Most C-section gift baskets look thoughtful, but a lot of the common ideas do not actually help during recovery.
Some of the things I thought I would want ended up sitting untouched, while a few things I did not expect made a much bigger difference.
A cesarean section is major surgery, and the right kind of gift basket can make those first days at home a little easier. Normally the first c-section is unexpected. A new cesarean section mom may need things they didn’t think to add to their baby registry.
Did you have a birth plan when you had your first child? Were you positive that you were going to have a natural birth? I have a confession, one of the happiest moments in my life was when my OB said, “It looks like you need an emergency C-section.“
Seriously, I think my smile lit up the entire birth wing…even though it was about 3 am at the time.
I was in immense pain.
When I was pregnant, a friend told me how her epidural ran out before the worst of the pain hit her. I was terrified that would happen to me so I held off on the epidural as long as possible.
Finally, my doctor looked me in the eye and asked, “Why are you waiting? We talked about the epidural a while ago?”
When I told her how scared I was that it would wear off right when I needed it the most, she laughed and said, “If it wears off, we’ll just give you more.” Needless to say, I stopped waiting.
My water broke as we were leaving Blockbuster (RIP) earlier that evening. The pain was intense and here I was stubbornly refusing the epidural.
It turns out I never dilate past 1 centimeter.
To be fair, I’d already undergone an appendectomy, a gall bladder surgery, and endometriosis laparoscopies, prior to pregnancy so I might have been a smidge more comfortable with the idea of major surgery than most women would be.
But for someone who wasn’t expecting a cesarean, the post-surgery recovery is no joke. This may have been just another doctor digging around in my guts, but instead of resting in bed being waited on hand and foot afterward, there was this little colicky baby that needed me.
And I wanted to be there for that little pork chop.
What should you include in a C-section gift basket?
The most helpful C-section gift baskets focus on recovery, but the items that actually get used the most are not always the ones people think to include. A few practical things can make those first days after surgery much easier. Moms take care of everyone so when she’s the one needing help, she can be overlooked.
If you just want the short list of what actually helps right away, I broke it down here:
What to Put in a C-Section Gift Basket (Items Moms Actually Use)
This post has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. Affiliate links are included. #MyMederma #CollectiveBias
What Most C-Section Gift Baskets Get Wrong
A lot of baskets focus on including things that look nice or feel thoughtful.
But right after surgery, what matters most is how easy something makes those first few days.
That is why some items end up being used constantly, while others sit untouched.
How to Make a C-Section Gift Basket for a New Mom
Tip number one, pick a basket that can be used by the new mom after she unpacks it. I like to use bins or baskets that match the mom’s home decor style. The basket used in the photos in this post was one that was gifted to me. I use it to showcase the items I recommend in my various gift basket lists (obviously) but when not modeling in photo shoots, it holds my current crochet or knitting project and yarn.
I used to use it to hold a handful of diapers, a packet of wipes, a cloth diaper, and diaper rash ointment when my kids were babies.
I like these baskets on Amazon because they can be repurposed and used long after the basket is received. We use ours for storing throw blankets in the living room and family room.
Gather your gifts.
Best C-Section Recovery Gifts for a New Mom
Recovering from a cesarean section takes time, and thoughtful gifts that make recovery easier can mean a lot to a new mom. These are the items I personally found helpful after my own C-section, along with a few products that have become popular with new moms since I first wrote this guide.
Insulated Drinkware
You need something that holds a lot of water. Swelling is normal post c-section. I remember being so alarmed with how much water I was retaining (I was puffier than a super fresh marhmallow) that I called my OB/Gyn! Drinking plenty of water will help a new mom flush out the medications and the extra fluid from the surgery. Adding a large insulated tumbler made a huge difference for me, especially in those first few days when getting up constantly just wasn’t realistic. I personally prefer something like a Yeti or Stanley because it keeps water cold for hours and doesn’t need to be refilled as often. And if the new mama is nursing she will be insatiably thirsty. A large tumbler will reduce how often she’ll need to get up refill it. Remember, her abdomen (including the muscles she’ll need to sit up or get out of the chair) was just cut open to take out a baby. The goal of this gift basket is to help her recover.
Cozy Comfort
Throw Blanket Nursing and Rest
It is important that the new mom put up their legs and rest during the day. A comfortable throw blanket is perfect for keeping mom warm while nursing.
Sleep Mask for Daytime Naps
Sleeping mask — I won’t lie. This gift recipient won’t be getting much sleep for the next five years or so. That is why it is important that she is able to get comfortable and fall asleep right away when she can. A contoured blackout sleep mask helps when the only time you can sleep is during the day when the baby sleeps.
Chocolate — A must have after a stressful delivery.
Gift items that provide relief
Gel packs for breast relief — It can hurt when milk comes in. When you add that to the pain of having your lower belly cut open and sewn back together, every little bit of relief counts. These breast gel packs are super popular among my readers.
Abdominal ice packs
Cold therapy can help reduce swelling and provide relief around the incision area after a C-section. Flexible abdominal ice packs designed for postpartum recovery can be rotated throughout the day for comfort.
And tell her to wear the postpartum support recovery girdle! I didn’t wear mine as often as I should have, and I regret it. I wish someone had stressed to me how important this thing is for recovery. It will help your severed stomach muscles heal correctly.
“Granny Panties”
I did not have any full-sized, high-waisted underwear. The waistband of every single pair of underwear I owned landed on my incision. Elastic and a healing C-section wound do not play well together. I immediately sent my husband to Target for new ones. I told him to get the highest waistband possible. He ended up asking a store clerk to help him find the “right Granny Panties!” The female clerk completely understood and helped him out. He got me some good old-fashioned high-waisted white cotton Hanes. They are so ugly (so incredibly ugly) but felt so much better!
Now they have comfortable high-waisted postpartum underwear that are actually made for this stage, which I wish I had at the time. –> These best-selling pospartum panties. The difference between regular underwear and postpartum underwear is night and day after a C-section.
Mederma Advanced Scar Gel or Mederma PM — Mederma Advanced Scar Gel helped me minimize the appearance of my c-section scar and the scars from my other surgeries.
Arrange the items in the basket and you have an easy new mom gift basket to drop off (with a cooked meal!)
What to Put in a C-Section Care Package
If you’re putting together a C-section care package for a friend or family member, focus on items that help with recovery and comfort during the first few weeks after surgery.
Helpful items for a C-section care package include:
• A large insulated water tumbler to encourage hydration
• High-waisted postpartum underwear that won’t irritate the incision
• A soft blanket for nursing or resting during the day
• Gel packs for breast relief when milk comes in
• A postpartum recovery support girdle
• Comfortable sleep mask for daytime naps
• Scar treatment like Mederma once the incision has healed
• A small treat like chocolate or snacks for those long newborn nights
A thoughtful care package reminds a new mom that someone is thinking about her recovery too, not just the new baby.
Did you have a cesarean? What would you add to the c section gift basket?
What to Put in a C-Section Gift Basket (Items Moms Actually Use)
More resources:
The weird way I overcame nipple confusion
Kari says
One thing I would add are Fiber Bars! Especially helpful with the epidural/spinal meds and their side effects. Plus, they taste better than fiber powders you stir into your water and usually have a chocolate flavor that is an added treat!
Kristen Hewitt says
Maderma is AWESOME! And so is that chocolate! Pinned and stumbled!
Herchel says
Yeah–I totally ate that chocolate lol