What New Mothers Actually Need
A Conversation About Pregnancy, Postpartum Recovery & Thoughtful Gifting With the Co-Founders of Nurtured 9
During pregnancy, moms-to-be are inundated with long checklists that name every item their newborn could possibly need, from bibs and burp cloths to bottle warmers and bassinets. Moms add every recommended product to their baby shower gift registries because they want to be sure they’re ready to care for their infant! If it’s on the “must-have” list they found in twelve places online, they must need it!
After the baby shower has come and gone, pregnant and postpartum moms are left with a nursery full of baby gear that their friends and family have so generously gifted them, or that they’ve bought on their own. And with each layette set, stroller, and high-tech monitoring device, they have a clear plan of how they’ll care for their baby. But, what’s typically missing is mom’s clear plan for how she’ll care for herself, too.
Nurtured 9 was born out of a simple but powerful realization: while there are endless resources dedicated to preparing for a baby and a tremendous amount of baby products out there to be gifted, there is far less guidance on how to truly care for the mother through pregnancy and postpartum, and far fewer gifts that focus on celebrating and supporting the new mom herself. As Lauryn and Lindsey, the co-founders of Nurtured 9, moved through their own experiences with new motherhood, they began to see just how much of the conversation centers around the baby, and how often the mother’s recovery, wellbeing, and emotional needs are unintentionally overlooked. This shift in perspective became the foundation for how they think about pregnancy gifts, postpartum gifts, and support for new moms today: not as an afterthought, but as an essential part of the journey.
Why Nurtured 9 Started Thinking Differently About Pregnancy & Postpartum Care
Nurtured 9 an online shop with luxury gifts for new moms and expectant moms. Its co-founders, Lauryn and Lindsey, grew up in the suburbs north of Boston, MA, where they first met in elementary school and went on to play volleyball together in high school. Their friendship continued at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, where they became roommates, and later found themselves living together again after college while working in Boston, MA.
Fast forward a decade, Lauryn and Lindsey had both moved out of state, gotten married, and were beginning their own journeys into motherhood. During one of their long-distance catch-up calls—Lauryn in Tucson, AZ and Lindsey in Chicago, IL—they found themselves opening up about the highs and lows of pregnancy and early motherhood. They noticed how many resources, brands, and shops were focused entirely on babies, while very few truly supported the needs of expectant mothers themselves. They often felt unsure about which products were actually pregnancy-safe, or what they should be using to care for their changing bodies and help themselves feel better. That’s when the idea began to take shape: what if there was a shop dedicated to caring for moms-to-be? And what if everything she needed could be thoughtfully curated into one beautiful, intentional bundle?
From there, they slowly began building what would become Nurtured 9 - designing a website rooted in their own experiences with pregnancy, self-care, and wellness, while reaching out to the pregnancy and postpartum brands they genuinely loved and trusted. Over time, Nurtured 9 evolved into a destination for elevated, luxurious self-care, designed specifically for expectant and new mothers. Early customer feedback added an unexpected but defining layer to the vision: “These would make the most thoughtful pregnancy gifts and postpartum gifts.”
From that moment, Lauryn and Lindsey refined every detail, from product curation to gift packaging, to create a truly elevated, luxe unboxing experience. Today, every Nurtured 9 gift is designed with one intention in mind: to offer meaningful self-care for mothers and to help each recipient feel genuinely seen, supported, and cared for during such an important season of life.
A Conversation About What Mothers Truly Need
What do people misunderstand most about postpartum recovery?
Lindsey: The fourth trimester is often misunderstood as a quick “bounce-back” period, when in reality postpartum recovery involves intense physical healing, emotional overwhelm, sleep deprivation, and profound life adjustment. I remember that it took me a really long time to “feel like myself again” which had a lot to do with how enormous my identity had shifted, seemingly overnight! I think that many new parents are surprised by how isolating and destabilizing this stage can feel, especially while caring for a newborn with little rest or support. More than anything, postpartum recovery reveals that mom also needs ongoing care, community, and compassion - not just the baby.
Why do so many new mothers feel overlooked after the baby arrives?
Lauryn: After a baby arrives, so much attention naturally goes to the newborn that many mothers end up feeling invisible during one of the biggest physical and emotional transitions of their lives. Behind the scenes, they’re carrying an enormous amount of invisible labor - healing, feeding, worrying, organizing, and functioning on little sleep - while often not getting enough emotional support or care themselves. Maternal wellness matters just as much as infant wellness, and new mothers need to be checked on, supported, and cared for too. There needs to be more support for new mothers.
What does meaningful support for a new mother actually look like?
Lindsey: Meaningful support for new mothers means consistent, thoughtful care that meets her basic physical and emotional needs. After I had my second baby, I remember having to step away in the middle of my sister-in-law’s wedding rehearsal dinner in order to nurse my newborn who had gotten fussy. I felt so flustered and lonely in that moment as I went in search of someplace private to breastfeed. My husband’s aunt found me sitting alone on a bench outside and brought me a glass of water. That was such a simple, kind and thoughtful gesture that I remember to this day, not only because I had forgotten my water bottle in my haste to leave the dinner party and was now incredibly thirsty while nursing, but it also made me feel so supported as a new mom. Other ways to offer support include making nourishing meals, helping with chores, keeping mom comfortable, and giving her real chances to rest. It also means noticing the invisible load she’s carrying and offering help without waiting to be asked. New mothers need emotional support, someone to check in on them, listen without judgment, and remind them they don’t have to do everything alone.
What separates a thoughtful postpartum gift from a generic baby gift?
Lauryn: A thoughtful postpartum gift focuses on caring for the mother, not just the baby, by supporting her recovery, comfort, and emotional wellbeing during a major life transition. The best gifts are intentional and genuinely useful, whether they include postpartum essentials or items that encourage self-care for mothers, which is why we try to carry elevated essentials AND items that make her feel like she’s getting a big hug. More than anything, a meaningful postpartum gift says, “I’m thinking about you, too.” It’s a gift that makes her feel so loved!
What are some of the most appreciated gifts new mothers receive?
Lindsey: Our soft, flowy robes are one of our most appreciated Nurtured 9 gifts for new moms. They’re great for nursing and wearing around the house when comfort is a top priority! New moms also love our curated collection of clean and all-natural bath & body products that give postpartum Mamas a quick pampering spa moment at home while baby’s napping. Some of our favorites include a hydrating sheet mask, refreshing eye patches, shower steamers that smell amazing, and body scrub. Postpartum essentials designed to soothe and comfort mom can also make thoughtful baby shower gifts (we love a postpartum care package!) helping Mama prepare for her recovery up ahead. And finally, the gift of time is so important if you’re able to give it – come over and help mom cook and clean, let her rest while you watch the baby, and keep her company if she’s feeling lonely.
What do gift-givers often get wrong when shopping for a pregnant or postpartum mother?
Lauryn: Gift-givers often focus so much on the baby that they unintentionally overlook what the mom actually needs during pregnancy and postpartum recovery. Our most popular pregnancy gifts and postpartum gifts at Nurtured 9 combine aesthetics and usefulness, because we know that mothers want to receive an elevated gift that’s beautiful to open and feels like a gift, but also offers practical support and comfort, and products that make daily life easier. The most thoughtful gifts for new moms recognize that caring for the mother is just as important as caring for the baby! You can also never overlook the importance of a handwritten notecard with a sweet gift message – a few kind words of support go such a long way. We love reading the notes that come through!
What makes your gifts luxurious and what does that mean during pregnancy and postpartum?
Lindsey: Luxury during pregnancy and postpartum isn’t about excess, it’s about intention and creating elevated moments of rest, softness, and ease when everything else feels demanding. We curate luxurious gifts by choosing items made with high-quality ingredients and materials that help a mother feel cared for and encourage small rituals that bring calm to an otherwise overwhelming season. At its best, luxury is thoughtful, high-quality support that simplifies life and gently reminds her she matters too!
What emotional needs do new mothers have that people don’t talk about enough?
Lauryn: New mothers often experience an identify shift and loneliness that isn’t talked about enough, even when they’re caring for a baby 24/7. They need reassurance that it’s normal to feel overwhelmed or different than how they used to feel, and to be seen as a whole person, not just a caregiver. Most of all, they need permission to rest without guilt, because rest is essential for both emotional wellbeing and recovery!
What have conversations with new mothers taught you over the years?
Lindsey: The new moms we’ve talked to over the years echo our same experiences. They’re in love with their newborns, but they’re exhausted and need a break! Their bodies feel uncomfortable and they don’t feel like themselves physically or emotionally. They’re often lonely, anxious, and honestly a bit confused with all of their conflicting emotions about all the ways in which their lives have changed! What we’ve learned from all of this is that there needs to be more self-care for mothers, and more support for new mothers – because none of it is easy.
If you could tell every friend, partner, or family member one thing about supporting a new mom, what would it be?
Lauryn: I would tell them not to wait to be asked. Notice what mom might need and take something off her plate before it becomes another thing she has to manage. Check in on how she’s doing often, let her know you love her and are thinking about her.
What New Mothers Actually Need: Practical Takeaways
New mothers often need practical postpartum essentials that support healing and comfort, like soft flowy clothing, soothing birth or c-section recovery supplies, breastfeeding support items, and anything that eases physical strain. Hydration and nutrition are also key, so electrolytes, snacks, and ready-made nourishing meals can make a big difference when energy is low. Just as important is rest, so things like help with the baby, household tasks, or limiting visitors so she can actually sleep and recover are great! Emotional support ties it all together: checking in on her, listening without judgment, and offering reassurance helps reduce overwhelm and makes her feel seen and supported.
Caring for the Mother, Not Just the Baby
Mothers deserve care too, and real support for new mothers means tending to their recovery, rest, and emotional wellbeing just as much as the baby’s needs. Thoughtful gifting and everyday help - from nourishing meals to small comforts and practical assistance - can meaningfully reduce overwhelm and make a real difference during this intense transition.