I’ve been thinking about this post for a little while now. Probably because some of my friends are about to have babies any day now. Do you want to help new moms out, but feel stuck on how to do it? Then you just end up saying, “let me know if I can do anything?” Yeah, me too. Been there. Being a mom of 2, I’ve realized what I think would be most helpful after having a baby, and I thought I’d let you all in on the secret 😉
-Bring a meal. This is a pretty normal one. Here’s the thing, though, it doesn’t have to be home made. Of course that’s always nice, but really, we new moms [especially nursing moms that are basically hungry for 10 months straight] just want food. I had a friend order a pizza and salad online and pay for it to be delivered to our house. Plus with all the food services out there nowadays, you don’t even have to be local to send your bestie a meal 🙂
-Text your friend a few days and times you have free and ask which works for her. This eliminates the back and forth of well maybe I’ll stop by some time, let me know if you need anything. It’s hard for anyone to ask for help, especially a new, sleep deprived mom. So give her a couple options to choose from.
-Go over and make yourself useful. Hold the baby so mom can rest, fold AND PUT AWAY laundry, heck, start a load of laundry if you can. Clean up the kitchen. You get the idea 🙂 It’s pretty obvious what will need tending to when you are going over to help. You don’t need permission to help tidy up a bit.
-Know when to leave. Haha. Listen, we love you and will be BEYOND grateful, seriously—beyond, that you took time to come over, bring us a meal, hold our child, clean up for us, but we are tired. We don’t want to seem rude by saying ‘Okay thanks for stopping by,’ especially with how generous you were. It won’t be like this forever, promise 🙂
-Check in. Make sure you’re checking on your friend. It makes such a difference to know people are thinking and praying for you and your little one. I know it’s not easy to go over and help, or hold a baby, so simply letting the new mama know you’re praying for her will go a long way.
I wasn’t meaning for this post to sound rude by any means. I’m simply giving you permission to do these things. I was on the other side not long ago. The side of wanting to help but not knowing how, and so it ends up becoming the “let me know.” Don’t be shy, if you want to help, help. It will be appreciated 🙂 Did I miss anything? What are some other ways we can help new mamas?
PS. I linked a couple small things that would be great little gifts for new mamas 🙂
These are great ideas and wonderful tips for an expectant mom. How helpful! Great photography too!!
Thank you so much Andrea 🙂
Thank you thank you Andrea!
great suggestions Katelyn! I always say meals are great for pregnant mamas who are too nauseous to cook. We did a lot of take out during my pregnancies because the smell of cooking food made me gag, but if it was prepared for me I could eat it ok 🙂 And yes to the laundry help too!
For sure, so true meals for pregnant mamas too!!
Great tips Katelyn! I always say that meals are a great thing to provide for pregnant mamas too. When I was pregnant the smell of cooking food made me gag, but if food was prepared for me I could eat it ok. So we did a lot of take out during that time 🙂 And yes to the laundry help too!
Such wonderful ideas on how to help a new Mom! Every new Mom would wish they could tell all their friends and family these things.
Thank you! Feel free to share 🙂
I’m getting a baby niece or nephew soon, so this is so helpful for planning what to do for my sister-in-law when the baby arrives!
Oh yay!! Congratulations! Glad this could help a little bit 🙂
Great tips Katelyn! New moms (dads too) are exhausted and all of these things would be a tremendous help and very much appreciated 🙂
Thank you Wendy!
Beautiful list for new mamas!
Thank you so much 🙂
Great tips. Both cooking and cleaning can weigh on a new mom or someone expecting especially if they have another child. If theres an older sibling taking that sibling for a playdate is great. or even allowing the new mother time to take a shower is always a great gift.
Those are great things too!!! Great ideas 🙂
Great advice! Such a good reminder, how to best help our new mama friends!
Thanks for reading 🙂
Very informative!
Thank you Nikki!
wonderful ideas!
Thank you!
Yes! Such great tips! Especially for first time mamas.
🙂 Thanks for reading!
Great suggestions and gorgeous images!
Thank you so much!
Yes! Great tips!!! I love the “be useful one” because man new mommas can use all the extra hands they can get!
Oh man for sure!! The best gift at this time is a helping hand 🙂
Wonderful tips! Thank you!
Thanks Jenn!
Such great tips! Thank you for sharing
Thank you Zaki for reading 🙂
Great!
Thank you!
Good tips on visiting a new mom!
Thank you for reading!
Aww, these tips are wonderful. Thank you!
Thanks so much Monica!
YEEESS!!! What a great thing to share!
Thank YOU for reading 🙂
Great suggestions. And beautiful image.
Oh thank you Anna!!!