This blog was updated in January 2024

What is the definition of postpartum [post·par·tum]? It's the immediate period following childbirth, with no official deadline post-birth. The word comes from the Latin phrase postpartum "after childbirth," from post "after" + partum, "act of giving birth, childbirth," from "to give birth to, bring into being."

Can we pause there for just a moment? Bring into being. Isn't this phrase beautiful? How does this phrase make you feel?

"It feels like we're bringing both the baby and the new mother into being. Both people are unknown. Our prior selves have forever changed, and our physical bodies are different. It's a new beginning for both. How beautiful is this?" says Sarah Hollingsworth, Founder of Poppylist.

What’s even more beautiful is that women are beginning to see the range of choices they have during pregnancy and birth, but the journey isn’t over when the baby arrives. It’s our responsibility as two predominant companies in the parenting and baby industry to keep having this discussion for birthing people everywhere. By bringing our attention back to the importance of the postpartum period, bringing this back into being for new mothers, we can help create a safe, accepted, and celebrated space for this critical recovery period.

“Newborns need care, but so do new mamas. Becoming a mother is always a transformative experience—whether it's your first or fourth child. While we tend to shower the bundle of joy with tender loving care, it's easy to overlook the parent's needs during what can be a very humbling and challenging transition. Providing support and encouragement—even if it's offering to watch their newborn so they can take a nap or hot shower alone—makes all the difference in the world,” says Stefania Sainato, the VP of Content + Community at Cradlewise.

Sarah and Stefania speak with moms daily, and they’ve compiled a list of the top 10 postpartum gifts that you can send to new mothers to aid and celebrate their fourth-trimester recovery.

Best Gift for Fourth Trimester Wellness: Build or purchase a custom self-care basket

She may not need more baby items, but that doesn’t mean you can’t shower her with self-care essentials. Build a custom gift basket full of things just for mom. Here are some suggestions to get you started: Audible gift card, skincare products, chocolate bars, athleisure clothing gift card, bath salts, mushroom coffee/hot cacao, new water bottle, etc. The trick is to think about her hobbies and what she loved before the baby (e.g., reading = audible gift card, health + wellness = hot mushroom cacao). Don’t have time to build your own? Consider creating a custom box from one of these beloved Poppylist and Cradlewise recommended companies:

• It's Bodily is a resource for women's bodies and health, and we love their mission and gift sets. Our favorites gifts from It's Bodily for new moms are The Sleep Bundle and the Lactation Latte 2-Pack
• Shop Box Fox offers Ready-to-Ship boxes, perfect for the new parent. Our favorites are: New Mom and the Heal Box

Best Gift for Breastfeeding Support: My Breast Friend Nursing Pillow

Send her the gift of the new breast friend she didn’t know she needed, the original nursing posture pillow with a washable, organic cotton slipcover in cream, here.

"The My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow was a godsend with both of my children. Firmer than other breastfeeding pillows, the wraparound design helps to support your back and prevents your little one from sliding between your stomach and the pillow. I used the side pocket to stash a water bottle or snacks for nourishment,” Stefania says.

The Best Gift for Ultimate Comfort: Barefoot Dreams Robe

‍Comfort essentials like robes and cozy socks are a must during the postpartum period. Opt for a two-for-one set for maximum longevity long after their hospital stay is over. Made from buttery-soft fabric and featuring pretty lace detailing, this Robe is a standout. For something truly splurge-worthy, consider the HATCH-to-Hospital Kit. It’s filled with little maternity luxuries, including a nightgown, robe, and undies—all made of organic bamboo —and socks made in Italy.

Best Gift for Better Sleep: Cradlewise All-in-One Smart Crib

Cradlewise is the crib we wish we would have had when we first became parents. Comprising a smart bassinet, mini crib, integrated baby monitor, and white noise machine, it’s the ultimate all-in-one solution for helping families get better sleep. When the baby stirs, it automatically responds with gentle motion and white noise, creating a soothing environment in which they can continue to sleep. In turn, this ensures the baby and parents both get higher-quality ZZZ's. It also aids in mama’s recovery, so she doesn’t have to physically overexert herself by taking her baby in and out of the crib ten times a night and manually rocking them until they fall asleep.

Pamela Marie Hobby shares her experience using Cradlewise with her son, Buster. "From day one, you realize the design will move and shift with whatever you might be going through as a new parent. As a first-time mom, the crib gave me this peace of mind in thinking I had an extra set of hands,” Pamela says. Read more about her postpartum journey.

And once those hazy newborn days have passed, parents can rest easy knowing that Cradlewise is still there to support them as their child grows until they reach their second birthday.

Best Gift for Reducing her Mental Load: Offer to do chores or run errands (or pay for similar service):

Some of the most helpful acts of service have nothing to do with holding babies or making food. Instead, they look like laundry, doing dishes, or running errands. These tasks add to the invisible load of motherhood, weighing on a new mom’s mind until she’s up vacuuming the house instead of napping. Take some of that load off by either doing one of the chores, hiring someone else to (think house cleaners), or asking “What can I get you on my next Target/grocery run.”

Best Overall Gift for Postpartum: Earth Mama Organics Postpartum Collection Kit

Self-care is of the essence (and not always attainable) in the postpartum period, so bring it directly to her bathroom with the gift of this Postpartum Collection Kit curated by Earth Mama Organics. Earth Mama has been caring for moms for nearly two decades, so if anyone can take the guesswork out of which products and solutions best help a mom heal in the fourth trimester, it's Earth Mama.

‍Best Gift for Nourishing the New Mom: Send Dinner with Spoonful of Comfort

‍Taking care of an infant while preparing healthy food can feel impossible. Make it easy by dropping off (I mean drop-off, leave food at the door) and nourishing the whole family. In the early postpartum period, foods high in protein and healthy fats are ideal (e.g., soups/stews made with bone broth, casseroles with high-quality animal protein, easy grab-and-go snacks like oat/date rolls, etc.) If you don’t have the time to cook, you can order delivery for them or send a food delivery gift card.

Another option we love is the incredibly thoughtful New Parent Care Package from the aptly named Spoonful of Comfort. It comes with nourishing soup (choose from chicken noodle, tomato basil, chicken and wild rice, broccoli cheddar, and more), plus a half dozen rolls and cookies (after all, what postpartum meal would be complete without carbs?).

“I’ll never forget the feeling of opening this care package gifted to me by my old coworkers. It had been a long and emotionally exhausting day visiting my newborn daughter in the hospital NICU. I immediately burst into tears when I saw dinner had been taken care of,” Stefania says.

Plus, here are some great snack options to send via Amazon:

• CHOMPS Grass Fed Beef Jerky Sticks
• CLIF BARS, Mini Energy Snack Bars, Variety Pack
• RIND Snacks, Dried Fruit, Variety Pack
• Nature’s Garden, Organic Trail Mix, Pack of 24
• Hu Hunks, Chocolate Covered Cashews & Almonds‍

Best Gift for Eliminating Germs: Touchland Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Mist

It's a simple gift, but one the new mom might forget about: Hand Sanitizer. Countless visitors will come over to meet the new baby, and if they're going to hold and touch the little one, we want them to have clean hands. Insert Touchland. This hand sanitizer comes in 12 scents with a fast-evaporating, naturally moisturizing & sanitizing formula that keeps your hands soft, clean, and smelling great. With constant guests coming to the house, endless diaper changes, and wiping spit up, the least we can do s prioritize our hand hygiene— the easiest way to stay healthy and keep babies safe. Bonus: this hand sanitizer will fit into any diaper bag perfectly.

Best Gift for Buying What's Left on the Baby Registry: REBELSTORK Gift Card

REBELSTORK is the first North American Baby Gear Marketplace created for a new generation of socially and fiscally responsible parents. REBELSTORK drops top deals on open box, overstock, and used baby gear daily. New parents can use this gift card to purchase any remaining item on their baby registry. In addition, parents will identify something new they didn't know they needed once their baby arrives, and this gift card will help ensure mom and dad can purchase exactly what they need at a fraction of the cost. The quality and brands REBELSTORK carries are unmatched, and we guarantee the new parent in your life will be thankful for you and this thoughtful gift card.

Best Gift for Hydration: Stanley 40oz Quencher Water Bottle

According to Amber Frauenholtz, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, new mothers producing breast milk should drink half their body weight *per day* in water? This is one reason we love the cult-favorite Stanley Water Bottle. They're double-walled and vacuum insulated, which keeps your favorite beverage hot or cold for hours. Perfect for hydration on the go or while you're pumping/nursing. You can buy her more than one to keep in multiple rooms! Not to mention, they're chic looking, too

Looking for other water bottle ideas? Here are the Top 5 water bottles our breastfeeding moms loves.

To expecting moms everywhere, we hope you feel empowered to share this list with your community. We wish you a supportive, transformative, and healing fourth trimester.