This Mother’s Day, Help the New Mom in Your Life Prioritize Her Health

I never thought much of mattress pads. I don’t have a particularly hard bed, so I didn’t see the benefit. Then I tried this Birch Mattress Topper. It added a firm layer of cushion, so my body felt supported in ways that I didn’t know I needed, but without feeling hard. As a new mother, it made the hours of sleep I could steal feel all the more restful. Plus, its all organic materials gave me peace of mind while I snoozed away.

Ideally, a new mother is in bed as much as possible in the early postpartum days. Even if sleep isn’t part of the equation, resting her body and bonding with baby in a comfortable setting is supreme. We love these organic cotton sheets from Coyuchi. “They have that great crisp, clean feeling of cotton sheets and keep it longer than most — a whole week!” says writer Sabrina Weiss. Give her the gift of feeling like she’s in a fresh hotel bed.

Motherhood is all about micro moments of self-care. The hot and cold eye mask from Ostrichpillow is a perfect example of how even the smallest blip in time can be upgraded. This weighted eye mask can either be popped into the microwave or slipped into the freezer to provide hot or cold therapy. She can place it over her eyes while she breastfeeds, offering a quick moment to refresh. Even though my baby isn’t quite a baby anymore, I still find myself turning to this eye mask often.

Remember how I mentioned that magnesium is part of my personality? Exhibit B right here: This whipped magnesium butter from Ballou Family Apothecary is a silky, moisturizing cream that helps soothe aching muscles and promotes deep relaxation. When my back was sore from babywearing, this magnesium was very helpful. I especially love the lavender scent.

Staying on top of cooking can be difficult for any of us, but especially so for new moms. I struggled with eating consistent meals when getting the hang of mom life because I was just so darn busy. A meal delivery service like Thistle can be a great solution. Health writer Brittany Vargas loves this service, noting the abundance of flavors and nutrient-dense foods as standout features.

I’d heard quite a bit about Lucy Jones’s book Matrescence, with many new moms encouraging me to read it. While I was pregnant, I didn’t resonate with much of the content and let it collect dust. When my baby arrived? I read it and was deeply moved. It is a validating memoir full of scientific research that helped me understand my own journey into motherhood.

An iced drink can feel like such a treat, especially on a rough day. The Carter Cold Tumbler from Fellow comes in 11 different colors, two different sizes (16 or 20 ounces), and has an easy-to-hold shape. Vargas appreciates that it is spill resistant and keeps drinks cold for up to 20 hours, so even if your new mom brain sets it and forgets it, your iced treat remains iced until you find it again.

It wasn’t until I had my son that I realized the true beauty of an air fryer. You can toss food in, leave it for a bit, and then have it hot and crispy. There’s minimal clean up, plenty of healthy recipe options, and it’s simple to use. Writer Mary Sauer loves how this one looks on her countertop and notes that it’s also easy to clean.

In the year following my son’s birth, I struggled with finding comfortable clothing. It was important that I found pieces that felt supportive without being overly constricting. These Airbrush leggings from Alo offer medium compression and don’t dig into my waist at all. Plus, they’re perfect for everything from stroller walks to errands.

A quick stroll around the block can change everything. It can calm a crying baby, soothe a stressed mother, and help reset the entire day. The New Balance Made in USA 990v4s are my preferred walking sneaker, due to their wide toe box, firm yet comfortable cushioning, and cute sporty look.

Easing back into movement is key — doing too much at once can cause more harm than good. The Pilates Class offers postpartum classes, gentle stretching routines, and guided breathing exercises. I love how there’s a wide variety of class times. Even just a five-minute class has had a meaningful impact on me.

A pretty play mat that can easily double as a huge yoga mat? Yes, it exists — and yes, it is amazing. This play mat from Totter & Tumble is easily one of my favorite products in my house. I have it in my son’s bedroom. While he plays near me, I lie on it and do some gentle breath work, ab exercises, or stretching.

Perelel is a vitamin company that offers products created in partnership with women’s health doctors. Its Mom Multi Support Pack is third-party tested and comes in handy individual packages, which can easily be tossed in purses and diaper bags. I faithfully take these vitamins and have noticed a boost in energy and a decrease in hair shedding.

Red light therapy is widely celebrated for its many benefits, including skin rejuvenation and hair growth support, both of which a new mother might desperately need. This red light pad from Novaa is flexible and heated, so it can be used on any part of the body. Weiss especially likes the heat function, noting that it feels very soothing.

Boundaries are always important, but especially as a mom. With the demands of caring for a small human comes the need to set limits on the demands others may have of you. The Set Boundaries Deck from Nedra Glover Tawwab makes it easier to do so by giving you suggestions for what to say and do to establish and protect the boundaries in your life. Writer Riley Blanton likes that these cards are equal parts aesthetically pleasing and helpful.

I was at a postpartum yoga class when I first saw this book. It is full of illustrations and is easy to digest, while giving name to a lot of the scary thoughts that come up for new moms. I have since gifted it to my friends who are new moms and have consistently heard how comforting it has been for them.

There are so many changes that happen during the evolution into motherhood, from hormone fluctuations to identity shifts. Psychotherapy is profoundly helpful for making sense of it all. Octave offers specialized perinatal mental health services and is in-network with some insurance companies.

A weighted blanket can feel cozy and soothing on your postpartum body, but it can be a bit too hot or bulky. A weighted lap pad is a great alternative, offering some of that comforting pressure without taking up a lot of space or getting too warm. This one from Bearaby pulls double duty by also having the option to be heated. “I could see this being comforting for menstrual cramps or just general achiness, since it has the combination of warmth and weight,” notes writer Sarah Bradley.

I love dry brushing because it helps slough off dead skin and reminds me to take a moment to tap into my self-care. This brush from Kate McLeod has an easy-to-hold circular design. “I also liked that it was made of bamboo, which is eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing,” explains writer Mary Dennis. Add in its low price point, and this gift is an easy buy for the new mom in your life.

Osea is a natural beauty brand founded by a mother and daughter. It prioritizes clean and effective ingredients packaged in thoughtful and aesthetically pleasing vessels. My counter is covered with their products, and the Glow All Over set is a gift I bring to all of my new mom friends. It is like a mini spa treatment in a compact bag.

Gentle products that prioritize an effortless glow are always appreciated, postpartum and beyond. The Heavenly serum from Simi Beauty is full of vitamin C and hyaluronic acid and promises to deliver moisture. I’ve tried this serum and find it best for normal to oily skin types.

A stuffed animal might seem like a gift best saved for the kiddos, but let us assure you that a Warmie is a sweet and comforting gift for moms too. It is a stuffed animal infused with soothing lavender that can be warmed up and has a gentle weight to it. Editorial director Simone Scully has a Warmie that the whole family uses. From her son’s earaches to her husband’s jaw pain, it’s proven to be a crowd favorite.

Fuzzy slippers are always a welcome gift. The Aspy slipper from Solei Sea has a trendy design, can be worn indoors and outdoors, is 100 percent vegan, and is made of eco-conscious materials. Writer Ashley Ziegler notes that these stand out for both warmth and comfort. “These are comfy and cute, and they have great arch support,” she says, so you know that a new mom’s aching feet will be taken care of.

A diffuser is a great way to fill the home with smell-good scents that are ultra relaxing. The doTERRA Laluz diffuser comes in a chic vessel and diffuses the perfect amount of mist. It isn’t overwhelming, but it produces a nice, cool veil of mist, scented with your favorite essential oil. When I used this, I opted for lavender.