11 Unique (and actually useful!) Gifts - A Gift-Giving Guide for New & Expecting Parents

If you’ve got someone on your gift list who is pregnant or newly postpartum, you have an opportunity to give them gifts that will make their lives easier, and make you an epic gift-giver.

No one needs more receiving blankets, burp rags, and baby clothes… unless these are handmade or family heirlooms, the gift receiver probably won’t even remember who gave it to them.

If you want to give a gift they will remember, you need to think outside the box!

Housekeeping Services / Laundry Service

When I asked around about the best gifts a new parent can get, this is one of the top answers. “I would have loved someone hired - not family - to come give my house a quick clean,” said Kaelyn.

And she’s not alone! Whether you are wanting a last clean before bringing baby home, or a quick clean when buried in Newborn-Land, housekeeping is something you just don’t want to have to worry about.

Laundry services are also super helpful when you have your hands full with a newborn… and all of their itty bitty pieces of clothing. These services pick up your dirty laundry in a laundry bag on your doorstep, wash according to your specifications, fold, and return it usually the next day.

Housekeeping average cost: $100-$180

Laundry Service average cost: $1-2/per lb of clean, dried laundry

Dog Walking / Doggie Daycare Services

If the new or expecting parents have a dog (especially a young one!), they’d paws-itively love having a dog walker or doggie daycare. It’s a big change when a family welcomes a new baby, and pets feel it too! Gifting parents these services will help alleviate wild pup energy in the house and allow the pet to have a good time outside of their home.

Cost: Dog walking: $10+

Dog daycares: $30+

Doula Services - Birth or Postpartum

If you are looking to contribute to a unique gift, consider asking the receiver if they are thinking about birth or postpartum doula services! Doula services would be a large ticket item for one person, but if you split the fee across a friend group, this would be THE best gift to give an expecting parent!

Doula services are particularly awesome idea for someone who is having their second, third, etc. child, because they typically don’t have baby showers, don’t need baby items, but people still want to contribute something to welcome this baby.

You’ll want the be sure the parents:

A. want they services and

B. have chosen a doula. (hiring a doula is a personal decisions… don’t find a doula for them!)

But with enough forethought, this could be a life-changing gift for new parents or parents-to-be. And one we highly recommend!

Cost: $700+

Childbirth Education and Other Classes

Along the same line as hiring a doula, parents can HUGELY benefit from being gifted prenatal classes. The gift of knowledge is priceless! If this is something you’re interested in offering to the gift receiver, ask them if they’ve considered any particular childbirth / parenting / breastfeeding. There are so many different philosophies of birth and parenting, and they may have one they’ve been gravitating toward.

Cost: classes can range anywhere between $20 to hundreds of dollars, so they’d make great group gifts as well!

Placenta Encapsulation

If your friend or family member has talked about getting their placenta encapsulated after birth, gifting them this service would be an amazing way to contribute to their postpartum healing.

Cost: $200+

Meals or Meal Delivery Service

If you’re a good cook, preparing a meal for your newly postpartum friends/family is a wonderful way to show you care. It is tough to get full, homecooked meals prepared after baby is born. You can also consider freezing meals ahead of time, and helping them stock their freezer for when the baby is born. Make sure you think about food allergies!

Meal delivery services, like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Food Dudes is another way to offer meals without actually having to cook or deliver the meals. Parents can order from their favorite restaurants and have food show up when they want it.

If you don’t love to cook, but want home cooked meals, consider local chefs, (like Chef Ellen or Dinner Birdie in Sioux Falls). This option allows for home cooked quality meals, and none of the work.

Cost: $15+

Gift Cards from Well-Respected Stores

Sometimes parents have no idea what they’ll want or need until baby is here. In this case, gift cards work wonders. We love Elegant Mommy in Sioux Falls, SD for all things pregnancy/postpartum/newborn/toddler! They have items for mom, sleep, teething, feeding, babywearing, cloth diapers, and toys. This shop is a small business and locally owned… and they ship free for $75+! We’re sure the receiver of this gift card will consider Elegant Mommy a reputable source for parenting products.

Cost: any amount you’d like!

Ember Mug

Okay… the Ember Mug one is new to me, but a Facebook friend recommended this, and after looking it up online I have to agree this may be the perfect gift for new parents!

This cup is programmable so that it keeps your coffee or tea at a certain temperature for up to an hour and a half. No more microwaved cups of coffee (which you then promptly forget in the microwave), or chugging cold tea.

Cost: $130+

A waterproof baby carrier

A friend and fellow birth worker said, “One of my favorite categories is water-specific items, like a water-safe baby carrier, which can be used at home in the shower any day of the week, or at the pool/beach/swimming lessons.”

I have to agree, this is a fantastic idea, especially if there are older siblings. Pool days are made much better when you’re not trying to hang on to a wiggly, slippery baby.

Cost: $25+

Beachfront Baby Ring Sling Carrier - $64.99

Postpartum healing package

This is one I’ve personally gifted a friend who lived out of state. Amazon makes this type of gift very simple! Things like belly butters, postpartum bath soaks, stretch mark creams, the and teas all make great additions to helping mom heal after birth.

Or if you’d prefer to send a curated gift, I love Frida Mom Postpartum Recovery Essentials Kit, or Marnie’s Naturals Before Baby Arrives gift set for naturally minded parents.

Cost: $40+

Gifts from experienced parents

“The little things that other moms knew about that I didn’t…” is what Jessica said when I asked about best gifts. Jessica mentioned Tubby Todd bath items, Boogie Mist, and the Nose Frida. Alesia added “Baby proofing items!” with these safety latches. I’d add Oogiebear Nose Cleaner, this nail trimmer, and the Haakaa as a 4 time mom and postpartum doula!

Kristie added, “Most helpful was gifts for when baby was sick (Tylenol, Ibuprofen, gas drops, tummy warmer, humidifier, and saline spray). These are things you don’t think of until baby actually gets sick, but you don’t want to run to the store.”

Cost: $10+

What unique gifts have you given or received that made a big impact on new or expecting parents? We’d love to hear!

Ten Reasons You Should Hire a Postpartum Doula

10. Our culture has got it all wrong.

In other cultures, there are rituals of healing nourishment, body care, special diets, and honor.

Where other cultures nurture their mothers for a period of time, the US kicks us in the ice pack and tells us to get back to life.

Is this healthy? Our maternal mental health issues, mortality rates, and dismal breastfeeding rates speak for themselves.

While you might not hire a postpartum doula for ‘round the clock care for 40 days, you can find a lot of the same nurturing in your time with them. While everyone else is looking at the baby and ready to return to life as they knew it, your postpartum doula knows that you are in a window of time known as the 4th trimester, and we honor that time. A postpartum doula allows you to slow down, rest, and heal.

9. It’s a no-judgement zone.

Postpartum doulas are judgement-free. We realize the only opinion that matters in parenting your family is yours.

We don’t care when your mom introduced solids. We don’t care that your sister found great luck with a specific bassinet. Those were their journeys, and you’re on yours. We are here to walk with you in those early parenting days, providing resources when requested, but honoring your decisions as parents. We are good at listening with curiosity and not judgement.

8. Your space will feel less chaotic.

A postpartum doula is just naturally the make-themselves-at-home type to tidy, wash dishes, put away toddler toys, all while spending time with you. When your doula is gone, and you’re world is confined to “wherever is coziest to feed the baby”, you’ll notice how much more relaxed you feel when that space is tidy.

7. We know what “normal” looks like.

And just as importantly, we notice what looks “off”. So if you’re looking for reassurance or a second-eye on something, doulas are the type you want around!

6. We can answer questions you might never ask anyone else.

If you’ve not been in the postpartum period, you might have no idea what type of questions would crop up that you might feel uncomfortable asking friends or even your provider at the six week check up. But your doula is fair game for all of that. I often tell my birth and postpartum clients, there is no such thing as TMI in this field. I’ve seen a lot, I’ve heard a lot, and my only request is that I get a heads-up if you’re going to send me a questionable picture over text so that I’m not startled :).

A lot of time, people who’ve just had a baby aren’t sure about all the things their bodies or doing, or what to expect down the road. A doula can clear up a lot of that (without all the scary Googling).

5. You’ll have evidence-based information at your finger tips.

Speaking of Googling, doulas are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the postpartum period and newborn care. Seriously, just stay off of Google and ask an expert! If we don’t know the answer, we will put in the effort to do the research for you.

4. Two words: Overnight doulas.

Did you know that there are doulas who actually LOVE providing overnight care? Imagine… you’re winding down for the night, baby is fast asleep (for now), and your doula quietly comes in, looks at the list of things that could get done. When you wake in the morning, you’re fully rested, and your house is tidy, laundry is folded, coffee is ready, and kitchen is sparkling. (If this sounds like heaven, then you’ve got to talk to Ashlyn).

3. You need to meet your basic needs.

There’s no other time in your life where just finding the space and time to eat, shower, and sleep is this difficult. Your doula can care for baby and older children so you’re able to do jump in the shower or take a nap. A doula can prepare a meal, order groceries, cut up fruits and veggies, and all of the other things that come with nourishing yourself and your family. Our goal is to make sure that these important parts of the 4th trimester are happening.

2. Your partner will thank you.

Partners love doulas. They often have to return to work sooner than they’d like, so knowing someone will be there nurturing the family in their absence takes weight off their mind. They also appreciate the knowledge that a doula brings.

Partners are the ones who are tasked to notice if the birthing person is dealing with any postpartum mood issues, and they appreciate having a second set of eyes on their loved one.

1. You deserve it.

Everyone deserves to be nurtured and cared for in their postpartum period. Some people are lucky to have a friend or family member who can be everything they need in that time…. But even if we do have the best support system, we feel guilty asking more of those individuals than is offered.

A postpartum doula provides a service you’ve invested in, a non-judgmental ear, and an evidence-based background of knowledge you can depend on.

Renee is co-owner of Transitions: Doula & Life Services in Sioux Falls, SD. Renee’s goal is that every person has their very best birth and postpartum. Renee helps birthing persons and their partners accomplish this goal by connecting them with Transitions Doulas who provide loving physical and emotional support throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond. In addition to running the agency, Renee also provides postpartum doula support, lactation support, and childbirth education.