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Simple + sweet: 12 new-mama gift ideas we love

An engraved necklace, a handcrafted keepsake box, and artworkโ€”our favorite gifts for mama are the most personal.

Simple + sweet: 12 new-mama gift ideas we love

10. A delicious treat

Sometimes all you need in life is something sweet. Bonus points if it looks as amazing as it tastes!

9. A gift that might come a bit later, but will be so worth it

A special drawing of mama and baby is the perfect piece of artwork. Itโ€™s such a thoughtful way to document this exciting time.

1. A gorgeous tote bag

Perfect for her own personal things or as a chic bag for her and baby.

A photo posted by Madewell (@madewell1937) on

11. A thoughtful card

Nothing says โ€œI love youโ€ like a note that expresses how appreciative you are of all that sheโ€™s done to bring your little one into the world. Write down how much you love her and why she is so impressive.

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This truly could be the sweetest of all the gifts.

12. A birth videographer

Weโ€™re not sure surprising your partner with a camera crew while sheโ€™s about to start pushing is the best idea. But if this is something you talk about and plan together in advance, it could be a really special gift.

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8. A fancy camera

This is a great time to learn photographyโ€”what with that adorable captive subject always ready for a photo shoot. ?

3. Monogrammed jewelry

Get babyโ€™s name engraved on a necklace so she can wear it around her heart. So simple and so beautiful.

A photo posted by TinyTags (@tinytags) on

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No matter what side of the โ€œShould mothers get elaborate push presents or not?โ€ debate youโ€™re onโ€”letโ€™s be real. We probably wouldnโ€™t turn away a thoughtful gift after the extremely hard work that is labor and delivery.

We asked our Motherly mamas what they received and one said, โ€œI didnโ€™t plan on getting one, but my husband surprised me with a beautiful necklace in the recovery room about an hour after delivering!โ€?

Well played, sir. Well played.

Here are a few more gifts that will show the new mama in your life some appreciation. ?

7. A helpful kitchen appliance

New mamahood usually requires a decent amount of caffeine for survival. What better way to satisfy her new, or renewed, addiction than with a Keurig? โ˜•

Another slam-dunk appliance is a Vitamix. It makes smoothies, soups, baby food purees and much more.

6. Bundle pack for mama + baby

We are in love with this idea! The tote bag is packed with a cozy robe and socks for mama, and a matching hat and swaddle blanket for baby with a set of Freshly Picked crib moccs as well.

4. A vibrant bouquet

Nothing brightens a room (or a new mamaโ€™s face!) like a fresh bouquet of flowers. We love Farmgirl Flowers for special deliveries. ?

2. A keepsake box

What better way to store beautiful newborn photos, babyโ€™s first footprints and all those precious first memories?

A photo posted by Luke&Abby (@wayfarenco) on

5. A cute + comfortable pajama set

As a brand-new mother who will most likely spend most of her days at home for a while, this gift wonโ€™t go unappreciated. Itโ€™s nice to feel fabulousโ€”even if sheโ€™s just in pjโ€™s.

A photo posted by @jijamas on

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5 toddler products our editors canโ€™t live without (that wonโ€™t break the bank)

Growing kids, growing needs.

There is rightfully a lot of emphasis on preparing for the arrival of a new baby. The clothes! The nursery furniture! The gear! But, the thing about a baby registry is, well, your kids will keep on growing. Before you know it, they'll have new needsโ€”and you'll probably have to foot the bill for the products yourself.

Thankfully, you don't have to break the bank when shopping for toddler products. Here are our favorite high-quality, budget-friendly finds to help with everything from meal time to bath time for the toddler set.

Comforts Fruit Crisps Variety Pack

Comforts fruit snacks

If there is one thing to know about toddlers, it is this: They love snacks. Keeping a variety on hand is easy when the pack already comes that way! Plus, we sure do appreciate that freeze-dried fruit is a healthier alternative to fruit snacks.

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Comforts Electrolyte Drink

Comforts electrolyte drink

Between running (or toddling!) around all day and potentially developing a pickier palate, many toddlers can use a bit of extra help with replenishing their electrolytesโ€”especially after they've experienced a tummy bug. We suggest keeping an electrolyte drink on hand.

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Comforts Training Pants

Comforts training pants

When the time comes to start potty training, it sure helps to have some training pants on hand. If they didn't make it to the potty in time, these can help them learn their body's cues.

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Comforts Nite Pants

comforts nite pants

Even when your toddler gets the hang of using the toilet during the day, nighttime training typically takes several months longer than day-time training. In the meantime, nite pants will still help them feel like the growing, big kid they are.

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Comforts Baby Lotion

comforts baby lotion

Running, jumping, playing in sand, splashing in waterโ€”the daily life of a toddler can definitely irritate their skin! Help put a protective barrier between their delicate skin and the things they come into contact with every day with nourishing lotion.

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Another great tip? Shopping the Comforts line on Comfortsforbaby.com to find premium baby products for a fraction of competitors' pricesโ€”and follow along on social media to see product releases and news at @comfortsforbaby.

This article was sponsored by The Kroger Co. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Motherly and mamas.

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This is my one trick to get baby to sleep (and it always works!)

There's a reason why every mom tells you to buy a sound machine.

So in my defense, I grew up in Florida. As a child of the sunshine state, I knew I had to check for gators before sitting on the toilet, that cockroaches didn't just scurry, they actually flew, and at that point, the most popular and only sound machine I had ever heard of was the Miami Sound Machine.

I was raised on the notion that the rhythm was going to get me, not lull me into a peaceful slumber. Who knew?!

Well evidently science and, probably, Gloria Estefan knew, but I digress.

When my son was born, I just assumed the kid would know how to sleep. When I'm tired that's what I do, so why wouldn't this smaller more easily exhausted version of me not work the same way? Well, the simple and cinematic answer is, he is not in Kansas anymore.

Being in utero is like being in a warm, soothing and squishy spa. It's cozy, it's secure, it comes with its own soundtrack. Then one day the spa is gone. The space is bigger, brighter and the constant stream of music has come to an abrupt end. Your baby just needs a little time to acclimate and a little assist from continuous sound support.

My son, like most babies, was a restless and active sleeper. It didn't take much to jolt him from a sound sleep to crying like a banshee. I once microwaved a piece of pizza, and you would have thought I let 50 Rockettes into his room to perform a kick line.

I was literally walking on eggshells, tiptoeing around the house, watching the television with the closed caption on.

Like adults, babies have an internal clock. Unlike adults, babies haven't harnessed the ability to hit the snooze button on that internal clock. Lucky for babies they have a great Mama to hit the snooze button for them.

Enter the beloved by allโ€”sound machines.

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10 positive parenting phrases to stay calm when you're on the verge, mama

3. "I can't win her heart by force."

My 3-year-old is eating peanut butter toast with banana for breakfast (his request), and we are officially running late for preschool. We need to get in the car soon if we want to miss the morning traffic, but he has decided that he no longer wants the food that he begged for two minutes earlier. What started off as a relatively calm breakfast has turned into a battle of wills.

"You're going to be hungry," I say, realizing immediately that he could care less. I can feel my frustration rising, and even though I'm trying to stay calm, I'm getting snappy and irritable. In hindsight, I can see so many opportunities that fell through the cracks to salvage this morning, but at the momentโ€ฆ there was nothing.

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