Unsolicited Advice for Supporting a New Mom

Me again coming in hot with advice no one asked for. Do you have a new-mom friend in your life? Here are my tips for supporting this special lady:

Ask--and make “yes” easy
  • Can I bring Panera over this week?
  • Would you like me to take Older Sibling out for donuts sometime to free you up?
  • I’m headed to Target before our visit tomorrow--what can I pick up for you guys?
  • Do you want your Tim Horton’s bread bowl filled with potato soup, Wendy’s chocolate milkshake and Chick-fil-A sandwich at 9am or 9:30am?

Come as you are
Company. Is. A. Huge. Gift. Do not undervalue sitting and talking. Talk over the crying baby if mom’s calm and talking over the crying baby. If you’re willing to hear about her birth experience, let her know you’re cool if she wants to share it.

Starbucks & Amazon gift cards
She needs and deserves fancy coffee. Baby needs a slew of last-minute things which will arrive next day.

On food
So many people bring over food. See if they need it, or when might be a good time. You could always offer to help stock the fridge ahead of time, too (here are my favorite ideas--don't sleep on the lactation cookies).

On help
Laundry. Kitchen and bathroom cleaning. Making meals. If you’re up to help--and if she wants it--this can be great. Just know even if the house is a wreck, she might rather spend time talking with a friend more.

Check in on these mamas. Take a picture or two of mom with baby (if she's cool with that) and send those to her afterward. Tell her she's doing a great job! The newborn days can be a slog; friends and family showing up makes all the difference.

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