Holiday Gift Guide for the NOT First Time Mom-To-Be

Let’s be honest, when it’s your first pregnancy, you are showered with gifts and attention and the spotlight is always on you.

Your partner, your family and friends constantly check on you and ask you how you are feeling, if there is anything you need or want.  You feel like royalty and I loved every second of it.

But by your second, or third/fourth/fifth pregnancy, you have found yourself lost in the background in the story of your ever growing family. Ironically, by this time you are so exhausted from looking after your current little humans, that the body growing your newest addition needs more love and attention than ever before!

With the holidays fast approaching, if you are stumped on what to get that pregnant not first time mom-to-be in your life, here are a few ideas.
Not First Time Mom to Be Gift Guide
*This post contains affiliate and/or paid links which means that if you click on one of these links and buy a product, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Rest assured that I only recommend products that I love from companies that I trust. Furthermore, I am not a medical professional and nothing in this post should be taken as medical advice. I am simply a mother who has been there and lived to tell the tale.
Not First Time Mom to Be Gift Guide Not First Time Mom to Be Gift Guide

A Prenatal Massage

Whether it’s the first or the fifth pregnancy, a mom-to-be is sore all over.  Her back aches, her neck hurts, she always has some strange shooting pain in some part of her body. A prenatal massage specializes on a growing mama’s needs. Although there is a very good chance she’s gonna snooze on that massage table, because… motherhood.

A Pedicure

By the middle of the second trimester, and for sure by the third, we can barely bend over to put on our shoes, never mind paint our toenails. Plus, for a NOT first time mom-to-be, there’s the added problem of having other children with their own busy schedules.  So we can hardly remember the last time we did something just for ourselves.  Sending a pregnant mom for a pedicure is one of the best gifts you can give her (and I love going just to sit in those massage chairs!)

13 Things About Postpartum Depression All New Moms Need to Know
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A Back or Foot Massager

Speaking of those massage chairs at the nail salon, how about one that we can use in the comfort of our own homes?  Being able to sneak in a massage while watching our other children play is multi-tasking done right!  This is a gift that will definitely keep on giving because we’ll also be able to use it postpartum, including while breastfeeding or as part of our regular self care routine.  In fact, the luxury of being able to enjoy a massage while binge watching Grey’s Anatomy after the kids going to bed sounds heavenly! 

Check out the full selection of back, neck and foot massagers available from HoMedics.com

A Comfy Robe with Pockets

I had one when I was pregnant with my first baby. I lived in it postpartum, those middle of the night feedings and sitting in a rocking chair all night.  But that was 6 years ago.  It’s worn out and I’ll admit, a little on the small side now… (it MUST have shrunk in the dryer). But a brand new comfy robe would be the perfect gift for a NOT first time mom-to-be.  Make sure that it has some good pockets because we carry ALL the things:  washcloths, pacifiers, baby monitor, phone. Bonus points for some new house shoes to go with it! 

Zulily.com

A Subscription Box

A box full of goodies showing up her doorstep each month is enough to make a NOT first time mom-to-be tear up (not that it takes much).  If you want her to feel special and remembered this is one of the nicest gift options.  And where else would you go than Bump Boxes?  They are specifically designed for the pregnant mama and contain high quality products that she’s probably never tried before but will be super excited to.

A 3D/4D Non-Diagnostic Ultrasound

There are several companies that offer non-diagnostic ultrasounds for expectant mothers nowadays.  This is a great way for moms to get a look at their babies before they are born and have a keepsake of their pregnancies.  It’s also a great gift for the entire family, including older siblings, and helps them feel more involved in the pregnancy.  There are even mobile ultrasound companies that will perform the sessions in your own home! But they can be costly and are often neglected by moms in subsequent pregnancies.  A gift certificate for one of these sessions would make an awesome gift.

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Hair Salon Gift Certificates

We want to get our hair done. We want to get it colored and cut and styled. We really do. But sometimes our kids’ ballet lessons are more important, or the van needs an oil change.  So the money that we want to spend on ourselves needs to go somewhere else. We say we’ll do it “one day” and we throw our hair into a mom bun and move on.  A gift certificate to her hair salon is the the gift of guilt free beautiful hair.  That postpartum hair loss is about to do a number on her, so she might even want to use it after the baby arrives to help give her the much needed cool mom pick me up! 

A Gift Certificate for Skip the Dishes (or her favorite restaurant)

This is not to use on her family when she doesn’t want to cook (although it could be!) No, these are for her to splurge on that order of chicken wings, mozzarella sticks and deep fried pickles after the kids are in bed and some strange craving hits her.  One of the most thoughtful gifts I remember is our neighbors giving us a gift card for pizza place when our 2nd daughter came home. We were so grateful for such a small thing on those first few days of complete exhaustion. 

A Self-Care Basket

Finally… give her all the self care products you can find!  Face masks, moisturizers, lip balm, makeup, skin care, exfoliating scrubs, bath bombs, essential oils, deep conditioner, you name it!  A NOT first time mom-to-be is even more guilty of neglecting self care throughout her pregnancy and afterwards so she needs as much encouragement as possible.  Chances are, if she has the products in her home already, she’s more likely to make time to use them.  This time of the year you can find self care products everywhere – or do your one stop shopping online at stores like Rocky Mountain Oils, Aveda or Well.ca

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Hopefully some of these ideas inspire you when it comes to treating that expecting mom in your life. You also don’t have to wait until Christmas morning, a just because gift can be the best ones!  We get so used to taking care of other people that it is nice to be remembered.  Happy Gifting! 

Jess Sankar | Running in Triangles
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12 Mother’s Day Gifts That Will Encourage Self Care

Mother’s Day is a holiday where we recognize moms for all the amazing things they do for others. 

Mother’s day makes us think about all the diapers changed, meals cooked, loads of laundry washed, books read and baths given and wonder how a mom finds time to do it all in one day.  And it becomes very clear that she’s given something up in order to achieve that.  That “something” is usually self care. 

Self care is so important, but in the struggle to reach perfect mom status, we spend more energy than we have.  This leads to mental health issues, stress, anxiety, rage, insomnia and even physical pain.  In other words, it IS a big deal.  And there’s no better occasion than Mother’s Day to focus on mom’s needs for a change.

This year, consider these Mother’s Day gift ideas for the mom in your life who might need a little extra help getting in that self care time.
Mother's Day Gifts That Will Encourage Self Care
*This is a sponsored post, meaning that I received compensation in order to promote some of these products, and it may contain affiliate links. Rest assured that I only recommend products that I love from companies that I trust.
Mother's Day Gifts That Will Encourage Self Care

Self care is so important for hardworking moms.  And it’s not uncommon if she has neglected herself in order to take care of the needs of her family instead.  Check out some of these self care inspired gifts to remind her that she is loved and recognized for her hard work. 

Nectar Mattress
The Nectar Mattress

Sleep is one of the best gifts you can give to a mother.  Let her sleep in, let her stay in bed all day binge watching Netflix and get up with the kids in the middle of the night if need be.  If you really want to prove how important her sleep is to you, invest in a brand new mattress.  This one from Nectar comes with a forever guarantee plus a 365 day free trial so you can’t go wrong.

BlanQuil Weighted Blanket
BlanQuil by Nectar

If an entire new mattress is not an option, at least splurge on a luxurious weighted blanket.  Using a weighted blanket has been proven to reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress and insomnia.  The deep pressure touch therapy will also help over touched moms find relaxation at the end of the day. 

Shine The Light On Clothing
Shine The Light On

The modern, casual clothing line from Shine The Light On is perfect for lounging around the house, but also great for running errands, doing school pick ups or watching soccer practice.  Bonus points for helping to spread mental health awareness! Use coupon code RUNINTRIANGLES15 for 15% off your purchase!

Essential Oil Diffuser Kit
Rocky Mountain Oils

Aromatherapy is an easy way for moms to experience healing benefits.  Use a diffuser in the bedroom to induce better sleep, the office to encourage productivity, or the living room where she can go about her day and let the essential oils work their magic.  And an aromatherapy diffuser that comes with a set of the most popular essential oils makes gift giving super simple.

Cowin Noise Cancelling Headphones
Amazon.com

One of the best (and only) ways for a mom to relax in a house full of children is by with some noise canceling headphones.  A wireless, Bluetooth version will ensure she can go anywhere in peace and quiet.  Make sure to create a playlist for her on Spotify and let her escape to a world away from snack making and diaper changing.

Thermea by Nordik Spa-Nature
Read more about thermotherapy here

I will promote a spa day for every single holiday, but a spa visit might not be an option this year.  A Spa Finder gift card  is always available and can be used at so many locations that when quarantine is over, she can have her pick. 

Amazon.com

Skin care is often neglected by moms due to the cost and time associated with it.  So skin care gifts can mean a lot to a mom in need of some pampering.  If you’re not sure where to begin looking, then consider products that are popular and trendy such as this Anti-Aging Vitamin C Serum that has over 3,000 positive reviews on Amazon.  Or, the ever popular Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay. If you’re looking for something organic, try the TOHI Skin Care Line from Rocky Mountain Oils.

HoMedics

She’s on her feet all day long so a foot massage is an awesome Mother’s Day gift idea.   Not only does it encourage her to sit still for a little while, but it works out all the tension she’s been holding onto.  This shiatsu food massager from HoMedics has various different controls plus heat! 

One Line A Day Memory Book
Indigo.ca

Journaling can also be a great outlet for creativity.  Bullet journals are all the rage right now and combine writing with art for a wholesome experience.  A One Line A Day journal can help a busy mom keep track of her moods, memories and document exciting changes as the kids grow.  It’s a great gift that would be easy to incorporate into any mom’s lifestyle. 

Mama Bear Necklace Mother's Day Gift
Sincerely Silver

A main reason why moms neglect self care is because they feel guilty.  So this Mother’s Day, make sure that she feels proud to take care of herself.  Get her this mama bear necklace to remind her that she is like the mama bear, who stays strong in order to take care of her babies.  And that taking care of herself is one of the best ways she can take care of her family. 

Mother's Day Contest Featuring Sincerely Silver Mother's Day Contest Featuring Sincerely Silver