Beyond the Baby Shower List: Thoughtful Gifts for Growing Families

While onesies, diapers, strollers, and crib sheets often find their way onto baby shower registries, there's a world of meaningful support that goes far beyond the basics. Welcoming a new baby is a life-changing transition, and offering care that centers the whole family can be one of the most heartfelt gifts of all. Here are some of our favorite ideas for supporting new and expecting families in deeply nourishing ways.

1. Support Through Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum

Many families are just beginning to explore the benefits of working with doulas – trained professionals who offer emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Gifting a contribution toward a birth or postpartum doula can provide calm, continuity, and care during a vulnerable time.

Classes for parents and caregivers are another beautiful way to nurture confidence and connection. From childbirth education and breastfeeding support to infant care and postpartum planning, these resources can be empowering – but not always accessible.

Consider asking if a family would welcome support in covering class costs.

Local resources to explore in Southwest Michigan include:

• Preparing for Postpartum - Woven Postpartum

• Holistic Childbirth Series - Mindful Matrescence

• Labor Prep Classes - Birthing Expectations

2. Care for the Body and Mind

The days and weeks following birth can be both joyful and deeply demanding. A postpartum care kit – filled with simple, nurturing items like herbal teas, bath soaks, cozy socks, or a calming eye mask – can offer moments of comfort and self-care when it’s most needed.

Gift certificates for massage or bodywork can also provide relief and renewal, especially when sessions can be enjoyed from the comfort of home. Consider this kind of support not just for the birthing person, but also for partners who are adjusting to new rhythms.

For in-home options in Southwest Michigan:

• In-Home Massage, Belly Binding & More - Woven Postpartum

  
  

3. Help at Home

It’s no secret that housework tends to pile up with a newborn in the mix. Offering your time, or gifting a professional cleaning service, can make a huge difference in helping a family feel grounded in their space. Even just a few hours of help with dishes, laundry, or vacuuming can ease the load.

Don’t forget the family pets! Dogs still need walks, and litter boxes still need cleaning. Lending a hand with pet care ensures every member of the household is looked after.

Helpful resource: https://kzoopet.com/

4. Nourishment and Meals

Food is more than sustenance – it's comfort, healing, and care. Organizing a meal train (or contributing to one that’s already in place) can be an incredibly thoughtful way to support postpartum families. If you’re not up for cooking, consider scheduling meal deliveries from local restaurants or supporting the family with gift cards.

A stocked fridge and freezer can be a quiet but powerful way to say: We’re here for you.

Helpful resource: https://www.mealtrain.com

5. Support for the Whole Family

When a new baby arrives, older siblings often experience big changes, too. Offering time and attention just for them – whether it's a playdate, trip to the museum, or a simple afternoon at the park  can be deeply grounding. It also gives parents a bit of breathing room to rest or focus on the baby’s needs.

Check in with the family about scheduling regular time with siblings – maybe once a week during those early postpartum weeks.

These gestures may not be the most common items on a registry, but they can mean the world to a growing family. At the heart of it all is a simple intention: to meet families where they are, and offer support that helps them feel seen, held, and cared for.

Blog post published by Christine Anderson of Woven Postpartum.