What Is a Push Present? It's Exactly What You'd Assume

mother father and baby playing together
What Exactly Is a Push Present?Getty Images

Pregnancy, childbirth, and the first few weeks with a new baby can be an incredibly beautiful, challenging, and emotional time all at once. While there's no gift greater than your child's safe arrival into the world, giving a push present makes for a small but meaningful gesture of love and gratitude that nicely commemorates the occasion.

While push presents are by no means a requirement to give to your partner, they are a sweet memento of one of the most important days of both of your lives. If you're still asking yourself, “What is a push present?” then read on to learn more about what the experts have to say.

What is a push present?

A push present is exactly what it sounds like: A present that the pregnant person's spouse or partner gives them after they've “pushed” out the baby.

“It is a token of appreciation for delivering the baby, as well as carrying the baby or babies through pregnancy,” says Kristin Revere, certified birth and postpartum doula at Gold Coast Doulas.

The push present isn't a gift given by friends or family of the pregnant person. It is expected that they'd buy gifts from the baby registry instead.

How much should you spend on a push present?

There's no need for a push present to be any more extravagant than an anniversary or birthday gift that you'd normally give your partner.

“It is usually around $200,” says Revere. “I have had friends or clients get lockets or other jewelry items. Items that can be engraved are very thoughtful.” She also suggests getting a piece of jewelry that includes both the baby's and parent's birthstones as a push present.

Should a push present be a surprise?

There aren't any strict gifting rules around push presents, so it's totally fair game for the birthing parent to request a push present if there's something special, like a tech gadget or luxury gift, they'd like.

“I think this is up to the mom and can go any way. No one way is right or wrong,” says Amy Motroni, founder of the blog Genius Mom Hacks. “My first push present was a surprise from my husband, but for my other two deliveries, I asked for a specific item.”

If you're planning to surprise your partner with a push present, it's best to give it during a (relatively) calm moment after the baby is born, so they can enjoy and admire it right alongside their little one.

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