Mother’s Day gift guide: Practical, useful gifts for new moms
When it comes to parents, their children come first. This is something I saw firsthand when two of my friends became first-time moms last September, having given birth just days apart. What followed for them were many sleepless nights, countless diaper changes and feedings, and the myriad of adjustments and challenges that come with taking care of a newborn.
Despite how difficult things could get, my mom friends soldiered on day in and day out, good days and off days.
My friends are two of the many new moms who’ll be celebrating Mother’s Day this May 10. On this day, there will be a lot of flowers and gifts for moms all over the country—sentimental ones that celebrate motherhood and show gratitude.
But for those who want to take the practical approach, especially for those looking to give something to new moms, why not give them gifts that can lighten the load, offer comfort, or make daily routines a little easier?
These are some practical, useful gift ideas for new moms that you can give this Mother’s Day.
Breastfeeding essentials
Breastfeeding is an integral part of motherhood, but what many don’t realize is that the whole process can be messy and even painful for moms. To help make the experience easier for a new mom, consider gifting some breastfeeding must-haves.
The Baby Moby Breastfeeding Set (P1,400) contains multiple essential items that new moms will need during feeding. Each set contains disposable breastpads, two different sizes of breast milk storage bags, dry wipes, and water wipes, which can help make breastfeeding and even pumping breast milk a less messy experience.
Another breastfeeding essential that can be a great gift for new moms is the Mama’s Choice Intensive Nipple Cream (P379). Breastfeeding can cause dryness, soreness, and even some cracking, so having a nipple cream on hand can help alleviate all these effects by moisturizing the skin.
Lactation drinks and snacks
Ideally, children should be able to breastfeed until two years of age, but this is a harder reality to achieve for some moms, especially those who struggle to produce breast milk.
Different factors can contribute to a decline in the production of breast milk, including fatigue, stress, and eating or drinking too little. To ramp up their milk production, many moms turn to lactation drinks and snacks for help.
This Mother’s Day, consider giving the DC Delights lactation cookies (P850) to the new moms and even long-time breastfeeding moms in your life. Each cookie is packed with ingredients known for boosting the production of breast milk, such as oats, flaxseed, wheat germ, and brewer’s yeast. Flaxseed, in particular, contains a high concentration of lignans, which support lactation hormones.
Lactation drinks are also available in the market, and an example is Mama Blends 8 in 1 Coffee Drink Mix (P148 via Lazada). This drink mix contains ingredients known for boosting breast milk production, including fennel, malunggay, silymarin, kale, and fiber.
Alcohol-free sanitizer
New moms need to keep their hands clean at all times, which makes having a sanitizer very handy. However, babies have sensitive skin, and contact with alcohol-based sanitizers may cause irritation or even allergic reactions.
Luckily, there are alcohol-free sanitizers available in the market, such as the Full Circle Alcohol-free Sanitizer (P375). This alcohol-free sanitizer uses organic salts instead of dyes, fragrances, and parabens, making it safe to use.
Gift certificate for a postnatal or lactation massage
Being a new mom can become overwhelming very quickly, and it’s important for new moms to take care of themselves, too, by taking a breather every now and then. One thoughtful way to encourage much-needed rest and recovery this Mother’s Day is by gifting a gift certificate for a postnatal or lactation massage.
Postnatal massages help relieve muscle tension and soreness, reduce swelling, and lower stress levels. Lactation massages, on the other hand, help encourage milk flow, reduce breast tenderness, and improve comfort for moms.
Payapa Wellness & Spa, which has locations in Makati, Parañaque, and Quezon City, offers the Pregnant/New Mom Gift Certificate (P1,485). The holder of the gift certificate can choose between a 90-minute postnatal massage or a lactation massage. It’s also a good gift idea for soon-to-be moms, as it can also be used to avail of a prenatal massage.
Meal plan subscription
When you have a baby without a regular sleep schedule and who has to be fed and cleaned every so often, the opportunity to do other household chores tends to fly out the window. Meal times, in particular, can be particularly difficult. Groceries have to be bought. Food needs to be cooked. Dishes have to be washed.
That’s why a meal plan subscription makes for a practical Mother’s Day gift for a new mom. Not only does it take one major task off the many things to do, but many meal plan subscriptions also offer healthy options, so she gets to have the right nourishment.
For example, Dear Diet offers a wide range of meal plans to choose from, including the Balanced Diet Meal Plan (P650/day), High-Protein Diet Meal Plan (P810/day), and the Low Carb Diet Meal Plan (P730/day). The menu changes every week, so subscribers get to enjoy variety with every meal.
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