The 24 Best Push Present Ideas for Any New Parent

Whether you’ve grown up around this tradition or it’s totally new to you, the concept of a “push present” has been increasing in popularity over the past decade.

What is a push present? It’s a gift given to a new parent who has just given birth.

We know, we know — the name is a little graphic (a cute alternative is a “baby bauble”).

But the miraculous feat of bringing a new human being into the world is amazing (whether you have a vaginal or cesarean delivery!), and many people feel that a parent’s hard work and the pain endured should be recognized with a gift.

Almost every new parent you talk with will say that their baby alone is a priceless gift, and nothing else is needed. But if you want to show some extra appreciation for your partner during this huge life event, a push present may be the perfect way to do so (especially if your SO’s love language is receiving gifts).

Best push present jewelry: Maya Brenner Birthstone Ring, Interlocking Circle Necklace, Initial Necklace from Etsy, Stephanie Gottlieb Engraved Band, Mon Petite Name Necklace from Oak and Luna
Best keepsake push presents: “The Story of You” Baby Book, Newborn and family photo shoot, Baby’s Heartbeat Art, The Birth Journal
Best push presents they’ll use daily: Everly Grey Analise During & After 5-Piece Sleep Set, Breville Nespresso Creatista, Kate Spade Tote Bag, Slip Silk Pillowcase, Natori Luxe Shangri-La Robe, Honest Baby Arrival Gift Set, Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Sheets
Best high-tech push presents: Google Nest Hub, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, Qeepsake
Best subscription push presents: Audible, BloomsyBox, Stitch Fix, SpaFinder

A push present is usually given by the new parent’s significant other or family members, and the most typical gift is jewelry. However, a push present can be anything that they would love!

We polled a group of parents, and there were some very creative ideas for push presents — everything from sushi to handmade shelves to an expensive bottle of tequila. You can absolutely get creative and customize your gift specifically for your particular mama-to-be.

One factor to consider is timing. Many people prefer to give the push present at the hospital or birth center, when the new parent is recovering from labor.

Choose a private, quiet moment when they’re not being examined, having their vitals taken, or trying to decide when to give baby’s first bath. It’s common to be exhausted and a little distracted after childbirth, so wait for a lull in all the activity.

Some people prefer to give the gift before the baby’s birth (before things get sleepless), while others wait until they are home from the hospital and settling in.

It’s ultimately a personal decision, and you know your significant other best. Whatever you decide, this is sure to be a memorable moment for you both. The birth of a baby is also the birth of a parent, and a push present can be a thoughtful way to acknowledge all they are experiencing.

While the name sounds pretty exclusive to the partner birthing the baby, you might wonder whether dads or other partners ever get push presents (after all, they’ve hopefully been a major source of support during this pregnancy, and are themselves undergoing the huge transition to parenthood).

Historically, the answer is no. Push presents are specifically for the person giving birth.

However, if you (the birthing parent) want to show appreciation for all the support you’ve been given by your partner, a gift is a wonderful way to do that! Think of it as a way to say thanks for all the patience, midnight ice cream runs, and foot massages. Check out this list for some ideas.

For this list we polled new parents, pored over reviews, and considered quality, function, and sentiment above all.

To find a push present for the new parent in your life, read on! Whether they love jewelry, reading, or sentimental keepsakes, we’ve rounded up some sure-to-please gifts for anyone.

Price guide

• $ = under $50
• $$ = $50–$100
• $$$ = $100–$200
• $$$$ = over $200

Best push present jewelry:

Maya Brenner Birthstone Ring

Price: $$$$

This beautiful 14-karat gold ring is a perfect, classic push present.
Customize it with your baby’s birthstone, and they’ll love wearing it for years to come as a reminder of both you and your baby.

Interlocking Circle Necklace

Price: $$$

A lovely gift that captures the unbreakable mother-child bond without being overtly “mom-y”, this necklace is a beautiful choice for the understated jewelry lover.

Made in Italy from warm, 10K gold, it’s a timeless piece that mom will no doubt wear forever.

Initial Necklace from Etsy

Price: $

A lovely, simple necklace that is totally customizable, this is a great push present if you think you might have more children later (or already have other children you want to include).

When customizing, you can choose the number of discs on the necklace and can easily add more at a later date. If you wish, you can add initials for baby, your SO, and yourself, representing the whole family unit.

Stephanie Gottlieb Engraved Band

Price: $$$$

From designer Stephanie Gottlieb, this beautiful band is an impeccable choice if you’re looking for a ring that can be stacked with mama’s wedding band.

You can choose your metal, and customize the ring with an engraving of your baby’s name or birthdate. Diamonds can be added for an additional charge.

Oak and Luna Mon Petite Name Necklace

Price: $$$$

There are few words that will hold more meaning in a new mom’s life than her child’s name, which is why this gorgeous name-plate necklace will make such an endearing gift. It is fully customizable—you simply input the child’s name, select a chain length, along with a the material you’d like it made out of: gold, rose gold, gold vermeil, solid gold or sterling silver.

Best keepsake push presents:

“The Story of You” Baby Book

Price: $$

A one-of-a-kind gift, this lovely photo journal is a great way to make it easy for her to capture baby’s first year of life.

The journal includes a code for a free set of prints from Everyday Prints, so once you start accumulating those adorable pics, filling up the book will be a cinch.

Newborn and family photo shoot

Price varies by photographer

A photo shoot will take a little local research on your part, but is a priceless gift for the mother of your child. The nights will seem long, but the newborn stage flies by, and you’ll both cherish professional photos of when your baby was “soooo tiny.”

Baby’s Heartbeat Art

Price: $

A unique choice, this personalized gift is sure to be a treasure.
Simply send a tracing of your baby’s in utero heartbeat to an Etsy artist, who will transform the sound waves into a beautiful watercolor piece of art. It also adds a personal, sentimental touch to baby’s nursery.

The Birth Journal

Price: $

For the introspective, reflective, or word-loving mama, this elegant birth journal gives her the chance to document one of the most transformative experiences of her life — giving birth to her child.

This guided journal includes 72 lined pages for writing your story, plus 6 blank pages for adding photos.

Best push presents they’ll use daily:

Everly Grey Analise During & After 5-Piece Sleep Set

Price: $$

It’s no secret that new moms spend a lot of time in their PJs. In the early days, you hardly know whether it’s day or night, and comfort is the pinnacle of dressing for success.

This super-soft PJ set includes a cardigan, nursing tank, lounge pants, and adorable matching set for the baby (pictured).

Breville Nespresso Creatista

Price: $$$$

You cannot go wrong giving a new parent the gift of caffeine, so if your baby mama is a coffee lover, this may be the one for you.

This espresso maker from Nespresso and Breville is high quality. It makes a variety of coffee shop favorites, including lattes, macchiatos, flat whites, and cappuccinos.

Kate Spade Tote Bag

Price: $$$$

While a lot in her life is about to change, being stylish doesn’t have to be one of them.

This gorgeous leather tote from Kate Spade can keep mom feeling fresh, and doubles as a roomy diaper bag for all those tiny baby necessities.

Slip Silk Pillowcase

Price: $$

While neither of you will be using a pillow as much as you used to once baby arrives, this luxurious silk pillowcase can make what little sleep mom does enjoy even better.

Silk is renowned for its stay-cool properties, as well as being gentle on hair and skin. After all, new mamas deserve all the self-care.

Natori Luxe Shangri-La Robe

Price: $$$

This luxe, super-soft robe is a wonderful gift to keep the new parent in your life feeling fresh and elegant (when they’re likely feeling anything but) during all those hours of nursing, rocking, and trying to catch a few hours of sleep.

Honest Baby Arrival Gift Set

Price: $

There are countless essentials a new parent will need in those first few months of their baby’s life, so it’s helpful to be prepared. This box includes registry must-haves, such as diapers, wipes, shampoo, face and body lotion, hand sanitizer, all-purpose balm, and diaper rash cream, all packaged nicely into a wooden crate that can be reused for storage.

UGG Scuffette Slippers

Price: $$

Pampered is a good word to use to describe how a new mom should feel, not just in the immediacy after giving birth, but well into the postpartum period. While she might not have time for weekly trips to the spa, she can enjoy sliding her feet into these shearling-lined slippers with a sturdy rubber sole to prevent slips and trips.

Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Sheets

Price: $$

During the precious few hours of sleep a new parent can scrap together each day, they deserve to lie on a luxe set of sheets. Their ultra-soft, rich texture and a subtle luminous finish can help foster better sleep. They’re breathable and made from 100 percent long-staple cotton that is OEKO-TEX® certified for chemical safety.

Best high-tech push presents:

Google Nest Hub

Price: $$

If you have a connected home, this is a fantastic gift. With the Nest Hub, you can control the other devices in the house, see camera footage, make video calls to show off that precious bundle, and start a movie — all hands-free (which is priceless when your hands are busy changing diapers, burping, and feeding a baby).

Samsung Galaxy Watch

Price: $$$$

A present that is sure to get a ton of use, this smartwatch will enable mom to check texts, calls, the weather, and calendar with a flick of the wrist (literally). It also features health tracking data, such as sleep patterns and exercise.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

Price: $$$

The thinnest, most lightweight version of the Kindle yet, the Paperwhite comes with either 8 GB or 32 GB storage. It has a glare-free screen for outdoor reading, and is now waterproof for lounging in the pool or bath — two activities mom will hopefully find some time to indulge in!

Best subscription push presents:

Audible Subscription

Price: $ (monthly)

The perfect addition to the Kindle, an Audible subscription gives mom access to thousands of audiobooks (perfect for those long hours of feedings, walking, rocking, etc.). Sure there’s Netflix too — but babies start paying attention to screens at a surprisingly early age, so sometimes it’s nice to have audio-only entertainment.

BloomsyBox Subscription

Price: $ (monthly)

To keep reminding mom of how special they are all year long, you can sign up to have hand-curated bouquets of fresh flowers show up at her door (starting wherever she gave birth).

Stitch Fix Clothing Subscription

Price: $ (monthly)

Many new mamas will tell you they are frustrated by the transition from “normal” to maternity clothing to postpartum and beyond. A Stitch Fix subscription provides boxes of personally chosen wardrobe pieces delivered every month or on demand.

It’ll feel good to be able to customize their wardrobe, adjust sizes, etc. — and feeling fabulous — while adjusting to mom life.

SpaFinder Gift Card

Price: any amount

Pregnancy and childbirth are hard on your body (kind of the whole reason behind this present, ya know?), so a postnatal massage, facial, or full spa package will be a wonderful way to give the gift of rejuvenation to your partner as they recover.

Qeepsake Subscription

Price: $

While baby books can serve as wonderful keepsakes, new parents often struggle to find the time, let alone the energy, to jot down memories and share photos.

The digital application Qeepsake is making it easier than ever for parents to capture and store memorable moments with their kids. The app sends users daily prompts via text that they can respond to with a written answer, photo, and video.

Users can also fully customize the app to their child’s age so that the prompts are relatable to their stage of life and turn their digital journal into a beautiful, customized book to cherish for years to come.

When choosing the best push presents for a new parent, you may want to consider these features:

• Personalization. It’s always a plus when a present has a touch of personalization, be it the baby’s name, the family name, or simply a feature that holds meaning. This little touch can remind a new parent that someone special is thinking of them and that they are deeply loved.
• Price. Gifting is personal, so it’s important that we chose gifts that covered a wide price range. Depending on your budget, how close or how often you spend time with a new parent, you might want a gift that’s more or less expensive.
• Customer reviews and editorial testing. We went through customer reviews and tested some of these products on our own to determine which were the best and most loved by new parents. Consider the features that others like and dislike about these products to help you choose the right one.

Why is it called a push present?

The term “push present” comes from the idea that the new parent pushes out the baby. Of course, it’s worth noting that not every birth involves pushing, so the name isn’t totally fitting for everyone.

Another cute term for these gifts is “baby bauble.”

Where did push presents originate from?

Cultures have long celebrated and doted upon new mothers, incorporating gifts before and after the arrival of a baby, notes Jodi RR Smith, etiquette expert and owner of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting in Marblehead, Massachusetts.

“With the increased disposable income from the dot-coms and the rise of social media, this trend seemed to catch on in the early 20-teens (2012 to 2015) in some social circles,” she adds.

How much should you spend on a push present?

Before deciding on how much to spend on a push present, Smith recommends considering how close you are to this person.

Another factor to consider is your own budget. “With a new baby, no one should go into debt to give a gift,” Smith says.

A good range is between $25 and $300.

Are push presents the same as baby shower gifts?

No. Baby shower gifts are traditionally given before the birth of the baby. They typically involve newborn necessities, such as diapers, clothing, toys, and books.

Push presents tend to be items that are for the parents themselves, be it a keepsake, clothing item, artwork, or a pampering session.