This Is What First-Time Moms Want For Christmas: Pamper Day, Core Rehab, Breastfeeding-Safe Skincare

The Christmas rush is in full-swing, traffic is heavier than usual, waiting times at the cashier are longer, and even online purchases will need extra time to be delivered. If you're looking for gifts for a new mom, you're in luck. Smart Parenting talked to first-time moms and asked what they want for Christmas. (We also have a list for teachers, classmates, and your gift to yourself!) Because we all know that in that season, most parents and relatives shower the baby with gifts. But we should not forget the moms!

Here’s what first-time Moms want this Christmas, honestly and truly:

10 gift ideas for new moms

1. Staycation/Vacation getaway with the family

Alyssa Marie Ramos shared in Smart Parenting Village, “All expense-paid trip getaway para makapag-unwind at relax with pamper and massage sa spa ng hotel.” She told Smart Parenting that her dream destination with her husband and child is Boracay. Her child is two years old.

Bianca Arenas, mom to an almost two-year old, shared, “A getaway to a pleasant destination for relaxation and unwinding.”

This is also the top answer among other first-time moms from Smart Parenting Village, our online community with over 105,000 parents. A staycation with the family makes a first-time Mom happy! 

Hotel Casiana in Tagaytay offers full Christmas package with Christmas Eve and Day buffet. Perfect for a short staycation for the family! Check it here. 

Hotel Kimberly is another popular pick for families, also located in Tagaytay. Watch our video review here.

2. Pamper day (salon, mani-pedi, hair treatment)

Coming in second in a first-time mom's wishlist is a Pamper Day.  “As a working mom, my Christmas wishlist would be to have a day of pampering which includes getting facials, body massages, hair treatments or nails services. A day where I can enjoy and cherish the opportunity to destress and recharge,” Grazielle Janine Go-Salvosa shared with Smart Parenting. Doc Grazielle is a pediatric dentist with a two-year old daughter. 

Name it all--nail services, hair treatments, skin and facial care--any will bring a big smile to mom’s face. After all her hardwork, she surely deserves to feel good about herself!

Check out Parlon, a one-top shop for Mom’s pamper day. Tip: Buy gift certificates for a first-time mom you love if you don't know service to avail of.

3. Sleep and massage

Another top answer among first-time moms is sleep. We know we all want uninterrupted sleep! After all the late night and early morning breastfeeding, the multiple diaper changes throughout the night, first-time moms deserve interrupted sleep and a massage. 

“Massage saka straight sleep kahit 6 hrs lang,” Reisyl Anne May Dimayuga shared. She is 8 months postpartum. 

Here’s a tip: book a home-service massage for mom if she can't be too far away from baby, then let her get that well-deserved sleep. Take care of the baby or make sure baby's guardian is covered, even for just two to three hours.

Here’s a home service massage that also offers post-natal and lactation massage. Check Massage Manila’s full services here. Price starts at P200. 

RELATED: Gift Yourself Alone Time This Christmas: Workouts, Salon Date, And Volunteering

4. Rocking chair

Poang Rocking Arm Chair, starts at P7,990, Ikea

“Siguro best gift for me is rocking or recliner chair para pwede na diretso tulog kami pareho after breastfeeding,” Hazel Nepomuceno-Enconado shared. Her daughter is three months old. Joy Rulloda shared the same wishlist in Smart Parenting Village, “Maganda at malambot na rocking chair.”

A rocking chair hits two birds with one stone--mom can get cozy and rest for a bit while breastfeeding the little one. Hopefully, mommy can also squeeze a short nap in!

5. Quality time with husband

This next gift is very specific, and only Dads can fulfill them--quality time with husband. “A spa session, staycation and dinner date with my hubby kahit 1 night lang.. As in kami lang. Working mom kasi ako and pandemic ko pinanganak ko ang daughter ko. Since nasa government ako, I immediately returned to work after my maternity leave since I needed to work with limited WFH choice kasi isa nga kami sa kailangan during pandemic. Hands-on dad naman asawa ko kasi wala kaming in-laws/parents na pwede mag-alaga at ayaw namin mag yaya,” Andrea Arce Domingo shared in Smart Parenting Village. 

“Quality time with hubby. Doesn’t matter where, as long as it’s just us talking and enjoying each other’s company. Since I gave birth last August, wala na kaming quality time. Husband is an army officer kaya he is not always home,” Mescy Antiquina, mom to a 4-month old baby, shared. 

6. Kindle

Amazon Kindle 2022 6" High Resolution Display 16GB, P5,698, Lazada

One of the most surprising things about motherhood is the gazillion minutes turned hours we spend breastfeeding baby--just sitting or lying there. And it feels unproductive (though it’s totally not!). 

That’s why these Moms want a Kindle--so they can make the most of their time while breastfeeding. Em Cruz, Smart Parenting section editor said, “Kindle, so I can read while nagpapadede nang hindi nangangalay.”

Mina Balondo seconded this, “Kindle, para makapagbasa na ulit. Reading helps free up the mind. Kaysa overthinking or doom-scrolling kapag nakapahinga while tulog ang junakis, basa-basa na lang.”

You can check Kindle prices here.

7. Breastfeeding-safe essentials  

Made to Shine Eyeshaow Palette in 02, P1,600, Kiko Milano

And yes, first-time moms need all the breastfeeding-safe essentials. We don’t want to wait until our child weans before we do some skincare, right? 

“Siguro skincare products. 'Pag niregalo sakin ‘to, yung pinaka thought is to care for my self pa din kahit mahirap humanap ng time, kahit puyat and pagod magpa-dede mom,” Reyes Roxie shared. 

Zen Arganda, Smart Parenting’s Community Manager shared what she want this Christmas, “Breastfeeding safe na skincare.” When in doubt, always look for skincare products that say, “paraben-free”, “salicylic-free”, and “non-toxic and all-natural ingredients”. To start, here’s a link to breastfeeding-safe skin cleanser. 

Deity Dust Palette, P695 each, Lazada

Iza Santos, Smart Parenting's Deputy Group Publisher said, “Breastfeeding safe na makeup and coffee.” 

And last but not the least, breastfeeding moms swore by this breastfeeding-safe coffee: Mother Nurture. You can buy it here. 

8. Baby essentials

One thing first-time moms never fail to put in their Christmas wishlist is anything for the baby. Even if we ask them to think of anything other than for the baby, fully stocked baby essentials make them happy!

Beanne DC, working mom to her seven-month old daughter listed the things she wants, but one thing must be there, “Stocks of essential items for my baby.”

“Mostly para kay baby. Hahahaha. Bonus na lang pag may para sa akin talaga.  M2 malunggay tea, Pampers Pants, Physiogel Daily Moisture dermo cleanser and Physiogel Calming Relief A.I. Lotion. #BekeNemen,” Sherr Alyssa San Jose shared in Smart Parenting Village. 

Bonus, this coming 12.12 Shopee Sale, Cetaphil Baby offers baby products that’s ready for gift-giving and comes with a box and freebie! That will surely put a smile on a first-time Mom’s face! Find it here. 

9. Core rehab

Smart Parenting’s Associate Video Producer Cherrie Julian shared, “Channeling Jessy Mendiola--Ako yung core restore program ni Momma Mindy Lagdameo. Kasi nag-woworkout ako, pumayat na lahat, pero ung mommy pooch wala. Andun pa rin. So need talaga core rehab. After giving birth.”

Coach Mindy Lagdameo is a Diastasis Recti Rehab and Corrective Exercise Specialist and offers different classes according to a Mom’s need and preference. Packages start at P1,750 per month. Check out Coach Mindy Lagdameo’s classes here. 

10. The baby is the gift!

And the final item on our first-time Mom’s wishlist, is the baby! The baby is the gift!

April Ann Torres shared, “Gift para sakin? Sa totoo lang wala akong maisip. Hindi ko na naiisip yung mga gusto ko o kung may gusto nga ba ako. Lahat for baby nalang ang wishes ko.” She added, “Ilang Christmas na din kasi na ang wish ko talaga noon eh magka-anak kami. Kaya ngayon na dumating na si baby, kuntentong kuntento na ko. Parang wala na kong ibang kelangan para sa sarili ko kaya kung may wishes man ako this Christmas, para na lang lahat sa kapakanan ni baby--mga regalo para sakanya, maging healthy at safe sya lagi, mga ganyan. Sabi ko nga sa relatives ko, okay lang wag nyo nako bigyan ng gifts sa pasko, kay baby na lang.”

Her daughter is almost nine months old. She and her husband waited for her for three years.