A Gift Giving Guide for Gifts that Support Perinatal & Maternal Mental Health

Finding a thoughtful and practical gift for an expecting mama can pose its challenges, but your gift has the chance to help enhance the soon-to-be mama’s mental and physical well-being! With Mother’s Day right around the corner, this guide was crafted with items that may make those sleepless nights, anxious thoughts, or days with depleted energy during the postpartum period a little less daunting. And hey, let’s not just limit this to a Mother’s Day gift guide because these gift ideas would be a beneficial addition to any baby shower registry you may be shopping for. So let's get started with finding that thoughtful present that supports the expecting mama’s mental health! 

A Postpartum Meal Delivery Subscription:

After mom has tended to the baby's feeding and nutrition demands, a postpartum meal delivery subscription will take some pressure off. No more determining what food she needs and what meals she feels like preparing! Need help figuring out how to gift this idea? Check out some of the following companies who specialize in this very niché:

• https://mama-meals.com/ 

• https://nourishmealdelivery.com/ 

• https://milkyoat.com/ 

Classes that get Mama Moving!

Cover the cost of a class subscription for prenatal/postnatal yoga or pilates classes that allow moms to connect with other moms while moving their body in a safe manner as instructed by trained professionals! If local to Baltimore, Maryland - The Womb Room is a great place to engage in-person! But not to fret - they offer virtual classes for those not local to the area! 

Give the Gift of a Doula…

And no we’re not saying to go become certified as a doula in order to provide support to the mom. Instead, inquire about the expecting mama’s desire for support postpartum; do they want a doula’s help, do they already have a specific doula in mind, when do they want the doula’s help, are they comfortable with you providing monetary support to them for acquiring a doula? Some moms may not want a doula and that’s okay, but some might and if that's the case, then you can gift them the ability of acquiring this support! You can learn more about doula support here! 

Physical & Mental Relaxation through Massage!

Assist mama with preparing her body for delivery or recovering from delivery through relaxation by gifting her a massage! Another great local resource to Baltimore, Maryland is Metta Wellness who offers a pregnancy massage or Sweet Willow Massage who offers massages while trying to conceive through postpartum. *Disclaimer: As always when engaging with physical treatment, it is encouraged the mom talk to her OB/GYN first to ensure she is cleared medically for the massage. 

Postpartum Care Package

None of the options above fit your gift giving style? Try gifting a postpartum care package by buying one already fully made up or by personally selecting items you pick and packaging them up yourself! Check out the pregnancy and postpartum care packages curated by Sunflower Motherhood to purchase them or gain inspo! If curating your own, here are some ideas to start your care package: nipple cream, specialized underwear, teas and lotions. 

All the gifts on the list are a great way to support and show your love for the expecting mama in your life. We never know if mental health concerns will be present during pregnancy or postpartum. It is strongly encouraged to reach out to a mental health professional who can provide specialized treatment if the mom begins experiencing any signs or symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. You can reach out today for support.

In the meantime, happy gifting!