The Registry Revolution: 3 Gifts That Truly Support a New Mother
We know, when we nurture mothers, we nurture children and set the foundation for a stronger next generation, still items for mom are rarely found on any baby registry. Of course, there are certain things that every first time Mom/Family needs, clothes, bottles, carriers, car seats etc. Yet, there are so many “necessary” items on our registries that, flat out, never get used. Isn’t it time we started revamping our registries to turn down the materialism and truly support the women and children we love so dearly? This list encompasses seven unconventional items/services that the mothers I know wish they had access to.
Birth Doula
Unfortunately, almost every woman I know has some story of birth trauma and if they do not share it, they will say something like, “I had a healthy baby that’s all I could ask for.” Which is a lovely and true sentiment, but we can also ask and expect to be respected as the vessel that brings that healthy baby into the world. A Birth Doula will generally provide support to the mother physically, mentally and emotionally before birth, during and after birth. Doulas can give mothers information about risks and benefits of proposed medical procedures, organize birth plans and advocate for mothers during birth and the data reflects better outcomes for mothers and babies who have doulas present. Low risk mothers who have doulas present have a 50% lower risk of c-section compared to mothers who do not.1 Use of a birth doula is also associated with 25% shorter labor, 60% reduction in epidural request, 57.5% reduction in postpartum depression, 20-30% reduction in preterm birth, higher Apgar scores for baby and higher rates of breast feeding initiation.2 Doulas are not covered by insurance and can be pricy, a wonderful way for loved ones to support their beloved mama and baby could be contributing to the cost of a birth doula.
Post Partum Doula
A postpartum doula could be the perfect solution for a woman who doesn’t have a lot of physical support available during the postpartum period. This person could do everything from keeping house, to feeding baby, making homemade meals, grocery shopping and more. Post partum doulas are trained to help new mothers navigate the complexities of recovery while caring for a newborn. Just like a new baby needs nurturing to grow into a thriving child and adult, mothers need nurturing and care too to fill their own cups and be available mentally and physically for their new family. Postpartum doulas are also trained to identify the signs of postpartum depression and medical complications following birth. Women who utilize postpartum doulas have a 57% lower incidence of postpartum depression, higher rates of breast feeding and improved mental health for new mothers. [3-4] DONA international is a great website to search doulas in your area. You can access a comprehensive list of providers here https://dona.org/find-a-dona-certified-doula/ and interview doulas to find the one that is right for your needs!
Frozen Meals
As a new mother it is so difficult to navigate motherhood, recovery, hormonal changes, the home and sometimes even returning to work from home. Often, mothers are overwhelmed in the postpartum months and there is nothing like a home cooked meal at your fingertips when your brain is barely functioning. With my first, I realized that all my child really needed, aside from me, was diapers and clothing. Most of all it was mama who was needed on demand. My body and brain were so overwhelmed it was easy to forget to eat or simply grab junk instead of nourishing food which certainly didn’t help my hormone balance or my mental health. For my second child we threw a sprinkle, but it was a pack the freezer party. I could tell that there were some uncomfortable feelings surrounding gifting food, but everyone was very supportive and participated in their own way. Everyone brought a frozen dish and that food kept me nourished for about two months after baby arrived. It was so supportive and wonderful to have homemade food at my fingertips and not have to think about cooking or cleaning much of anything. Some individuals bought subscriptions to postpartum meal plans or smoothie boxes, and it was the absolute best. A frozen home-made meal is a wonderful and inexpensive way to support a mama and baby in your life. Postpartum nutrition influences breast milk production, hormone balance, mental health and physical recovery, so it’s important that all the mamas in our lives have easy access to healthful foods during this period.5
References
1. Fortier JH, Godwin M. Doula support compared with standard care: Meta-analysis of the effects on the rate of medical interventions during labour for low-risk women delivering at term. Can Fam Physician. 2015 Jun;61(6):e284–92. PMCID: PMC4463913.
2. American Pregnancy Association. Having a Doula, What Are the Benefits? 15 June 2026, https://americanpregnancy.org/giving-birth/having-a-doula/.
3. Sobczak A, Taylor L, Solomon S, Ho J, Kemper S, Phillips B, Jacobson K, Castellano C, Ring A, Castellano B, Jacobs RJ. The Effect of Doulas on Maternal and Birth Outcomes: A Scoping Review. Cureus. 2023 May 24;15(5):e39451. doi: 10.7759/cureus.39451. Erratum in: Cureus. 2025 Sep 23;17(9):c310. doi: 10.7759/cureus.c310. PMID: 37378162; PMCID: PMC10292163.
4. Nonacs, Ruta. Improved Mental Health Outcomes Associated with Doula Support: A Review of the Evidence. 15 June 2026, https://womensmentalhealth.org/posts/improved-mental-health-outcomes-with-doula-support/.
5. Aparicio E, Jardí C, Bedmar C, Pallejà M, Basora J, Arija V, The Eclipses Study Group. Nutrient Intake during Pregnancy and Post-Partum: ECLIPSES Study. Nutrients. 2020 May 7;12(5):1325. doi: 10.3390/nu12051325. PMID: 32392706; PMCID: PMC7285175.