Becoming a parent is a wild ride. Suddenly, you’re thrust into a realm in which you have to keep a child alive, keep yourself alive, navigate your interpersonal relationships, keep your finances afloat, and maintain your mental health so you can do it all. If you’re a parent yourself, you likely have some hazy recollection of those overwhelming early years. But if you aren’t a parent, you might feel lost as to how to lighten the load for your new parent friends.

The good news is that any help — no matter how big or small — is appreciated. And yes, that help could take the form of a gift.

We tested hundreds of products this year to figure out what gifts we’d want to give (or receive). Plus, as a licensed therapist and new mother, I have some tried-and-true favorites that have helped me. Here are some gifts we recommend giving this holiday season.

Newborn Days

Picture this: It is 4 a.m. You gave birth less than 12 hours ago. You and your partner are anxiously trying to fold up your newborn like a comfy burrito in a hospital blanket, only for the blanket to keep coming undone. The nurse isn’t answering the call button, and when she finally does, you can only imagine she’s concealing an eye roll that two frantic parents are asking for her help swaddling.

This is a true story, and I’m the main character. Don’t be like me — get this Halo Cotton Sleepsack Swaddle instead. It’s so easy. All you do is zip up your baby, tuck in their little arms as you pull the cloth flaps across their body, and secure it with the Velcro. Total game changer.

There isn’t much time to do anything when in the early throes of parenthood. This air fryer from Fritaire has a punchy red color, a clear vessel so you can see your food cooking, and will help you get dinner on the table, stat.

“It is much easier to keep clean than our other air fryer,” says Everyday Health writer Mary Sauer. She attributes this to its clear glass structure and self-cleaning function. Cooks dinner quickly and can be cleaned even faster? A parent’s dream.

There’s no way around it: You don’t sleep a lot in those early days of parenthood. But there are products that can help you fake it. This retinol eye cream from Neutrogena is an affordable yet effective product that brightens dark circles and minimizes the appearance of crow's-feet. I used it in those early days of parenthood. The ritual of applying eye cream alone lifted my spirits because I was taking a quick moment to care for myself.

My partner and I took shifts when caring for the baby so the other could sleep when off shift. When it was my turn, I would find myself ravenous but not have a second to make myself a bite of food. It took me a few weeks, but then I wised up and began making myself snack plates. This bento box from Lalo is a great adult snack plate and will soon be the perfect snack plate for your kid once they get a bit bigger.

“There’s a lot to love about this one,” says editorial director Simone Scully, who tried this product. It’s plastic-free (made with stainless steel and BPA-free silicone), is easy to clean, and has different compartments, making it perfect for a variety of snacks.

Can’t stress this enough: Coffee is deeply appreciated by any new parent. I used to make a latte, put it in a thermos, and keep it on my bedside table so it was ready for me as soon as I got up. It may sound excessive, but it was great that I had my favorite beverage ready as soon as I needed it, especially since mornings with a new baby can be difficult.

This mini espresso machine from Thyme & Table will keep the new parents in your life caffeinated. “I love how chic it looks on my kitchen counter,” says writer and tester Ysolt Usigan. It’s quite space efficient, with a very small footprint, so it will have no problem sitting alongside a bottle-washing and -warming station.

Playtime Trinkets

Exposure to words at an early age can promote early literacy.

We love these alphabet cards from Lana’s Shop. Each card has a letter of the alphabet and a corresponding food that begins with the same letter. This gift grows with the baby and is sure to be a winner when the kiddo starts solids and begins to recognize the foods they love on the cards.

The deck comes with a QR code that breaks down different activities you can do with the cards. “This would make a good holiday gift or stocking stuffer. They're really beautifully painted,” says editor Nicole Bonaccorso, who tried this product.

I’m a sucker for an aesthetically pleasing baby toy. This wooden puzzle board from Etta Loves x Walala Studio is a design-forward toy that promotes hand-eye coordination and motor skill development. It is designed for babies 1 year old and up, but my 8-month-old enjoys it already. He isn’t big enough to fit the wooden shapes into the spaces where they’re supposed to go, but he likes to look at the bright colors of the shapes and feel their textures.

This is a teether, ball, and bath toy all-in-one. The sweet B Is for Ball “Beep Beep” Car Toy Box set comes with two silicone balls that have removable tops (perfect for making sure there’s no mold growing after lots of bath-time play) and a Montessori-inspired box to hold the balls. “It is fun that the box is part of the toy and that it can be used as a child grows for different purposes,” says writer Grace Gallagher.

For Posterity’s Sake

“The days are long, but the years are short” may be a cliché, but it’s true. This baby book from Artifact Uprising is a great way to document the moments that you’re bound to forget otherwise. “I started making photo books when my son was born and haven’t stopped yet,” says Scully. This book has a pretty clothbound cover, prompts, and thick pages that are perfect for writing on. And best of all, kids will love seeing how they’ve grown through the years when they get old enough to take a peek.

Time to Nest

It’s safe to say that you spend a lot of time on the floor as a new parent. This can be rough on tender knees and achy joints. Throw in a little human who is wobbly on their own feet and prone to taking tumbles, and it’s more important than ever to make sure that you have an extra cushy play mat.

I have this mat and fell in love with it instantly. It’s so comfortable and shock absorbing. It also has pretty patterns to choose from. If I could have one in every room of my house, I certainly would.

Sleep is an ever-elusive concept for babies and new parents alike. Instead of writing down each wake window and calculating how long it took for baby to fall asleep, all so you can have some semblance of a nighttime routine, you can simply use the Nanit Pro Baby Monitor, which uses an app to track important details.

You can check in on your slumbering babe through the app even if you’re out and someone else is home watching them. Plus, the app tracks how long it took for the baby to fall asleep, how long they were asleep, and their longest stretch of sleep. All of my mom friends swear by this product, making us confident it is a must-have for your nursery.

Feeding your baby formula can be inconvenient. Middle-of-the-night feedings are slowed down by mixing up a bottle and waiting for it to warm. Any hunger-induced meltdown can last eons if you’re stuck preparing a bottle in the middle of it all. The genius Baby Brezza Formula Pro dispenses the amount of formula and water needed into the bottle and mixes it up for you. Think of it as the Nespresso of baby-feeding products.

Okay, we know that mattresses are a big gift that you’re not going to give to just anyone. But hear me out: One of the best memories I have from coming home after the hospital was sleeping in my bed. It felt soft, supportive, familiar. While I didn’t get a lot of sleep in the months that followed, the sleep I did get was high quality, thanks to a great mattress. And we love the Avocado Green Mattress.

Scully notes how comfortable it is: “It’s surprisingly soft yet also supportive. I have honestly never slept better than I have since I got this mattress.” So if you’re a grandparent looking to find a good way to help out or a partner who wants to make sure Mom gets some quality sleep after labor, this is a gift they’ll remember.

Babies have ultrasensitive skin, so being mindful of every substance that touches their skin is incredibly important. The Baby Bath Tub Filter from Canopy nixes chlorine and irritants present in tap water, making for a more hydrated and enjoyable experience. “These are very easy to set up,” says Scully. She has well water at home, which can make her and her son a bit itchy. After using this water filter, the itchiness lifted — a true testament to the power of this filter.

We’ve already covered that sleep is scarce for those first few years. But just because they aren’t sleeping doesn’t mean they don’t want to be cozy. This faux fur blanket from Luxome is a luxurious throw that mimics the feeling of real fur.

“I cannot tell you just how soft and plushy and thick and somewhat weighted this blanket is,” Scully says. While she was initially skeptical due to the high price, she understood the appeal after receiving it. This double-sided throw truly mimics the sight and feeling of real fur, underscoring why Scully feels this is an excellent luxury gift.

Rare Moments of Self-Care

All that luxurious hair growth mothers experience during pregnancy is typically offset by a round of hair loss postpartum. If you have a mom in your life who is complaining about postpartum hair shedding, consider gifting them the hair regrowth system from Keranique.

Health writer Raki Swanson consistently used these products and noticed some hair regrowth. “This doesn’t happen fast, and consistency is key, but I was beyond shocked that after two weeks, things changed for me,” she says.

Give the gift of at least pretending they have well-rested skin. This anti-aging facial moisturizer from Keracell minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while brightening and boosting moisture retention. “I do find it impressive that this product has human stem cell extract in it,” says Usigan. Her skin felt great after a few days of use, giving the satisfaction of quick results that any new parent could use.

The postpartum period can be marked by milk-stained clothes, not enough showers, and messy hair that could use a wash. Something that allows a new mother to feel pulled together yet is nursing-friendly is key. Embrace is an elevated clothing line designed for expectant and new mothers. I personally have this nursing dress from Embrace in a soft black cotton rib fabric. It is perfect for breastfeeding and smooth enough to feel comfortable and put together.

There’s no way around it: You simply don’t sleep much when you have a new baby. This gift set from Glow Recipe is the perfect stocking stuffer for a sleepy mom who wants to feel a bit more refreshed.

“It comes with five travel-sized products, allowing you to sample a decent number of Glow Recipe’s products,” says Scully. It comes with sheer tinted serums and skin care essentials, like a hyaluronic acid hydrating serum and oil-free moisturizer.

One of the best things about a diaper bag is that it goes everywhere you do. And since days with a little one can stretch much longer than planned, you don’t want to find yourself stuck with chapped lips. That’s where this lip balm set from Poppy & Pout comes in.

This gentle trio of lip balms has sweet flavors like French macaron and strawberry bonbon. The flavors aren’t the only benefits here. “The packaging is biodegradable, which is nice, and the balms themselves contain vitamin A,” says Scully.

Being a parent requires being on your feet a lot. Don’t get caught with tender insoles or sore toes, and be sure to wear supportive footwear. These Asics have plush cushioning to combat the fatigue that comes from long days on your feet while still being lightweight enough to keep from feeling clunky.

Swanson loves these so much, she’s on her second pair. The reason is simple: “This is the perfect shoe,” she says.

Yoga, meditation, and breath work may be faraway dreams for any new parent, but they don’t have to be. Open, an app that features breath work, yoga, and mindfulness, offers a variety of classes.

I use this app and love the different class lengths — I can easily find an exercise class that is only 10 minutes long yet will help me feel grounded all day. A subscription to this app offers an excellent opportunity for the new parents in your life to bond as they breathe, flow, and move together with Open.

As a new mother, there is nothing quite like receiving a self-care gift set when you’re feeling especially tired and weary. The Radiance Ritual gift box from Caring for Mama has everything a new mother could want on a rough day. It includes a rosewater skin mist, a lavender chai lotion bar, a candle, and self-love shower affirmation cards.

When I received this box, I was especially drawn to the affirmation cards. They can grip onto a surface with no adhesives, making them a practical gift, especially considering a new parent might not have much time otherwise to look through the self-love affirmation cards.

On the Go

If you have a fussy sleeper, you know how difficult it can be to take a walk or run an errand without the drama of nonstop tears and yells. This portable sound machine from Yogasleep can soothe and lull a baby back to sleep. Pop this on their car seat or stroller and enjoy the quiet snoozing of a sleeping baby.

According to Gallagher, it arrives charged, it has a light you can adjust, and the battery stays charged for up to 36 hours. What more could you need?

If this isn’t their first rodeo, chances are there’s an older sibling who needs to be occupied while the younger is tended to. The Toniebox 2 is an audio player suitable for children ages 1 to 9 years. Kiddos can get stories and songs from different Tonie characters or unlock screen-free interactive games. Plus, it can be used as a sunrise alarm and sleep timer with a night light. “We’ve had one for my son since he was about 2, and it’s been a hit ever since,” Scully says.

One of my first purchases when I was pregnant was a great diaper bag. I was romanced by finding a bag I loved, filling it with baby necessities, and grabbing it on my way out the door to a park or library story time. This fantasy held up as soon as my son was born, and reaching for my diaper bag is still a joy for me.

This bag from MZ Wallace is sure to be a hit with the new parent in your life. While it isn’t necessarily a diaper bag, it has plenty of compartments that make it a great contender to be one. “It also came with three mini bags to organize my stuff,” says Scully, who adds that it also works as an overnight duffle or carry-on bag, so you’re sure to get plenty of use out of it even as you evolve out of the diaper bag phase.

Some babies just aren’t into car seats. Offering a distraction like this spiral activity toy from Itzy Ritzy can be a great solution. Toss it on their car seat handle and watch them enjoy the different textures and sounds from the hanging toys. The flexible spiral design makes it easy to attach to a stroller, car seat, or bouncer, and it’s available in several themes, like high contrast, rainbow, and farm animals.

You’re stuck in traffic, the baby is crying, and you forgot to eat lunch. Just as your nerves get brittle and frustration builds, you remember that you have Mary’s Gone Crackers Super Seed Crackers in your bag. Hangry feelings be gone! This scenario is all too common, and popping a box of these crackers in a stocking is a thoughtful and practical gesture. “A little goes a long way — after about four crackers, I was getting full,” says Everyday Health writer Raki Swanson. These crackers can satisfy a grumbling belly, no hummus or dip needed.

Fruit pouches are great for young kids when you are on the go. You can feed it to a baby, pass it to older kiddos, and even have one yourself. But they can start to add up. We love these reusable pouches from Haakaa. It is an eco- and budget-friendly way to keep good snacks around. “I started using them when my oldest was a baby, and I still use them for him and for my younger son, who is nearly 2,” says Bonaccorso.

We love a product that can grow with a young family. The PackIt Freezable Playtime Lunch Box is one. This lunch box has built-in cooler packs, which are frozen by sticking the whole lunch box in the freezer. We like that you can toss in breastmilk or formula, snacks, sandwiches, and more for a day out. Plus, it can be saved and sent to day care or preschool when the time comes.

Scully says that the lunch box stays cold for a substantial amount of time, and she is even comfortable tossing in perishables like cheese — making us confident in our recommendation of storing formula or breastmilk in it.

Trust me when I say this: You need a diaper bag that you can wipe down. I’ll spare you the details of how I know this. The Levy Backpack from HAPP is made of a water-resistant polyester that protects against spills. It has plenty of bottle pockets and is super lightweight. “It has nine compartments, which is definitely a nice feature,” says Gallagher, who adds that it’s easy to see everything stored in the bag, which is a major score.

How We Chose the Best Gifts for New Parents

We went to great lengths to ensure that all of the gifts recommended here went through various levels of approval.

First, we tried over 400 wellness and lifestyle products this year. We were particularly interested in the efficacy, accessibility, and prices of these products. After enlisting a team of Everyday Health writers to test the products, we analyzed their feedback on each item’s performance and practicality, asking writers to comment on the ease of use and price.

From there, we tapped a new mother and licensed therapist to write this article.

Why Trust Everyday Health

We independently investigate and recommend products and services we believe will enrich the lives of our readers and meet their specific needs. You can trust our reviews because we do the legwork for you. Read more about why you can trust us.

Julia Childs Heyl, MSW

Author

Julia Childs Heyl, MSW, is a California-based clinical social worker and mental health writer. Her writing often focuses on mental health disparities and uses critical race theory as her preferred theoretical framework. She has been published by Verywell Mind, Health, Parents, Shape, Yahoo, and more.

In her clinical work, Julia specializes in treating people of color experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma through depth therapy and EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) trauma therapy. Identifying as a holistic-minded clinician, Julia views mental health as a relationship between the soul, self, and systemic structures in our lives. Her formative training includes developing mental health programming specifically for Black survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and conducting research on generational trauma within the Black community.

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Nicole Bonaccorso

Editor

Nicole Bonaccorso is a writer and editor with more than 12 years of journalism experience. She has been writing for Everyday Health since 2025, and has also been published on NBCNews.com, Treehugger, Verywell, Mashable, and Upworthy, among other publications.

Nicole was also a senior editor at Weather.com for more than 11 years, covering everything from weather and climate change to health, science, and travel.

In addition to writing, Nicole has also found a passion in helping new parents reach their breastfeeding goals and is working towards becoming a certified breastfeeding specialist.

In her free time, Nicole enjoys hiking, camping, cooking, reading, and spending time outdoors with her two young sons, husband, and dog.

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Simone Scully

Editor

Simone Scully is the editorial director for service commerce and marketplace content at Everyday Health. She has nearly 15 years of experience as a professional health and science journalist, covering topics such as the psychological impacts of living with chronic conditions, nationwide gaps in menopause healthcare, grief, neonatal loss, and the latest wellness trends over her career. Her byline has been published by over 35 publications, including Healthline, Well+Good, InStyle, Psych Central, Romper, Narratively, Nautilus magazine, and more.

Before joining Everyday Health, Simone was an editorial director of health and parenting commerce and service content at Dotdash Meredith. She oversaw a team of editors and writers that published content across nine different sites, including the Verywells, Parents, Health, and Shape. Prior to this, she also worked as an editor at The Weather Channel's Weather.com, Upworthy, theSkimm, and Business Insider. A project Simone oversaw at Weather.com on the health and environmental impacts of global water shortages won several awards in 2020, including the CMA award for Best Series of Articles, an IAC award, and an Eppy award, among others.

Simone received a master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, where she focused on science and health long-form reporting and photojournalism. Her master's thesis explored the treatment of prolonged grief disorder following a miscarriage or the loss of a child. She was also awarded the John Horgan Award for Critical Science and Health Journalism at graduation.

Born in Minnesota, Simone lived 14 years in France until she graduated high school, then three years in London to get her bachelor's degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She currently lives in the Hudson Valley of New York with her husband, son, dog, and cats. When she's not working, you can find her writing fiction or plays, hiking in national parks, or tending to her garden and indoor plants.

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