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Between feedings, diaper changes, naps, and all the other responsibilities, excitement, and exhaustion that come with a new baby, parents don’t have a lot of time or energy to think about cooking, grocery shopping, and meal planning. One of the most thoughtful things you can give new parents is a gift of food or kitchen products that will make life a little easier. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite meal deliveries, care packages, and gear that help get food on the table faster so parents stay nourished and can focus on what matters most—their new bundle of joy. Here, our list of the best gifts you can give to new parents.
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
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Remembers previous settings
Three temperature levels
Precise temperature control
Comes with minimal accessories
Difficult to see the pressure valve
A multi-purpose appliance like the Instant Pot Duo is a must-have for parents short on time in the kitchen. It can be used as a slow cooker, pressure cooker, rice cooker, steamer, saute pan, warmer, and yogurt maker. It’s equipped with preset controls for soups, stews, meat, and more, and it automatically monitors pressure and temperature and adjusts accordingly during cooking for optimal results. It can even handle cooking from frozen, so if busy parents forget to defrost a few chicken breasts, they can still have a speedy meal on the table.
Cleaning up is as easy as it gets, with our reviewer being "pleasantly surprised to find out the entire lid can go in the dishwasher" along with the stainless steel pot, steamer rack, plastic tools, and silicone ring.
"This Instant Pot has its temperature and pressure sensors dialed in, resulting in precise results when cooking." — Danielle Centoni, Product Tester
Thrive Market Build Your Own Mixed Meal Bundle
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Convenient for those with dietary restrictions
No additives or preservatives
Quick and easy to prepare
Only three kinds of meals to choose from
Expensive compared to other frozen meals
Small serving sizes
Microwavable meals are a huge convenience for new parents when they’re too tired or overwhelmed to cook but still need to eat something ASAP. Thrive Market lets you create a bundle of frozen, single-serving meals and send them straight to your doorstep. Bundles are available in counts of six, eight, 10, or 12 meals, and there are both plant-based and paleo options. Most of the meals contain organic ingredients, grass-fed meat, and plenty of veggies, protein, and whole grains so parents will feel like they’re getting a wholesome meal.
Cuisinart Programmable Coffee Maker
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Programmable with a 24-hour brew start
Temperature-control technology keeps cups piping hot
Easy-to-use brew strength control
Pricier than its competitors
Digital display has a dizzying array of options
Lots of parts to clean
This programmable coffee maker can be filled and set to brew the night before so there’s a hot, fresh pot of coffee waiting in the morning. Exhausted parents will appreciate having one less thing to do in the early hours following a sleepless night.
With its shiny stainless steel design, 14-cup capacity, settings to control flavor strength and temperature, a built-in charcoal water filter, and self-cleaning mode, this model makes it easy to brew the perfect pot of coffee. Our product tester especially appreciated the 24-hour lead time which is necessary for planning a seamless morning routine.
"Considering its sleek design, temperature control, and undeniably useful features, this coffee maker simply brings so much to the table." — Lambeth Hochwald, Product Tester
Nutribullet 600W Nutrient Extractor
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Versatile functions
Includes two dishwasher-safe cups
Reasonable price
Only makes 1-2 servings
Blades need to be replaced every 6 months
The NutriBullet can blend up energizing fruit and veggie-packed smoothies. Parents can also use it to make snacks in a snap, like fresh hummus and salsa, and create their own baby food purees when the time comes to transition to solids in the months to come. There are similar blenders specifically for baby food, but this one will be more versatile in the long run for the entire family. The blender comes with two BPA-free dishwasher safe cups so each parent can personalize his or her own smoothies.
Daily Harvest Gift Box
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Food options for every time of day
Many food items and flavors to choose from
Organic and plant-based ingredients
Expensive if paying full price
No meat options for meals
Can't purchase à la carte
With a gift box from Daily Harvest, new parents can choose nine frozen meals or snacks that take minimal effort to prepare. Offerings include smoothies, flatbreads, energy bites, soups, oat bowls, harvest bowls, and chia parfaits. Smoothies are ready to blend with liquid of choice and soups and bowls just need to be heated in the microwave or a skillet. Everything is organic and plant-based, making it easy for parents to get their daily dose of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Water Bottle, 32oz
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Lifetime warranty from manufacturer defects
Handle on cap for easy carrying
Durable
Easy to lose lid as it's not connected to bottle
Straw lids are sold separately
Help parents keep up with their hydration needs (especially important for breastfeeding moms!) with a large-capacity reusable water bottle. Hydro Flasks are made from stainless steel with double-walled vacuum insulation, which means cold drinks stay icy for hours. The bottles are available in fun colors and are dishwasher safe. We recommend choosing a 32-ounce (i.e. 4-cup) bottle with a straw lid so parents don’t have to refill too often and can sip one-handed while they’re balancing the baby.
GLASSLOCK 18-Piece Assorted Oven Safe Container Set
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Oven, microwave, and dishwasher safe
Made with durable, BPA-free glass
Recyclable
Lids are tough to secure at first
Heavy
Do new parents a favor and pack up any food you bring them in storage containers they can keep. Parents will appreciate not having to keep track of which containers belong to whom and getting them returned in a timely fashion. This container set features nine differently sized glass containers with BPA-free lids. The leak-free containers are safe for the oven or microwave so short-on-time parents can heat food up without dirtying extra dishes. Our reviewer noted the smaller containers were perfect for storing snacks, which are handy for adults and young kids alike.
Bonus: Glass food storage is non-toxic and preferred by many parents for storing and warming baby food.
"This 18-piece set proves thick, sturdy, and completely see-through, so you always know which goodies you’ve stowed in the fridge or pantry." — Linnea Covington, Product Tester
Gourmet Gift Baskets Champagne & Truffles Gift Basket
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Can choose between three champagnes
Reusable faux leather basket
Woman-owned business
Pricier compared to other gift baskets
Not practical
Sweets aren't customizable
What better way to celebrate than with a glass of bubbly and gourmet chocolate? Since alcohol is on the list of things to avoid during pregnancy, wine-loving moms will appreciate a little indulgence. After all, they just put in serious work and deserve a treat! This gift set contains your choice of prosecco or premium Veuve Clicquot or Dom Perignon Champagne and assorted sweets.
The Big Book of Organic Baby Food: Baby Purées, Finger Foods, and Toddler Meals For Every Stage
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Recipes are organized by feeding stages
Both practical and affordable
Includes recipes for both adults and babies to share
Could use more pictures and illustrations
Many recipes are very similar
Not recommended for experienced cooks
Most babies don’t start eating solid food until they’re around 6 months old, but foodie parents will appreciate having a beautiful and educational cookbook to flip through in the meantime. This bestseller is written by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and filled with full-color images and over 230 nutritious recipes. It’s also jam-packed with information on introducing solids, the best foods for each feeding stage and age, and a section of recipes parents can enjoy now or as a family, once the baby is an established eater.
Williams-Sonoma Three Days of Comfort Entrees
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Leftovers provide several additional meals
No additional preparation other than reheating
Lasts up to 18 months frozen
Pricey
Not vegetarian-friendly
Requires to be thawed overnight
If you’re unable to whip something up yourself, you can still send a new family a few meals with Williams-Sonoma’s prepared entrees. Getting dinner on the table is fast and easy since these dishes simply need to thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then bake for 30 to 40 minutes. There are options for Italian, chicken, and vegetarian entrees, but we’re partial to the Three Days of Comfort, which includes ultra-cozy and hearty turkey meatloaf, shepherd’s pie, and chicken spinach lasagna. Each dish contains eight servings, so mom and dad can make several meals out of the leftovers.
OXO BREW Clarity Cordless Glass Electric Kettle
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Neutral design to complement all kitchens
Large water capacity
Measurement marks on the kettle
Expensive compared to other kettles
The glass gets extra hot which is not kid-friendly
No sound indication when water is boiling
An electric kettle may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of new parent life, but it’s a big help for parents who rely on boiling water for warming bottles and sanitizing pacifiers, bottles, teethers, and breast pump parts. This model heats water faster than a stovetop which will be appreciated during the middle of the night feedings. It holds up to 1.75 liters of water and has a glass and stainless steel design that’ll complement most kitchens.
Harry & David Gift Box
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Reasonably priced
Great mix of snacks
Can upgrade to other tiers for more variety
Pears can become bruised or spoiled in transit
Cardboard packaging isn't aesthetically pleasing
New parents tend to receive a lot of casseroles and baked goods, so a gift that includes some fresh fruit can help round out the offerings. This gift set includes half a dozen Royal Verano pears, plus an assortment of snacks, including cheese, summer sausage, seeded crackers, and nuts. Parents can pick at their leisure or set out a little bit of everything for a sweet and savory snack plate.
Munchkin Milkmakers Sampler Pack
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Three choices in cookie flavor
Recommended by lactation consultant
Made in USA
Cookies are high-calorie
Doesn't guarantee change in milk supply
Expensive for what is included
Support a new breastfeeding mom with lactation consultant-approved treats. This sampler pack includes tea, snack bars, and packs of cookie bites that are made with oats, flaxseed, brewer’s yeast, and fenugreek—all ingredients thought to promote healthy milk supply. Some reviewers swear these snacks boosted their milk production, but even if a new mom doesn’t notice a difference or decides not to breastfeed, she’ll have extra snacks on hand to satisfy postpartum hunger pangs.
Uncommon Goods Tea Drop Sampler
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Minimal preparation required
Includes five different flavors
Wooden box can be reused
Sediment doesn't completely dissolve
Made with sweeteners
Each drop is individually wrapped in plastic
This tea sampler contains five tea blends made from organic tea leaves, herbs, and raw cane sugar in a convenient dissolvable tablet form. They’ll receive 25 tea drops total in flavors like blueberry acai and rose earl grey packed in a rustic wooden box. Parents can drop one into a mug of hot water and let it dissolve for an instant cup of tea to savor—no bags, special tools, sweetener, or other ingredients required!
Contigo AUTOSEAL West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug with Easy-Clean Lid
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Effective autolock and anti-spill lid
Can be locked and unlocked with one hand
Keeps drinks hot/cold for hours
A little wide for smaller hands
Plastic lid seems prone to breakage
Bottle isn’t dishwasher safe (the lid is, though)
This travel mug has a push button that’s easy to use one-handed and a leak- and spill-proof lid so parents don’t need to worry about hot coffee or tea getting everywhere if it happens to get knocked over or tossed into a diaper bag or stroller basket. Insulated stainless steel keeps drinks hot for hours, which new parents will appreciate when the baby's schedule doesn’t allow them to finish a cup in one sitting.
However, during our tests, we found this mug was a bit inconvenient to wash as the bottle isn't dishwasher-safe, so it's a better choice for those parents who are used to washing some dishes by hand.
"The Contigo performed even better than promised. When filled with hot coffee, the mug maintained high heat for roughly three hours." — Suzie Dundas, Product Tester
Thrive Market One Year Membership
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Memberships sponsor low-income families
Products can be filtered by diet
Convenient for those not located near healthy grocers
Referral program doesn't apply for gifting
Can't gift a physical version
Membership doesn't include spending money
Spare new parents the chore of grocery shopping with a one-year membership to digital-based Thrive Market. Parents will be able to shop an extensive selection of healthy groceries, essential household items, and personal care products from the comfort of home and have everything delivered to their doorstep.
KIND Variety Cube
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Variety of flavors
Unique gift box display
Individually packaged for on-the-go parents
Not allergy-safe
Made with added sugar
No customization options
We can’t emphasize the importance of nutritious grab-and-go snacks for new parents enough, and snack bars perfectly fit the bill. This variety pack contains 20 KIND bars in eight flavors including almond coconut, dark chocolate cherry cashew, and caramel almond sea salt. We love that they’re made with wholesome ingredients like nuts, coconut, dried fruit, and honey and are good sources of protein, fiber, and iron.
Bean Box Coffee of the Month
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Choice of subscription length
Supports small businesses
Includes artisan chocolate
Recipients need a coffee grinder to use whole beans
Bag may not last entire month
A coffee-of-the-month subscription is a great idea for parents who may no longer have time to hit the nearest coffee house for a custom blend. Coffee delivery will also help ensure sleep-deprived parents won’t run short on a supply of caffeine. You can choose to enroll the new parents in Bean Box’s club for three, six, or 12 months. Each month, they’ll receive one 12-ounce bag of whole bean coffee from a featured Seattle roasting company, plus artisan chocolate.
The Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker will be a game-changer for new parents, as its pressure-cooking abilities will allow them to make their favorite meals faster (not to mention it's extremely versatile). Alternatively, you can stock their freezer with delicious premade meals using the Thrive Market Build Your Own Mixed Meal Bundle.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Sharon Lehman is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, a new mom (established 2020), and the author of this gift guide. One of her favorite parts of those early, ravenous new mom days was finding food- and snack-filled gift baskets on her doorstep that made it easier to focus on resting, healing, and taking care of her baby.