Becoming a mama for the first time is an amazing experience, but it can also be tough. If you have someone special in your life who has recently become a mom, here are 12 ways to support them!
Becoming a mama for the first time is a wonderful experience, but it can also be tough and exhausting at times. I remember when I became a new mom myself during the pandemic - not being able to connect with friends and family in person made it even more difficult. If you have someone special in your life who has recently become a mom, there are so many ways to show them love and care.
Here are 12 things you can do to provide support to the newly crowned mama in your life!
1. Show up with food – This is perhaps the most important way to show your love! Whether it’s bringing over a home-cooked meal or ordering the new parents takeout, having food available is key when you have an infant at home. Meals are often overlooked while caring for a newborn but they are essential for maintaining a new mama's energy level, especially while breast-feeding. You can even provide a snack basket filled with healthy snacks all within reach for her to be able to easily grab and fuel up.
2. Offer to watch the baby so she can get some rest – A great way to show your support is by offering to watch the baby at her house for an hour or two. By watching the baby at her house, you allow her (and daddy) some much needed rest or personal time while ensuring her baby is close by. This can be a huge relief to an exhausted mother, giving her a chance to catch up on sleep, relax and recharge, or even just take a nice long hot shower - all things that are invaluable during these early days and weeks of parenting.
3. Bring her a small gift to celebrate her – Bringing a small gift to a new mama is a beautiful way to show your love and make her feel special. With so much focus on the new baby, it's easy to forget that the new mom needs some attention too. Consider offering a handmade card with kind words of encouragement, fresh flowers, or even pampering items like scented lotions or spa sets. Gift cards for her favorite stores are also great ideas for the new mama.
4. Take care of household chores – Taking care of the mundane household tasks can be greatly appreciated by a new mama! From doing the laundry and wiping down surfaces, to taking out the trash or scrubbing the floors - any task that you take on will help to lighten her load. Not only that, but a clean house is a much easier environment for taking care of an infant - so offering up your services is truly valuable for both new parents. It's a thoughtful gesture that will make life much easier for a new mama and go far in helping her get through the busy days and sleepless nights!
5. Offer to take some family photos - A simple, thoughtful way to offer some support to a new mama could be to take some quality time out of your day to snap some beautiful photos of the new family of three that they can keep forever - these moments are so precious and should be treasured! Not only does taking photos of the new baby and parents give them something physical to remember their special time together, it also gives them a chance for a break from all the hard work that comes with being parents.
6. Encourage self-care activities like yoga, massages, etc.- Motherhood can be grueling work mentally and physically so it's important to make sure she's taking care of herself too! Suggesting activities like yoga classes or spa days will help alleviate stress and allow her some much needed relaxation time too! And if she can't leave the house yet, then maybe you can gift her with an in home massage from places like Soothe.
7. Gently offer advice - We all know new moms tend to look for advice everywhere they go - even if they don't ask directly! If she does reach out for advice on anything related to parenting (or anything else!), offer insight kindly but don't push your suggestions onto her if she doesn't want them; remember that every parent has different approaches based on their own experiences!
8. Listen without judgment - New moms often want someone who will listen without judging them or their parenting choices; sometimes just being there as an ear is all they need! Even if you disagree with what they're saying, try not to come off as overly critical by expressing your opinion in an understanding manner instead of attacking theirs head-on.
9. Make yourself available - Let her know that you're always there if she needs anything, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem at first glance. Being able to rely on someone during such an overwhelming time can make all the difference in how well she's able to cope with everything going on around her as well as inside herself as she adjusts into motherhood.
10. Provide emotional support - As a friend or family member of a new mom, you can provide invaluable emotional support during this special time. Even if you're not a mother yourself, simply listening and offering words of encouragement can make all the difference. This type of support can especially help with post-partum depression by providing comfort and understanding when it's needed most. Your presence and willingness to be there for her during this journey can make a huge impact on her experience; take the time to understand what she is going through and offer whatever emotional support you can.
11. Introduce her to other new mamas you know - Connecting a new mama with other new moms in your social circle can provide much needed companionship during this time of great transition. It gives her an opportunity to share stories and experiences with someone who is going through the same thing, and it can be helpful to have someone to lean on during times when parenting is feeling overwhelming or isolating.
12. Help her with writing thank you cards - Helping a new Mom send out thank you cards to family and friends who have brought gifts or visited them at home or in the hospital is a great way to offer some support. It can be difficult for a new Mom to find time to get all of her thank you cards sent out and having someone help out with that task is invaluable. Not only does it provide her with one less thing on her plate, but it also ensures that she is able to express gratitude for the love and generosity of those around her.
Summing It All Up
Becoming a new mama is one of the most incredible and amazing life-changing moments; however, there can be a great deal of struggles involved in adjusting to motherhood. From learning about childcare basics to possibly dealing with postpartum depression symptoms, support from friends and family is essential in helping new moms thrive during this exciting yet challenging time. By following some of these 12 suggestions, you can provide much needed love, comfort and joy to any new mama's life as she embarks on this beautiful journey.