New motherhood is a journey filled with emotions, surprises, and countless challenges. Not only is she recovering from pregnancy and childbirth, but she’s also learning to care for and adjust to her new baby.
- 1. Be a Good Listener
- 2. Offer Specific Assistance
- 3. Send Nutritious and Calorie-Dense Food
- 4. Babysit Her Older Kids
- 5. Take Care of Her Pets
- 6. Offer Respite
- 7. Hire a Housekeeper
- 8. Help Her With the Laundry
- 9. Make Her a Postpartum Snack Basket
- 10. Give Her the Gift of Massage
- 11. Stay Consistent
- 12. Offer to Run Errands
- 13. Respect Boundaries
- Now You Know the Helpful Ways to Help a New Mom
While every mom’s experience is unique, there are some universal ways to offer genuine support to the new mom in your life. If you’re going to be visiting the baby, here are some tips for how you can help the new mama in your life.
1. Be a Good Listener
Sometimes, all a new mother needs is a sympathetic ear. Actively listen without immediately offering solutions. Validate her feelings and concerns, even if you don’t always agree or understand.
2. Offer Specific Assistance
Rather than the open-ended “Let me know if you need anything,” be specific. “Can I bring you dinner tomorrow?” or “Would you like me to watch the baby for an hour while you nap?” are more actionable.
3. Send Nutritious and Calorie-Dense Food
Send food to a new mom. It helps so much!
Whether it’s a postpartum meal subscription, bringing her a snack, sending dinner to her house, or dropping off a casserole, new mamas need to be fed. This kind gesture helps both her and her family.
The postpartum period requires nutritious meals to help in healing and lactation. Bringing over homemade meals or organizing a meal train can be a lifesaver.
4. Babysit Her Older Kids
If you have multiple kids, try getting a babysitter to watch the older ones while you connect and rest with your newborn. Sometimes family members can do this, so you save some money too.
It is important to bond with your baby after they are born, and sometimes it is hard when you have multiple kids to take care of.
Having a babysitter every now and again will help lift some of your burdens and will help you relax.
5. Take Care of Her Pets
Offer to walk the dog, clean out the cat litter, or pick up pet food for her furry family members.
Offering to dog watch the family dog at your house for a weekend might also be a well-received idea! Adjusting to new motherhood can take a toll on her relationship with her pets, so a short break might be helpful.
6. Offer Respite
Encourage her to take short breaks. If you’re comfortable and she’s willing, offer to babysit for an hour or two so she can step out for a walk, nap, or even a solo coffee run.
7. Hire a Housekeeper
If she needs assistance with maintaining her home, hiring a housekeeper (or doing some of her household chores for her, such as folding the laundry or taking out the trash) will go a long way toward helping her out.
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There are some great apps available now that allow you to hire a cleaner for an hour or two. Or, you can perform small tasks like doing the dishes, vacuuming, or laundry. This helpful act reduces the burden on the new mom, giving her more time to rest and bond with her baby.
8. Help Her With the Laundry
Keeping up with the laundry seems like a never-ending task, especially for a new mom. When you’re visiting her, offer to fold her laundry, throw a load in the wash, or transfer clothes to the dryer for her.
9. Make Her a Postpartum Snack Basket
Create a little snack basket with some easy snacks to have on hand for when she gets home from the hospital. Shelf-stable foods like protein bars, crackers, and healthy fruit snacks make a great postpartum snack. For more inspiration, check out our guide to healthy postpartum snacks.
10. Give Her the Gift of Massage
New moms need self-care, and they will definitely need a massage. Get a massage gift card for the new mom in your life. A massage will help relax her and will aid in her postpartum recovery. Bonus if you can send the masseuse to her house so she can have a massage while her baby naps!
11. Stay Consistent
Support shouldn’t dwindle after the initial few weeks. Check in on her and her hubby regularly, continue offering help, and be present—even if it’s just a text or call. Let her know you’re thinking of her, and keep offering assistance.
12. Offer to Run Errands
A simple trip to the grocery store can be daunting for a new mom. Offering to pick up essentials can be a big help. Text her and ask her to send you a grocery list and drop off the groceries — you’ll make her day!
13. Respect Boundaries
If she’s not ready for visitors or needs space, respect her wishes. Remember, it’s about her comfort and what’s best for the baby. Read our guide to rules for visiting a baby to be extra prepared.
Now You Know the Helpful Ways to Help a New Mom
The postpartum stage is not easy, but some things will help make it easier. The support of friends and loved ones plays a big role in her wellbeing and recovery. Don’t be a stranger to the new mom in your life!
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