17 Thoughtful Gifts New Moms Really Want

Becoming a new mom is one of the exciting moments in one's life, but it can also feel extremely overwhelming. There's a whole new learning curve when it comes to parenting for the first, and adding that care on top of an already busy schedule makes for an intense transition period. We reached out to new and practiced mothers alike to see what gifts they needed and appreciated the most as a new parent—and just as importantly—actually wanted to make their first stage as a mom more peaceful.

Many new mothers have plenty of stuffed toys and onesies for the baby already, but what they really need is a reminder to take a moment to themselves, whether it's an uninterrupted afternoon at the spa or simply a few extra minutes alone to get in a quick workout. It's easy to relinquish self-care with a newborn, but it's the job of sisters, moms, coworkers, and friends to remind her in small ways she is the same woman she is now as she was pre-baby. Many moms-to-be have a baby registry already, but if you're looking for something a little extra special that helps both baby and mama, these unique gifts will soon become favorites.