11 Eco Friendly Postpartum Gift Basket Ideas To Give a Little Extra Love to New Families 

a low waste homemade postpartum gift basket for new moms

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Did your loved one just welcome a new little one into their life and you are looking for ideas to shower them with love with an eco friendly postpartum gift basket? 

This list includes all the best comforting and cozy gifts you can give your loved one as they settle into their new busy lives and routines. 

The best part is that all of the items on this list have been curated in a way that minimize harm to the planet as well! 

This post is all about the best eco friendly postpartum gift basket ideas.

an expecting mom and baby in a gift basket

What do you put in a sustainable postpartum gift basket for an expecting mom? 

For the perfect postpartum gift basket, you should include all the items someone might love as their body and mind are healing from bringing new life into the world! Don’t forget to include items for the person’s partner as well as it is a lot for everyone. 

Check out your local thrift store to find the perfect second-hand gift basket. I promise you will be able to find one that fits the theme of your basket since there always seems to be great containers at the thrift store. 

Lastly, don’t forget a heartfelt card! Including words of encouragement and care can really go a long way for new families as they navigate the world of parenthood! 

The Best Eco Friendly Postpartum Gift Basket Ideas

1. Homemade sweet treats

This one’s a classic but who doesn’t love munching on something sweet while recovering or really any time! 

Instead of putting the cookies in plastic bags you could put them in a reusable Stasher bag to gift them! That way, no plastic is being used and it is an extra little gift that can be reused.

homemade cookies to put in a postpartum gift basket

2. Reusable water bottle

Are you team hydro flask or Stanley cup?

Of course, there are plenty of other water bottle brands but these are popular for a reason!

Consider throwing in a high-quality water bottle into the postpartum gift basket so they can stay hydrated as they heal and eventually chase after their little one! 

3. Calming Organic Tea

For a pop of color, include an organic tea set from Pukka!

They have a wide selection of teas that can aid in relaxation but our recommendation is their new Peace tea with a blend of chamomile, lavender, spearmint, ashwagandha, and hemp seed oil.

Even thrifting a cute mug to throw the tea bags in would be a super cute addition to the basket! 

Why we love Pukka: 

  • USDA Organic certified
  • 1% for the Planet 
  • Fair For Life certified 
  • Fair Wild certified 
  • B corp Certified 
  • Recyclable packaging 
  • Compostable tea bags
  • Individual tea sachets for easy brewing 
a postpartum mom drinking tea that was a gift

4. Relaxing Candles

Help your loved one unwind with a clean burning candle as they catch up on their favorite show or dive into a new book!

If you are able to find a locally made candle and support a small business in your town we encourage you to do so but if you need an online option we suggest Goodlight candles!

Why we love Goodlight candles: 

  • Plant based
  • Use vegan, non-GMO, clean-burning wax 
  • No phthalates, synthetic or artificial fragrances, chemicals, paraffin, etc. 
  • Pure cotton lead-free wicks 

{RECOMMENDED POST: 5 Must Know Eco friendly Baby Tips for Eco Conscious Parents}

5. Osea body oil

Have you heard of the Undaria Algae body oil by Osea? It is heavenly!

It has a lovely citrusy scent and leaves your skin feeling so incredibly nourished! It’s the perfect gift to give someone that is focused on replenishing and recouping their skin. 

Why we love OSEA: 

  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • Female founded 
  • Climate-neutral 
  • Ocean positive verified 
  • L.A. recycling program through TerraCycle with plans to expand recycling service 
  • Formulated with seaweed

6. Instant camera to capture all of the memories

a mom and baby resting in their pajamas

Capturing all the raw first moments of newborn life is such a special gift.

Instant cameras are great because you might get a little picture gift in return! 

7. Organic cotton pajamas

Loungewear is the perfect gift for new parents as they cuddle up with their newborn!

Pact pajamas are incredibly soft and made out of organic cotton. They come in basic comforting colors and soft patterns and the company itself is doing incredible work in the ethical fashion world.

Why we love Pact: 

  • Organic cotton 
  • Carbon neutral 
  • Fairtrade 
  • Zero net carbon 
  • Responsible packaging 
  • The Give Back Box program 

Pact really has the coziest clothing that can bring so much comfort to your loved ones as they heal and relax. You could even just ask if there is something specific from there they might love-Pact has a wide selection! 

8. Bath bomb

a new mom taking a relaxing bath as self care for new moms

LUSH was one of the first low waste and cruelty free brands I found so I can’t help but have them on the list, especially for a list of self care items! 

LUSH has so many incredible soaps and skincare to choose from but our suggestion for your postpartum gift basket is to include one of their bath bombs that your loved one can soak in! 

We recommend the deep sleep bath balm with lavender and Roman chamomile to soothe their worries and find ultra comfort. But really you can’t go wrong with any of their bath balms! 

Why we love LUSH: 

  • Avoid single use packaging (many items are wrapped in paper)
  • Take back program for packaging 
  • Use vegetarian ingredients and vegan products as well 
  • Prioritize organic ingredients 
  • Cruelty-free and never tested on animals 
  • Handmade products 

{RECOMMENDED POST: Ultimate List of Sustainable Body Care Products We Guarantee You Will Love}

9. At home spa night (hair, nails, face mask, massage, etc.)

So technically this can’t fit into a basket but you could make a little coupon explaining the at home spa day or throw in some spa like items.

Essentially doing a little at home spa day with your loved one could be a dream come true if they’re open to it. Of course, check in with them, some people might want some privacy during this time but others secretly may not mind being pampered a bit. 

They might not be making time for their regular self care routine so even having a friend come over and brush their hair can go a long way! They are spending all of their time caring for their new baby but who is caring for them? 

Some spa items you could put in a cute basket for a new mama:

  • bath salts
  • lip balm
  • body butter
  • sugar scrub
  • essential oils
  • beautiful hair tie, claw clip, headband
  • cute socks or slippers

10. Hire a cleaning service or clean for your loved one

a stressed new mom with a pile of laundry

If you have kids, you know firsthand how chaotic your home can get as you are shuffling around and trying to maintain everything. Now reminisce on those newborn days and remember all of the physical exhaustion as well!

Consider getting a cleaning service to come in and clean your loved one’s home as they rest. 

You may want to check in with your friend beforehand because people have different comfort levels with strangers in their homes.

If you are feeling up for it you could offer to clean their home yourself! It may not be the most glamorous gift but I can pretty much guarantee they will love it! 

Similar to the tip above you could design a cute little coupon in Canva to explain the gift and throw it in the gift basket.

11. Gift cards to an online shop or local restaurant for date night

With a newborn there is lots to do but there are also lots of moments of nothing happening as they sleep. It’s a weird balance.

Throw in a gift card to the basket for your loved one to online shop for things they need as their baby rests or even a gift card for a local restaurant for a date night! 

What should you not put in a new mom gift basket?

Putting together a new mom gift box can be tricky. I wanted to add this section of items that a first-time mom may not want to be gifted. These are definitely thoughtful gifts (and needed items for a new mother!) in their own way but these are the items people may want to pick out by themselves for various reasons.

  • Diaper bag (everyone has different styles and preferences for size of bag etc.)
  • Beauty products
  • Nursery decor (again personal styles vary and you want the new mom to get lots of use out of the gifts!)
  • Personal care items like ice packs, nipple balm, nursing pillow, maternity pads. These may be postpartum essentials and if you are also a mother you might have wonderful recommendations (from your own experience!) but unless a new mom specifically asked for these products, maybe pass.

Postpartum gift baskets are a sweet way to show you care about the new parents, congratulate them and treat them to something special.

If they have specific baby gift items on their baby registry then go for it but I think postpartum gift baskets are more for the family. Maybe save those for a baby shower gift!

You know the expectant mom best so listen to your intuition and I’m sure you will put together a postpartum care package that makes the recipient feel loved.

What other eco friendly postpartum gifts will you be adding to your basket? Let us know in the comments below! The best gifts come from the heart so I would love to hear your unique ideas as well!

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Stay well, 

Maggie 

This post was all about the best eco friendly postpartum gift basket ideas.

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Our Favorite 8 Zero Waste Gift Wrapping Ideas For Every Occasion

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skincare and plants as examples as gifts for postpartum care