Your friend just had a baby. Does she have everything she needs? She's been showered with onesies, diapers, bibs, and noisy toys for the baby, but what about her? Most moms are neglected in the excitement of a new baby and are left sleep deprived and under-valued. Make sure the mom is taken care of, especially in the postpartum period. Here are some gift ideas to make the new mom feel special. After all, she just birthed a new life.

Her Favorite Meal

Find out the new mom's favorite meal and make it for her-and make a lot of it. Mom will be so overwhelmed in the early days with baby that she may forget to eat. Make mealtime easy for her by loading her freezer with her favorite entrees. Then, when baby's in the midst of a total fit, all she has to do is pop the meal in a microwave and in minutes she can enjoy home-cooked food. Make sure the meal is nutritious with lots of protein, vitamins, and iron.

Pamper Her

New moms have been through a lot-childbirth, after all, is no easy feat. Mama may feel stretched, achy, hormonal, and just plain unattractive. Pamper the new mom with a gift certificate to a local salon. That way, on her own time, she can be treated to her choice of a hairdo, massage, pedicure, or facial.

Postpartum Doula

All moms need help after the baby arrives. A postpartum doula specializes in helping parents by offering tips for dealing with newborns, making meals, doing laundry, and washing dishes. In other words, they'll keep the house in some sort of order. Not sure you can afford hiring a doula? Try being the doula for mom and dad yourself. Just make sure to be more of a help than a hindrance.

Caffeine

If mom was a coffee drinker before she got pregnant, she'll probably be dying for some caffeine so she can make it through the sleep-deprived nights. Buy her favorite coffee drink or make a basket of local, fairly-traded coffee beans. Nursing teas are a great option for moms going caffeine-free.

Pajamas

Pajamas are the standard outfit for a new mom-but they don't have to be frumpy. Buy her a pair of sleek, comfortable pajamas with a cute pattern.