Struggling to think of a gift for a new mum or mum to be? To help you out, we've gone straight to the source and asked our community to share the best gift they received when they became a new mum. All their ideas have been compiled to create a list of gifts for new mums that you can use as inspiration. Then, to give you even more ideas, more gifts were picked and researched by an expert.

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Buying gifts for new mums can be tricky. Some people don’t know whether to buy a gift for the baby or for the new mum herself. Alysia, mum of a 3-year-old daughter, said, “everyone forgets the mum who has pushed a baby out and brings sweet baby clothes...to be gifted a little something just for you was nice”. With that in mind, many of these gifts for new mums really are for mum, rather than being gifts for the baby.

If you do want a gift for the baby as well, check out best baby gifts and keepsakes. For gifting ideas before the baby is born, have a look at Christmas gifts for mums-to-be and pregnancy and Mother’s Day gifts for mums-to-be. For more gifting, we also have the best Father's Day gifts.

What to consider when buying a gift for a new mum

Who the gift is for – As stated above, it's important to decide whether you want to buy a gift for the new mum herself or if you would rather buy a gift for the baby.

Will it make the new mum’s life easier? – When buying gifts for new mums think about whether what you are giving her will make her life easier. For example, buying something practical for the baby to make the mum’s life easier is a great present for a new mum, cute clothes are a gift for the baby.

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Is this their first child? – Depending on whether or not this baby is the new mum’s first child, the gift you buy them may vary. If they are a completely new mum they may not have as much useful baby gear, so that might be the direction you go when choosing their gift. If they already have another child, they may have most of what they need already.

What have they already got? – It may be a good idea to see what they already have so they don’t end up with multiple of the same item that they have to find the room to store.

How did we choose our 10 of the Best?

Our 10 of the Best lists are compiled by qualified and experienced parenting journalists. They rely on a number of sources, including our independent reviews, testing undertaken during the MadeForMums Awards, and feedback from our home testing panel and Top Testers Club. Each year thousands of products are put through their paces by hundreds of parents across the country on behalf of MadeForMums, to ensure we’re bringing you honest and true reviews and recommendations. 

To collate this list of best gifts for new mums, we spoke to the Made For Mums community and asked them to tell us about the best gift they received as a new mum and what made it their favourite gift.

Our list is not an ordered ranking from 1-10, instead it is a carefully selected group of tried-and-tested products, each of which we believe is best for a different situation or requirement. We don’t just tell you what is best, we help you discover what is best for your family.

Best gift ideas for new mums and mums-to-be

1. Mama Hug The Arrival Essentials New Mum Gift Box, £45

– Best for soothing postpartum discomfort

https://www.johnlewis.com/black-friday/c6000670128

Hampers are a great gift for new mums, as you get lots of little presents in one. Charley-Marie, mum of 2 boys aged 3 years and 10 months, said “the best presents are things you are going to use a lot and nice little gifts for mum”. This JoJo Maman Bebe pamper has just that. The hamper consists of Mum Bub Hub Soaking salts to help soothe postpartum discomfort. Myrtle & Maude Red Raspberry Leaf Tea, which some claim can help stop postpartum bleeding, The Natural Birthing Company Bottoms Up Spray to help postpartum healing, and 10 Natracare organic cotton maternity pads.

On top of all the useful products it also comes with a toy bunny, muslin and a gift message printed on a card. If that’s not enough to make you want to buy this hamper, there is a choice of 3 bunnies; blue top, pink top or a top with the year on it to mark the baby’s birth. This is the perfect gift if you want to treat the new mum and include a little treat for the baby too.

Available from: JoJo Maman Bebe

2. Baby. The First Year of You Book, £44.95

– Best for remembering the early days

JoJo First year of you

So many special moments happen in a baby's first year. This book allows all those special moments to be documented. You can make a record of their first steps, first words, first tooth, first birthday and many more firsts that they can look back on in years to come. There is also lots of rooms for photos in this stunning linen bound book. It makes for the perfect gift as it is presented in a luxury linen box with a gold embossed title.

Available from: JoJo Maman Bebe

3. Personalised Oh Baby! Letterbox Message Cookies, £26

– Best for living further away

oh baby marble gold letterbox customisable cookies

These stunning customisable letterbox biscuits would be a lovely gift to a new mum. This gift is especially good if you are not going to see them in person as the biscuits are delivered straight through their door. You can customise the cookies with the baby's name on the babygrow biscuit to make them extra special for the new mum. No doubt the extra sugar and carbohydrate will be appreciated by a sleep-deprived new family in need of an energy boost!

Available from: Not On The High Street

4. Anika-Baby BabyRice 6 x 5inch Baby Casting Kit with Brushed Pewter 3D Effect Box Display Frame, £34.99

– Best for a sentimental keepsake

Anika-Baby BabyRice 6 x 5inch Baby Casting Kit with Brushed Pewter 3D Effect Box Display Frame

This gift is a bit different but many new mums would love the sentimental thought. Hannah, who has a 7-and-a-half-month-old boy revealed her favourite gift was “a framed 3D casting”. This 3D casting kit can be done easily at home, put in the frame and kept forever to cherish. In this kit, you can create up to 6 different casts for a newborn, meaning you could do both their hands and their feet. The frame is 6x5 inches with a depth of 2.2 inches and will beautifully display the castings.

As for the casting itself, it's relatively easy to do. All you have to do is mix the products, then put the newborn’s hand or foot in the mixture for 40 seconds, leave to dry, then remove the beautiful keepsake. This gift is a bit different and creates something the new mum will keep forever.

Available from: Amazon

5. White Noise Machine, RENPHO Sound Machine for Sleeping Baby/Adult, £22.99

£29.99

– Best for both new mum or baby

White noise machine RENPHO

Falling asleep as a new mum can be a struggle. Therefore, this gift is perfect for a new mum, it can help them get a peaceful night's sleep - when they are actually in bed trying to sleep that is. This white noise machine has 36 high-quality soothing sounds to choose from, 7 white noise sounds, 11 fan sounds and a variety of natural sounds, such as birds, rain and the ocean. It masks background noises that wake people up at night, such as annoying snoring, coughing or creaky floorboards. This clever little white noise machine also has timer and memory functions so you do not have to keep setting the noise, volume and time you want the sound to play for, it will remember your routine for you each night. Alternatively, this is also a great gift for a new mum to use with her baby, it has lullaby recordings to help the baby fall asleep faster.

Available from: Amazon

6.Nappy Cake Neutral Baby Gift, £18.99

– Best for a baby shower present

Giraffe Nappy cake

This beautifully designed nappy cake is a great new mum gift, particularly if you need a gift for a baby shower. The handcrafted single tier nappy cake includes: premium brand nappies, muslin square, baby socks and cotton roses. The gift set comes presented in a chiffon organza bag.

If the adorable giraffe in the picture is not for you, there is the option of a snow leopard and a bunny. The colour scheme of the nappy cake is altered coinciding with each cuddly toy.

Available from: Amazon

7.Pamper Treat Experience Box, £29.99

– Best for pampering

Pamper Treat Experience Box

Being a new mum can be exhausting, giving them a chance to get away and pamper themselves would be very much appreciated. If you want to give them a bit of peace and quiet this Pamper Treat Experience Box could be the perfect gift.

The voucher includes a selection of over a 1,000 relaxing pamper experiences for them to choose from. This could be a mini relaxing spa day or a treatment. The best thing is, you give them the voucher and they choose exactly what they want and when they want to do it. Mariola who has a 2 year old son and a 1 year old daughter suggested “a bit of TLC is what every mum needs”. So why not show you care and buy them a relaxing treat.

Available from: Amazon and Buyagift

8. Keepsake Trinket Box, £15

– Best for value

Welcome to the world trinket box

This beautifully designed trinket box is great for a new mum to store any little keepsakes or memories from their child's early years. The adorable elephant design and cut out detailing would look stunning in any nursery and would be a cherished gift. The trinket box is only £15 too, making it excellent value for a thoughtful gif for a new mum.

Available from: JoJo Maman Bebe

9. 5-Pack Gift Boxed Baby Fox Muslins, £16

– Best for a small, useful gift

5-PACK GIFT BOXED BABY FOX MUSLINS

If you are looking for a small but still great gift for a new mum then check out these Baby Fox muslins. A new mum will need plenty of muslin cloths, but these are a little special.

The beautifully embroidered foxes and details make this essential into a wonderful gift. Not only are they lovely to look at, but they are also super soft, gentle and absorbent for wiping a baby's skin or mopping up a spill. The gift boxed set includes 3 embroidered fox muslins and 2 all over fox print muslins.

Available from: JoJo Maman Bebe

10. Classic French Cheese Selection, £40

– Best for cheese lovers

Classic French Cheese Selection

This is a bit of a different one, but what better to get a new mum than something they might’ve been craving for 9 months whilst pregnant. Some cheeses, such as brie, camembert, and gorgonzola should be avoided when pregnant. Therefore, a selection of cheeses may be exactly what a new mum is craving and wants. Laura Wood, mum of one year old daughter, said she “highly appreciated” the cheese selection she got given.

This cheese selection includes: traditional camembert from Normandy, a mountain hard cheese, Fourme d'Ambert, a blue cheese and Crottin, a soft goat's cheese.

Available from: Amazon

11. John Lewis & Partners Hi Pile Fleece Robe, £39

– Best for late night feeding

John Lewis & Partners Hi Pile Fleece Robe, Grey

Getting up for middle of the night and early morning feedings can be a struggle, especially in the winter months when you have to get out of a warm bed into the cold. This fluffy dressing gown will make that experience a little nicer. It is quick and easy to slip on and super cosy. Also, a dressing gown makes it very easy to breastfeed, as all you have to do is untie the belt.

This gorgeous dressing gown is designed in a thermal fleece to make it luxuriously soft and fluffy. It has a cosy hood, for those extra cold nights and mornings, long sleeves and spacious front pockets. It comes in sizes XS to XL, and is available in 4 different colours; grey, blue, pink and oatmeal.

Available from: John Lewis

12. At Home Pregnancy or New Mum Massage with blow LTD, London

– Best for mums to be

At home pregnancy massage virgin

If you are looking for a gift for a mum-to-be, an at home pregnancy massage would be the perfect gift. They do not even have to leave the house to enjoy this gift. The pregnancy massage is designed to help relieve prenatal symptoms such as water retention. swollen joints and lower leg and back discomfort. This massage is suitable during their second and third trimester. Their home will be transformed into a spa with the massage table, pregnancy safe oils and music playlist that will be brought along.

Do note that they are only able to travel to homes in a certain range so do check whether they go to where you need them to before purchasing.

Available from: Virgin Experience Days

13. Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, £19.50

– Best for sleep

Deep sleep this works spray

There is one thing that most new mums actually really want, and that is sleep. This deep sleep pillow spray will help them enjoy a peaceful night's sleep. This Works pillow spray is designed to help people fall asleep faster and feel more refreshed in the morning. The brand claims 89% of users fell asleep faster than normal and 92% felt more refreshed in the morning.

The spray blend of lavender, chamomile and vetivert calms both mind and body, reducing anxiety which prevents sleep. This product is also suitable for use through pregnancy.

Available from: John Lewis and Amazon

14.£60 or £30 frozen meal & smoothies e-gift card

– Best for convenience

Mindful Chef frozen meal & smoothies e-gift card

A new mum may not always have time to think about dinner and cook fresh meals. A box of ready meals they can just quickly cook for them and their family may be the best gift you could give them.

Mindful Chef offer vouchers (£30 or £60) to buy frozen meals and smoothies. Buy them this voucher and they can go online and select their favourite gourmet ready meals to enjoy. The meals are delicious and healthy. Ruth, mum of 1 year old daughter and 11-week year old twin boys said the food she was given as a new mum gift was a “lifesaver multiple nights”. Anna, who has an 11-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son also loved food as a new mum gift and went on to say “food was honestly the most appreciated gift!”

For more food subscription boxes, take a look at best family meal boxes.

Available from: Mindful Chef (£60), Mindful Chef (£30)

15. Traditional Afternoon Tea for Two, £39

– Best gift for 2

Give a new mum a break and the opportunity to enjoy a delicious afternoon tea. You could buy the gift as something for you to do together, or you could let them pick who they take with them to enjoy the afternoon tea.

The offer is available at beautiful venues all across the country, and any venue they choose will be sure to provide an excellent array of sandwiches, scones, cakes and tea. The voucher is valid for 12 months, so the recipient can save it for when their baby is a bit older and enjoy a much-needed (and well-earned) afternoon off.

Available from: Virgin Experience Days

16. Two-Hour Newborn and Baby Photoshoot, £49

– Best for making memories

Two hour newborn photoshoot

Babies can grow up too fast. You can never take too many pictures of your baby to look back on when they grow up. This photoshoot creates heart-warming, personal pictures of the new mum's newborn.

The voucher includes a two-hour photoshoot with up to 4 scene changes to get the perfect picture. After, there is a cinematic viewing of the final edited images and you get to choose a 8x6 framed print. This is a wonderful gift to help a new mum keep memories of the precious newborn days.

Available from: Buyagift

17. Thomas Sabo bracelet classic sliver, £59

– Best for a luxury gift

bracelet classic sliver

This beautiful silver bracelet not only looks lovely, but it can also be personalised to make it the perfect luxury gift for a new mum. The bracelet can be engraved with dates, names, or anything else you wish.

Having the baby's date of birth or their name engraved onto it is a great idea to create a sentimental gift for a new mum that they can wear on them every day. It is an adjustable anchor chain bracelet in 925 Sterling silver.

Available from: Thomas Sabo

18. Faux-Fur Cross Slider Slippers, £36

– Best for comfort

The White Company Slippers

You may be wondering why slippers are on the list for best gifts for new mums? Well, getting up out of bed in the middle of the night to feed and tend to your baby can be cold. Buying a new mum some cosy slippers is actually a very thoughtful gift that they will be thanking you for at 2am walking over the cold kitchen tiles.

These luxury slider slippers are great because they are super easy to slip on quickly when jumping out of bed, but they provide plenty of cosy comfort.

Anther brilliant cosy winter gift is a heated throw, especially with the cost of living costs sky rocketing.

Available from: The White Company

19. My Expert Midwife Spritz for Bits, £19.50

– Best for practicality

My expert midwife spritz for bits

If you want to buy a practical new mum gift the My Expert Midwife Spritz for Bits may be a very much appreciated gift. The postnatal relief spray helps with post-birth recovery, relieving discomfort and pain caused by childbirth. It is made with soothing lavender oil. This spray is expert recommended and developed by midwifes. Kirstie, mum of 2 girls, a 2 year old and a 6-month-old baby said "Spritz for bits is amazing".

It may not be the most glamorous gift for a new mum but it sure is a very practical one that will most likely get a lot of use.

Available from: Amazon and Boots.

20. My little Coco Baby Mama Soothing Nipple Balm, £8.99

– Best for breastfeeding mums

my little coco baby mama soothing nipple balm

Is the person you are searching for a gift for breastfeeding? If so, this Nipple Balm could be just the gift they are hoping for. This balm is designed to hydrate and soothe nipples throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding.

It is particularly useful to use in the last trimester just in time to prepare for breastfeeding, and will obviously continue to be helpful long after the baby is born. The product is is it plant based, therefore it's suitable for vegans.

Available from: Boots

21. Lola's Variety Brownie Box, £16.99

– Best for a sweet treat

Lola's cupcakes variety brownie box displayed

There is nothing better than getting sweet treats delivered through the post. This Lola's cupcake brownie box would be a very welcomed gift for a new mum. Jenni, mum of a 10-month-old boy said "brownies and chocolate were a pretty vital part of my breastfeeding diet" she also joked "people that brought me those were elevated to top friend status".

These brownies may contain traces of milk, eggs, nut, soya, peanuts and sulphites, so be cautious of allergies.

Available from: Lola's Cupcakes

22. Little Book of Self Care for New Mums, £8.99

– Best for self care

Little Book of Self Care for New Mums

Being a new mum can be overwhelming, gifting them this book may help them cope. This book is written by an experienced midwife and doula to offer helpful advice for new mums, and it is packed full of tips and ideas.

Post natal depression affects 1 in 10 mothers, this book is a relaxed approach to tackle this and ease a new mum's emotions and stress. It really is a very thoughtful gift and shows you understand. You could also offer your support alongside the book to let them know you are there for them if they need you.

Available from: Amazon, JoJo Maman Bebe and Oliver Bonas

23. Neal's Yard Mother Organic Collection, £35

– Best for relaxing

Neals Yard mothers organic collection

If they do not have the time to go out for a pamper day, perhaps your new mum can pamper themselves at home? This lovely Neal's Yard set will help make a new mum feel soothed and relaxed. Stacey, mum of 3-year-old daughter and one-year-old son said a Neal's Yard Gift "helped her feel more normal". When a new mum is rushed off their feet, a little beauty treat could be just what they need.

This set contains: Mother's Balm, to increase skin's firmness and elasticity, Mother's Bath Oil, to encourage a sense of wellbeing and nourish their skin and Mother's Massage Oil.

Available from: Neals Yard and John Lewis.

24. Letters to my baby, £12.99

– Best for the future

Letters to my baby

This Letters to My Baby writing set would make a wonderful gift for a new mum. They will be able to store memories for their child to read that otherwise they may have forgotten. This set includes 12 envelopes, all sweetly designed ready to be filled with letters for their little one to read when they are older.

Each letter has a unique prompt to encourage what to write, such as, "on the day you were born", "my wishes for you are" and "your first home was like this". All the letters are stored in this lovely book so can be kept safe until it is time to read them again. This present is somewhat for the future, as the recipient will probably be most grateful for it as she is sharing the letters with her child and reminiscing on the early days.

Available from: JoJo Maman Bebe and John Lewis

25. Bowdon Nursing Chair & Footstool, £678

– Best for a big gift

bowdon nursing chair footstool silver

Are you looking for a bigger gift for a new mum? If you are this Mamas and Papas nursing chair could be perfect. With its high back and arm rests, it is designed to fit the shape of their body and the gentle rocking motion will help them to soothe their baby. The beautiful design of the chair would look good in any nursery.

The chair is made out of high quality materials and durable woven fabric designed to last. It also has a reversible cushion to help make it last even longer. The chair is available in a variety of colours too. This gift is great if you want to spend more, it will get so much use and be a really valuable gift to a new mum.

Take a look at our list of best nursing chairs if you want to see a larger variety.

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Available from: Mamas & Papas

Authors

Picture of Chloe Brightwell
Chloe BrightwellDigital Reviews Writer and Coordinator

Chloe is a Digital Reviews Writer and Coordinator for Immediate Media's Parenting team, specialising in household and trying to help parents save money. She researches and writes articles, recommending the best products, ranging from best cordless vacuums to best playpens. She has a First-Class Honours Psychology degree where she developed a strong interest in child development. During her teenage years she worked as a play worker and Brownie volunteer to support children's play.

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