Baby Showers: Unique Baby Shower Gift Ideas
When I was pregnant with my first baby, Johnny, my family and partner in crime here at FemFwd threw me a really fun and sweet baby shower. We did a relay and the food spread was charming and delicious. And, of course, there were LOTS of presents. Onesies, diaper cream, diapers, burp clothes, and so on. I come from a privileged family and am lucky to have had most of the supplies I needed provided to me. I recognize that there are folks who simply don’t have the means to get even the most important, essential items for their baby. Those are not the items I am referring to in this article.
After having baby number two, I have come to realize that babies really don’t need that much, aside from the essentials. The thing that I loved most about my baby showers was the connection to community and to support. I love the warmth and wisdom in the little notes written in the books gifted to my babies. I loved how a circle of women shared stories about becoming mothers and being mothers- I loved drinking from the pool of collective wisdom. So, I am not knocking baby showers, rather I am suggesting that maybe we can give one another something even more useful in that special time together (more on that later).
Mental Load: Invisible Load of Motherhood
I decided to start my certification in Perinatal Mental Health (for those who aren’t familiar with this phrasing, perinatal is a fancy word for both pregnancy and the postpartum time period) after having my second son, Christopher. My postpartum was really hard and it was the impetus for me to learn more about perinatal mental health so that I could better serve mothers in my clinical practice. In my course, the teacher was talking about postpartum and she said,
“There are seasons for giving and seasons for receiving. You are in a season of receiving.”
That really resonated for me. Like a lot of women, I tend to be the nurturer and the one making sure everyone else is comfortable.
Let’s pause and think about what you just did.
You literally grew another human for nine months. Your organs literally shifted inside your body and made a football size hole in your uterus to accommodate a small human. You dealt with morning sickness (who are we kidding, all day sickness!), headaches, sleepless nights, voracious hunger, food aversions, endless worries, and ALL the body aches. Any mama out there knows this list could go on and on and on. Oh, and let’s not forget (my vagina certainly hasn’t) the whole pushing an enormous human out our vagina or birthing the baby through a major abdominal surgery. Not to mention, all the mama’s whose journey began well before sustaining a pregnancy to term- all of you who went through fertility treatments, adoption processes, and losses.
Unique Baby Shower Gifts for Mom to be
This process is vulnerable, hard, wonderful, and transformative. What we need most from those around us is practical support, validation, and explicit permission to take care of ourselves. So, maybe you have a special mama in your life that you are looking to support. Here are my thoughts on ways to support our mama’s, outside of traditional baby shower gifts.
Pregnancy Information: For the curious mama
Courses- this might be a childbirth class, but could also be classes on integrating a new baby with sibling(s), basics of caring for a newborn, breastfeeding introduction, etc.
Your local hospital or birthing center likely offers courses, too.
Concerned about how to parent well after the baby makes their arrival? We even offer three parenting classes that will help you show up as your best self as a new mama.
Books
Podcast recommendations
Pregnancy Pain: For the mama complaining of pain during pregnancy and/or after birth
Chipping in for a Pelvic Floor Therapist Evaluation during pregnancy and/or in the early postpartum period
To learn more about pelvic floor health check out The Vagina Whisperer and Kerry Tobin PT.Chipping in for a massage
Rice heat pack for those achey hips or shoulder/neck pain from late night feedings. Here’s the microwavable heat pack I love.
Social Support: For the mama who needs social/emotional support
Chipping in for doula support during the birth
Chipping in for doula support after the birth- they will come over and do whatever you need them to do. You can even have them come take care of your baby in the middle of the night so you can get a few consecutive hours of sleep!
Being available for late night phone calls and breakdowns (because they will happen)
Chipping in for mental health therapy, as there are many therapists who are certified in perinatal mental health. You can find some great therapists at Psychology Today.
For the mama who needs practical/task related support:
Setting up a meal train and/or food delivery and/or grocery delivery
Being specific about household chores you’re willing to come over and perform in the postpartum period
Postpartum supplies, like pads, hemorrhoid cream, and perineum support items
Supplying nutritious snacks for late night feedings
Chipping in for a cloth diaper service
Babysitting
Don’t underestimate the power of providing awesome resources
Relationship Advice For Women
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