The Feel-Good Gift Guide for Mums-to-Be (For Anytime of Year)

Sure, flowers are always nice for the mum-to-be. But when everyone, including her, is focused on baby’s big debut, purposeful gifts (on top of flowers) are even better. The gifts that communicate “I see you”, “I support you”, “I’m here to help you make this journey a little bit easier”. First-time mum presents, new mum presents, presents that partners will also be able to enjoy, functional snacking treats, gift ideas for expecting mums– if you’re out of ideas, we've got you covered. These are the best mum-to-be gifts for any time of year. 

After years as a food editor collaborating on holiday gift guides for print magazines, it’s no surprise this evergreen gift guide features a handful of hand-picked food brands offering superb gifts and functionality, alongside other helpful gifts ranging from books to essential oils. Without further ado, here are our top picks for purposeful, thoughtful gifts for mums-to-be. Because the best gift for pregnancy is an intentional one. 

1. Neal’s Yard Lavender and Frankincense Essential Oils with Handkerchiefs 

Give the gift of calm and relaxation. Two essential oils that work wonders during pregnancy and labour. Gift with your choice of handkerchiefs so mama can add drops as she wishes and breathe in whenever she needs it. A helping hand during labour, and a must for the hospital bag. (£12-22; Frankincense Organic Essential Oil, 10ml and Lavender Essential Oil 10ml)

2. FINAL DATES Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Date Truffles

Add sweetness to the final weeks by helping mum-to-be eat more dates with functional chocolate truffles. Rooted in tradition and backed by research, dates may support a smoother labour when eaten in the last month of pregnancy, and we all know that labour is hard work. This is you supporting her and cheering her on in the journey. Each truffle is about one Medjool date, and while studies suggest pregnant women eat between three to six dates (or more) a day in the final weeks, FINAL DATES truffles can help tick a crucial to-do. No matter her birth plan, good-for-you, handmade chocolate truffles are always a good idea. Gift cards are also available. (£15; FINAL DATES Chocolate Dater Truffles for Mums-to-Be)

3. Hydro Flax Wide Mouth with Flex Straw Cap

She will be doing a lot of things one-handed. A large water bottle that’s easy to carry around, plus a straw to sip from, is a godsend. And if she will be breastfeeding, the thirst is unlike any other. (£39.95; Wide Mouth with Flex Straw Cap 32 oz.)

4. Amie non-alcoholic rosé

Beloved wine brand that doesn’t skimp on quality has a non-alcoholic rosé in its range of wines. Perfect for the mum-to-be who misses a glass with dinner, or wants to feel part of a toast (perhaps her own cin-cin because she’s about to birth a baby). Amie non-alcoholic rosé is a dry, lightly sparkling rosé, containing just 2.7g of sugar, and pairs splendidly with chocolate date truffles and flowers (wink, wink). (£16; Amie non-alcoholic rosé)

5. Obaby Oatmeal Round Back Rocking Nursing Chair

There will be a lot of hours spent on THE chair. If you’re looking for a big gift, this truly comfortable chair available on JoJo Maman Bébé is the one. Soon-to-be-mama will feel soothed just sitting on it, no matter the time of day. (£350, Obaby Oatmeal Round Back Rocking Nursing Chair on JoJo Maman Bébé)

6. FOUR MAMAS- The Mama Menu Package 

FOUR MAMAS is redefining birth support and showing what it really means to put the spotlight back on the mother. They offer one-day retreats at gorgeous, feel-good venues with a blend of expert-led education and restorative wellness. FOUR MAMAS also offers packages and because food is a love language, The Mama Menu package is a top choice. It includes seven nourishing, chef-prepared meals tailored to postpartum recovery, delivered to her door, and one pre- or postnatal class at the new Notting Hill Club (yoga, barre or pilates). It's a win-win for London mums-to-be. (£135; The Mama Menu Package from FOUR MAMAS)

7. Hormonal intelligence (HI FOODS) Honey Almond Butter: Postnatal Blend 

Help mama stay nourished with a functional almond butter that serves this season of life just right. Made with Medjool dates (which we love, of course), quinoa, warm spices, and honey, it’s the perfect balance of sweet and salty. Made to drizzle on toast, oatmeal, or straight from the pouch. Gift a stash for her to resort to right after baby comes. (£10; Honey Almond Butter: Postnatal Blend)

8. The Food Doula- Postpartum Food Support

If you can’t gift your time to your favorite mum-to-be and cook nourishing meals for her to keep in the freezer, The Food Doula can. Ready to be stashed in the freezer and recommended to be ordered for delivery weeks prior to the due date, this is a thoughtful gift that will deeply nourish mothers in the challenging early days of postpartum. Food is the last thing on a new mum's brain and this generous gift will feel like a hug on the longest days. (£150; Postpartum Food Support)

9. MILK IT Lactation Support Cookies

Cookies made to help the breastfeeding mama. Build a box of eight cookies with five flavours to choose from. They come freshly baked and individually packed, and their freezable which is a big perk so they’re there when she needs them. Milk It was created by Mel, a postpartum nutrition consultant, breastfeeding support counsellor, doula, perinatal yoga teacher, and mum of two. (£44, Milk it Lactation Support Cookie Box)

10. Yuri

Nutrient-dense bars, Matri Posham, are slightly sweet, with a wonderfully tender texture reminiscent of shortbread, and made for the tender time that is postpartum. Handmade in the UK, Neekita is the mastermind behind Yuri. Using natural ingredients and traditional recipes for new mothers, Yuri honours the ancient wisdom of postpartum nutrition and recovery. Yuri brings time-honoured postpartum traditions from her family into the modern day. Keep this close and ready to order so mama has them on hand ASAP. (from £8; Matri Poshan Lactation and Breastfeeding Support Bar)

11. Mamacita Collective Sienna Silk Eye Mask in Sky 

Behind the humour and the joyful burst of colour in this eye mask made from Mulberry silk lies permission to disconnect no matter the time of day and doze off to regain strength. She’ll be sleeping odd hours, short hours, and those hard-to-come-by hours deserve to be uninterrupted. Our favorite is the MILF eye mask but take your pick from a handful of other cheeky slogans. (£30; Mamacita Collective Sienna Silk Eye Mask in Sky) 

12. Positive Birth Company The Birth and Beyond Bundle (Digital Courses)

The Positive Birth Company offers gift cards for their digital courses for the mum-to-be to activate at her leisure. The Birth and Beyond Bundle offers two digital courses: Hypnobirthing and Postpartum. The Hypnobirthing course will lend tools to help the soon-to-be mama feel calm and confident, with tools to access during birth. The postpartum course offers a series of videos delivered by experts covering everything for the early days, weeks and months of life with a newborn baby. Perfect for a first time mum ( £59; The Birth & Beyond Bundle)

13. How To Have A Baby by Natalie Meddings

Written by Natalie Meddings, a doula for over 20 years, this book is pure magic. Made to be read in bits, it’s a feel-good book packed with insights and advice ready to fill you with confidence. This is the book to read before having a baby. (£19; How to Have a Baby: Mother-Gathered Guidance on Birth and New Babies by Natalie Meddings)

14. The Fearless Birth Book by Emma Armstrong, aka The Naked Doula

An engrossing book to build confidence in the expectant mother with easy-to-remember advice, thanks to the captivating illustrations. Certified birth doula and hypnobirthing coach, Emma Armstrong, wants women to have the power to influence their birth experience by tuning in to their body and brain. It’s an engaging book, illustrated by Emma herself, and packed with helpful info like KICO and “floppy face, floppy fanny” techniques much adored by her loyal following that know her as The Naked Doula. (£17; The Fearless Birth Book (The Naked Doula): Find Your Power, Influence Your Birth)