Essential Support for the New Mom!
That new mom in your life needs you, but she needs more than you holding the baby for a few minutes so she can run to the restroom.
Here’s how to be that person for her!
Because a woman never forgets who was there for her when she was at her most vulnerable and you want to take away from her stress, not add to it.
1.) Listen to the New Mom & Don’t Compare.
So many women just need a sympathetic ear and end up actually listening to others about their experiences of birth and postpartum. Now is not the time to relate or project!
Ex:
New Mom: “I’m just having a hard time processing my birth and healing has been really difficult.”
MIL: “Omg, for my birth I had an episiotomy and ended up with a dozen stitches and it took weeks to heal!”
… Don’t. Do. THIS.
Instead, if you hear your loved one say something about healing, find and offer her solutions. If you don’t have anything helpful, then just listen.
2.) Take Care of her Pets & Kids
If your new mom has pets or kids, take special care of them for a few weeks. The “Mom guilt” of having to focus all your attention on your newborn takes its toll when you feel like your older children or pets feel left out.
And Mom guilt leads to not eating, sleeping, bathing or any kind of self care because it’s really hard to prioritize yourself when you’re worried about your children!
If she can trust that her children and pets are being cared for, she’ll be able to focus on healing and caring for her newborn.
3.) Housekeeping for the New Mom
This can look like you coming over and helping with the laundry, those dishes in the sink, organizing the bathroom and taking out the trash. But it can also be daunting for some people to have their loved ones cleaning their house, so you can even consider hiring a professional!
4.) New Mom TLC Gift
New moms deserve some extra love! So gift her a certificate for a massage, pedicure, scalp treatment, hair cut or whatever you know she will absolutely LOVE.
Some at-home gifts like:
Hiring a Postpartum Doula is also a great idea for making sure your loved one is taken care of by a professional who is trained in lactation support, knows the signs to look for concerning postpartum mood disorders and can help around the house.
5.) Feed the New Mom
Bring food, drop it off, start a meal train, gift her gift cards for Uber eats or Door Dash. Whatever you can to feed that new mom! It should be a requirement to visit a new mom and her baby, in my opinion.
Organizing a meal train or bringing food to a family with a newborn is such a thoughtful gesture! Here are some easy-to-prepare, nutritious, and freezer-friendly meal ideas to help new parents stay nourished:
1. Breakfast Options
- Breakfast Burritos: Filled with scrambled eggs, veggies, cheese, and maybe some sausage or black beans. Wrap them individually, so they can be frozen and reheated as needed.
- Baked Oatmeal: Make it with berries, nuts, or even a touch of chocolate. It’s great for breakfast or a snack.
- Muffin Tin Frittatas: Mini frittatas made in muffin tins with spinach, bell peppers, onions, and cheese for a protein-rich grab-and-go meal.
2. Lunch/Dinner Casseroles
- Chicken and Vegetable Casserole: Use brown rice, quinoa, or pasta as a base, add chicken, veggies, and a creamy sauce. It’s easy to heat up in portions.
- Baked Ziti or Lasagna: A classic crowd-pleaser. Make it with vegetables and ricotta for a nutrient boost or go for a meat sauce if they prefer.
- Enchiladas: Layer with beans, cheese, and either chicken or a veggie mix for something filling and flavorful.
3. Hearty Soups and Stews
- Chicken Noodle or Vegetable Soup: Comforting and hydrating, and it reheats well. Pack with veggies, grains, and protein.
- Beef Stew: Loaded with root vegetables and a rich broth, making it hearty and perfect for reheating.
- Lentil Soup: Full of protein, fiber, and warming spices. Ideal for vegetarians and very filling.
4. Protein-Rich Bowls
- Grain Bowls: Include a base of quinoa or brown rice, a protein like chicken or tofu, roasted veggies, and a simple dressing. Perfect for easy lunches.
- Pulled Pork or Chicken: Pre-cooked meat that can be served in wraps, salads, or on top of grains. Easy to portion out and versatile.
5. Snacks and Sides
- Energy Bites: Made with oats, nut butter, and a touch of honey or chocolate. Great for a quick snack.
- Fruit Salad: Freshly cut fruit makes for a refreshing, easy-to-grab snack.
- Vegetable Platter with Hummus: Perfect for snacking and can be a side with meals.
6. Easy Desserts and Treats
- Banana Bread or Muffins: Perfectly snackable and great for breakfast, dessert, or any time in between.
- Cookies: Simple treats like oatmeal or chocolate chip cookies can be a little pick-me-up.
- Yogurt Parfaits: Layer Greek yogurt with granola and fresh or frozen fruit for a tasty, nourishing treat.
Meal Delivery Tips:
- Include reheating instructions.
- Bring meals in disposable or reusable containers you don’t need returned.
- Label containers with meal names, date, and dietary info (especially helpful if anyone has dietary restrictions).
- Add little extras, like a simple salad or cut fruit, to round out the meal.
Postpartum Mood Disorders
This one can be tricky because not everyone is great with communication in this area. There can be fear, shame, guilt and a lot of other emotions tied together. So, without being pushy I would just let her know she’s not alone.
Focusing on the options on this list, can be really helpful. But sometimes, you can be doing everything possible and PPD, PPA or other Mood Disorders can still occur.
So have a print out or something saved on your phone to keep an eye out to care for and protect her!
If you notice something’s off, lead with kindness and offer support either through friendship or better yet, a professional resource! Just search for counseling services in your area that specialize in what you’re concerned about.
Mothering the New Mother
Becoming a Mom is special, scary, joyful, exhausting and all the things all at once. So just remember to be patient, loving and empathetic. If you haven’t had a baby yet or you didn’t have someone to care for you in these ways when you did, it can be hard to relate or understand everything she might be going through.
If you find yourself struggling, just go back to the top of this list.
She’s so lucky to have you!
My Childbirth Course
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But let me share the real story of childbirth with you.
