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If you know a new parent who is too busy shopping for themselves, you know they are too busy.

New moms and dads are some of the most generous people we know. The ones in your life need a little extra attention.

We asked the parents in the Healthline office about their favorite gifts when they became parents. When you ask your new-mom friend for a wish list, she is more likely to say diapers or onesies than the spa day she deserves.

1. Money toward a postpartum doula

A visit from a postpartum doula is a gift that can benefit the whole family.

Like a modern Mary Poppins, the doulas will give parents the chance to sleep. They can offer answers to parenting questions, a listening ear, referrals, and help with cooking and baby laundry.

An added bonus: Some doulas have special training in massage and belly binding, so parents can get these services from the comfort of their own homes.

If you need help locating a postpartum doula, you can check out the DONA International webpage or ask local medical professionals and friends for recommendations.

2. A water bottle (with reminders to drink!)

Parents are more concerned with their baby than they are with their own. Reminders to stay hydrated are more important now.

“They won’t have to worry about getting up from the couch for a cup of coffee when their baby falls asleep on them because they have a water bottle or two nearby.”

There are several options depending on your budget and style of parenting.

There are bottles with markings that indicate how much water you should have drunk by that point in the day (we like this Salú one), and options with color-changing properties (check out the Hidrate Spark 3 Smart Water Bottle, which has a free app to help track water consumption).

3. A subscription to a wine delivery service

New parents may not be hitting up bars frequently, but many look forward to a glass of wine or cocktail at home once their little one falls asleep (especially because they’ve likely taken time off from drinking during the pregnancy). Consider gifting a monthly wine subscription like Winc.

Know some new parents who don’t drink alcohol? Consider gifting them some coffee from Generous, a company giving back to children and families around the world, or a coffee machine like this upgraded Keurig that will take their morning beverage to the next level. If mom is off caffeine while breastfeeding, consider a subscription box like Mother Snacker or Mama Bird.

4. A new scarf

A new accessory can bring back glamorous feelings after a long time of wearing maternity clothing.

Scarves are a particularly useful accessory since they can hide spit up on the collar of an outfit, cover up oily hair, and even be used as a cover during breastfeeding sessions.

We love the Bebe au Lait Muslin Nursing Scarf for summertime use. The muslin makes it breathable and cooler.

For something that offers a little more coverage of a postpartum body, the Bamboobies Nursing Shawl is worth checking out.

5. A tracking device for those easily lost little things

It is easy for a new parent to misplace their car keys, wallet, and phone when they are sleepless nights and a space filled to the brim with baby gear.

With a gift like Tile, they won’t have to spend precious time frantically searching for these essentials when they’re ready to get out the door. Trust us when we say, this is a gift sure to save the day more than once.

6. Comfy loungewear

Whether your friend is on maternity leave, a stay-at- home parent, or splits their time between the office and home, they are probably not going out a lot these days.

“One new mom who works at Healthline said that if she weren’t leaving the house, she would be happy with what she wore.”

Aqautical loungewear. Cute enough to answer the door and receive casual guests in, but not too warm for snuggling in bed or on the couch while feeding the newest addition.

You don’t even need to leave the house to shop, with so many loungewear options available online. We like the Everyday Lounge Joggers by Kindred Bravely (which also pair great with many of their nursing tops!) and Vuori’s Sunday Performance Jogger.

7. Food delivery, dine in, or takeout gift certificate

It is a welcome gift for the baby throughout the first year, even if it only comes to mind in the immediate weeks after delivery.

In many cases, parents of babies in the 6- to 12-month range find themselves with more demands on their time. Those with little ones are still adjusting to a new normal. Providing a meal is a cherished gift.

One Healthline parent shared that they lived off takeout for the first 6 weeks after receiving an anuber Eats gift card.

There are so many options here. Some of our favorites.

You could give them a few meal delivery kits that come ready to eat and cook. Some to consider.

8. Noise-canceling headphones

One Healthline editor shared that noise-canceling headphones was something that was very special for her husband. He could still chill out to TV even though I was pumping.

Are you feeling generous towards a couple? When one of the new parents needs a break, buy a pair of noise-canceling headphones.

“Both parents can take turns getting some quiet time when they need it, even if they shouldn’t be wearing them at the same time.”

You’ll find a wide range of prices for noise-canceling headphones online — from the MOVSSOU E7 with its great user reviews to the Bose, considered the gold standard.

9. Hand lotion

Looking for that perfect gift for a new parent co-worker or neighbor? A luxurious hand lotion is a welcome addition to any diapering station, and one that may not occur to new parents as being a necessity.

A Healthline mom shared that her most appreciated gift was a hydrating hand lotion that was a lifesaver with continuous diaper changing and hand washing.

We like this scented vegan hand cream by Aesop and the Ultimate Strength Hand Salve from Kiehl’s.

10. A cute wallet to throw in the diaper bag

Behind every parent is a hidden diaper bag struggle that no one sees: Did we remember to put in baby wipes? Check. Extra formula? Check. Cash for lunch? Whoops.

It is important to have an extra one in the diaper bag when the wallet is left by the door or in a purse that is forgotten at home. If you want to give more, you can add some cash to the purchase and see a cute, colorful option that is easily spotted among the diaper cream and burp cloths.

Stumped about what wallet design they might enjoy? We love this peek-a-boo bright red cross body bag and this chic wristlet.

11. Hair care

Sometimes, shower time is the only “me time” new parents get. Couple that with postpartum hair struggles, and a hair care kit makes for a welcome gift.

Consider the cell therapy line from Ovation, which supports growth while also keeping locks hydrated and strong. There are even options specifically for men. For something more personalized, you can give the gift of some customized hair care products from Prose.

Looking to give a more full-service experience? Try a gift card to Dry Bar or another similar salon. “This gift was great to use when I got around to it 12 months later — after the postpartum hair loss — as a #treatyoself day,” one Healthliner shares.

12. Robotic vacuum

Pushing around a vacuum cleaner while hip-carrying your 6-month-old is hard, y’all.

Plus — no matter how much your 1-month-old might love the white noise of the vacuum — it’s a chore no new parent wants to do during cherished baby nap time. (We’ve always wondered: How do you “nap when they nap” if you have things to do?!)

Enter the Roomba (the OG) and related devices. Sure, it’s a splurge, but your mom or dad friend is worth it — and will be eternally grateful. With lower-end models costing less than $300 and still getting the job done, this start-it-and-forget-it cleaning device is just what the postpartum doctor ordered.

13. Sterilizer and dryer

This may seem like an item for baby, but in our opinion, anything that gives the adults of the household more of their time back is a win.

This wonderful multitasking machine can wash and dry almost anything baby related, including bottles, pacifiers, baby utensils, and plates.

Consider this model from trusted brand Wabi Baby.

14. Modern photo gifts

Photo gifts may seem so 2006, but there are some updates to this classic that we think are worth considering.

Not all parents have the time to make a photo album, and that is where you come in.

“Don’t get lost amongst all the social media love, stand out by giving a keepsake that keeps on giving long after the posted baby photos disappear beyond the scroll.”

Preload a digital photo frame with pictures from mom or dad’s social media accounts.

This way they can remember the precious first-year moments even in the midst of the challenges. You know, when their hands are full with sleep regressions, baby-proofing, and infant-sized discontent. (You never know when a crib-side photo may encourage a tired parent through a nighttime soothing session.)

Or, what’s more fun than having your photos on display in a coffee table magazine? Get your new parent friends a subscription to Recently, an app that does just that. They’ll have a gorgeous magazine (monthly, quarterly, or whenever they choose) that practically creates itself.

These are great gifts for new grandparents, just like the photo gifts of the early 2000s.

15. Postpartum care kit

One Healthliner says that this is her go-to gift for new moms.

Buy a cute basket or cloth bag and fill to the brim with witch hazel pads, nipple cream, good lotion, under-eye gel pads, ear plugs, and a nice sitz bath solution.

“If mama doesn’t have a chance to enjoy it, what is a sitz bath solution? Offer to watch baby for a while.”

“Some brands have pre-curated options for you to pick out your own kit if you don’t have the time or energy.”

Honest Co.’s Beyond the Bump Kit and Frida mom’s Postpartum Recovery Essentials Kit are two popular options. You can even customize your gift to your friend’s particular birth experience with a specific C-section recovery kit!

And speaking of postpartum wellness, did you know that dads can get postpartum depression, too? Show them they’re not forgotten during this challenging time.

Fill a kit with shaving products, facial masks, and loungewear. We love the Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask from Kiehl’s and the Art of Shaving Midsize Kit. Looking for a steal? These Harry’s gift sets are real crowd-pleasers.

16. A new outfit

Clothes can be a difficult gift to give, but also one of the most personal and appreciated.

One Healthline employee said that getting so many lovely gifts for the babies was wonderful, but a dress was the one thing that was important to them. I think it is nice to receive a gift, especially clothes, as by a certain point… I think you have been wearing the same things for months.

If you find yourself struggling to make a choice at a big-box department store, try something from Pact Apparel, a clothing company committed to sustainable fashion and comfortable, organic cotton. We like their classic wrap dresses and garment-dyed Henleys.

17. A helping hand

The most thoughtful gifts are not the ones you can hold in your hand.

We had light bulbs out for months because we have no time to think about them. It seemed like our whole house was falling apart a few months after we had a baby.

Consider giving a helping hand during the holidays or special occasions when time is very precious. Some ideas.

  • Do laundry or wash dishes?
  • Bring over tools for small repairs.
  • Do a deep clean of the house.
  • The lawn needs to be mowed.

18. Guided journals

The days can feel long, but the years go by so fast that parents can be too overwhelmed to remember the good times.

Enter the guided journal. There are plenty out there, from a 5-second option to ones that hold 5 years’ worth of memories.

Or, consider Letters to My Baby, a book full of blank notes and envelopes for parents to write messages to their baby for later reading.

“One Healthline dad who received this as a gift says that having something to remind you to take time out and write down the good things is huge, especially knowing they will read it when they’re older.”

19. Essentials, delivered

The power of autopilot is never underestimated. If you show us a new parent, we will show you someone who has probably run a store for at least one middle-of-the-night store run for baby wipes, formula, or… coffee.

Using Amazon’s Subscribe & Save feature, you can gift your friend with 6 months’ worth of diapers or other essentials. “I didn’t have to think about it once,” says one Healthline mom who received this as a gift.

To do this, choose the Subscribe & Save option when adding an item to your cart (like these diapers options) and select how often you want them delivered.

20. App subscriptions

And speaking of subscriptions, what new parent wouldn’t love a sleep or meditation aid? (It’s a great time to be alive.) Apps like Calm and Aura offer sleep stories, guided meditation, daily inspo, and more.

“Consider buying a yearlong subscription for a new mom or dad in your life and giving them a peaceful night’s sleep. It might as well be dreamy if you only get a few hours at a time.”

21. Trip to the spa

This was a popular gift for Healthline parents. We all suck at being pampered ourselves, so no one should need permission to get a massage or do other self-care things.

If you want to give a new mom a dad massage, you should arrange for a babysitter and plan a day of relaxation.

There are nationwide chains, like Massage Envy, or you can support your local independently owned spa by purchasing a day package for two.

“The truth is that the new parents in your life will appreciate any kind of gesture, whether it’s a phone call or a bow.”

One Healthline mom says that sometimes the best gift is a big pan of mac and cheese and an evening of adult conversation. This becomes a cherished commodity once the newest addition arrives.

We hope these ideas will get you started, but the best gift you can give is just being there — and reminding new moms and dads that they’ve got this.