Which gifts for new parents are best? Shop 7 editor-approved ideas

Having a baby is a momentous occasion. And as most parents know, it’s also no easy task. New parents are often sleep-deprived, lacking time or energy to do basic tasks, such as showering or cooking.

That’s where you, their trusty friend or family member, can help. In the first few weeks post-birth, you can provide them with the support they need to make transitioning into parenthood a smoother process. If you’re unsure about how to help, we recommend shopping our curated list of the best gifts for new parents. From gift cards for ordering takeaway meals to gift sets with newborn essentials, these presents will make a big difference as they’re getting used to caring for a new baby.

Read more: Shop these editor-approved earplugs for sound sleep

Check out the best gifts for new parents

Gift cards for takeaway meals

Uber Eats eGift Card

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From $25 at Walmart

Meal kits to eliminate grocery shopping

HelloFresh Meals Gift Card

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From $75 at HelloFresh

Comfy loungewear for tired mamas

Victoria’s Secret Modal Long Pajama Set

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$69.50 at Victoria's Secret

H&M Flannel Pajamas

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$39.99 at H&M

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Our list includes some of the most important things new parents need during those first few stressful weeks.

Gift cards for takeaway meals

Uber Eats eGift Card

$25

From $25 at Walmart

Pros & Cons

• Uber Eats connects with thousands of restaurants nationwide

• Payment is automatic

• Unlike physical gifts, eGift cards don’t add clutter

• Uber Eats may not deliver to all areas

• A few reviewers mention PIN delivery can be delayed

Gifting new parents with takeaway meals is a great idea because they won’t have to worry about cooking or cleaning up the kitchen post-meal. 

With the Uber Eats eGift Card, you can spend as little as $25, so even if don’t have a massive budget, your favorite new parents can still enjoy Thai night while caring for their baby.

Additionally, eGift cards are convenient because they allow the receiver to choose exactly what they want, saving you from having to do any guesswork.

Meal kits to eliminate grocery shopping

HelloFresh Meals Gift Card

$75

From $75 at HelloFresh

Pros & Cons

• Healthy gourmet meals with fresh ingredients.

• Easy-to-follow instructions

• Meal options for two to four people

• Meals can take a few days to arrive in the mail

• Minimum spend of $75

Another way to simplify the cooking process for two parents is to gift them with a meal kit. One of our favorite meal kit providers is HelloFresh, a highly-rated meal delivery service.

This company offers farm-to-table ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions for creating healthy meals quickly and without much effort. The best part? These meals are delivered directly to your doorstep for maximum convenience. 

Priced at $75, this meal kit provides two people with three meals per week. But if you are gifting this meal kit to a family that already has children, you can also choose to upgrade to the $90 box, which serves four people with two meals per week, and so on.

Comfy loungewear for tired mamas

Victoria’s Secret Modal Long Pajama Set

$69.50

$69.50 at Victoria's Secret

Pros & Cons

• Machine-washable

• Sizing comes in short, regular and long

• Button-up top makes breastfeeding easier

• Some reviewers report fabric is thin

• Pilling on fabric can occur

Rest is much needed for a new mom. And a matching set of comfy pajamas, such as the Modal Long Pajama Set from Victoria's Secret, can help her feel and look put together — even while lounging with baby.

The pajama set is made of an extra soft blend of modal and elastane. Button and decorative piping details provide classic touches and it comes in six elegant colors. Plus, this set is machine washable, making it perfect for busy new moms on laundry day.

H&M Flannel Pajamas

$39.99

$39.99 at H&M

Pros & Cons

• Comfortable elastic waistband

• Machine-washable

• Only available in one color

We can’t forget about dad’s comfort. After all, sleep is important for them, too. This stylish, matching set of pajamas is made from 100% cotton flannel for extra softness, and the relaxed fit makes for great loungewear. 

The pajama set features smart detailing, such as notched lapels, a drawstring waist and cinched covered elastic at the hems. Available in cream, this neutral-colored set will appeal to many, and  it’s machine washable for convenience.

A memory book for tracking baby's first moments

KeaBabies Baby Memory Book First 5 Years

$16.96

$16.96 at Walmart

Pros & Cons

• Gender-neutral colors available

• Helpful prompts to guide your journaling

• Does not expand to hold keepsakes

New parents want to remember every detail in the first few months — and this gift will help them do just that. This memory book features a stylish, minimalist design in white. Guided pages make it simple to record the details for later, and its slim design makes it easy to display on a bookshelf or store away.

Parents can display their photos on the front. It covers milestone markers from pregnancy to birth and each month up to one year. Plus, the book’s neutral language makes it suitable for many different types of families.

Gift set with essentials for baby

Honest Hello Baby Kit

$65.99

$65.99 at Honest

Pros & Cons

• Plant-based materials

• Designed for delicate skin

• Packaging looks a bit dull

New parents know, you can never have too many diapers or baby wipes. The Hello Baby Kit by Honest is a great gift for new moms and dads — because it includes high-quality, plant-based products for your newborn. Inside, you get 70 diapers made from gentle materials to avoid irritating skin. Not only are these diapers designed for delicate skin, but they feature a wetness indicator (that indicates when it’s time for a change), enhanced blowout protection and advanced absorption.

Additionally, this cute kit comes with wipes, dry wipes, sprayable diaper rash cream and all-purpose balm to keep skin soft and protected. If you’re not sure what to gift the new parents, this is a foolproof choice they’ll greatly appreciate.

Quick and healthy snacks for convenient fuel

Gourmet Gift Baskets Healthy Gift Basket Classic

$99.99

$99.99 at Gourmet Gift Baskets

Pros & Cons

• Includes 10 healthy snack options

• Packaged in a stylish wooden gift crate

• Shipping may cost extra

Packed full of wholesome goodies, this gift basket will help postpartum parents with snacking during late-night feedings, nap times and when grabbing a quick bite in-between meals. 

Each of these snacks is a healthier alternative to many snack foods — and includes a good mix of proteins and starches. And in addition to snacks, this gift basket includes organic immunity teas to help calm the mind and wind down in the evenings.

Perfect for those who love a mix of salty and sweet options, this gift basket will provide a convenient way for parents to fuel their bodies while caring for their little one.

Robot vacuum for easy cleaning

iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

$499.99

$499.99 at Wayfair

Pros & Cons

• Maps out home for more effective cleaning

• Controls are voice-activated and Alexa-compatible

• Includes pet tools for households with pet dander and fur

• On the pricey side

• Not compatible with other home assistants

For a gift that will absolutely spoil any new parent, a robot vacuum checks all the boxes. Not only is it easy to set up and use, it feels like a luxury and helps keep spaces cleaner despite the chaos of caring for a new infant. Mothers and fathers can spend more time with their newborn and less time worrying about chores.

The vacuum features a bagless containment system that empties into a larger bag at its home base. Parents won't need to empty the vacuum every time, and the home base bag holds up to 60 days' worth of debris. It automatically returns to the home base for re-charging after use.

What to consider when gifting new parents

New parents often feel quite vulnerable and stressed after leaving the hospital with their newborn. So, to be respectful, you want to be sure to consider the type of gift you get — and how you go about delivering it. Here are two important things to consider.

Types of gifts

Often the best gifts for new parents are the essentials, such as food, self-care items and baby care supplies. Many of our ideas for presents include healthy, nourishing food choices and sleep essentials to cover these basics.

Do new parents want visitors?

Many new parents are choosing to delay visitors for the first few days or weeks to protect the baby from sickness and reduce stress. If this is the case, sending a gift card like our Uber Eats choice or mailing a gift, such as a snack gift basket, lets parents know you're thinking about them — all while respecting their wishes.

Which gifts are best for new parents?

Because providing food is a convenient choice for busy new parents, our editors recommend the following products as the best choices:

• The Uber Eats eGift Card: Gifting new parents with a gift card for takeout is one of the best choices because it allows them to choose what they want to eat — without having to cook or clean up the kitchen afterward. This will provide a convenient way to stay nourished, especially after having just left the hospital with their new baby.

• Gourmet Gift Baskets Healthy Gift Basket Classic: There's a good chance they've gotten lots of gifts for the baby and not much to care for themselves. This gift basket can nourish new parents with healthy choices during the first few days at home.

Prices updated on 07/25/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.