16 Perfect Gifts for a New Mom In Hospital (Don't Come Empty Handed!) (2024)

Gifts for new mom in hospital – what to bring when visiting a new mom in hospital.

Seeing a social media announcement or getting a call or text about a baby’s birth is so thrilling. Is there anything better than a new baby being brought into the world?

It is natural to want to celebrate the birth and give your congratulations to the new mom. One way to do that is to bring a celebratory gift to the hospital for mom baby or both! But what are the best gifts to bring a new mom in the hospital?

Let’s talk gifts for a new mom in the hospital. Why you should bring a gift, what makes a hospital gift a blessing or a burden, and some great gift ideas.

Remember that there might be visitor restrictions on visiting a new mom in the hospital. Be sure to inquire both with the hospital about restrictions as well as the new parents about their preferences for hospital visits. Some moms might appreciate a visit and gift after they are settled in at home.

If you’re not sure you’ll be able to visit in hospital, you might like to check out our other gift ideas:

• Breastfeeding Care Package for New Moms [What I Wish I’d Had for My First Baby]
• DIY Care Package for a New Mom [+ What NOT to Include]

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• Who is the gift for? Decide if you want to get a gift for mom, baby or both. If there are siblings involved, it can be fun to get a small gift for them as well.
• Are there any new needs that you can fill? Was the baby born early so there is a need for preemie sized clothing/diapers? Was the birth traumatic like an emergency c-section and mom needs some extra love and attention?
• Are there any allergies/food sensitivities? Check with the new mom or significant other before bringing any food products.
• What are the hospital restrictions for gifts? A quick call to the hospital can let you know if there are any limitations on gifts. Rubber and latex balloons are generally prohibited in hospitals because of allergies.

There are some new parents that are overjoyed to have visitors… and others who want time to adjust before receiving guests. When deciding if you should visit a new mom in the hospital here are a few things to take into consideration.

1. How was the birth? What type of birth was it? If mom and baby had a a traumatic birth, an unexpected c-section, or if the baby was born prematurely you may want to reconsider or delay your hospital visit.
2. How long will they be at the hospital? Depending on the circ*mstances surrounding the birth as well as their preferences, a new mom could be in the hospital for as few as 24 hours or as long as three to four days if she had a c-section. If a new mom is in the hospital for a very short time, you may not want to add a visit to her schedule. A mom who is there for longer might enjoy a visit to break up the monotony of hospital life.
3. What are the parents comfortable with? By far, the most important consideration is what the new parents want. Reach out to find out when or if you should visit a new mom in the hospital. Something as simple as a text saying, “Congratulations! I would love to stop by and see the baby if mom is ready for a visitor?” If they respond yes, ask what time would be best and see if there is anything that they need. If they say no, tell them you will text in a few days to follow up and see how things are going.

Be sure to ask new parents if they are comfortable with visitors and honor their wishes.

If you’ve gotten the go ahead to visit mama and baby in the hospital, now is the time to decide on the perfect gift. Here are some excellent ideas:

• New mom’s favorite sweet (or savoury) indulgence: If you already know mom’s favorite treat, bring a small basket with several of the items. Aren’t sure what she would like? Text and ask her or her significant other what snacks you could bring.

• Food (real food). Not hospital food: This will be an especially good gift if mom and baby are having an extended hospital stay. If you can time your visit around mealtime, ask what mom is craving and pick up a hot meal.

• Spill proof coffee flask – The last thing you want to do is spill a hot beverage when you are holding or nursing your baby! This spill-proof coffee mug makes a great gift for a new mom in the hospital. Want to go the extra mile? Fill it up with her favorite hot beverage!

• Handheld nightlight: Nighttime baby feedings in a hospital are ROUGH. Not only are you working with less-than-comfortable furniture, you also have to deal with bright hospital lighting. This handheld nightlight is a thoughtful gift to help new moms during night feedings at the hospital. Because it is warm-toned, it will less disruptive of both mom and baby’s nighttime sleep.

• Wireless Ear Buds: Going along with restless hospital nights, these wireless ear buds will let a new mom listen to music, an audiobook or even her favorite show. I chose ear buds with a connecting strap in the back so they are easier to keep track of.

• Pretty sleep mask: A sleep mask will help a new mom in the hospital get rest during the day. This one is made of 100% silk and comes in several charming patterns.

• A luxurious hydrating hand cream: All of the washing and sanitizing done by new moms takes a toll on their skin. A high quality hand cream (unscented might be a thoughtful option) will keep her hands moisturized and pain-free.

• A travel manicure kit: The last thing you want to do is accidentally scratch your newborn…but nail clippers aren’t necessarily something you remember to pack in your hospital bag. A travel manicure kit is a great gift idea for a new mom in the hospital.

• Flowers: Flowers are definitely a classic hospital gift for a new mom. They will brighten up the hospital room, but one drawback is that they have to be carried out when the family heads home. Go for a smaller bouquet and/or encourage them to leave the flowers if needed.

• Pretty Robe that is nursing friendly: Not only will this colorful robe help a new mom feel refreshed, it is also a gift that she can use for years to come! I recommend sizing up as well as washing the robe before bringing it to the hospital.

A thoughtful alternative to bringing the gifts above are great gift ideas that DON’T have to be carried. Not only will these gifts make leaving the hospital easier, but they also are useful and fun!

As a bonus, these gifts don’t need to be personally delivered. If you live far away or if visitor restrictions keep you from visiting, you can show your love from afar with these great gift ideas.

• Amazon Prime Subscription: Diapers on the doorstep in one to two days? Yes, please! Give the gift of Amazon Prime. If they already have an Amazon Prime account they can add your gift and extend their subscription OR they can exchange it for an Amazon gift card.
• Meal Kit Delivery: When you have a new baby, things like meal planning and grocery shopping seem impossible. A meal kit delivery gift would be a great way to help a new mom out. You can purchase gift cards for any of the popular Meal Kit Delivery services like HelloFresh, BlueApron or HomeChef.
• Grocery Delivery Subscription: Walmart Grocery Delivery is a lifesaver for a new mom AND would make an amazing gift that is under $100. She will be able to order groceries and have them delivered for free for an entire year.
• Kindle Unlimited: If mom is a reader, a subscription to Kindle Unlimited will give her access to over 1 million ebooks. Reading on a Kindle is the best when nursing. (You could also purchase a Kindle!)
• Audible Subscription: Audiobooks are a great way to pass quiet time with a newborn. You can gift 1 month, 3 month, 6 month or 1 year subscriptions to Audible.
• Postpartum/New Mom Subscription Box: A box full of products is such a fun surprise to look forward to each month! There are several postpartum/new mom subscription boxes that you can choose from.

What NOT To Bring as a Gift to a New Mom in Hospital

We’ve given you lots of DOs, now let’s talk DON’Ts. The last thing you want to do is add stress to a new mom’s life with a gift that makes her hospital stay harder. Here are three things you should not bring as a gift to a new mom in a hospital.

1. Anything large: Sure, those giant stuffed teddy bears are adorable but please don’t bring anything large to the hospital. Even a (very helpful) box of diapers will be difficult to get to the car. If you have a large gift you can’t pass up, show the parents and then offer to drop it off at their house.
2. Fragile Items: They are hard to carry out and make it difficult for hospital employees to to do their jobs. Save fragile items like ceramic keepsakes for when you can visit her at home.
3. Clothing for mom: With the exception with the oversized robe above, clothing for a new mom should be avoided. It takes a long time to get to your pre-pregnancy weight and even then it is natural that your body isn’t shaped quite the same. Don’t make the mistake of touching on a sensitive subject with clothes gift for mom that may or may not fit her.

Overall, think about how your gift will impact the new mom in the hospital as well as how she will get it home. If it makes her hospital stay (or departure) difficult, it is not the best gift idea.

Should You Even Bring a Gift When Visiting a New Mom in Hospital?

YES!

Bringing a gift when you visit a new mom in the hospital is a lovely gesture. It shows that you are thinking about her and her baby, and will be something that she can treasure or use to make her life easier or more enjoyable.

Following the above guidelines and thoughtfully choosing a gift will make it a good experience for everyone involved.

I hope you’ve found inspiration from this list of gifts for a new mom in the hospital. Every new baby and mom deserve to be celebrated, and a visit and small gift are a wonderful way to show your love and support.

Whether you choose a gift to bring to the hospital, or something a little less typical that the parents don’t have to carry out, these gifts for a new mom in the hospital are sure to bring a smile to her face.