Beyond the Bassinet: Creating a Baby Shower List That Nurtures You

When we picture a baby shower, we often imagine piles of tiny clothes, baby gear, and cute wrapping paper. There’s joy in those gifts, of course—but I think most new parents would agree: what they really need after birth can’t be boxed or shipped.

They need care. Rest. Guidance. They need nourishment.

That’s why I love seeing more families reimagining what a baby registry can be. Instead of filling it only with things for the baby, they’re creating space for support—funds that allow them to hire a lactation professional, take a birth class, or welcome a postpartum companion into their home.

These are the kinds of gifts that make the early weeks after birth gentler, calmer, and more sustainable—for both parents and babies.

1. Rethinking What “Preparation” Looks Like

In our culture, we often equate “being prepared” with buying things. But in truth, the most meaningful preparation for parenthood happens in relationships and rest.

It’s learning to care for yourself while caring for someone new. It’s surrounding yourself with people who remind you that you don’t have to do it all alone.

When you include funds for professional support on your registry, you’re planting seeds for that kind of care—one that honors your healing, confidence, and sense of calm.

2. Support to Include on Your Baby Shower List

Here are a few ideas for services that make a difference far beyond the newborn stage.

Lactation Support

Feeding a baby can be tender, beautiful, and sometimes unexpectedly complicated. A lactation consultant or counselor can help you navigate those early days with reassurance and skill.

Birth Classes

A good childbirth class doesn’t just prepare you for labor—it helps you feel grounded in your choices and connected to your partner or support team. Look for a class that speaks to your values, whether that’s mindfulness-based, creative, or practical.

Mother’s Helper

In many traditions, new parents spend the first forty days cocooned in care, fed, nurtured, and supported while they heal and bond. A postpartum companion or mother’s helper can bring that spirit into your home, helping with meals, light chores, and emotional support.

3. How to Add These to Your Registry

Many registry platforms, like Babylist, Be Her Village, and Zola, now make it easy to include “experience” or “support” funds. You can list specific providers you’d love to work with or simply create a general fund for postpartum care.

When you describe these items, write from the heart. People love to give gifts that feel meaningful—and supporting your wellbeing is one of the most meaningful gifts there is.

Registry Ideas:

“Help us connect with a lactation professional so we can begin our feeding journey with confidence and calm.”

“We’re taking a birth class to prepare for the kind of experience that feels right for our family. Your gift helps us approach birth with knowledge and trust.”

“Instead of more baby gear, help us rest and recover by contributing to postpartum care.”

4. Normalize the Ask

Sometimes guests hesitate when they see “service funds” on a registry simply because it’s new to them. You can gently normalize it by adding a note to your registry or baby shower invitation, such as:

“We’re so grateful for your love and support! Instead of more things, we’d love help investing in care that will support our family’s transition—like postpartum support, lactation visits, and birth classes.”

This simple explanation shifts the tone from transactional to relational—it invites your community to participate in your care.

5. The Gift That Keeps Giving

Preparing for your baby isn’t just about setting up a nursery; it’s about setting up a support system. The crib, the stroller, and the swaddles are all helpful—but the true foundation of a peaceful postpartum rests on connection and care.

When you receive thoughtful support in those first weeks, you have more to give in return—to your baby, your partner, and yourself. You move through the early days with a little more rest, a little more steadiness, and a lot more confidence. You remember that you’re not meant to do this alone.

Because when you are cared for, your baby feels that care, too.
When you’re calm, your baby senses safety. When you’re nourished, your milk flows, your body heals, and your spirit softens into this new rhythm of life.

That’s why I often say: the best gift you can give your baby is a supported you.

As you build your registry, pause and ask yourself what will make you feel truly held during those early weeks. Maybe it’s knowing a postpartum companion will come by twice a week. Maybe it’s having a plan for who will bring meals, or a few prepaid hours with a lactation consultant you trust. These aren’t extras—they’re essentials that help you thrive.

If you’d like guidance as you imagine what your own support system could look like, I offer Postpartum Planning Calls where we gently map out the care, rhythm, and resources that will nourish you after birth. Together, we’ll talk through what kind of help feels right for your family and how to ask for it in ways that feel natural and doable.

Because when a parent is well-watered, the whole family blooms—and every thoughtful plan you make now is a seed planted for your peace later.