How to Support a Postpartum Mom
I am in the season of life when many of my friends and loved ones are growing their families. It is a sweet time. Today we will discuss ways to make them feel loved and cared for whether you are in the area or across the country.
Provide Food
When my second was born, I prepared a few hearty soups for the days after birth but once those were gone, I was so thankful to have friends who brought over meals for my family. One friend in particular sent over a take out menu for a local Italian restaurant. She told us to pick an appetizer, a meal for each of us and a dessert. Then she added in a salad and some bread. It was so sweet. The way she presented it made it so easy since we knew exactly what she was expecting us to order.
- Set up a meal train and invite others to share the blessing.
- Bring over prepared freezer meals to enjoy at any time.
- Send them a gift card to door dash.
- Ask them to pick from a takeout menu
- Send 3 meal options to choose from and bring over a hot meal.
- Make breakfast burritos or muffins.
Send a surprise
- Send a hot coffee to their door.
- Send flowers to brighten their nursing corner.
- If they have older siblings, send an Amazon box filled will fun activities to keep them busy.
- Send them a cute postpartum box. (Shameless plug for my Etsy shop.)
- I just sent my sister this lounge set. So perfect for the postpartum season. I want one!
Do some chores
Everyone wants to come over and meet the new baby. Its easy to come and hold the baby and chat for an hour. But a new mom doesn’t need help holding her newborn, she’s got that covered. What she really doesn’t want to do is stand at that sink scrubbing dishes.
- Do the dishes
- Wash some bottles
- Fold some laundry
- Tidy her living room
- Take the dog for a walk
- Take her older kids to the park
Take something off her plate that she doesn’t have the energy to do. Of course, you will be able to snuggle the baby but make sure to make the situation better while you are there.
Don't Forget about them
A new mom receives lots of love in the first two weeks to a month of their newborn’s life. Soon the family goes home and people move on. Mom’s life is changed forever and those first 3 months are a doozy. If they have a baby that sleeps well, they may look like they have it together, but I guarantee that it is still hard. Bring some coffee over and chat. Life gets lonely.
You certainly do not have to do everything on this list. Each mom is different and what will be helpful to you may not feel helpful to her. You have to find the balance of asserting yourself and listening to their boundaries.
Are you a postpartum mom? Check out this posts for tips for your postpartum season.