Pregnancy is a long, hard road for many mamas, and after the arrival of baby, she is thoroughly exhausted. While the new baby may get most of the attention, she needs just as much care. No mama can do it alone.
It’s important for her support system to be aware and to be equipped with specific ways to help. By being at her side and providing both practical and emotional support, they will help her both to recover and to start her motherhood journey healthy and strong.
Bring meals
When you’re a new parent tending to the needs of a newborn, even chopping up vegetables for a salad is an impossible task. You’re just too busy and too tired. However, a new mama — especially a nursing mama — needs to eat well and not miss any meals. So what should you do? Bring ready-made salads with bottled dressing. Bring fully cooked, balanced meals in single-serve containers, like hearty soups, a protein with two vegetables, and healthy casseroles. Choose meals that can be refrigerated or frozen. And don’t ask her what she wants or needs from the store; just buy groceries and bring them over.
Clean her house
Caring for a newborn saps all your strength, so over time, your home gets pretty messy. A new mom can’t prioritize the mess because she already has too much on her plate, but a clean home makes everyone feel better. Offer to come vacuum, clean the kitchen and bathroom, or do laundry. If you can’t do it yourself, or would rather not, send a professional cleaning service to her house and give mama a heads up.
Take the baby for a walk
It’s tough to parent 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Give mama a break and take the baby out for a walk around the neighborhood. Take the stroller to a park. Leave mom with an hour to herself to nap, shower, or do whatever she needs to recharge.
Don’t invite her to social events yet
For a few weeks after delivery, a new mom is physically unable to go anywhere to socialize. Any precious free time is used to catch up on sleep. Don’t put her in the uncomfortable position of having to turn down an invite or feel bad about missing out on a fun gathering. Save the invites until life is less hectic (and maybe find her a babysitter).
Be consistent and present
While any help is welcome, the best help is consistent. If you can offer your help on a daily, weekly, or biweekly basis, it will make a huge difference. No help is too small. Walk the dog, do the dishes, take out the trash, get the mail… Any little tasks that slip through the cracks or eat up a precious half hour she can’t afford, do them. And while you’re at it, know that it may be a thankless job, because she just doesn’t have the time or energy to extend a ton of gratitude; but it means a lot, and she’ll never forget how you were there for her when she really needed it.
