Gifts come in many forms, so when it comes to finding the perfect Mother’s Day present for the newly pregnant lady in your life, practicality may be key. When it comes to Mother’s Day for first-time moms, you want to get it right.
There will be plenty of time for sentimental gifts once the baby is born, but how about gifting an expecting mom something to help her through those months when almost everything is changing in new and exciting ways?
Whether it’s a gift card to encourage her to buy some quality maternity clothes, or some beauty refills to make sure she’s pampering herself, it’s the perfect holiday to make sure your mama-to-be is comfortable and well cared for.
To help give you gift ideas that an expecting mom will actually use, I’ve rounded up a few items I was gifted and a few items I purchased myself during the first half of pregnancy that made it a little more manageable. Though some may seem a little odd as a gift, they just might be a game-changer for your pregnant partner or friend.
Take a look below at my curated guide to gifts for expecting moms. And, if you want more of our editor-sourced products and reviews, sign up for HuffPost’s sales and deals newsletter.
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A diaper bag that transforms into so much more.
In addition to toting around diapers, you'll be able to transform this bag into a small changing table/crib for easy use. And since you'll be on-the-go, it also comes with a built-in charging port, so you have one less thing to worry about.
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.A stain remover that, trust us, she'll need
Being a new mom is great, but it's also
messy. Give her something practical this Mother's Day with a cleaning solution that works on clothing, bedding, cloth diapers, and so much more. It's also cruelty-free and hypoallergenic.
Get it on Amazon for $10.55.A soy wax candle with 40+ hours of burn time.
With all of the hard work motherhood takes, getting in a little relaxation is key. This sea salt, jasmine, wood, and cream–scented candle provides 40+ hours of tranquility and enjoyment. Plus, it's non-toxic and cruelty-free, and created by a small, family-owned business.
Get it on Amazon Handmade for $20.A pregnancy pillow to help her get through the night.
I assumed at first that I'd make do with the pillows I had, but it was not long before I learned that my nights would be better if I just took the advice to get a pillow designed specifically for pregnant women. The
PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow has over 4,000 reviews and a nearly 5-star rating on Amazon and offers support in all the right places when trying to get comfortable. Get it on
Amazon for $47.95.
Sensible shoes for when things start to expand.
Zappos
It's no surprise that a woman's feet may change shape during her pregnancy. Whether they actually grow in size or just swell up towards the end, a sensible pair of shoes that can
grow with you may be key. A friend recommended I get myself
a pair of Birkenstocks (or any adjustable sandal, for that matter) that will expand if and when my feet do. Get them at
Zappos for $99.95.
Some reading material that won't freak her out.
Amazon
There is virtually an endless supply of books and blogs to read about getting pregnant, being pregnant and what to do after you're pregnant. I found the books I liked best came from personal recommendations from the women I trusted, and
"Expecting Better" by Emily Oster was the very top of almost every recommendation list. Oster dives into the
why behind the restrictions we place on pregnant women, without overloading you with scary information. Get it on
Amazon for $13.99+.
A gift card for some quality maternity clothes.
Westend61 via Getty Images
I made the mistake of trying to go the frugal route and bought a very cheap pair of maternity jeans. Within 25 minutes of wearing them, I knew it was a mistake. They were uncomfortable and wouldn't stay in place, plus the quality was awful. Splurging on a quality pair of maternity jeans wasn't what my wallet wanted, but it was what my body needed. If you're not sure what the expecting mom in your life needs, try a
gift card to a quality maternity brand like A Pea In The Pod, so she's more likely to treat herself to something she really needs.
An easily digestible read that will be a great reference throughout her pregnancy.
Amazon
There is certainly no shortage of rules during pregnancy, but the real question is how many do you follow? Because things are constantly changing, what was a steadfast rule a few years ago may be entirely different now. This new, easily digestible read,
"The New Rules of Pregnancy," has been a great point of reference for questions and has not been the information overload some other pregnancy books can feel like. This is a great gift for the expecting mom who maybe isn't a bookworm, but still wants a guide book for her journey. Get it on
Amazon for $9.99+.
A temperature-regulated bottle so she always has ice-cold water on hand.
Amazon
A water bottle may seem like an odd gift to give, but it sure is practical. I became
very particular about the temperature of my water once I was pregnant -- while room-temperature water used to be fine for me, now it needed to be ICE cold. An insulated, large sized bottle like this
SimpleModern 25-ounce metal bottle would make for a great gift. Get it on
Amazon for $18.99.
A nice pair of pajamas.
Motherhood
