Series: Mothers Day isn’t enough (The gifts)
The best gift for a baby isn’t more stuff. It’s a supported mom | 3 min read
Let’s talk about the baby registry.
We spend months prepping for the baby. Diapers, cribs, and car seats.
But does any of that matter if mom isn’t healthy, present, or well?
That’s why I was excited to see the top 2 most visited blogs on www.nancygohkelly.com are:
🌟 ”Forget the baby registry. Here’s what to get mom."
🌟 ”Best books I’d gift all new moms.”
We’ve optimized what to get for baby.
But moms go through a full identity shift after birth–physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s called matrascence.
And we don’t prepare moms for that.
Here’s what I wish was the standard for registries–gifts that actually support moms:
- Nourishment + hydration: Meal trains, food delivery gift cards, a water bottle she’ll actually use.
- Time back for her: Help with house cleaning, grocery runs, watching older siblings.
- Funding the support village: Doulas, lactation consultants, therapy, sleep consultants.
- Sleep gear: From smart bassinets and baby carriers to exercise balls–anything that helps baby rest helps mom rest.
And the books that help mom feel whole again:
- Real Self Care by Pooja Lakshmin, MD
- Pay Up by Reshma Saujani
- Fair Play by Eve Rodsky
- Expecting Better by Emily Oster
- Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts by Karen Kleiman, MSW, LCSW
- Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy
When expecting moms (or their people) look for guidance on my website, they won’t get tummy time tips.
They’ll get gift ideas that make mom feel like herself again. That’ll help her build systems and healthy habits that ‘stick’, and bring back joy during one of her most life-changing transitions.
The best gift for a baby isn’t more stuff. It’s a supported mom.
So let’s invest in her, because moms belong on the registry, too.
Grateful to Motherly for first publishing my book recs and helping them reach more moms.
Follow the conversation on LinkedIn.
Forget the baby registry. Here’s 11 gifts new moms actually need.
Learn more about what I’m fighting for.
