Baby Clothing

Best Gifts For Expecting Moms 2024

Best Gifts For Expecting Moms 2024

If there’s anyone who deserves gifts “just because,” it’s an expecting mother. Growing a human is physically hard, plus the mental load of preparing for a new baby’s arrival, and you’ve got a recipe for a maxed-out, overwhelmed, utterly exhausted mama. The best gifts for expecting moms are heartfelt, practical or simply pamper her with the self-care items she needs right now.

When shopping for the best gifts for pregnant women, Katie Billingsley, a certified breastfeeding and lactation specialist, says to consider the individual for whom you are buying. “Is she someone who prioritizes sustainability above all or a celebrity-obsessed social media scroller who wants the latest A-list items? A great gift is personalized, shows you put in some thought and, ideally, is something she will get great, long-term use from.” When in doubt, go ahead and ask mom directly what she wants, or peruse our list for inspiration.

From prenatal skincare and meal delivery gift cards, to sneakers that don’t require bending over and the softest pajamas ever, we’ve rounded up the best gifts for expecting moms, according to moms who have been there and pregnancy pros.

Best Gifts For Expecting Moms At A Glance

  • Best Gifts Under $50: Little Words Project Bracelet, Kate McLeod Lotion Bar, Heirloom Video Book, Comrad Cozygrip Socks, Boppy Pillow, Bedside Caddy, Caden Lane Robe, Loop Engage Earplugs, Sacral Garden Ma Balance & Harmony Padsicle, Thena Sitz Bath Soak, Luma & Leaf Body Butter
  • Best Gifts Under $100: Bodily Care for Pregnancy Set, Hatch Gift Card, Babyquip Gift Card, Kizik Sneaker, Doordash Gift Card, Hitch Bottle & Cup Kit, Natalist TLC Trio, Queen Rose Pregnancy Pillow
  • Best Gifts Under $200: Cozy Earth Pajama Set, De’Longhi Nespresso VertuoPlus, Jenni Kayne Sweatpant, Ingrid + Isabel Jacket, Barefoot Dreams Throw, Paume New Parent Bundle
  • Best Gifts To Splurge On: Hatch Sunrise Alarm Clock, The Getaway Bag By No Reception Club, Crane & Canopy Scalloped Embroidered Sheets

She’s not a regular mom, she’s a cool mom. With beaded friendship bracelets all the rage right now, she’ll love this little token of your appreciation, which will serve as a daily reminder of your bond and the bond she’ll build with her new tiny BFF.


This super nourishing, plant-based body stone is the gift that keeps on giving from the pregnancy period through postpartum and beyond. It’s made from 100% natural ingredients, helping boost radiance, increase firmness, heal inflammation and reduce the appearance of stretch marks. It also doubles as a nipple cream, supports perineal massage and is safe to use on sensitive newborn skin.


Capture all those precious pregnancy moments, baby shower and gender reveals with this customizable video-playing book from Heirloom. You simply upload your videos and they do the rest, creating a keepsake memory book that plays your videos when you open the cover, which can also be personalized. Books start at $49 for 10 minutes of video and go up to $89 for an hour.


Billingsley loves these ultra-plush and stretchy compression socks to alleviate pregnancy discomfort. “Everyone swells during the third trimester and after delivery,” she says. “A great, under-the-radar gift that mom can use indefinitely are compression socks, like my favorites from Comrad, made with no-slip silicone grips.”


A supportive pregnancy pillow is a must-have for any expecting mom. Kelly Brusch, the founder of Doulas of North County, likes this Boppy one for it’s space-saving design and full body support where pregnant moms need it most. It comes with a 100% organic cotton removable cover, and the contoured design makes it versatile enough for sleeping or sitting. Once baby arrives, it doubles as the perfect breastfeeding pillow too.


For pregnant women delivering at a hospital, SoCal mom Julia recommends a bedside caddy “care package” stocked with all the essentials to make her stay more comfortable. “Types of items to include are chapstick, a travel pack of facial wipes, travel pack of tissues, a pen, small hand sanitizer, a mini brush and hair ties. All the small things you want easily in reach when you can’t get out of bed and don’t have anyone immediately available to find and hand them to you,” she says. “It also gives you a place to put your phone, hospital meal menus and the bed control remote.”


This buttery-soft and breathable bamboo maternity robe has over 3,000 rave reviews and an almost-perfect 4.9 average star rating. She can wear it at home while pregnant, in the hospital and for all those long cluster feeds once baby arrives. It features adjustable ties so it always fits and a crossover design for easy nursing access. Many moms also note how cooling it is on the skin. Pair it with the matching baby knot gown and hat set for the cute hospital pictures.


Loop Engage Earplugs

Parent coach Tiffany Spadola, M.S., loves these Loop Earplugs for any neurodivergent mom or mom-to-be who is noise-sensitive. “They reduce the background sound, such as during bath time, but you can still hear your child talking,” she says. “They can help expecting moms to be better prepared for the overstimulation that often accompanies being a new mom and also if their baby cries a lot.” 


Katie McGinley, a certified doula and founder of Post Pamper Postpartum Retreat, loves this hydrating and balancing padsicle mask, because she says it’s way easier for moms to use than making her own padsicle during the postpartum period. It’s designed to calm, cool and soothe down there. “They’re easy to use and 100% plant based with an Ayurvedic formula,” she says. Gift them to any mom-to-be for her hospital bag or to pop in the fridge at home to help with recovery.


While not sexy, a sitz bath is a self-care essential to help mom heal after birth. This highly-rated and recommended organic soak is made with nutrient rich plant-based oils to hydrate, moisturize and provide soothing relief. It’s excellent for postpartum recovery, hemorrhoids, tears and fissures—and it smells great too. So many moms swear by it, noting how quickly it worked to relieve pain and speed up healing.


This rich moisturizer from the skincare brand Luma & Leaf is perfect for soothing sensitive skin as expecting moms experience all kinds of changes, from bump and back to feet and hands. The pregnancy-safe ingredients includes shea butter and grapeseed oil, and the blend is designed to support areas of weakened skin (although it’s not recommended for use on your face). Vegan and made in the USA, it’s free from any added fragrance, although the natural ingredients do give this lotion a very faint scent that’s light and fresh.


This curated kit chock full of supplies to help her to thrive and survive in the third trimester and through labor is one of the best gifts for pregnant women. It includes research-backed and doula-recommended products, from an organic oil-based balm to soothe a growing belly and sore nipples to a luxe eye mask and roller ball massager that just might help her relax during contractions.


For your fashionable friend, treat her to a gift card from high-end maternity brand Hatch, so she can splurge on something chic to feel a little more like herself. From special-occasion dresses to everyday tees, leggings and trendy denim, there’s something for everyone at Hatch. The best part is that everything is designed to fit and flatter postpartum too—one reason this brand tops our list of the best places to shop for maternity clothes. Gift cards start at $50.


Getting comfortable as her bump gets bigger can be a challenge, but a full body pillow helps. After tested ten of the best pregnancy pillows, this one came out on top, thanks to its ability to cool and its resistance to getting lumpy. It’s available in several different colors and three different sizes. 


Take a load off the mom who loves to travel with a Babyquip gift card. She can rent all the toys and baby gear she needs, from cribs and carriers to strollers, wagons and baby baths, to make her first trip post-baby a little lighter and a whole lot less stressful. It’s also an excellent way to see if her baby likes a particular bouncer or swing at home before investing in it herself.


Kizik Madrid Eco Knit

Bending over to tie your shoes is a Herculean task the bigger your bump grows. Gift your bestie a pair of hands-free Kiziks she can slip right on and go. They’re comfortable and supportive enough for all-day wear and in a trendy design she’ll love sporting with her favorite maternity leggings or jeans. The Madrid is stretchy, breathable (no more sweaty feet) and features a sustainable knit upper made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Plus, there’s lot of fun and fashionable colors to choose from.


Almost every mom we spoke with recommended a meal delivery gift card to satisfy those pregnancy cravings or to feed the whole family in those early postpartum days when cooking is impossible. “It’s easy to send, and I’ve never heard of any mom turning down a free meal,” says McGinley. She can use at her favorite restaurant now or later. While gift cards start at $25, we recommend a minimum of $75 to account for all the fees and so she can really treat herself and her fam too.


Hydration is key for pregnant moms, and when the little one on the way she may want multiple coffee refills to get her through the day. This reusable full-size water bottle comes with a removable coffee cup and lid hidden inside, so she can carry her baby and beverages all at the same time. It’s leakproof, fits in most cupholders and is BPA-free so she can sip safely. It’s also just gorgeous.


According to reviewers, this TLC Trio is one of the best gifts for expecting moms, no matter what trimester she’s in. It includes a Nausea Relief Tea to help relieve morning sickness, a moisturizing and non-greasy belly oil and a cooling cream to soothe swollen feet and ankles. Everything is pregnancy safe and formulated with clean ingredients she can feel good putting in and on her body. “This really gave me a boost during an otherwise terrible pregnancy,” writes one mom. Another calls the tea a “lifesaver.”


MOST POPULAR

Whether she’s on bed rest or just wants to get cozy, a oh-so-soft set of bamboo rib knit pajamas is the dream. This popular set from Cozy Earth is temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking to get her through the night comfortably. As a warm sleeper myself, I’m obsessed. The button-up style makes breastfeeding a breeze once the baby is born.


De’Longhi Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee And Espresso Machine

Fill mom’s cup with a brand new automatic coffee and espresso maker so she can brew barista-worthy drinks at home without having to think. “The Nespresso comes in handy during the mornings when I wake up before any coffee shop would even be open,” says new mom Allie. “I make my coffee at home and can choose different flavors and sip on it while feeding.”


“These Jenni Kayne sweatpants were the perfect going-home outfit when it was time to leave the hospital,” says mom Nicole, who received a pair as a gift from a friend. “Very comfy but chic and elevated.” They come in a variety of colors and are frequently restocked so you can snag a pair in her size. Made of the softest French terry fabric, they feature an elastic waistband to accommodate her changing body.


Announce her new mom status in style with this trendy denim jacket she can rock during her pregnancy and beyond. It’s soft, stretchy and the perfect layering piece to pair with everything from loungewear to jeans and dresses. Buy the matching “babe” jacket for her mini to complete the look or to curate the cutest pregnancy announcement.


Barefoot Dreams Cozychic Throw

This throw blanket is super soft and fluffy says Vetted commerce editor Margaret Badore. It’s sure to elevate chill-on-the-couch sessions whether she’s newly pregnant or about to pop, and keep her and baby snug as a bug when it’s time for skin-to-skin time with the newborn. It comes in tons of beautiful neutral colors, so it looks equally at home among grownup décor as it does in the nursery.


This beautiful bundle from Paume comes with all the powerful plant-based skincare essentials to keep germs at bay during pregnancy and postpartum. It includes an antibacterial hand gel that smells amazing and actually moisturizes skin, as opposed to drying it out. There’s a refillable pump she can keep in the nursery to quickly cleanse hands after diaper changes, as well as a portable travel bottle to throw in the diaper bag for gentle but effective sanitizing on the go. A luxe Probiotic Hand Balm and Exfoliating Hand Cleanser are included to hydrate and clean hands too.


Hatch Restore 2 Sunrise Alarm Clock

She might already have a Hatch on the registry for her little one, but the Restore 2 is a game changer for mamas. This sunrise alarm clock and soothing sound machine all in one makes waking up and falling asleep easier. It has everything from bedtime stories and evening meditation to calming nature sounds and brown noise to help her relax and drift off.


Going anywhere with a new baby is hard, but No Reception Club’s hyper-organized diaper bag makes it fuss-free. It not only looks good, but the side access allows her to quickly grab what she needs all while holding a baby in the other hand. There’s a soiled-items compartment, insulated lunch bag, luggage pass through, laptop pocket and two adjustable shelves to keep toys, diapers, wipes, snacks and more organized, plus extra pockets for everything else. It’s the only bag I’ll use now as a mom of three who’s over digging through a regular backpack.


This high-quality and elegant sheet set is trimmed with an embroidered, scalloped edge. It elevates any bed, and can help moms-to-bed feel pampered even when sleep is scarce. The 400-thread-count cotton is exactly the right weight, substantial and soft without being overly heavy. Other color options include coral, lilac, porcelain green, navy blue, turquoise, white and more.


How We Chose The Best Gifts For New Moms

As a mom myself, I know which items and gifts were the most useful and treasured while I was expecting. To find out what other moms love too, I did extensive research and reporting.

I interviewed experts like Katie Billingsley, a certified breastfeeding and lactation specialist at Fourth Trimester Postnatal Retreat, and parent coach Tiffany Spadola. I also spoke with two pregnancy and postpartum professionals from Post Pamper Retreat: founder and certified doula Katie McGinley and care team lead Kelly Brusch, who is also the founder of Doulas Of North County. Finally, I surveyed many new moms about the best gifts they received while pregnant.


What Should You Buy For A Pregnant Woman?

“Expectant moms often feel guilty asking for things relating to their self-care and default to asking for baby gifts,” says McGinley. “A prenatal or postnatal massage, facial, essential oils, lactation teas, heating pads, new bedsheets, sitz baths or epsom salts are some excellent ways to show a mom you care. The truth is, babies don’t need much, and these types of gifts provide the one thing a baby needs more than anything: a cared-for-mother.”

The best gifts for pregnant women are also practical, such as a meal delivery gift card or house cleaning service to take some to-dos off her plate.


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