There’s No Manual: Honest and Gory Wisdom About Having a Baby
The no-holds-barred guide all pregnant women should read
Regulator temperature regulating sheets
Sometimes a pregnant lady just needs to cool down!
Include your favorite mom-to-be in this year’s Mother’s Day celebrations with a token of recognition and encouragement. The special day is coming up, so now is the time to order a thoughtful gift for the soon-to-be mom in your life. A little something will no doubt be appreciated as she prepares for motherhood. Here at CNET, we’ve rounded up some amazing options to give expectant parents.
Pregnant and formerly pregnant shopping experts have weighed in on this handy shopping list, so you know these products are great. There are practical items, including a prepacked hospital bag and a box of nutritious snacks. There are sentimental gifts like a “mama” necklace, and there are little luxuries, including a plush robe. Whatever your budget, you can find something here, from an affordable belly cream to a pricier mini maternity capsule wardrobe. You can rest assured that all of these gift options will ease any expectant mama’s journey. Read on to discover quality options for a Mother’s Day surprise.
Anyone who’s been pregnant remembers trying to stuff their swollen feet into shoes. Help a mama out with some ventilated, wide slip-on Crocs — because no one wants to bend over to put shoes on in the third trimester. Crocs even come in trendy hues like lavender, so the mom-to-be can be comfortable and stylish. Over 25 colors are available, so you can pick her favorite.
It’s the luxury she didn’t know she wanted — or maybe the mom-to-be does know she wants a Tushy! Either way, a sparkling clean undercarriage is not a bad way to kick off Mother’s Day, especially when a giant belly makes certain tasks difficult. Tushy’s Classic 3.0 bidet model features adjustable angle control for a targeted spray, and it takes less than 10 minutes to install.
Gift a little self care. This lush face oil from Sunday Riley contains raspberry, wild carrot, black cumin, grape and broccoli seed oils that help hydrate skin. Massaging Juno oil into her face and neck will be a welcome step in an expectant mom’s bedtime routine, and it’s also great for cuticles and dry hair ends.
It’s not glamorous, but Mom will appreciate this convenient product kit. This recovery essentials collection from Frida Mom includes a sampling of products to ease postpartum healing, including 24 cooling pad liners, four pairs of disposable underwear, healing foam, four instant ice maxi pads and a convenient caddy. (Note that the peri bottle is sold separately.)
Mint & Lily’s “mama” piece is a perennial favorite, and it’s not hard to see why. The simple gold 18-inch necklace is a sweet way to celebrate her journey to motherhood. Made of 18K gold, this is a classic staple your expectant mama can wear everyday.
Authors Beth Newell and Jackie Ann Ruiz dish out the info that expectant moms need in this clever, illustrated read. Stressing that there’s no “right” way to do things, all the pertinent topics are included here, from stretch pants to “lightning crotch” to epidurals. This is one gift that she’ll definitely find useful.
The ultimate gift for a mom-to-be, Baby Boldly takes all the guesswork out of packing for the hospital. The Happy Medium Birth Bag includes over 19 birth stay essentials, including grippy socks, toothbrush and toothpaste, a phone charger, nipple balm, and more. They’ve thought of everything. And it’s all packed in your choice of four bag styles, including floral, gray, teal and black.
Sometimes pregnant women need a little help getting comfy. It’s hard to sleep with that big bump! Hence, the popularity of body pillows like this gem from Poppy Total Body. The contours of this pillow provide plenty of support, making it easy to snuggle in and get comfortable. Bonus: It includes a washable cover.
It’s classic pregnancy advice: slather belly butter on your growing bod to prevent stretch marks. A quality lotion is a pregnancy staple, and Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter is packed with top-notch ingredients like shea and jojoba butters. It’s a needed and affordable gift. Bonus: There’s no pesky fragrance to irritate sensitive noses.
Choose from size small, medium or large and Hatch packs up a perfect box of essentials to bring to the hospital. A pair of comfy full-coverage organic undies, an organic bamboo nightgown that’s nursing-friendly, an organic bamboo robe, and a pair of cozy socks. Everything is in coordinating black and gray.
Just because she’s pregnant doesn’t mean she can’t enjoy sexy Kardashian-backed brand Skims! The company’s cotton sleepwear is a comfy gift for an expectant mama. Available in sizes ranging from XS to 4X, the Cotton Sleep Bundle includes the Cotton Rib Tank and the Cotton Rib Boxer. The fabric contains 5% Spandex, so it can accommodate various stages of belly, for pregnancy and beyond.
Cult favorite loungewear brand Barefoot Dreams makes this dreamy robe that’s perfect for gifting. Your favorite mama-to-be can pack it up for the hospital, toss it on for late-night feedings, or snuggle up on the couch. The unisex CozyChic style is available in black, ivory and silver ice.
If you’ve ever been pregnant, you know that snacks are so necessary. The hunger is like no other! Health food company Agni has created products that are nutritious and delicious, and they’re made for pregnant people. The Pregnancy Box includes cookies, teas and seasonings crafted with nutrients like folate, omega 3, iron, and potassium.
L.L.Bean’s Wicked Good Slippers are the perfect pair. They’re cushy with a cozy shearling interior, plus the water-resistant finish and sturdy sole let her step outside if need be. Super easy to slip into, and versatile enough to go with anything, these stylish mules will keep her comfy no matter the weather. Available in brown, charcoal blue, navy, berry and olive.
Running hot during pregnancy is the pits. Keep the expectant mama in your life cool at night with these temperature-regulating sheets. The bamboo-rayon blend is moisture-wicking and the Regulator set is said to run three to four degrees cooler than your average cotton or polyester sheets. A set would be particularly appreciated during a spring or summer pregnancy. Prices start at $149 for a twin set and go up to $179 for queen and $209 for split king.
Why deal with crowded restaurants when Harry & David’s Mother’s Day Brunch Gift has everything a mom-to-be could want? This delightful package will show up at her door packed full of salami, gouda, heart-shaped crackers, roasted almonds, cashews, tea cookies, baklava, Belgian waffles, and fig preserves. No brunch is complete without a special beverage, and this one includes pregnancy-safe sparkling grape juice.
