What the heck is a push present? 13 ideas for dads-to-be

So you’re about to become a dad, huh? Congratulations! Let me fill you in on step one of fatherhood, and it has nothing to do with sleepless nights (yet!) or how quickly you can do a diaper run or warm a bottle, but rather your appreciation for what the mother of your child just did or is about to do: give birth. A push present is a thoughtful gift to give your lady marking that life-changing occasion.

Before you read on for ideas on what to get your wife, think about what she likes, as in: does she like acts of service (ie she raves when she doesn’t have to do the dishes because you already did), to get all dressed up and feel pretty (throw in some compliments and she feels like a million bucks), alone time to recharge, or when you just literally have no idea what to get her.

Here are 13 ideas for those thoughtful, you-just-delivered-a-watermelon-out-of-your-body push presents.

For the mamas who like acts of service:

1. Hire a doula. I recently learned from my friends at Metro Detroit Doula Services they provide support as labor doulas, but also postpartum and with infant care (day or night!). I can’t think of anything better, especially if you don’t have family nearby to help.

2. Cleaning Service (aka: get a maid). Newborn life is around the clock, and both you and your partner will be exhausted. It is hard to keep up with the house, but I guarantee you’ll (and your wife!) will feel better if you have a cleaning service, at least for a couple of months. This can be weekly, monthly, however often you need.

3. Gift card to the nail salon. This one is perfect to gift before birth. Nearly every mama I know wants her toes to look good during birth (which is actually kind of hilarious since all the attention is directed elsewhere, but I’m with you.). Gift her a nail salon visit beforehand, and you’ll be helping a girl out - remember she can’t reach her toes at this point. ;) I’d recommend Luv Salon, if you’re local to Metro Detroit.

4. Meals! New moms don’t have a lot of time to cook, let alone plan a grocery list, grocery shop, and then cook. Consider a meal service like Hello Fresh, fresh food delivered to your door with simple recipes.

For the mamas who like to feel fancy:

1. A new mama wardrobe. After having a baby, wearing maternity clothes is depressing, but your old clothes don’t fit for a few months. Queue Rent the Runway. It is a subscription to a designer clothing lending service. Basically she gets new pieces each month to wear and when she is done with it, ships it back (shipping and dry cleaning is included). It’s a nice way to freshen things up with her wardrobe while her body is going through that in-between stage.

2. There are many moments postpartum that are just not fancy (many, many). And as lame as this sounds, I’d recommend a pretty robe, or a pajama/nursing tank/robe set that is comfy and cute. She’ll use it often (when she is at the point when asking what day did she shower last) and feel a hint glam sporting a new little robe to wear rather than old stretched out yoga pants and a t-shirt.

3. Get your lady some bling! Within the next year, jewelry becomes something that just gets pulled on by baby. These diamond studs are the perfect solution. Gorgeous, simple, shiny. ;)

For (my fellow) introverted mamas who need time to recharge:

1. A prenatal massage is life. Treat your lady to some spa time before newborn life sets in. I promise you her back and feet need this. After baby is born is good too, don’t get me wrong.

2. Be sure to give her self care time. Hire a babysitter once a week for a few hours for her to do this if need be. Once motherhood hits, its like self care goes out the window for awhile. “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” This is so, so true. Tell her to go out for a walk on a Saturday morning, or to her favorite yoga class, grab a coffee and do some journaling - whatever her self-care looks like, figure out a time to be sure she can fit it in (same for you dad…). Make it a priority.

3. Get her hooked up for a bath night of a lifetime. Hear me out on this one. Hot bubble bath. Glass of wine. Bath caddy. Book. DONE! #introvertsigotyoucovered

When you have no idea:

1. You know this one is coming. Surprise your wife beforehand with a newborn photo session gift certificate (ahem, hi.). I say to do this before baby arrives because often times photographers book up a couple of months in advance and take a limited number of newborn sessions per month. And there’s nothing, absolutely nothing, like having those your teeny, tiny baby photographs for a keepsake.

2. A cute, but trendy, diaper bag that doesn’t FEEL like a diaper bag. This gorgeous cognac diaper bag is a cute backpack diaper bag that doesn’t scream I’m-carrying-every-baby-item-in-the-world-in-here. Or for a non-backpack version, this one is perfect and classy for over the shoulder.

3. Get bonus points for being thoughtful: Newborn Footprint Art. It comes framed (and they have a good selection to pick from, too!) and includes baby’s sweet little footprints, along with their birth stats as well. It is absolutely adorable.

There you have it, Dads-to-be! Something for every type of woman. Which one do you think your significant other will love?

xo,

Chelsie