If you’ve got someone on your gift list who is pregnant or newly postpartum, you have an opportunity to give them gifts that will make their lives easier, and make you an epic gift-giver.

No one needs more receiving blankets, burp rags, and baby clothes… unless these are handmade or family heirlooms, the gift receiver probably won’t even remember who gave it to them.

If you want to give a gift they will remember, you need to think outside the box!

Housekeeping Services / Laundry Service

When I asked around about the best gifts a new parent can get, this is one of the top answers. “I would have loved someone hired - not family - to come give my house a quick clean,” said Kaelyn.

And she’s not alone! Whether you are wanting a last clean before bringing baby home, or a quick clean when buried in Newborn-Land, housekeeping is something you just don’t want to have to worry about.

Laundry services are also super helpful when you have your hands full with a newborn… and all of their itty bitty pieces of clothing. These services pick up your dirty laundry in a laundry bag on your doorstep, wash according to your specifications, fold, and return it usually the next day.

Housekeeping average cost: $100-$180

Laundry Service average cost: $1-2/per lb of clean, dried laundry

Dog Walking / Doggie Daycare Services

If the new or expecting parents have a dog (especially a young one!), they’d paws-itively love having a dog walker or doggie daycare. It’s a big change when a family welcomes a new baby, and pets feel it too! Gifting parents these services will help alleviate wild pup energy in the house and allow the pet to have a good time outside of their home.

Cost: Dog walking: $10+

Dog daycares: $30+

Doula Services - Birth or Postpartum

If you are looking to contribute to a unique gift, consider asking the receiver if they are thinking about birth or postpartum doula services! Doula services would be a large ticket item for one person, but if you split the fee across a friend group, this would be THE best gift to give an expecting parent!

Doula services are particularly awesome idea for someone who is having their second, third, etc. child, because they typically don’t have baby showers, don’t need baby items, but people still want to contribute something to welcome this baby.

You’ll want the be sure the parents:

A. want they services and

B. have chosen a doula. (hiring a doula is a personal decisions… don’t find a doula for them!)

But with enough forethought, this could be a life-changing gift for new parents or parents-to-be. And one we highly recommend!

Cost: $700+

Childbirth Education and Other Classes

Along the same line as hiring a doula, parents can HUGELY benefit from being gifted prenatal classes. The gift of knowledge is priceless! If this is something you’re interested in offering to the gift receiver, ask them if they’ve considered any particular childbirth / parenting / breastfeeding. There are so many different philosophies of birth and parenting, and they may have one they’ve been gravitating toward.

Cost: classes can range anywhere between $20 to hundreds of dollars, so they’d make great group gifts as well!

Placenta Encapsulation

If your friend or family member has talked about getting their placenta encapsulated after birth, gifting them this service would be an amazing way to contribute to their postpartum healing.

Cost: $200+

Meals or Meal Delivery Service

If you’re a good cook, preparing a meal for your newly postpartum friends/family is a wonderful way to show you care. It is tough to get full, homecooked meals prepared after baby is born. You can also consider freezing meals ahead of time, and helping them stock their freezer for when the baby is born. Make sure you think about food allergies!

Meal delivery services, like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Food Dudes is another way to offer meals without actually having to cook or deliver the meals. Parents can order from their favorite restaurants and have food show up when they want it.

If you don’t love to cook, but want home cooked meals, consider local chefs, (like Chef Ellen or Dinner Birdie in Sioux Falls). This option allows for home cooked quality meals, and none of the work.

Cost: $15+

Gift Cards from Well-Respected Stores

Sometimes parents have no idea what they’ll want or need until baby is here. In this case, gift cards work wonders. We love Elegant Mommy in Sioux Falls, SD for all things pregnancy/postpartum/newborn/toddler! They have items for mom, sleep, teething, feeding, babywearing, cloth diapers, and toys. This shop is a small business and locally owned… and they ship free for $75+! We’re sure the receiver of this gift card will consider Elegant Mommy a reputable source for parenting products.

Cost: any amount you’d like!

Ember Mug

Okay… the Ember Mug one is new to me, but a Facebook friend recommended this, and after looking it up online I have to agree this may be the perfect gift for new parents!

This cup is programmable so that it keeps your coffee or tea at a certain temperature for up to an hour and a half. No more microwaved cups of coffee (which you then promptly forget in the microwave), or chugging cold tea.

Cost: $130+

A waterproof baby carrier

A friend and fellow birth worker said, “One of my favorite categories is water-specific items, like a water-safe baby carrier, which can be used at home in the shower any day of the week, or at the pool/beach/swimming lessons.”

I have to agree, this is a fantastic idea, especially if there are older siblings. Pool days are made much better when you’re not trying to hang on to a wiggly, slippery baby.

Cost: $25+

Beachfront Baby Ring Sling Carrier - $64.99

Postpartum healing package

This is one I’ve personally gifted a friend who lived out of state. Amazon makes this type of gift very simple! Things like belly butters, postpartum bath soaks, stretch mark creams, the and teas all make great additions to helping mom heal after birth.

Or if you’d prefer to send a curated gift, I love Frida Mom Postpartum Recovery Essentials Kit, or Marnie’s Naturals Before Baby Arrives gift set for naturally minded parents.

Cost: $40+

Gifts from experienced parents

“The little things that other moms knew about that I didn’t…” is what Jessica said when I asked about best gifts. Jessica mentioned Tubby Todd bath items, Boogie Mist, and the Nose Frida. Alesia added “Baby proofing items!” with these safety latches. I’d add Oogiebear Nose Cleaner, this nail trimmer, and the Haakaa as a 4 time mom and postpartum doula!

Kristie added, “Most helpful was gifts for when baby was sick (Tylenol, Ibuprofen, gas drops, tummy warmer, humidifier, and saline spray). These are things you don’t think of until baby actually gets sick, but you don’t want to run to the store.”

Cost: $10+

What unique gifts have you given or received that made a big impact on new or expecting parents? We’d love to hear!