby. Give mom the gift of comfort by providing her with comfy high-quality loungewear to romp around in as she’s surviving the challenging newborn phase of child-rearing. 
  • Reusable Nursing Pads – If you don’t know this already, mamas leak a lot from their breasts once their milk comes in. This can lead to embarrassment and wet milky shirts. To avoid this, reusable nursing pads are crucial. Get mom a pack or buy a pack for yourself to stay ahead of the game and keep from inevitable embarrassment. 
  • Postpartum Underwear – Not quite the same as “Depends”, there are some high-quality, high-waisted, and good-looking postpartum underwear for you to try out if disposables aren’t your thing. Still, I would recommend using the disposables at least for the first week, but once things taper off, regular postpartum undies can be your jam until the bleeding completely stops. 

New Mom Care Package

In addition to the already mentioned goodies to give a new mama, you may wish to consider purchasing the following add-ons to put in your new mom care package:

  • Earth Mama Nipple Cream – If you or the mom you are buying for plans to breastfeed, first of all, congratulations! Breastfeeding is the best way to nourish your baby and provide a healthy start. But you should be warned that breastfeeding for the first time isn’t easy. It can lead to dry, cracked, and sore nipples. To prevent this, consider purchasing baby-safe non-toxic nipple cream. It won’t take all the pain away, but this brand in particular does very well at making nipples more comfortable throughout the entire process. 
Organic Nipple Butter Breastfeeding Cream by Earth Mama | Lanolin-free, Safe for Nursing & Dry Skin, Non-GMO Project Verified, 2-Fluid Ounce (Packaging May Vary)
Buy on Amazon
  • Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle – Moms will likely get a perineal bottle from the hospital, but they will love this specific type of bottle because of its functionality. It’s an upside-down perineal sprayer that can help get new mama lady parts cleaner more comfortably than your standard perineal bottle might.
Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle for Postpartum Care | The Original Fridababy MomWasher for Perineal Recovery and Cleansing After Birth. Color:Gray
Buy on Amazon

Thoughtful Things to Do For New Moms

You’ve got great gift ideas in mind that are practical and much-needed for moms. But when considering things that all moms need, it is important to realize that it is often the things you do for them that are the most treasured gifts of all! 

If you’ve been there you already know, but new moms need so much help in the beginning. Simple tasks like taking out the trash and even taking a shower (I kid you not) are next to impossible when you’ve got a newborn who doesn’t want to be put down. 

If you really want to give your mom something she’ll treasure, try doing things for her instead of just buying for her. These are truly the “gifts” she’ll appreciate most!

What Do New Moms Need the Most

The following are a few ways to get started on your journey to helping the new mom in your life:

  • Cook her comforting meals. Make sure it’s enough to feed her family if she has one. If she’s single or alone, make the larger meal anyway, as she will appreciate leftovers.
  • Don’t expect to be served or waited on when visiting the new mom. Don’t visit mom hungry or expect her to grab you a glass of water. You’ll need to tend to your needs yourself.
  • Take out the trash for her. Trust me, she’ll love you for it.
  • Care for any pets or plants she may have. Doing even the most mundane tasks, especially when it comes to pets, can be totally overwhelming to a mom who’s just had a baby. 
  • Give her house a deep clean, or at least a quick pick up or hire a professional to clean the house. Either way, the new mama will feel at ease if her home is at least a little tidier than it was before.
  • In addition to the above point, don’t forget to offer to do the dishes. Doing the dishes can be quite a task even for moms who aren’t postpartum. Give the gift of ease by handling the dirty work for the new mom.
  • Last but not least, give mom the gift of time. Watch the baby for her, hold the baby, offer to babysit…whatever she needs. She may just want to take a nap or close her eyes in a secluded room for a minute. Heck, she may even just need a shower! Whatever you can do for the new mom, do it. 

What Do New Moms Want For Themselves? Let Us Count the Ways!

There are tons of things moms not only want but need for themselves at every phase of being a new mom. From pre-birth to postpartum, there are countless ways you can buy for and assist a new mother. 

If you are a new mom, feel free to purchase items for yourself, and don’t be afraid to make requests of others. You need more help than you know at this time, and most likely, people will be eager and ready to give you the help you need.

Until next time! 

FAQs

What do new mothers need most?

What new mothers usually need most is sleep. Sleep deprivation is incredibly common among new moms. As such, giving your new mom time to herself is of great importance. Outside of this, simply helping around the house or choosing from the sundry gift ideas mentioned are great places to start.

Maria Wilcox

Former instructor with an M.A. in Education turned grateful stay-at-home mama to one, I look to share helpful insights related to babies, toddlers, kids, and families for the benefit of real people just like you.

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