Ivana Poku Looking for the perfect gift for a first-time mum?
There are so many options: baby clothes, toys, pamper kits, candles… it can feel impossible to pick just one.
But here’s the thing: most gifts are for the baby.
What about the mum?
She just did something huge – brought a whole new person into the world.
She’s tired, overwhelmed, and facing massive changes.
She needs more than baby socks (or, apart from the socks).
She needs to feel seen and supported.
Because the truth is… most new mums don’t.
In this post, I explain why – and how the perfect gift can change that.
But first, hello!
My name is Ivana, and I run MumsJourney, a blog dedicated to supporting mums through every stage of their motherhood journey. I’m also the author of Motherhood: The Unspoken and an award-winning maternal mental health advocate and mentor.
After giving birth to my twins in 2016, I experienced severe PPD. It was the hardest time of my life, but it also showed me how much there is to motherhood people don’t talk about and how many mums don’t get the support they need.
Since then, I’ve made it my mission to help other mums feel heard and supported.
In this post, I share:
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Why most gifts focus on the baby (and what mums really need instead)
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The unseen struggles new mums face that no one warns you about
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The one gift that can truly make a difference to her mental health and confidence
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How my own experience inspired me to create something every new mum needs
Let’s dive in!
I Thought I Was Ready… Until I Became a Mum
Before I had my twins, I thought I knew what to expect.
I read the books, went to every class, asked questions, Googled endlessly.
Then my babies arrived. And I felt lost.
I didn’t feel that “love at first sight” everyone talks about.
Breastfeeding didn’t happen naturally.
And I didn’t feel like myself at all.
I felt like a bad mum from the very start.
I thought something was wrong with me.
I Suffered in Silence
I was too scared to tell anyone how I felt.
So I smiled and pretended everything was fine.
But inside, I was falling apart.
For 8 months, I cried almost every day.
I felt lonely, ashamed, and hopeless.
At my lowest point, I thought my babies would be better off without me.
Today I know all those feelings stemmed from one main reason: unrealistic expectations about life after baby.
The problem is, there’s so much about motherhood that people don’t talk about.
Not even prenatal classes, antenatal classes… or Google!
Every mum learns the unspoken things the hard way.
When I realised this, I knew I had to change that.
So I did.
In 2019, I published Motherhood – The Unspoken.
It’s the book that has everything I wish someone had given me when I became a mum.
What’s inside Motherhood – The Unspoken?
The book shares:
✅ The untold truths about life as a new mum no one talks about
✅ Real, honest stories from 10 first-time mums – and their personal message of support to new mums
✅ Proven tips for coping with common challenges
✅ How to survive the newborn stage
✅ Proven strategies to prevent postnatal depression and protect your mental health
… and so much more that can’t be put in words.
It says: You’ve got this and you’re not alone.
It’s a book written from the heart by a mum who’s been there, and is now on a mission to help other mums feel heard and supported.
It’s like a big hug for a new mum in book form.
“But That Won’t Happen to My Friend…”
Maybe you’re thinking:
“My friend is fine. She won’t struggle.”
I used to think that about me too.
And for almost a year, my friends and family had no idea how I really felt.
On the outside, I smiled and posted happy pictures on Instagram.
But behind closed doors, I was falling apart.
Sadly, my story isn’t unique.
Most new mums experience a massive shock when baby arrives and struggle to cope.
Why? Because they aren’t educated on postnatal life.
Antenatal classes focus heavily on birth, but offer very little (if any) information about what happens next.
Take me as an example: I knew about postnatal depression, and I still didn’t recognise it when it hit me.
I didn’t think “I’m unwell.” I just thought I was failing.
And this happens more often than we would have liked.
It doesn’t care how happy or smart you are.
A lot of mums hide it behind a smile.
A lot of people don’t even know what to look for.
That’s why this book is so important.
It helps prepare a new mum for motherhood rather than “just” birth.
It shows her she’s doing an amazing job.
That she’s not alone.
And knowing this, can change everything.
The Best New Mum Gift Isn’t a Toy or Blanket
So what’s the best gift for a new mum?
It’s not a baby outfit.
It’s not a bottle of bubble bath.
It’s the knowledge about life as a new mum and support.
That helps her feel more confident and stronger.
That helps her face the hard moments with more ease.
That says what 99% of mums wish they’d known earlier.
Motherhood – The Unspoken is that book.
It’s more than a gift.
It’s a lifeline.
A voice that whispers, “You’ve got this – and you’re not alone.”
If you want to give a new mum a gift that could change how she feels about herself, her journey, and her strength – this is it.
Click HERE to get your copy and for more details.
I am saying this with all my heart – this is the book I wish someone had given me when I became a mum.
It’s what I really needed.
What all new mums need.
Because socks get worn out.
Candles burn down.
But the right support?
It can rewrite her story.
With love,
Ivana xx
