The best push present ideas are personal pieces she can wear while caring for a newborn: a birthstone necklace for the baby's birth month, an initial or name necklace, a locket for a first photo, or small stud earrings. A push present is a gift from a partner to the mother to mark the birth of their child, and jewelry is the classic choice.
Below are 10 ideas, a guide to which jewelry works best in the newborn months, and the history behind the custom. For a wider range of personalized gifts, see EVRY personalized jewelry.
What Is a Push Present?
A push present, also called a push gift or baby bauble, is a gift a partner gives the mother to celebrate giving birth. The term is recent, but the idea of giving jewelry to a new mother is centuries old.
The Napoleon Diamond Necklace in the Smithsonian's National Gem Collection was a gift from Emperor Napoleon to his second wife, Marie Louise, to celebrate the birth of their son in 1811. The Smithsonian lists the necklace at 234 diamonds with an estimated total weight of 263 carats, making it one of history's most famous birth gifts (Smithsonian Institution).
See the Smithsonian record for the Napoleon Diamond Necklace. The modern term "push present" spread in the United States in recent decades, as the Wikipedia entry on push presents explains.
How Common Are Push Presents?
Push presents are common but not universal, and opinions on them are split. Survey data shows many moms want one, while others feel the baby is gift enough.
A 2004 BabyCenter survey of more than 30,000 respondents found that 38 percent of new mothers had received a push present and 55 percent of pregnant mothers wanted one, while about 40 percent said the baby itself was enough. A 2015 TODAY survey found 45 percent opposed the custom and 28 percent supported it (Wikipedia, citing BabyCenter and TODAY).
Because views differ, the best push present feels personal rather than flashy. A small piece tied to the baby says more than a big price tag.
10 Push Present Ideas She Will Treasure
The strongest push present ideas connect the gift to the baby: a name, an initial, a birth month or a first photo. These ten cover the most searched styles.
- Baby's birthstone necklace. One stone for the birth month. Try the Noa Birthstone Necklace or the Celeste Birthstone Necklace.
- Baby's initial necklace. A single letter is subtle and personal, like the Bright Babe Initial Necklace or the Crystal Initial Necklace. More styles are in initial necklaces.
- Name necklace. Spell out the baby's name with the Custom/Personalized Bubble Letter Name Necklace.
- Engraved locket. Hold a newborn photo or a birth date in the Custom/Personalized Heart Locket Necklace.
- A "baby" themed pendant. A playful nod to the new arrival, such as the Twinkle Baby Necklace.
- Initial bracelet. A bracelet with the baby's letter, like the Icy Initial Tennis Bracelet.
- Stud earrings. Small studs stay out of a baby's reach. Browse stud earrings.
- Charm piece she can grow. Start with one charm now and add one for each child. Explore charm bracelets.
- A stacking ring. A slim band to stack with her wedding set, if you know her size. See stacking rings.
- Non jewelry extras. Pair the jewelry with time to rest: a meal delivery, a massage or a night of uninterrupted sleep.
To narrow the list, look at what she already wears every day. If she lives in one fine chain, add a pendant in the same tone. If she rarely wears necklaces but never takes off her studs, choose earrings. If she already owns a birthstone piece for an older child, a matching one for the new baby turns two gifts into a set. When you are unsure, a dainty necklace is the lowest risk choice because it needs no size.
Which Jewelry Works Best for a New Mom
Short, close fitting jewelry works best in the newborn months, because babies grab and pull at anything that dangles. Long chains, large hoops and bulky rings are better saved for later.
| Jewelry type | Newborn months wearability | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Short pendant necklace (collarbone length) | Excellent | Sits high and out of reach while holding or feeding |
| Stud earrings | Excellent | Nothing for small hands to catch |
| Slim bracelet | Good | Stays close to the wrist; remove for bath time |
| Slim stacking ring | Good | Her ring size may have changed, so confirm it first |
| Long or layered necklaces | Fair | Easy for a baby to grab when worn low |
| Large hoops or drop earrings | Save for later | Most likely to be pulled |
A pendant that rests near the collarbone is the easiest choice; the necklace length guide shows where each length falls. If she has sensitive ears, read the guide to earrings for sensitive ears. For rings, follow the steps on how to measure ring size at home, and consider waiting a few weeks after the birth if her ring size has changed.
Birthstone Push Presents: Matching the Baby's Month
A birthstone push present uses the gem for the baby's birth month, so the gift is tied to one date forever. In the United States, the modern birthstone list has assigned a gem to every month since 1912.
The modern US birthstone list was adopted in 1912 by the National Association of Jewelers, now Jewelers of America, and gives each of the 12 months its own gem. The Gemological Institute of America publishes the stone, color and lore for every month, which makes a birthstone push present easy to match to a baby's birth month (GIA, accessed October 2026).
Check the month on the GIA birthstone guide or the birthstone chart by month. If the due date sits near the end of a month, wait until the baby arrives to order, or choose an initial necklace you can personalize after the birth.
When to Give a Push Present
There is no fixed rule for when to give a push present. Common moments are at the hospital or birth center, during the first week at home, or on the first Mother's Day.
- At the hospital: a small, ready to wear piece is easiest; personalization can follow later.
- At home in the first weeks: gives time for a name or birthstone piece made after the birth.
- Before the birth: works for a gift that celebrates the pregnancy itself.
- First Mother's Day: some couples fold the push present into that day instead.
For other gift occasions in her year, the ultimate gift guide for her has more ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Push Presents
What is a push present?
A push present is a gift a partner gives the mother to mark the birth of their child; it is also called a push gift or baby bauble. The term is recent, but birth gifts are not: Napoleon gave Marie Louise a diamond necklace of about 263 carats for the birth of their son in 1811, now held by the Smithsonian. Today jewelry, especially birthstone and initial pieces, is a popular choice.
What are some traditional push present ideas?
Traditional push present ideas center on jewelry: a necklace with the baby's birthstone, a pendant with the baby's initial or name, a locket with a photo, or a ring to stack with her wedding set. Birthstones work because the US list has assigned a gem to each of the 12 months since 1912. Pick a piece she can wear daily, not one saved for special occasions.
How much should I pay for a push present?
There is no rule for how much to spend on a push present. Opinions on the custom are split: a 2015 TODAY survey found 45 percent opposed push presents and 28 percent supported them, so the meaning matters more than the price. A personal piece, such as the baby's initial or birthstone, often means more than an expensive one. Set a budget that feels comfortable for your family right now.
Who gives the push present?
The push present usually comes from the mother's partner, but anyone close to her can give one. Some grandparents or close friends give a small piece too, often a birthstone or initial necklace tied to the new baby. In the 2004 BabyCenter survey, 55 percent of pregnant mothers said they wanted a push present, so a thoughtful gift from the partner is usually welcome.
Is a push present expected?
A push present is not expected or required. In a 2004 BabyCenter survey of more than 30,000 people, 38 percent of new mothers had received one, and about 40 percent said the baby was gift enough. Talk about it before the due date if you are unsure. If you do give one, a small personal piece usually lands better than a surprise splurge.
Find a piece to mark the new arrival in EVRY personalized jewelry.
