Motherhood is an extremely memorable part of a woman’s life, but it can be overwhelming for first time millennial moms. After all, it entails massive adjustments that include getting used to waking up in the middle of the night and keeping up with irregular feeding schedules.
As a new mom, you deserve all the reinforcements to make your journey into parenthood easier. So, if you’re looking for the perfect present to treat yourself with, check out these five ideas below — from practical investments, to fun gifts your baby will appreciate, too.
Postpartum leggings
Carrying a tiny human in your womb for nine months takes its toll on your body. After pregnancy, the tummy area is sensitive, so it can be difficult to find pants with the right balance of comfort and support. With that being said, you’ll definitely enjoy postpartum leggings — whether you’re looking to ease back into your yoga routine, or simply for going on errands. For example, Who What Wear’s feature on buying post-pregnancy leggings recommends the Beyond Yoga maternity leggings. They are soft, cozy, and have extra fabric up top to ensure full belly support while your baby bump heals — all things you’ll definitely appreciate in a pair of leggings.
Stylish diaper bag
Becoming a mother doesn’t have to mean giving up your sense of style and surrendering to a life of utilitarian bags and sweatpants. So, what better way to remind yourself of this than a stylish diaper bag, which can hold all of your baby essentials in one place while giving designer totes a run for their money? The Bump’s article on designer diaper bags notes that the Kate Spade baby bag is perfect if you’re a fashionista mom. Its chic exterior houses enough room to fit diapers, baby bottles, and extra clothes, and it even has a wipe-able changing pad in case of any emergencies. Stylish and functional, these bags are a welcome addition to your wardrobe.
A practical stroller
You may be staying indoors due to the pandemic, but The Cut’s discussion on outdoor walks explains that going outside is still important for physical and mental health. Of course, this goes for your baby as well. One way you can take your baby outside safely and conveniently is using a stroller. According to iCandy’s feature on choosing a stroller, it’s recommended to get a model with an adjustable handlebar so that you can comfortably maneuver the stroller, regardless of your height. For safety purposes, good strollers also need solid brake pedals. If you’re a mom-on-the-go, you can easily stop to enjoy a coffee while keeping your baby and stroller steady. It is important to note that strollers can get very expensive, but they are well worth the investment — not just for your baby’s needs, but yours too.
A good kids’ book
Our post on ‘Encouraging Kids to Read’ explains that children benefit from honest conversations on topics that are difficult to talk about — and books can be one avenue to facilitate such discussions. To that end, consider getting a children’s book about inclusivity and diversity, which you can read with your child once they are old enough. For example, Lupita Nyong’o’s ‘Sulwe’ is a good choice for engaging very young readers about self-love and race. This beautifully illustrated picture book follows the story of a young girl and her journey towards accepting and loving the color of her own skin. Though some of these books might be too advanced for very young children, it’s always worth investing in a home library that celebrates diversity and equality.
An article on PopSugar notes that millennial moms are unique in that they are more involved in child-rearing, more so than their baby boomer counterparts. Therefore, you might employ a wide range of different parenting styles — but like any parent, you only want what’s best for your children. Gifting yourself with the above presents can help you achieve just that.