Best Mother's Day gifts for new moms

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Every mother figure experiences a unique motherhood as a parent, and its ups and downs all begin revolving around new moms adjusting to life with a child (or several). Free time might be what many new moms want most, and perhaps it’s possible for you to gift that as it applies to the mother figure in your life. Otherwise, there are plenty of thoughtful Mother’s Day gifts that can show them how much you care for them as they navigate new challenges.

However, according to Sue Groner, parenting expert and author of “Parenting with Sanity and Joy: 101 Simple Strategies,” it’s easy to get the wrong thing because “retailers are sending the messages out to partners and kids,” she told us, going on to say that “no one ever asks mom what she wants.” To help you find something the new moms in your life will appreciate, we rounded up this list with our readers in mind, which includes some of our favorite products and other highly-rated gift ideas.

Related: Whether she loves making baked potatoes or watching movies, we picked some of the best Mother’s Day gift ideas for a variety of interests.

Best Mother’s Day gift ideas for first-time moms

We compiled some of our favorite gifts below, based on Select reader interest and previous expert guidance, as well as some top picks from our shopping guides.

Potter Gift Q&A a Day for Moms: A 5-Year Journal

The thing about motherhood that moms quickly learn is that the days are long but the years are short, which means it’s easy to forget priceless moments. This Q&A journal helps moms preserve these priceless snippets in time with daily prompted questions over the course of five years. It only takes a few minutes while unwinding at night to respond to each of the prompts, which quickly turn into a collection of moments that captures what life as a new mom was really like. It has an average rating of 4.7 stars from over 1,900 reviews on Amazon.

Potter Gift Q&A a Day for Moms: A 5-Year Journal

Potter Gift Q&A a Day for Moms: A 5-Year Journal (Walmart / Walmart)
Potter Gift Q&A a Day for Moms: A 5-Year Journal (Walmart / Walmart)
  • Potter Gift Q&A a Day for Moms: A 5-Year Journal $10.24 at Walmart

  • Potter Gift Q&A a Day for Moms: A 5-Year Journal $10.24 at Amazon

ROYAL CRAFT WOOD Luxury Bathtub Caddy Tray

A moment to rest may be just what a new mom needs as she embarks on this new journey, and a relaxing bath setup might do the trick. This bathtub caddy should be able to hold anything from a book and phone to flowers and candles. The brand says this adjustable tray has silicone grips to prevent slipping and a waterproof coating. It also comes in seven different colors, and has an average rating of 4.7 stars from over 22,000 Amazon reviews.

ROYAL CRAFT WOOD Luxury Bathtub Caddy Tray

ROYAL CRAFT WOOD Luxury Bathtub Caddy Tray ('Multiple' Murder Victims Found in Calif. Home / 'Multiple' Murder Victims Found in Calif. Home)
ROYAL CRAFT WOOD Luxury Bathtub Caddy Tray ('Multiple' Murder Victims Found in Calif. Home / 'Multiple' Murder Victims Found in Calif. Home)
  • ROYAL CRAFT WOOD Luxury Bathtub Caddy Tray $54.97 at Wayfair

  • ROYAL CRAFT WOOD Luxury Bathtub Caddy Tray $49.97 at Amazon

Vmini Water Bottle with Straw

Whether she needs to drink more fluids while breastfeeding or is simply trying to stay hydrated while running around, this insulated stainless steel 40-ounce water bottle can help with her water goals. Available in both gradient and solid colors, this reusable bottle is BPA-free, sweat-proof and will keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours or hot for up to eight hours, the brand says. Not only is it leak-proof, according to Vmini, but it also has a straw cap that keeps germy hands off of where you’re sipping. It has an average rating of 4.7 stars from over 27,000 Amazon reviews.

Vmini Water Bottle with Straw

Vmini Water Bottle with Straw $22.99 at Amazon

Zoe Lev MAMA Necklace

She may have earned many titles over the years, but her newest is likely the one she’s most proud of: mom. This polished 14-karat gold charm necklace makes a simple yet powerful statement with spaced “MAMA” letters.

Zoe Lev MAMA Necklace

Pearlhead Clean Touch Ink Pad

With this inkpad, the new mom in your life can make a print of their baby’s hand or footprint to celebrate the beginning of their life together. The set comes with an ink pad and two cards for printing. You place the card on the ink side of the pad and then press the baby’s hand or foot into the non-ink side, making an impression on the card with no ink touching the baby’s skin, according to the brand. It comes in black, blue and pink, and has an average rating of 4.4 stars from over 23,000 Amazon reviews

Pearlhead Clean Touch Ink Pad

Pearlhead Clean Touch Ink Pad $2.99 at Amazon

Dragon Touch Digital Picture Frame

Digital picture frames can commemorate happy moments with friends and family. This touchscreen frame is one of our favorites. It has 16GB of storage (so it can store around 40,000 photos) and an HD resolution of 1280 by 800. The frame switches between portrait and landscape when flipped. To share photos, you can use the Dragon Touch app, as well as email, an SD card or USB drive.

Dragon Touch Digital Picture Frame

  • Dragon Touch Digital Picture Frame $119.00 at Amazon

  • Dragon Touch Digital Picture Frame $129.99 at Dragon Touch

Casper Hyperlite Sheets

Changes in hormones combined with warmer summer weather can make for a nightmare in the bedroom for new moms. Whether she’s always been a hot sleeper or is dealing with pregnancy or postpartum night sweats, she will likely appreciate any gift that helps improve the little sleep she gets. This breathable 100 percent Tencel Lyocell is made with a grid weave to promote airflow while sleeping and is wrinkle-resistant for low maintenance, the company says. The sheets have an average rating of 4.2 stars from over 1,000 reviews on Casper.

Casper Hyperlite Queen Sheets

Casper Hyperlite Sheets. Best Mother's Day gift ideas for first-time moms.
Casper Hyperlite Sheets. Best Mother's Day gift ideas for first-time moms.

Casper Hyperlite Queen Sheets $69.50 at Casper

Bala Bangles

Jennifer Birkhofer, NBC’s vice president for commerce — and a new mom herself — loves her Blush-colored Bala Bangles. She uses them with her Obe subscription, where she gets a 28-minute home workout that she described as quick and easy — for busy new moms like Birkhofer, convenience can be the name of the game. “They are actually fun to wear,” Birkhofer said, “instead of being embarrassing, ‘80's mom-gear.” You can wear the weighted bangles on both your ankles and wrists — Birkhofer said that they’re “easy to get on so you can quickly take them on and off depending on what workout you are doing.” Bala Bangles come in a pair — with your choice of one- or two-pound weights — and you can pick from several colors, like Charcoal, Sea and Shine.

Bala Bangles

Bala Bangles (Amazon / Amazon)
Bala Bangles (Amazon / Amazon)
  • Bala Bangles $49.00 at Amazon

  • Bala Bangles $49.00 at Athleta

  • Bala Bangles $50.00 at Bala

Baloo Living Weighted Blanket

If she’s dealing with anxiety or sleep issues, weighted blankets may help. One of our favorite weighted blankets, the Baloo Living Weighted Blanket comes in several weights ranging from 12 to 25 pounds and sizes ranging from a throw to a King-sized blanket. The blanket is made of cotton and can go in the washer and dryer, the brand says. They can also connect to a duvet cover using loops sewn into the seams of the blanket. It comes in two colors: Clay and Pebble White.

Baloo Living Weighted Blanket

Baloo Living Weighted Blanket $159.00 at Baloo

R0AM Cloud Faux Fur Slippers

Whether her feet are always cold or happen to be swollen these days, these slippers-meet-sandals might make her feel more comfortable. From the memory foam and molded footbed to the faux fur (that comes in a range of colors), the shoes should provide comfort, the brand says. Plus, with a durable sole and thick tread, busy moms starting to chase little ones can rock these sandals both indoors and out.

R0AM Cloud Faux Fur Slippers

R0AM Cloud Faux Fur Slippers $130.00 at R0AM

Apple Watch Series 7

Since this smart watch can make hands-free communication easier with the ability to call and text without needing to grab your phone, this may be a thoughtful gift for someone who is about to have (or already has!) their hands full. Plus, as Apple’s newest watch, it boasts new features like a larger display, thinner borders and a case and display with more rounded edges. It’s also dustproof — with an IP6X rating — and waterproof — its WR50 rating suggests it’s water resistant up to 50 meters. It’s also one of our top picks for fitness trackers and smart watches this year.

Apple Watch Series 7

Apple Watch Series 7 (Apple / Apple)
Apple Watch Series 7 (Apple / Apple)
  • Apple Watch Series 7 $329.00 at Best Buy

  • Apple Watch Series 7 $329.99 at Amazon

  • Apple Watch Series 7 $399.00 at Apple

Little Sleepies Bamboo Viscose Pajamas

Made of 95 percent viscose from bamboo, these pajamas are a comfortable gift option for new moms. Not only does the cooling material regulate body temperature, but it’s also hypoallergenic and antibacterial, the company says. Plus, it comes in a range of styles with matching options for newborns and babies. We also recommended the brand in our guide to baby shower gift sets.

Little Sleepies Bamboo Viscose Pajamas

Little Sleepies Bamboo Viscose Pajamas $26.00 at Little Sleepies

Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack

An upgrade to the traditional diaper bag, the Boxy Backpack has five interior pockets as well as two exterior spots for bottles. The design also includes a discrete built-in changing station as well as a magnetic closure for added convenience. The backpack comes in a range of color and print options, so it can be both stylish and functional. It has an average rating of 4.7 stars from over 200 Amazon reviews.

Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack

Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack ('Multiple' Murder Victims Found in Calif. Home / 'Multiple' Murder Victims Found in Calif. Home)
Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack ('Multiple' Murder Victims Found in Calif. Home / 'Multiple' Murder Victims Found in Calif. Home)
  • Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack $189.00 at Nordstrom

  • Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack $188.99 at Amazon

  • Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack $189.99 at Target

Uncommon Goods A Dozen Reasons I Love You Mom

Instead of a card, consider this collection of hearts that declares reasons why you (or the little love in her life) are so lucky to have her. For the handmade set of twelve wooden pieces, you can choose from 50 different messages. You can also add handwritten additions to the back or turn this into a yearly tradition that highlights memories from the last twelve months.

Uncommon Goods A Dozen Reasons I Love You Mom

Uncommon Goods A Dozen Reasons I Love You Mom $40.00 at Uncommon Goods

Sugar Plum Wine Truffle Box Assortment

Although she may not be drinking this Mother’s Day, it’s always a good time for chocolate. And whether she’s craving something sweet or a glass of champagne, this chocolate truffle set can help with both. Packaged in a wine bottle-shaped box, this 12-piece collection comes with an assortment of handmade truffles that include flavors like Rum, Irish Crème, Black Raspberry and Caramel Coffee.

Sugar Plum Wine Truffle Box Assortment

Sugar Plum Wine Truffle Box Assortment $38.00 at Sugar Plum

Mother’s Day Gifts For New and Expecting Moms in 2022

To help get the ideas flowing, Giselle May, a toddler mom and parenting writer, suggested considering a gift from one of the following categories:

  1. Personalized jewelry. “Personalized jewelry, whether these are engraved bracelets or pendants with their initials or their kid's, are gifts that are sure to warm up all moms,” she said.

  2. Something that gives them comfort. Some gifts that can ensure moms feel and stay comfortable are luxurious bathrobes, house slippers and bed linens.

  3. Something that feeds her passion. Whether the mom in your life is into gardening, crocheting or baking, you usually can’t go wrong with something that sparks joy.

  4. Something that makes her feel even more beautiful. “Our moms are already the most beautiful women in our eyes, but make sure they feel that,” May added. “Some of the best gifts you can give in line with this are a pair of dainty shoes, a dress she can wear on special occasions or a luxurious skin care package.”

Related: While Amazon hasn’t announced when the sale will take place this year, we consulted retail experts to help you land the best discounts this year.

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