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With the excitement of a new baby most of us do not think about the new mom's needs after the delivery. More often than not we think about the arrival of the baby. However it is super important that the mom receives the love and support that she needs to take care of her baby properly in this emotional and vulnerable time.
As a grandmother myself and my personal experience when I was of child bearing age, I have come up with a list of things that I wish I had and that I have strived to provide my daughter as she embarks on her adventure of being a new mom.
Many times, the new mom is not able to ask for one reason or another, but you can offer and provide simple things that might provide a great help. Below are things you can do if you are a husband, good friend, sister, or a mom of the new mom.
Prep meals - Especially nutritious soups, these are great for any new mom, buy specially for those who are breast feeding. They provide nutrition, hydration, convenience and comfort. Make big batches and freeze in individual containers so the new mom doesn't have to cook and has prepped meals that are nutritious and convenient. Check out the Soup Book here: https://amzn.to/3XJvqwo
Offer to watch the baby while the new mom takes a nap. It is difficult for new moms to get a full night sleep. To be at her best she needs to rest. Exhaustion can interfere with alertness, milk production, and even giving her best to the new baby.
Pitch in with house work. Whether it is washing dishes or doing laundry, I am sure it will be well appreciated.
Washing and sanitizing baby bottles - you would be surprised how fast these pile up. It is very helpful to always have clean sanitized baby bottles on hand. An item that is very helpful for this is below. It eliminates risk for injury when boiling bottles and makes the process much easier. Learn more here: https://amzn.to/3HfH6Qn
Washing the baby's laundry - Babies can generate a lot of dirty laundry and need a constant supply of clothing, sheets, and burp cloths.
Offer a listening ear - sometimes new moms just need emotional support, someone to just listen to their concerns and act as a sounding board.
Do not offer unsolicited advice - there are many ways to parent and do things. Try to be helpful without being opiniated and making the mom feel uncomfortable. Only give advice when asked.
Don't assume the new mom does not need a break. Whether it is daily after the partner gets home from work, even just to take a shower, or a break in the form of going on a date for a couple of hours once a week. This will keep the new mom happy and feeling cared for.
Not all new moms have the support system that would be ideal. If you don't have support whether it is because your husband has to work, or you leave away from your family, there are things that you can do to take care of yourself.
Think ahead and meal prep. You can make a big batch and divide into individual meals; you can even freeze them for future convenience. If you simply do not have time to meal prep, these days there are many delivery apps, including grocery stores and delivery services such as Door Dash, Favor, Uber Eats, and many more.
Take naps when the baby naps. You need to rest and if this is the only time you can sleep, you definitely should do it. Running yourself ragged does not do you or your baby any good.
Call a friend to talk to or even to come by and keep you company. Do not isolate yourself. If anything, your friend might be able to accompany you to the grocery store or help you do laundry, or at the very least fend off loneliness.
Call your family. Even if your family does not live close to you, it could help you feel better to be in contact with them. Life changes drastically when having a baby and you might be surprise how much you need companionship and connection.
Listen to music to lift your spirits.
Ask your partner to give you a break when they get home from work. Do not feel guilty for asking for help. You might need to take a break or shower. One big mistake is to think that what you do as a new mom is not work and that you do not need breaks to take care of yourself. Needing a break does not make you a bad mom.
Buy things that will make your life easier, such as a bottle sanitizer.
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Why consider Pregnancy Pillows 101's advice?
We gather this information from personal experience. We have researched and had personal input from close family and friends that have experience this wonderful but sometimes difficult time in their lives, and hope to help new moms with the most common concerns and questions. However, we are not medical professionals and recommend seeing a medical professional for more personal health advice.
Read more about mom's mental well being here: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/ncmhep/initiatives/moms-mental-health-matters/moms