57 Best Gifts for New Moms 2023

57 items in this article 6 items on sale!

57 items in this article 6 items on sale!

When you’re a new mom, everything can feel overwhelming — from late-night feedings to the seemingly never-ending dirty diapers and your own physical recovery. I should know: I have two small kids, and while it definitely gets easier, those first few weeks with a newborn are still pretty rough. That's why I’ve included gifts for both the baby and the new parent on this list.

As Sadie Stein, a writer, Strategist contributor, and mom, puts it, people are quick to give new mothers baby items, but "going forward, I’d be more inclined to get things for the mothers, because you’ll get so much baby stuff." Plus, she says, since the "baby-industrial complex" is so vast, there's a "specialized product for anything you’ve thought of and have not thought of," and it can be easy for new parents to become further overwhelmed by well-intentioned but unnecessary baby gifts (which is why Stein says that, despite her philosophical aversion to it, she "broke down" and made a baby registry on Amazon).

I surveyed new and seasoned mothers (with inclusions from yours truly) about the stuff they actually want — and swear helps make the transition into motherhood a little smoother — including lots of things for her and a few things for baby that, in turn, will make mom's life easier. Below, you’ll find our 57 best gifts for new moms, according to new moms, from beauty products to breastfeeding support.

At the Strategist, we’re fans of jade rollers for depuffing your face, and here's a next-level one involving ice. Sonya Li Casino, a senior vice president in public relations and mom of two, first eyed it on the Instagram of Because I’m Addicted blogger Geri Hirsch: "I bought one for myself and like three other people I know. It's very, very addicting and makes me feel so refreshed."

Doree Shafrir, author of Thanks for Waiting: The Joy (and Weirdness) of Being a Late Bloomer, who "got clogged my entire seven-month breastfeeding journey and was alway sore," says these soothing pillows gave her breasts sweet relief. They can be warmed up or frozen and act like a hot or cold compress for your breasts.

I switched to this bottle (in the glass version) with my second, because he was slow to take to the bottle and I wanted something that mimicked the natural rhythm of breastfeeding. The lifelike nipple has a no-drip design, which means no milk comes out unless the baby is actively sucking, just like a human nipple. Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson, who's partnered with the brand, recommends it. "It's awesome because it doesn't let the milk come out when my son isn't feeding," she says.

This manual silicone breast pump is at the top of the list for Bethany Barnes, a mom of two living in Brooklyn. "I probably recommend this item the most to new and expecting mamas. It was so helpful, especially in the beginning," she said. "It suctions onto your breast and collects milk while you are feeding on the other side. It's hands-free, easy to clean, and I’ve collected a freezer full of milk without really trying." It's a great alternative to an electric pump when you don't feel like getting the whole setup going but still want to express a little milk.

Trimming newborn nails is a terrifying but necessary ordeal that requires holding a squirming baby still while using a sharp implement to pare back paperlike talons. The more experienced will tell the uninitiated that you have to use a file instead of a clipper or nail scissors. Strategist contributor Adriane Quinlan heeded this advice early and bought this $10 electric file with a circular spinning head that she could "pull around a hand in 90 seconds." She writes that the file head is "as gentle as a dry sponge" but still effective and doesn't hurt the baby if it happens to go off course and catch some skin. "The effectiveness seems to come not by how harsh the grain is, but by how many passes a few spins can do," she writes. "The baby didn't seem to feel anything at all."

I made my own lactation cookies using brewer's yeast (which is supposed to help boost milk supply) precisely once then didn't have the time or energy to make them myself again once the baby came. These oatmeal chocolate-chip cookies, which include brewer's yeast among other lactaction-friendly ingredients, were just as tasty and a million times more convenient, since they were prepackaged into ten on-the-go bags that I could rip open every time I felt a little peckish.

A traditional receiving blanket like this supersoft muslin one from Loulou Lollipop can be used a million ways in addition to as a swaddle, including as a nursing shawl, car-seat cover, and burp cloth.

"For the mom who is up late pumping or whose baby will only sleep in her arms, a subscription to Audible, Netflix, or Hulu will certainly be appreciated," says Miriam Cohen, the mom of two behind the Very Best Baby Stuff. Here is an in-depth list of streaming services to find the right fit for the new mom on your list.

Another welcomed gift card is one for a food-delivery service, so new parents don't have to worry about making dinner for themselves (on top of making bottles). "This was one of my favorite gifts we received as new parents," says Jessie Mooney DiGiovanna, mom and copywriter for Levi's. "A healthy meal-delivery service is nice, as is friends and family bringing over home-cooked dinners, but sometimes you just want a very specific kind of greasy comfort food that requires zero prep, zero cleanup, and zero small talk."

Another unlikely gift: a booger scooper. Journalist Yelena Shuster said she tried this after using the popular Frida Baby Snot Sucker, which made her baby cry. It operates, she explains, like an "adorable mini-shovel to scoop out boogers," and she likes that it's less bulky than the Frida and easy to clean.

"The one thing you constantly hear while you’re pregnant or nursing is ‘Don't forget to drink water.’ I wanted something that would keep me accountable; before the baby, I used to set alarms to remind me to drink water, but I’m not trying to do that anymore; I don't have time," says leadership speaker Jovian Zayne when she told us how she’d redo her baby registry. She says this one reminds her to drink water, but in a very fun yet effective way.

If you’re looking for a stocking stuffer, Kelli Shepard, the design director for Ralph Lauren's women's collection, recommends Earth Mama's organic lip balms. "I love the whole Earth Mama range and feel great knowing that these are 100 percent kiss-approved — safe for baby and mama both," she says. This giftable set includes the lip balm, belly oil, deodorant, and a body wash.

Cohen says she's been recommending these pouches for years. They help organize your bag — whether it's a real diaper bag or otherwise. This set comes with three pouches, including a diaper pouch that can hold diapers, wipes, creams, powder, and more; a wet bag for dirty clothes; and one for clean clothes. "The bags are nearly weightless, flexible, machine washable, travel friendly, and easy to pack," Cohen says. "I toss mine into my stroller basket or hang them from my stroller hooks. The wristlet on the diaper pouch is especially convenient — I can easily wear the pouch on my wrist while holding my baby and avoid bringing my entire diaper bag into a public restroom."

This prompted journal makes it easy to track all of your child's milestones. "This journal is great because it follows you from pregnancy to when your baby is 18 years (hard to imagine that she’ll ever be that big!)," says Barnes. "It has questions for each month as well as space for just thoughts and moments.I love journaling, so this was a great way to keep it all in one place, and I can't wait to share it with her one day."

Swaddling your baby is a must for those early days, but it can be tricky to get right, which is why parents swear by the Sleepea swaddle from Happiest Baby, the company started by Dr. Harvey Karp, who invented the smart bassinet SNOO (see below) and the concept of the five S's for instant soothing (the first of which is swaddling). Dr. Karp is a "hero" in the DiGiovanna household. "Two minutes feel like two hours when a newborn is screaming, so my husband and I swear by this award-winning zipper swaddle that literally takes five seconds," says DiGiovanna. It has arm flaps and Velcro closures for extra security, and the entire thing zips up and is more likely to stay on through the night than something that's just wrapped around your baby.

For a swaddle that's a little more traditional but still foolproof, Laura Izumikawa, blogger, author, and mom of two, recommends the Miracle Blanket. "This swaddle wrap was so easy to use and kept our newborns safely wrapped," she says. "We found that our girls were so much happier and slept longer when swaddled in this particular wrap." Johnson is a fan as well and says, "The arm flaps inside the swaddle are key and make things so much easier."

If you ever get time to wash your hair, Gena Kaufman, who recently had her second baby, says to do it with Olaplex. "Postpartum hair loss is a bummer," she says. "Just when you’re getting over the pain and many bodily indignities you suffered during childbirth, your hair starts falling out all over the place." And even though Olaplex hasn't exactly solved her hair-loss issue, she says, "My hair feels softer and air-dries nicely after using these treatments."

Athleisure brand Girlfriend Collective (a Strategist favorite for sustainably made, comfortable, size-inclusive, and actually nice-looking activewear) happens to make a line of maternity wear that includes leggings, bike shorts, and bras — like this crossover nursing bra. It's available in sizes XXS to 6XL, and as developer Caláh Jones puts it, it's "easy to throw on" when little else fits correctly.

In those first days after birth, when your milk is starting to come in, you won't want to wear anything tight and constricting. That's where Bodily's The Everything Bra comes in. It's made from the softest, stretchiest Oeko-Tex-certified modal-viscose blend that's designed to accommodate engorgement and fluctuations in breast and band size as your milk supply becomes established. Bodily sent me a couple to try when I had my second son, and the bras — and nursing-tank version — were all I wore for the first few months of his life. They were so comfortable that I barely noticed they were on, but they still provided just enough support to make me feel like I was covered up. Now, I buy them for all of my pregnant and new-mom friends.

Model Ashley Graham recommends this hands-free breast pump bra (which happens to be our Best-in-Class pick) for any multitasking mom. She had "no idea" these were a thing, but now she couldn't imagine pumping without it. As she explains, "I’m a multitasking mom, so this bra was exactly what I needed to get emails and phone calls done while I’m pumping. It doesn't matter what kind of bra I’m wearing — a nursing bra or not — I just pull my boobs out, wrap this thing around me, put the suction-cup things on, then pump." I swear by this thing: It's the only pumping bra I’ve tried that holds those flanges tight to your body, so you never have to worry about them falling out or getting loose.

If you’re looking for an all-in-one bra, Larken's X bra is my absolute favorite. You can wear this one all day and night and use it to pump. I was sent a sample to try, and I loved it so much that I bought three more and don't plan on wearing anything else for as long as I am pumping. Not only is it supercomfortable and feels like nothing, it's a cinch to use. Simply pull it down (or up, my preference) to nurse. It has a double layer in the front that you twist to create a kind of X shape that holds the flanges in place. You’d be surprised at how secure the pump feels on your boobs, giving you a truly hands-free experiment. I even sleep in the bra — it's that comfortable. I will add, however, that I am small-chested and don't require too much support, so bustier moms might have a different experience.

For something comfy for the feet, Grace Lim Premvaree, owner of children's clothing line SM. Dossier, loves Birkenstock's rubbery Arizona sandals — and a bunch of other professionals who stand all day long vouch for their comfort, too. Premvaree says they’re supportive enough to wear while running around with toddlers and great for "spills — because they are waterproof." Writer Alison Freer agrees that Birkenstock's EVA sandals are super-easy to keep clean: "Dirt literally refuses to stick, no matter how long you wear them," she told us.

Even if you’re not going far, schlepping diapers, bottles, and whatever else you need to prepare for the worst (a poop explosion) can get tedious. But a couple of moms told us that having the right diaper bag — that doesn't actually look like a diaper bag — can make all the difference. Stein swears by the long handles, zip top, and exterior pocket of L.L.Bean's classic Boat Tote (she's known to customize the bags and says that the one monogrammed with her son's name was a great gift). In preparing for the birth of my second child, I bought the extra-large tote (and monogrammed it) to use as my hospital bag, and it ended up fitting everything I needed and more.

Another fuss-free piece of baby clothing is this onesie from Magnetic Me. Instead of snaps that are confusing or zippers that get stuck, all the brand's clothes fasten with magnets, which means "it's so easy to change the baby," says Izumikawa. She says, "Their designs are supercute, and the materials are so soft and comfortable for babies."

When it comes to baby gifts, Stein's philosophy is the same as with adult gifts: Opt for "luxurious things you wouldn't buy yourself, just really nice versions of basics." In her case, Stein especially appreciated an assortment of long and short-sleeved pima-cotton onesies from Babycottons that one of her friends picked out. "She gave them to us from newborn through year and a half sizes, which was so luxurious," says Stein. "People tend to give you newborn clothes, and they outgrow those quickly, especially if like ours, the baby turns out to extremely plump and just as extremely cute."

A bottle drying rack might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a great gift, but Cohen says the moms in her NYC Moms Facebook group rave about this one. It's upright, so it's space saving, making it "a must for NYC galley kitchens," she says. "This rack offers a space-efficient way to dry and store baby bottles, breast-pump parts, and pacifiers."

A trip to the spa is a great way to pamper a new mom. DiGiovanna can't recommend a pre- and postnatal massage enough. "I can't overhype how good a massage feels when you’re uncomfortably pregnant, then later when you’re tense all over from breastfeeding, baby schlepping, and parenting in general," she says. With a Spafinder gift card, they’ll be able to go to a place of their choosing whenever they’re ready for it. One booking tip: "For prenatal sessions, call ahead and request a bed with a hole cut out for your stomach, because I can't overhype how good lying on your belly feels after months of not being able to," says DiGiovanna.

Graham recommends this serum (one of her favorite things) from Kérastase for postpartum hair loss. "I tried a lot of different remedies — I even made stuff at home — but this scalp serum from Kérastase has been a true saving grace. I spray a little bit of castor oil and canola oil on my hair first, then apply the Kérastase," she says. It doesn't prevent the hair from falling out — nothing does — but it will help the new growth stay healthy and even grow a bit faster.

Florist and mom of two Grace McDonald, told us that she's "a V-neck mom, so I need stuff to help cover the top of my boob when I’m breastfeeding." But instead of a nursing bib, she likes using this linen scarf to cover up. McDonald likes linen because "it's a lighter material that's good for indoor and outdoor wear." And, of course, when you’re not nursing, you can just wear it as a scarf.

Strategist contributor Wendy Mullin recently told us about this baby cardigan that she loves gifting new parents. She knows it's beauty from her own experience — her daughter wore it from 6 months old until she grew out of it at 2. Like the celeb-loved blankets (Brie Larson owns five), this Barefoot Dreams sweater is soft and cozy but highly absorbent, which Mullin notes is the main selling point. "It means the sweater sort of doubles as a handkerchief — you can use it to wipe all the drool and snot that flows endlessly from a baby's face," she writes. "And it's very, very easy to care for — you can just throw it in the wash." It comes in sizes 3 months to 24 months and would be perfect for any new winter babies.

I don't love using body and facial oils, but I gave this a try when the brand sent me one to sample, and now I buy it for all my pregnant friends. It's superlight, has only a hint of a natural scent, and feels so nice on the skin. It's nongreasy and quick-drying, unlike other oils I’ve tried. It's great for your expanding belly, yes, but also for the rest of your body. My baby is 6 months old, and I still use it when I don't feel like slathering on lotion.

"If you’re looking for a multifunctional gift that will be used daily for years, the Hatch Rest+ is a solid choice," Cohen says. "It's a sound machine, night-light, two-way audio monitor, and has a ‘time to rise’ indicator light for the toddler stage." You can control all the settings through an app, which is Cohen's favorite feature, as she likes "being able to make adjustments remotely without entering my sleeping child's room." Izumikawa loves this machine and praises it for its portability. "Our girls fall asleep to it, and we always bring it along with us for trips," she says. "For long road trips, it's easy to just tuck in the back seat to help our kids relax and fall asleep." Cohen points out that the original — and less expensive — version of this machine is another solid option, if you can do without the audio monitor and clock display.

In addition to comfy clothes, the new mom in your life might like a little bling to pair with her Lulus. "Before my son Miles was born, I began my hunt for what I kept calling ‘minimalist mom jewelry,’" says DiGiovanna. "This brand — founded in 2013 by a fellow new mom — is everything I was looking for: chic, subtle, and affordable." Pricing for this gold-filled necklace starts at $52 for the shortest chain and no additional cost for customization, making it a solid option for a reasonable push present and one new moms can enjoy immediately. DiGiovanna says, "Putting on my new ‘M’ necklace the morning we left the hospital was the first time I felt semi-cute after pushing a human outta me."

After you graduate from Bodily's Everything bra, around six months postpartum, "you might want something that feels a little more exciting to put on," says Strategist senior editor Simone Kitchens. "Juem, an Australian line, is making what I consider to be the best-looking nursing bras out there. They just don't look maternity. The shapes are flattering; the GOTS-certified organic-cotton ribbed fabric feels soft; and the colors — like taupe, raisin, and lilac — are just nice." And instead of plastic clips, this style uses an "easy-to-maneuver" tortoiseshell button, an unexpected but thoughtful detail. Kitchens notes that the brand uses Australian sizing, so check the size chart and measure before ordering.

For those who need to pump on the go and don't want to fuss with coolers and ice packs, the Ceres Chill is your best bet. Strategist contributor Elyse Moody told us about this Thermos-like system that keeps cold liquids cold and actively cools warm liquids, thanks to its unique inner and outer chambers. The bottles keep breast milk chilled for 20 hours, eliminating the need for a refrigerator or cooler. It's designed so that you can pump directly into the bottles, significantly streamlining the process and reducing the number of pump parts you need to lug around. "As far as I can tell (and I’ve looked), there's nothing like it," she writes. "When I head out now, all I pack is the Ceres Chill, the pump, and the pump parts. It's still a lot, but with a small enough pump, all of this can fit in a diaper bag. Pumping will never feel convenient, exactly, but now it's much, much better."

At the Strategist, we love everything Sandeep Salter creates for her eponymous store in Brooklyn — including her line of sweet nightgowns that several of our editors and writers personally own (including me). The nightdresses come in a range of flowy, ultracomfortable styles that are ideal for new moms — which is why they’ve become some of our go-to gifts for friends who’ve just had babies. Choose ones with a buttoned front, like this pleated gown with a crochet-lace-trimmed Peter Pan collar, for a nursing-friendly option.

Diapers always make a welcome gift, but ones that are free of fragrance, lotion, latex, rubber, dye, alcohol, heavy metal, parabens, and phthalates are perhaps a little more special. "I struggled to find a brand of diapers that fit well and are soft and minimal," says Barnes, who says she wanted something that was ecofriendly. "Coterie diapers are simple, secure, soft, very absorbent, and the safest and cleanest diaper I’ve found, which is exactly what I want to put my baby in." I love these diapers and can vouch for them — they are so soft, and I love the fact that they look old-fashioned — but they are on the pricey side, which is why they make a great gift to a new parent who might feel overwhelmed with all the gear they have to buy.

Premvaree says that — based on personal experience — photo albums make fantastic gifts for doting grandparents and new parents alike. Premvaree's favorite service is Artifact Uprising, which she and her husband used to create their wedding album and to send their parents baby-photo albums for the holidays. She loves the company for its "great quality and minimalist and sleek aesthetic" and the fact that it's "very user friendly." She says that "their customer service is impeccable, so they keep me coming back." Dana Rudolph, a mom and the founder of LGBTQ+ parenting site Mombian, told us that Artifact Uprising's Baby Book is a great gift for new mothers in two-mom households, since the fill-in-the-blank book uses gender-neutral language to fit different family structures.

Everything you’ve heard about these being the best maternity leggings is true. I still wear mine from my first kid, and it's been nearly four years. While they definitely pill a lot, they’re still as stretchy, supportive, and durable as they were on day one. That's why we previously named them the best maternity workout pants because of how beloved they are by expecting mothers for being supportive yet not tight. I’m not the only one who swears by them: Style blogger and new mom Jennifer Jean-Pierre calls them "the softest, comfiest pants I have ever had" and can attest to their supportive — but not constrictive — nature after wearing them post C-section. She says "these are great for not rubbing on the incision." If you wear these throughout your pregnancy and worry about how they’ll fit afterward, don't. And Strategist contributing editor Jessica Silvester says they snap right back. "My proportions have more or less returned to normal, and the fabric has snapped back, too; it continues to conform to my shape," she promises.

Less expensive (but no less indulgent) is this Aesop face oil that's on the wish list of therapist Elizabeth Antoon-Walsh, who is mom to a toddler. "I’ve been obsessed with this light but hydrating face oil since getting a sample; it feels divine to rub my face with two of my favorite smells, ylang-ylang and jasmine," she says. "It's a luxury that is hard to justify buying for myself, as the price tag equals about 250 diapers, but it would be a perfect gift to find under the tree." Experts like Dr. Anna Karp, a dermatologist at the Skin Institute of New York, agree that face oils are great for moisturizing, "because they absorb fully into the skin with no greasy feeling afterward."

Instead of a diaper bag, consider this fanny pack, which is ideal for holding all the essentials (phone, diapers, wipes, and pacifiers) without the bulk. It's a favorite of Shuster's, who found it by way of a stylish mom's Instagram. It has a waterproof slot for wipes and a back pocket that folds out into a changing pad. "It's perfect for a quick park stroll or doctor's appointment if, like me, you’re a wannabe minimalist but hoarder in reality."

A sling can be a convenient alternative to a structured carrier, according to Shepard, who says slings work especially well when the baby is past the newborn stage. When she was pregnant with her second child and had a toddler at home, she told us she "wanted to up my baby-carrying game" and that a sling like this would "be an essential." Shepard told us that WildBird has "a cult following," saying that its carriers are made with "luxurious fabrics and are really easy to get the baby in and out quickly once you’ve got it mastered."

I wore this button-up from Storq after the company kindly sent me two of them for both pregnancies, and it ended up being one of my favorite maternity pieces. As the name suggests, it's just a breeze to wear. It's roomy without feeling schlub-y, covers your bump and your rump, and looks great as a stand-alone or layering piece.

Three of the moms who we spoke to say that a robe is one of the best gifts they received postpartum. Says Casino, "Pre-baby, I never used to spend that much time in my pajamas, but now I live in those suckers." Among her different loungewear options, Casino actually looks forward to putting on this softly textured cotton robe from Parachute. It makes her feel like she's "heading to the spa every time I wear it." If you want something a little more plush, Parachute's classic bathrobe is a Strategist favorite.

For a two-piece set with shorts, Eberjey's supersoft pajamas come highly recommended by Joanna Muenz, a photo editor and mother of two, who says she got "tired of wearing milk-stained, stretched-out tanks" and feels "more put together and classy in some swanky loungewear." Munez especially likes that this pajama shirt is button-down — a design that's her "best friend for breastfeeding."

For something a bit lighter, Stein recommends this cotton robe from Eberjey — one of our favorite brands for all things comfy — which she says was "terrific" for when "the baby is a newborn and you’re breastfeeding a lot, or even if you’re not!"

One of the most thoughtful gifts I received after my second was born was a package from Brodo, a "bone-broth bar" by the popular East Village restaurant Hearth. Broth has many noted restorative benefits as it's rich in protein and gelatin (and flavor), all things a new mom craves. This sampler includes 24 packs total of Brodo's organic chicken broth, Spicy Nonna bone broth, Deeply Rooted bone broth, and its signature Hearth bone broth — all of which you can drink from a mug or use as a base for soups and noodles.

Mom and baby get to play together with this gym, so it's kind of a gift for both. Cohen received this as a gift, and now it's one of her go-tos to give to friends. "This activity gym is beautifully made and includes a helpful play guide with ideas and inspiration from child-development experts," she says. Lovevery, which we’ve written about before, focuses on Montessori-style learning, and this play gym is no different. According to the description, it has five Montessori-inspired development zones on the Play Mat that will grow with your kid from newborn to toddler.

While this is only technically a gift for the baby, Mom will thank you much more. We’ve written a lot about the SNOO, a smart bassinet that uses motion and white noise to calm your baby back to sleep so you don't have to. New moms say it's priceless, but the $1,695 price tag says otherwise, which is why Kaufman, whose daughter started sleeping through the night when she was 2 months old using the SNOO, says gifting a one-month rental of the magic bassinet would be a dream. "You can rent one, including a sheet and swaddles, for $159 for one month," she says. "I can't imagine a gift a sleep-deprived new parent would appreciate more than anything that might get them an extra hour of sleep." We got one as a hand-me-down and used it for both babies. It's magical. The younger one sleep-trained himself, and we owe it all to the SNOO. If you commit to a six-month rental, the price goes from $159 a month for the first four months, then down to $49 a month for the fifth and six months.

Cristina Hochkeppel — the director of editorial operations at StyleCaster and SheKnows, and the mother of a toddler-age son — recommends the baby-food-maker she used when her son was a baby. "I love to cook, and making and feeding my baby homemade purées is something I’ve looked forward to ever since I was pregnant," she says. "This combination steamer-blender promises to prep things in 15 minutes tops and was designed for one-handed operation (key for assembling things while juggling a hungry baby)." She appreciates its understated design, saying that it "won't be a total eyesore on my kitchen countertop."

Shepard, who was expecting her second daughter when we spoke, told us that she wanted to make the postpartum phase a priority. "I vow to really luxuriate in the sweet lying-in time with so many newborn snuggles the second time around," she said. To that end, she recommends this collection of luxury hospital essentials from Hatch, which includes a pair of underwear, a robe, and nightgown — all made of organic bamboo — as well as a pair of cozy socks.

This portable, rechargeable baby-bottle warmer from Ember is the only new baby product that I’m genuinely excited about. As I wrote in my registry redo, it's a game changer in that it allows you to warm breast milk (or water for formula) on the go in about four minutes in a self-contained bottle — no pouring liquid from one vessel to another, a.k.a. mess, involved. Simply place the bottle (which includes a warming base that can go in the fridge, dishwasher, boiling water, and bottle sterilizers) on the rechargeable puck and press the button for perfectly warmed-to-body-temperature milk in an instant. It's beautifully and thoughtfully designed and comes with two bottles, an insulating sleeve to keep milk chilled in transit, plus adapter rings for Philips Avent and Dr. Brown's nipples. It's definitely pricey but great for a group-registry buy — or just a fancy new-mom gift.

With my first, I refused to get a diaper bag because I didn't really like anything I saw and instead used the non-laptop version of my beloved Kanken backpack. Then Caraa released its baby line, and I was immediately sold on its gorgeous, "not obviously a diaper bag" diaper bags. The brand was kind enough to send me a sample of this one in blush, and it's become a favorite. It is so thoughtfully designed with a gazillion pockets and compartments for just about everything you can think of. There are insulated pockets for bottles, clear waterproof pockets for wipes and other things that will inevitably get wet, a removable caddy for when you need to take diapers out, an easy way to attach it to a rolling suitcase, and so much more. Despite all these features, the backpack itself is as light as a cloud and feels like one too. It's quite stylish, though I wouldn't go as far as to say it's unisex (it may not be a dad's first choice). I use it as a backpack, but it can convert into a tote via a shoulder strap and even comes with straps to hang it on a stroller. This size fits an 11-inch laptop. It's available in a few colors, but the black is the only one that's washable.

For a mom who wants a little more from a traditional baby monitor, the Owlet sock and monitor might be a good option. It not only streams audio and video to your phone of your baby sleeping; it tracks your baby's heart rate and oxygen level. "This has provided so much peace to my husband and I while we sleep," says Barnes. "It was a gift from our friends and one of the most thoughtful gifts we received. We love that the sock and monitor are both connected to an app, making it super-easy to use."

New moms can get a breast pump through insurance, but I found it helpful to have more than one. The Elvie wireless breast pump is a wearable one that's viral on TikTok and a favorite of Shafrir's, who said she’d put this on her registry if she had to do it all over again. There was some initial sticker shock, but she says it changed her life. "It's basically two pods that you put in your bra — they suction and collect the milk into these vessels that attach to the pumps, and you’re not chained to anything," she says. "I actually pumped from the audience of a Disney fan convention, where I was reporting a story. I was just sitting there at the conference, pumping, because you can just do that with the Elvie; it's amazing." If you happen to be gifting this to yourself, know that you can purchase the Elvie with FSA or HSA benefits.

Jean-Pierre calls this little kitchen gadget "genius." It's kind of like an electric coffee maker but for baby formula. "This formula-maker has been everything and more for us," she says. "No more worrying about mixing the right amount when this does it for you." Fill the top with formula, and this machine will automatically make one- to ten-ounce bottles of milk for your baby. According to Jean-Pierre, the machine knows how much powder is needed based on the formula brand, and it even connects via an app, which allows you to control it remotely.

The YOYO stroller is so small and compact that Catbird creative director Leigh Plessner says, "It's like a doll stroller!" It's ideal for city living and fantastic for travel. "I just wanted the lightest, smallest thing I could find, and this is the perfect stroller for New York vestibules and stairs," she says.

Additional reporting by Chloe Anello, Tembe Denton-Hurst, Kayla Levy, Kaitlin Menza, and Jenna Milliner-Waddell.

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