The Perfect Gift List For New Parents

WHAT TO BUY NEWBORN PARENTS IN THE EARLY DAYS

A love filled, cosy and relaxed newborn session at home in Hitchin, Hertfordshire with Kerry, David, Baby Alessio and his grandparents. As a newborn photographer in Hertfordshire who always aims to provide a nurturing and relaxed experience for parents, I often talk about what my parents have found beneficial to them in the early days. During my session with Kerry & David, we talked so much about what we wish we had known before becoming parents. People will tell you that the journey you’re about to embark upon will change your life forever, that you will never know love & tiredness like it. But those around us often don’t know just how best to support new parents, it may have been so long ago for them that they have forgotten themselves. We shared what we wish we had added to our baby shower / new parent gift list. So here’s the things we wish we’d asked for to support us during those early days of newborn parenthood…

A POSTPARTUM DOULA

We are fortunate in our community to have the most incredible birth workers, birth and postpartum doulas. What does a postpartum doula do? A postpartum doula offers emotional and physical, supporting the mother and her family postnatally through provisions of nurturing home cooked meals, providing herbal supplements and a wealth of knowledge in postpartum recovery including closing bones ceremonies, postpartum massage. During the sacred stage of the postpartum period, also known as the fourth trimester, a postpartum doula can give parents and their baby such a nurturing & supported start to parenthood. They say it takes a village, a postpartum doula is such an invaluable part of this village.

THE FOOD DOULA, MEAL DELIVERY VOUCHERS AND HOME COOKED MEALS

Nourishment during the early stages of postpartum, the first forty days, is so so important. Even though I did some batch cooking, it wasn’t enough, and it was exhausting trying to parent my toddler whilst heavily pregnant so the time to rest over cooking was more important. It wasn’t until after I had our daughters that I learnt about Kate - THE FOOD DOULA and her incredible food doula services, nourishing women one meal at a time throughout their postpartum and motherhood journey. Meal delivery vouchers and home cooked meals will be so deeply appreciated by newborn parents, something that they can easily pop in the oven whilst their nurturing their newborn babe.

GIFT VOUCHERS FOR A NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION

It might surprise you to learn that we didn’t book a newborn photographer when we had our first daughter. I think because I had a professional camera, we had family visiting, I just assumed that they would take some lovely photos of us together as a family. I couldn’t have been more wrong and whilst I’m so grateful for the photos we do have of us and Chloe, I deeply regret not booking a professional photographer to come and capture those precious early days of us at home. There is absolutely an art to newborn photography, a skill in noticing the moments a mothering heart would never want to forget, the teeny tiny details. Having a baby can feel like a huge expense as a new parent, but often so many things will be outgrown or not even used. A photography session is a gift that will last and be cherished forever, gift vouchers towards a session helps to take the financial pressure off parents and means they have this most precious time captured.

AN IN HOME MASSAGE VOUCHER / THERAPY VOUCHERS

We are fortunate to have some wonderful mobile therapists in Hertfordshire, perfect for parents who are not in a season in their lives where they can easily leave their home. We have recently had an in home couples massage and it was the most relaxing and nurturing evening. As a new mother, the things that I found help to fill my cup up were yoga classes, meditation and sound baths; therapeutic practices that helped me to relax and restore.

A NEW PARENT POSTPARTUM & SELF CARE KIT

In the midst of all the beautiful newborn days, parents will find it difficult to prioritise time for themselves. Put together a thoughtful self care kit of herbal teas, Epsom salts, bath oil, an eye mask, postpartum self care book. Postpartum supplies including lanolin cream, postpartum sanitary pads, bamboo breast pads, soft cotton underwear and pyjamas, anything soft and stretchy against the skin will be so deeply appreciated by any new mother.

A SPA VOUCHER

The way to every mothers heart, particularly mine. When she feels ready, gift her a relaxing and restorative day to herself at a lovely spa. We are fortunate to have so many local day spas and outdoor spaces to enjoy a warm dip, PAUS in Cambridge is a personal favourite, just a few hours in nature, with beautiful cedar wood hot tubs & hilltop sauna, and their food is incredible.

I hope you’ve found this little list helpful, whether you’re trying to think of a gift list for yourself or gifting for someone you love who is about to start their journey as new parents. All my love, Kim xx