• Give a new mother and her child a gift to make parenting easier.girl with new born baby image by Anatoly Tiplyashin from Fotolia.com
  
  "The role of mother is probably the most important career a woman can have," Janet Mary Riley, the first female professor on Loyola University's law faculty, once said. Help a new mother launch her "career" with a thoughtful gift that will encourage or soothe her as she welcomes her newest family member.
  
  

Doula

• Arrange for the services of a professional and experienced doula -- which means "a woman who serves" in Greek -- so the mother can focus on her labor and the early days with the baby. The Dona International website lists doulas who can help at the birth of a child and with the care of the mother afterward. Doulas can assist mothers anywhere from a few days to months if needed.
  
  

Nursing Gear

• Help make the breast-feeding transition easier for both mother and child with nursing gear. Pick out some silky nursing tanks, a nursing bra with support or a set of pumps to help relieve the pressure of breast milk. Nursing clothing, from easy-to-remove, stylish blouses to convertible dresses and tops made from soft jersey, comes in multiple styles for any mother's taste and situation. Split the cost with a group of friends when choosing a gift, as higher-end nursing clothing and breast pumps can be expensive.
  
  

Quilt

• Not just for baby, a thick quilt keeps a new mother warm and cozy on rainy or sleepy days. Purchase a full-size quilt that matches the decor of the master bedroom of her home, or choose one with her favorite colors. Get a matching smaller version for the baby to use at nap time.
  
  

Digital Video Recorder

• New moms have to adjust to a different schedule as a newborn or newly adopted child may require care at all hours, limiting her sleep as well as time to sit down when her favorite TV shows air. DVRs provide the gift of entertainment she can enjoy at her own convenience, and range in price from $30 to thousands.
  
  

Dinner Help

• Getting dinner on the table each night can prove a little too much for a new mom to handle. Schedule a day to provide her and the rest of the family a home-cooked meal, suggests BabyCenter.com in its "Gifts for New Moms" list. Make dinner ahead of time and have it ready for her on the day she has chosen, or, arrange for a catered dinner as a more luxurious gift option. This gift helps her nourish herself and her family, while giving her more time with her little one.