Not every new mom needs assistance; show some kindness by lending a helping hand with something that makes a difference in her day; she’ll thank you and good karma will come your way in return!
No one likes running errands (especially with a baby!), so come by and pick up her groceries she has been meaning to get.
1. Offer to babysit.
New moms need assistance managing the children, especially while breastfeeding their baby. Offer to watch her older kids while she nurses; this will give her some respite and allow her time to do something else, like run an errand or meet with someone for coffee.
She may not ask, but if she does, offer to fold laundry or take out the trash for her. These are tasks that might not come to mind on their own but will make her feel valued and appreciated.
New moms may lose themselves as mothers, so send her little notes that remind her she is more than just a mother. These could range from something as simple as an “I love you” text to offering positive mantras or daily affirmations (check Greetabl for plenty of options) — she’ll surely treasure these gestures–plus you’ll get great karma in return!
2. Take the kids out.
New moms may also have other children at home and it can be challenging for them to attend to them while trying to care for their newborn. Help her out by taking any older kids on a quick walk or to the park so she can spend one-on-one time with them.
Be sure to ask about allergies and dietary restrictions prior to dropping off food (or better yet use a meal train service like Freshly!) If there are no children of their own in the household, bring over activity books or movies so they can release some energy while their mother breastfeeds her child.
Tell her she’s doing an outstanding job as a mom – new mothers may feel isolated, and they want to hear that their efforts are recognized and loved.
3. Take a nap.
Moms-to-be must rest to maintain mental wellbeing; sleep deprivation leads to irritability, mood swings and difficulty with thinking. A nap can also help recover from labor and delivery exertions while getting enough rest is critical for raising healthy children.
When visiting, ask her if she’d like a nap or shower; if she declines, be considerate and respect her boundaries – for instance, breastfeeding mothers may not appreciate people staring at their breasts while feeding; similarly, expecting mothers may not want people asking personal questions about their pregnancy, labor and delivery process.
Dropping off a premade dinner and some takeout coffee can be a tremendous help to an exhausted new mom. Before offering to bring the meal, reach out and learn her food allergies or taste preferences; watering her plants would also be greatly appreciated; new mothers often neglect houseplants while caring for their newborn.
4. Offer to clean.
New moms can feel overwhelmed by housework and cleaning. Offering to clean may help ease some of their burden – even if she does not ask specifically, offering to clear away or restock the fridge can give her much-needed support.
If you know her favorite meals, offer to grocery shop for her or pay for food delivery service so she can focus on caring for herself and her baby while knowing someone cares for them both. Doing this shows your thoughtfulness while showing her you care.
Give her the gift of pampering! She’ll appreciate receiving a postnatal massage (particularly therapeutic for healing purposes), haircut or blowout service, or relaxing mani/pedi treatment. Additionally, if she has other children you could offer to watch them so she can have some alone time with you!
5. Take a walk.
New moms dedicate themselves fully to caring for their babies, yet need time out for themselves too. Encourage her to schedule some “me time”, such as getting a massage or having her nails or enjoy playing poker online on websites reviewed on https://centiment.io or feet professionally manicured/pedicured.
Be sure to recognize her achievements as a mother. New moms often feel overwhelmed by the demands and responsibilities associated with their roles; be sure to let her know you admire and appreciate her, and that things will get easier with time.
Before visiting her, ask what she needs before arriving, or text her beforehand to see if there’s anything specific she would like you to bring her while out and about. A coffee (or decaf) on the way over is always appreciated – it’s the least you can do to make her day easier!
6. Go to the grocery store.
Food, diapers and lotion can all be found at the store – make your trips less stressful by going after you have fed or just before naptime when the store will likely be less crowded! This way it won’t add stress for mom as well as her babies!
Before heading out to the store, make sure you inquire as to any specific items she requires – for instance if she’s breastfeeding, lactation cookies could come in handy; she might also appreciate receiving a gift basket of luxury self-care or recovery care products to make her feel pampered and beautiful!
If she doesn’t have anyone nearby to collect groceries for her, Meal Train could be an invaluable service to assist her. Plus, you could buy her a gift certificate so they can order their favorite meal directly!
7. Ask to hold the baby.
New moms are often overwhelmed by gifts for their baby and can struggle to compose thank you notes for each recipient. Why not lend a helping hand so she can feel accomplished?
Ask her if you can hold her baby (with her permission, of course). This is an effective way of showing you care and making her feel loved; even if she doesn’t talk much, just knowing someone is nearby may bring relief and comfort.
Keep in mind that babies tend to cry frequently and when they do it’s normal for new mothers to panic. Reassure her everything will be alright; don’t offer advice until asked for.
8. Offer to babysit.
New moms are always exploring different products for themselves and their babies, from slings to bouncers. You can help her sort through it all by watching YouTube videos together and providing links to helpful articles.
Provide relief by helping her get out of the house for just a short while – whether that means running an errand such as filling up her gas tank, picking up pet supplies or making library drops-off runs. Even just providing companionship can make all the difference!
Offer to take over her other children for an afternoon. This will give her some respite from all the noise and chaos while giving your little ones time with their big sibling.
9. Text her.
At this point, your new mom friend may not have time for in-depth discussions or hang sessions; therefore, text her something lighthearted to check in and stay connected – such as discussing an episode from one of your shared favorite TV shows, music genres or upcoming events – but be careful of heading down any potentially contentious paths! Text messages have the ability to create miscommunication.
She might be having difficulty using all her new baby gear, such as breastfeeding pillows and cloth diapers, so offer to assist her. You will make her feel valued as someone cares for her even though you cannot physically be there to support her directly; and she will greatly appreciate it since she may already feel overwhelmed! She’ll appreciate having someone there when they need extra support after being up all night with a crying infant.
10. Offer to babysit.
All moms of new babies or old children alike need rest and recuperation time. Offer to watch her children while she naps or goes for a stroll – she will thank you!
New moms often need help understanding all their new gear – from carriers and bouncers to strollers – so offer to teach her how it all works and answer any queries she might have if necessary.
Just do something small for her – mailing something to the post office, picking up pet food/supplies from the pet store, stopping by the library dropbox to return books she didn’t finish reading and so forth – to help remind her she is more than her new role! Send a Greetabl gift like a bath bomb or face mask as an additional reminder.