Your child’s birth mother will always hold a special place in your heart. Through her decision to place her baby for adoption, she has given you the gift of parenthood. Her choice has changed your entire world in the very best way. Conveying your gratitude for her is difficult because, in truth, there are no words to describe how thankful you are for her. And even still, a gift for her may still not feel like enough.

But giving your child’s birth mother a personalized gift after placement is more than just showing her your gratitude. It is a gesture that can reassure her of her decision and the gift you give will be a constant reminder of the love you are giving her child.

Here are some gift and memento ideas to give your child’s birth mother post placement:

1. Jewelry: A simple necklace or bracelet is the perfect gift for a birth mother because she will be able to wear it all the time and keep her baby close to her heart. You can personalize a necklace with the adoption symbol, the baby’s birth date, or the baby’s name so that she can have a constant reminder of her little love. Another option would be to give her a matching necklace or bracelet, one that she keeps and one that you keep for your child to have when they grow older. This way they will always feel connected.
2. A Keepsake Bear: If you’ve never heard of a keepsake bear, it is a stuffed animal made out of upcycled clothes. Instead of throwing out old clothes or keeping clothes that don’t fit for memory’s sake, you can have them turned into a stuffed bear. This is a really great idea for a gift for your child’s birth mother. You can take the outfit your baby left the hospital in and have it turned into a bear for your baby’s birth mom to keep. If you want to keep the outfit yourself as a memory, consider buying a second set for this purpose. If you aren’t able to make the bear yourself, you can check out this online store which specializes in keepsake bears and quilts.
3. A Keepsake Box: If your adoption agreement is open or semi-open, this is a fantastic gift idea. You will probably be sending your child’s birth mom plenty of updates throughout your child’s life. Pictures, artwork, and other small mementos can be kept in this special personalized box. You can customize the box by engraving it with your child’s name or birthday. Print out a picture from the day your baby was born or the day they left the hospital to put in the box as the first memory.
4. Postpartum Pampering Gift Basket: This is a more practical gift than sentimental and you can always include this with a sentimental gift. Make up a basket of postpartum essentials for your child’s birth mother. Postpartum is a time full of very intense emotions as well as a serious physical recovery. She will be dealing with a lot of pain, both physically and emotionally. Providing her with some creature comforts may not resolve the issue but it will help in a small way. You can include classic spa stuff like face masks and bubble bath, as well as some non-glamorous postpartum essentials like pads and witch hazel.
5. Handprint/Footprint Ornament: This is the most quintessential baby gift there is and it is another great option for a post placement gift for birth mothers. It is simple and a great way for your child’s birth mom to feel connected to her baby. She can hang up this ornament every year during the holidays and feel that her baby is there with her family. You can keep it simple by just including the hand or foot print and the baby’s birth date or name. If you wanted to opt for a non-ornament type gift, you can always frame your child’s hand or footprint along with a picture.
6. A Recordable Storybook: This gift idea is a bit different since it will technically come home with you, but it can be a nice way to include your child’s birth mom in your child’s life. Have your child’s birth mom read the story of your choice to your baby through one of the many recordable storybooks available. You can send her videos or pictures of your child reading this book as the grow up and she will know that in a way she is there throughout their life. Your child will also be able to feel connected to their birth mother in a very special way.

There truly are no words or gifts that could sum up the gratitude that an adoptive parent feels for their child’s birth mother. But even so, as a birth mother, being able to hold a bear or wear a necklace or see pictures is a way to feel connected to the baby that she is unable to hold. It is a reminder of the love that her child’s adoptive family has for her baby. Giving your child’s birth mom a gift after placement is meaningful, not only because it says thank you, but because it shows that you are empathetic to the grief she will feel. That necklace is much more than just jewelry.

Adoption Choices of Nevada

If you are currently in the process of adopting a baby and have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact, Adoption Choices of Nevada. You may visit the website here or contact us by 775-825-4673 (Reno Office) or 702-474-4673 (Las Vegas Office). Our hours are Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm PST.

Support Adoption Choices

Adoption Choices, Inc. is partnering with Crowdrise, a fundraising website for nonprofits, to help our adoptive parents and birth parents with much needed financial assistance. We understand that expenses keep clients from fulfilling their dreams. Both with birth parents making a plan for adoption, and with adoptive parents growing their family. It is our mission to provide financial assistance through grants and scholarships, awarded annually in November, in honor of National Adoption Month. Funds assist adoptive parents with matching and placements, adoption finalization and helping birth mothers improve their lives through higher education — and much more.

However, we can’t do it alone. Please read up on our programs and donate money where you are able. Your donation will make a huge impact.

About the Author

Devon Thornton is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor’s in Creative Writing. She has recently moved from Orlando, FL to Clarksville, TN, and is pursuing her writing career with Adoption Choices and also writing personal essays in her free time. Devon is an avid reader and a big Harry Potter fan.

When she’s not curled up reading a book, you can find her somewhere on a hike or a camping trip. She loves her cat, Minerva, and considers herself a true animal lover. She hopes one day to publish a book of essays and to maybe meet J.K. Rowling.

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Sources:

“5 Gift Ideas for Your Child’s Birth Mother.” Considering Adoption, consideringadoption.com/adoptive-family/5-gift-ideas-for-your-childs-birth-mother.

“6 Perfect Gifts for Birth Moms at The Hospital – Adoption Products: Adoption Day Gifts for Child or Parents.” Adoption Products | Adoption Day Gifts for Child or Parents, 30 Apr. 2019, adoptionproducts.com/perfect-gifts-birth-moms-hospital/.