Wondering What New Moms *Really* Want? These Gifts Are Guaranteed To Please

Let’s start with something crucial: Sleep. It’s common knowledge that newborns aren’t very good at snoozing, and the Hatch promises to help facilitate more ZZZs. This sound machine (infants famously love white noise and other soothing sounds) doubles as a gentle, calming night-light that can illuminate p.m. feedings. Ellie put this on her list, and I’m thinking I should follow suit.

Given that infants sleep a lot, what happens when they need to drift off during an outdoor adventure? Ellie wisely added this portable Hatch sound machine to her registry, which means that she can access its vast library of sounds while on the go. For babies who need noise to drift off, this device ensures they can do so while tagging along on a hike or road trip. 

As a new parent, showers get unbelievably short, and even toweling off becomes a rush job. Give them a comfy robe that does double-duty as a lounge piece and something that will cut drying time in half. If your new mama is breastfeeding, a robe will make it a little easier, since it can be swiftly opened and closed.

Unfortunately, some skincare products aren’t necessarily safe for pregnant women and new moms. After exhausting herself trying to find topical products that were OK for mama and baby, Jennie Gao founded Versine, a pregnancy-safe skincare line. The brand’s formulas are effective and gentle, as with this incredibly hydrating gel-serum hybrid. It brings moisture back to dry skin, and also helps fight fine lines and hyperpigmentation, all of which seem to show up as soon as motherhood begins.

One of the glamorous symptoms of the “fourth trimester” is the leakage that occurs for weeks after delivery day. While disposable pads are certainly an option to catch everything, Knix underwear has a built-in, reusable pad while offering gentle support in the belly area. They can be washed like regular undies, so there’s no need for special laundering (the last thing new moms need to worry about). It might seem like an extra-personal gift, but we promise they’ll appreciate it.

Cushy and supportive shoes are a must for anyone who’s spending a ton of time bouncing an infant while wandering around the living room. These recovery slip-ons will serve as a comforting hug for tired feet and limbs.

Instead of buying a highchair that needs to be replaced as a child outgrows it, consider investing in this convertible design that grows along with the baby. Not only will parents appreciate that it transforms from a highchair to a table chair to a step stool without any tools, but its minimalist aesthetic will actually fit in with their interior design style.

When babies are in rear-facing car seats, it’s important to have a tool to check up on them (unless you enjoy stopping the car and climbing into the back seat repeatedly). Both Ellie and I put this mirror on our registries; it’s big enough to see the baby without straining and super easy to install.

It’s an unfortunate fact of life that babies get tend to get sick. (Why can’t they be born with an immune system?) This handy kit includes a nasal aspirator, a pacifier medicine dispenser, chest vapor rub, and snot wipes. Ellie has this on her list, and she influenced me to add it to mine. 

A diaper pail is a must-have for any new parent, but not all of them have the power to contain the wildly strong smell of baby waste. The Dekor promises to trap obnoxious odors without absorbing them — which is crucial if you want to avoid filling the nursery with an unpleasant stench every time you open the pail. This is from Ellie’s registry, and the 6500 5-star reviews make it likely she’ll be happy with it.

Did you know that babies love to sleep with their arms raised? Also, if it’s been a while since you’ve been around infants, you may be surprised to learn that it’s no longer safe for them to sleep with blankets in their cribs or bassinets. This innovative swaddle is the perfect solution for safely keeping them warm and letting them keep their little arms up — and the single layer of fabric reduces the risk of overheating. Both Ellie and I placed this on our registries.

Ellie put this digital picture frame on her registry, which is a smart move: Parents take a ton of photos of their kids, and it feels wrong to confine those special memories to the screen of a smartphone. But who has enough shelf space (or frames) for all of those photos? That’s why digital frames, especially ones as chic as Aura’s, are a great gift for new parents. Any friend or family member can wirelessly add photos and videos to this device, so every stage of baby’s development can be thoroughly catalogued.

Speaking of photos, I added this smartphone printer to my registry because I also want analog photographs of my kid but wanted to avoid the increasingly inconvenient task of figuring out where to get photos printed. This lightweight printer connects via Bluetooth to your phone to generate physical Instax photos, which are similar to Polaroids. It’s a cute and easy way to turn digital pictures into more-permanent memories.  

I do a ton of cooking, so it’s my selfish dream to put my child to work in the kitchen once she’s in control of her limbs. A toddler tower is a more secure solution than a counter-side stool, and the platform is adjustable depending on the height of the kid using it. Plus, it’s sleek enough to blend into the rest of my kitchen decor. 

Hear me out: The postpartum phase is full of aches and pains, and that’s before you’ve got a toddler to lug around. Booking massages also becomes way more complicated when you need to arrange childcare, so if you really want to spoil a new parent, give them a massage gun they can use to unwind at home easily. If you’re not a fan of this one, check out our roundup of the best massage guns right here. 

A hooded towel is your best bet if you want to pick a present that combines cuteness with practicality. This newborn-sized towel is made of gentle bamboo viscose that’s soft on skin, and buyers say the wrap’s thick material is extra absorbent, too. Ellie added this to her registry and inspired me to pop one into my Amazon cart.

One undeniable fact that I know about babies (and kids) is that they make a mess. And as I spend more time on my daughter’s care, I’ll have less time for cleaning. So I’m hoping someone will buy me this Roomba; that way, this smart vacuum can effortlessly eliminate pet hair, discarded Goldfish crackers, and whatever other debris happens to fall onto my floors. 

Speaking of floors, babies spend a lot of time down there, so it makes sense that Ellie’s interested in this gorgeous, soft, safe, wipe-clean playmat. It’s made of EVA foam, which is super cushioning. Buyers say that it’s durable, truly as easy to clean as advertised, and looks surprisingly sophisticated in a living room or other non-nursery space.

My baby niece influenced me to add this pack of teething tubes to my registry. They’re affordable silicone straw toys with bump and stripe textures that guarantee a fun sensory experience. They’re also hollow, which makes them an easy lift for young babies. Plus, they’re food-grade silicone, which means they’re perfectly safe for gnawing. 

I love a strong, hot cup of coffee — but something tells me that when my daughter arrives, I’ll be easily distracted and my mug of joe may go cold. If you know a new parent who loves (and needs) a caffeine boost, why not spoil them with a cup heater that ensures their morning latte stays warm, even if it’s abandoned until the afternoon? I’m a fan of its safety features, too: The self-heating mug comes with a lid and the charging coaster turns off automatically — which will be ultra helpful for forgetful parents (like future me) and curious kids. Just be sure to remind them that the coaster does have a cord, so they might want to set it on a high surface to avoid accidents around littles. 

If you haven’t been around newborns for a while (or ever), you might not be familiar with “tummy time.” No, we’re not referring to lying facedown on the couch after a long work day. We’re talking about the intervals of time newborns need to spend lying on their bellies. Another fun fact: Many babies hate this experience at first. To make this difficult task more enjoyable and fun, Itzy Ritzy developed a gorgeous and interactive play mat that features built-in toys. The added bonus of it being pleasing to an adult’s eye is one of the reasons Ellie added it to her registry. 

Giving a new baby a book or two is a pretty traditional gift, and a smart one. But when they start to add up, books can be hard to store. Ellie placed this wall shelf on her registry, which is very wise, since the books (or whatever else she places on the shelf) can double as decor.

Admittedly, a newborn won’t be able to play with blocks or dolls, but it’s never too early to think about tidying up. I put this playroom set on my list because it’ll give me the space to organize all the new incoming toys, and the chair and table set are nice bite-sized furniture pieces for her to enjoy on her terms. 

Both Ellie and I have this on our registries: It’s a portable, collapsible baby chair that clips onto a table or counter. It’s a great choice for parents whose kitchens have ample counter space, but also handy to bring along to restaurants that may not have a highchair. 

This block set has it all: 70 pieces in a variety of fun shapes and colors — enough to keep ‘em busy for even 15-20 minutes, which will feel like a lifetime in new-parent-time. Whether you manage to teach your kids to tidy up or you’re doing that yourself, the blocks can be stored in the set’s wooden box that transforms into a pull car. (Once they’re older, you can bribe them with a ride if they put all their blocks away!) Buyers say the pieces are sturdy enough to withstand rough play and that kids tend to really use their imaginations when playing with the set. It’s no wonder Ellie put this on her registry.

Ellie and I both have this pick on our registries to address a seldom acknowledged pain: The aches that develop when you kneel on a tiled floor and rest your elbows on the edge of a tub long enough to wash a human. These suctioned pads create a cushion that will save your joints and make bathtime far less agonizing. 

When someone in my life has a child, I try my best to send over a food-delivery gift card — and I would love it if someone would do the same for me. (How’s that for a subtle hint?) In decades past, it might have been routine to bring over a lasagna or casserole to new parents — and don’t get me wrong, I would still appreciate the gesture of homemade food. But I love that gift cards can be sent long-distance, and are also a bit easier to navigate if the new parents in your life have food allergies or sensitivities, or just aren’t in any condition to welcome visitors. 

New parents are understandably concerned with the safety of their children, especially when it comes to cyber security. Because even if you’re protecting kids and keeping them off social media, the potential to be hacked is still high. When it came to designing a baby monitor, Levana thought of everything. Not only does it boast a 1080P full HD screen and a night vision camera, but it’s 100% unhackable.