Care package for 3-week postpartum mom?

[Anonymous]

A friend has a new baby and is struggling a bit. She’s young, lives in a fairly new place far from her family, doesn’t have many friends there, and is alone with the baby all day. I want to send a little care package for her, but I’m not a mom so I don’t know what would be most appreciated. I want things for her, not for the baby. They already have lots of meals from their church. Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Lush bath bomb. Wine. A pretty robe (if she is breastfeeding) and comfy leggings or lounge pants. Research a list of stuff to do in her area - mom groups, cry baby movie screenings, etc, and send so she can get out of the house without thinking much.

[Anonymous]

These aren’t all care package ideas but things I would like as a mom of a 9week old and memories from my first who is almost 3:

She probably has streaming subscriptions but if not, one of those. I’ve been watching a lot on my phone to keep me up during midnight feedings. Also any suggestions you have for good shows. Or even a show you could both mutually “watch” and then chat about either via text or call.

Things I also liked with my first: beautiful candle to light during my shower time which was my me time, nice lotion, flowers. But this all depends on the personality of your friend.

Texts to check in periodically always helped too. Do you live close enough to visit? I have a 9 week old now and would love an extra set of hands for a couple hours so I could nap.

Cleaning service if you know her well enough and think she’d appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

Gift card to food delivery service so they can order whatever they want, whenever they want. Or send cookies or fruit. If she's nursing, she's starving all the time! If you can visit her and help her for an entire day, it would be amazing.

[Anonymous]

Hand cream, snacks, soft socks, hair ties, Mario Badescu face spray or some sort of soothing face wipes.

Things that are NOT helpful - masks and nail polish she doesn’t have baby free time to use, magazines or books she doesn’t have time to flip through.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These aren’t all care package ideas but things I would like as a mom of a 9week old and memories from my first who is almost 3:

She probably has streaming subscriptions but if not, one of those. I’ve been watching a lot on my phone to keep me up during midnight feedings. Also any suggestions you have for good shows. Or even a show you could both mutually “watch” and then chat about either via text or call.

Things I also liked with my first: beautiful candle to light during my shower time which was my me time, nice lotion, flowers. But this all depends on the personality of your friend.

Texts to check in periodically always helped too. Do you live close enough to visit? I have a 9 week old now and would love an extra set of hands for a couple hours so I could nap.

Cleaning service if you know her well enough and think she’d appreciate it.

As a new mom, I would not use candles. I’d be scared I’d leave them burning and burn the house down. I was super tired and scatterbrained with my first kid.

[Anonymous]

We live about 2 1/2 hours away, but did go down yesterday for the day. I brought food, cleaned, put away dishes, let her shower, etc. I'll go visit as much as I can, but going into holiday season is tough now. I've been texting, making sure she knows I'm thinking about her and giving her an opportunity to talk/chat/cry.

Appreciate all the suggestions, thank you!

[Anonymous]

I got a comfy matching pj set from someone when my first was born (flannel pants, nursing tank and long sleeve shirt all coordinated) from Target and it was awesome!

I haven’t found exactly that when I’ve looked but that idea is great.

[Anonymous]

Things I did not really use: Freezer meals (it's way easier to get fresh foods I was craving delivered via grocery delivery or uber eats) or "one handed snacks for nursing moms" (they ended up in DH's lunches).

Things I liked: check ins from friends, and cute loungewear that made me feel like I was putting on something fresh rather than the same few things that fit me and were comfy at that point. In the fall/winter weather, a nice long open sweater or robe or zip front hoodie would be nice.

[Anonymous]

Comfy lounge pants or leggings
Hand cream or cuticle oil and a nail file
Extra long iPhone charger
Trail mix, Kind bars, fast energy snacks
Uber Eats or delivery gift card


If you go to visit call on the way and ask what her coffee order is for Starbucks or lunch order for Panera. Just something small like not having to think about what to make or put together for lunch could be really helpful.

[Anonymous]

A couple nice teas, if she is a tea drinker. It's nice to have a hot comforting drink in winter without mainlining more coffee. A box of good chocolates.

[Anonymous]

Don't just get grocery delivery gift cards, order her some groceries with some splurges in it.

[Anonymous]

Agree with the PPs who suggested lounge wear. It is an awkward period -- you don't want to wear your maternity clothes, but your regular clothes are too small. Something cozy that you could wear without embarrassment if the doorbell rings.

[Anonymous]

If you have a couple hundred dollars you’d like to spend, give the gift of sleep with a night nurse.

[Anonymous]

night nurse
massage at home
nice water bottle cause you are constantly drinking water
leave in conditioner/hair mask
face wash wipes
visit her!