Care package for new mom – what to include and what NOT to include, plus how to make it look beautiful!

There is nothing sweeter than being a new mom. Also, there are few things as stressful as being a new mom! Whether you recognize this from experience or have heard it from others, one of the best things you can do to show support and love to a new mom is make her a care package.

New mom care packages focus entirely on mama. They are full of beautiful gifts that will help her rest and heal, give her a treat and some entertainment and make her feel special and loved.

One caveat; please make sure to communicate with new moms to ensure that you aren’t sending them something they won’t use. For example, nipple cream for a bottle feeding mom, disposable diapers if she is cloth diapering, and formula if she is breastfeeding. If you are including food, make sure that she doesn’t have any allergies or aversions.

If you’re looking for new mom care package ideas and ideas for making it extra special, we’re here to help!

From the best products and packaging to create a DIY care package as well as pre-made care packages for new moms that you can send with the click of a button, your thoughtfulness and love will shine through when you reach out to a new mom with this gift.

If you’re not sure these ideas are right for you, make sure you check out our other gift ideas:

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How to Package Your New Mom Care Package

Want to make your care package even more special? Here’s how to make your gift look beautiful, without breaking the bank! You could try presenting your gift in:

A box: Paint or glue craft paper to the inside of a box you have at home and add encouraging messages. There are also fun boxes you can buy on Amazon and transform into a beautiful care package for a new mom.
A basket: Using re-usable packaging will make a new mom care package beautiful now and useful later. You could go with a wire basket, a canvas container or a classic woven basket.
A bag: There are so many cute tote bags and diaper bag options on Amazon. A new mom care package that can later be used as a diaper bag is perfection.
Filler: Adding shredded paper to your care package (especially if you choose to put it in a basket) gives it a finished and full look. Alternatively you could line the bottom of the basket with a soft and cozy blanket or hoodie.
Ribbons: The cherry on top of a care package is a ribbon of some sort. Choose from a lovely wire ribbon, trendy burlap ribbon or my favorite, a felt ball garland (that can be used again!)

What to Put in Your New Mom Care Package

Now what do we put INTO this adorable mom care package? Here are some helpful product ideas that will help a new mom feel supported and loved.

A ‘please don’t knock’ sign – This gorgeous wooden sign helps new moms get their rest! She’ll be able to hang it on the door when baby is asleep allowing her to (hopefully!) follow the advice to “sleep when baby sleeps.”

Lactation cookies – If you are sending a care package to a mom who is breastfeeding/pumping, lactation cookies are a delicious way to support their milk production (just make sure and double check for allergies). You could buy some ready to eat or make some yourself from a lactation cookie recipe for the home cooked touch!

Chocolates – Something indulgent like these chocolates that are just for mom would make a great addition to a new mom care package.

Herbal Tea/Mother’s Milk Tea – A cup of soothing tea can help a tired mama feel better. Mother’s Milk Tea is a great option if you know she is breastfeeding.

Dry Shampoo – Dry shampoo can help a new mom feel like her old self when frequent showers just aren’t possible.
Pretty Headband – A versatile headband can be a lifesaver for a tired mom who wants to look presentable. This adorable turban style, non-slip headband comes in several different colors and can be styled so many ways!

Sleep mask – When your sleep schedule is turned upside down AND constantly interrupted, you need to catch shut eye whenever possible. Adding a sleep mask to a new mom care package will help her rest in the daytime. This sleep mask is a great option!

Cute waterbottle – A new mom essential is a giant bottle of water nearby at all times (especially if she is nursing!). This 20 oz glass water bottle has several different colored silicone sleeves and a bamboo lid, making it as stylish as it is useful.

Spill proof coffee flask – Caffeine is sometimes the only thing that can keep a new mom functioning, so adding a spill proof coffee flask in your care package for a new mom will be a huge help! This is the one I had and it was so nice to be able to sit and (safely) have a cup of tea while baby nursed.

Granola bars- It is nice to have some easy, no-prep snacks available as you adjust to your new baby. A box or two of delicious granola bars is a thoughtful addition to this care package.

Wireless Ear Buds – Technology can help make those early months with a new baby a little more enjoyable. This pair of wireless ear buds is perfect to add to a new mom care package because it has a connecting wire. No more lost ear buds! Whether she uses ear buds to listen to an audiobook, music or her favorite podcast, this is a great pick for new moms and very thoughtful.

A cute and comfy sweater or hoodie – Not only will this hoodie keep a new mom warm and comfortable, it also has a great reminder and confidence booster on it. Let her know she is the Best. Mom. Ever!

A luxurious hand cream – New moms are constantly washing their hands, and a hand cream that really moisturizes can be a huge help. You may even want to consider purchasing scent-free hand cream to avoid irritation or allergies to mom or baby.

Gift Card Ideas to Add To Your Care Package

Adding a few gift cards to your care package for a new mom or even gifting an envelope full of gift cards is a great way to show support. Here are a few gift cards worth considering:

Meal Kit Delivery Service – There are so many different companies offering meal kits. Meal Kit Delivery Services will send new moms all of the ingredients for a meal plus a detailed recipe. Consider gifting a month or two of meal kit delivery services like HelloFresh, BlueApron or HomeFresh so that she doesn’t have to worry about meal planning OR shopping.
Uber Eats Card: A new mom will LOVE having an Uber Eats gift card so that she can order her favorite foods to be delivered. Seriously, this sounds magnificent for a new mom care package!
Amazon or Audible: Did you know you can gift Amazon Prime or Audible subscriptions? It is super easy and a useful gift for a new mom care package. An Amazon membership will put all things baby within 1-2 days of shipping, and Audible will provide entertaining audiobooks for her to listen to. Or you can just grab an Amazon gift card which she can use for anything on Amazon.
A cleaning service: If you can add a gift card for a cleaning service like Merry Maids, you will make a new mom feel SO pampered! Let’s face it, cleaning takes a backseat to babies. A cleaning service can take cleaning chores off a new mom’s list so she can eat a snack, take a rest, or rock her adorable new baby.

Pre-made Care Package Options

If you don’t have the time to put together a new mom care package or like the simplicity of an adorable pre-made care package there are some amazing options available on Etsy. Not only are they beautifully packaged, they are also filled with fun and useful products.

Before you send a care package with, ahem, personal products like nipple cream and “mama bottom balm,” consider how close your relationship is with the giftee. Some people might be sensitive to a near stranger thinking about their lady parts. 😉

Mini Lux: Postpartum Care Gift Box, New Mom Care Package, Postpartum Gift, Baby Shower Gift, Birthing Gift: Any mom will feel pampered with this Mini Lux postpartum care gift box. This pre-made care package includes a gorgeous silk komono, a customized tumbler, several beauty products and items for postpartum care.

Ash Tree Naturals Postpartum Box – Filled with artisan body care products handmade with organic ingredients, the Ash Tree Postpartum box is gorgeous! This contains some personal products including nipple balm so it would probably be best for someone you are quite close with given its contents.

Mollie and Frankie New Mumma Gift Pack – This sweet “new mumma” gift pack has some great essentials to pamper new moms including a lavender eye pillow, tub teabags, a calm roller blend and a Breast Compress Set.

Luxury Relaxation Pamper Box – This care package isn’t specifically for moms but it has luxury products intended to pamper and promote relaxation…just want new moms need! It includes a mix of sweet treats and spa products… because who says you *have* to buy something labelled new mom?

Prince1 Designs Postpartum Box – Luxurious soap, custom cup, softest socks, tons of products for mom’s recovery (including nipple balm). This care package is filled with so many great gifts for a new mom.

What NOT To Include in A new Mom Care Package

As you put together a new mom care package, it is important to do so thoughtfully. Besides considering mom’s circumstances and possible allergies, there are just some things that should never be included in a new mom care package including:

A gift card for a babysitting service: Choosing a babysitter can be a touchy subject. Offering to babysit would be a sweet gesture, but a card for a stranger to babysit will most likely not be accepted well.
Products that YOU want the new mom to use: Please do not use a new mom care package as a soapbox for the type of parenting you think she should do. For example, if she has said she will be bottle feeding don’t send her a book about breastfeeding and/or breastfeeding products.
A card that tells her to “enjoy every single minute.” The sentiments are nice, but becoming a mother is nothing less than a roller coaster of emotions. Even if you mean well, there will be MANY difficult and unenjoyable minutes in motherhood and it’s ok not to be full of joy during those moments. Don’t make her feel guilty with undue pressure.

The Final Word

A thoughtful care package for a new mom is an amazing and simple way to show her your love and support. They don’t need to be complicated… you can purchase a pre-made care package or put your own care package together using as few or as many new-mom products as you want. Each of these products and pre-made care packages were specially chosen to help spoil the new mama on your gift list.

The thought and gesture behind this gift is what will make it most valuable. Don’t hesitate to send off a care package for a new mom that you love.