Postpartum: How to Help a New Mother

As moms, we are in it together - raising the future. We are a tribe of future makers. So let’s support each other.

-Marissa Hermer

I cannot express enough how important those first 40 days after giving birth are. They are important for recovery and for developing a relationship with this new life you have grown. I talk more about the importance of the first 40 days here.

We cannot do it alone. It takes a village and the more we realize that and ask for help OR reach out for help, the better off we will all be.

The best thing you can do for any new mother is creating a meal train. My church family did this for us and it was a lifesaver! We have two other kids and the last thing anyone wants to remember or do is to cook a hot meal. A meal train is basically just a group of people volunteering to bring different meals to the family so they do not have to worry about cooking. If you don’t cook, order takeout for the new mother or give them a gift card to different restaurants they can order from. Door Dash is huge these days! You can also have the new mother create a grocery order and pick up her groceries, drop them off or better yet, put them away for her!

I know everyone wants to hold the baby, but if you hold the baby, make sure it’s so mom can take a shower or take a nap. Those newborn days are exhausting.

Ask for a shopping list if there is anything the house needs like diapers, wipes, toilet paper, etc.

Walk their dog if they have pets or play with the older siblings when you come to visit. They need just as much love and attention during this transitional time.

Don’t overstay your welcome! Baby and mom need lots of rest.

IMPORTANT! Make sure when you offer to help, it’s help the new mother wants, not help you think she wants.

Offer to clean without offending her. You don’t want to shame her into thinking her house is a mess even if it is.

The best questions you can ask are:

“Is there anything I can help you with? Is there anything you need to be done?”

We want to release stress, not create it.

Always check back in with her in a couple of days or a few weeks. A simple text or call will due. Never go over there without checking first.

These simple gestures can go so far and shows a new mother she is not alone and that she has a village.

What other great things would you have wanted to be done for you when you had your little one?

Love & light,

Jalesa