New baby Beginnings
As the family continues to grow, so does the amount of joy that each new baby brings to a household. Those delicate little fingers and toes, that smile, the cuddles. Words cannot begin to describe the bursts of joy these new little persons bring to our world. Enjoy this time, as it definitely slips away very quickly!
After going through the newborn stage twice in my life, I have come to see that along with the joy and excitement of having a newborn there are also challenges that can arise.
Some of these challenges can look like feeling overwhelmed, sleep deprivation, postpartum blues, isolation, to name a few. These challenges coupled with risk factors like pre-existing medical and mental conditions, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and lack of support can lead to the arrival of postpartum depression and/or anxiety.
Why is it important to support new moms?
If the mom is the main caregiver of a newborn baby, you can imagine how much influence she has on this new person. The quality of adult relationships in the early years of a child can have an impact on their adult health and well-being.
If the new mom is experiencing an intense lack of support, this can have a negative impact on her and the life of her new baby.
As a community, we can creatively and easily support our new moms. This support, even as little as it may seem, can go a very long way for the mother and for the child as well.
Below are a few ways we can support new moms.
1. send supportive texts of encouragement
Texts are a quick and effective way of reaching out to support a new mom. The message can be as simple as “thinking about you today and sending you a big warm hug”, “please give your baby a cuddle for me”, or “praying for you and that cute little baby”.
You can also show your support by offering your availability through texts such as, “call me if you need anything”.
2. give the gift of meals
Meals are a great way to support a new mom, as this stage is very busy with meeting the sleeping and feeding demands of a newborn. Simple meals that can be frozen and warmed easily are a great way to show that you are reaching out.
A great website for providing meals is mealtrain.com. I have used it a few times for new moms and it is brilliant!
Pro Tip for giving meals to a new mother.
I strongly suggest preparing the meal first before telling the new mother. You can then call or text her, tell her it is already prepared and that you can quickly drop it off at her best time.
I find this has been handy in my practice as new moms tend to not want to burden others. If you ask them if they want a meal, they will most likely say no.
3. give diapers and wipes
If you are not sure of how to gift a new mom because you went to the department store and got overwhelmed with the number of baby gifts, then I highly suggest diapers and wipes. These are very practical items and I have always appreciated it when friends have brought over a massive box of dipes and wipes.
If the baby is super brand new, I recommend getting a size 2 and above as they grow so quickly in those first few weeks. Fragrance-free wipes are usually a better option as well as the decreased perfume can help with potential nappy rash.
4. show your support through Visits
Visits are a great way to reach out and support your new mama friend. The best way to plan is to make sure to find a place and time that is convenient for both of you. Some moms may like going out only at certain times due to nap time and other newborn routine goals.
If the mom has a spouse who is home for a couple of weeks on parental leave, a great time to visit is once the spouse goes back to work. This is generally a lonelier time for the mother and she will need good adult interaction.
When you see your friend during your visit. Greet them with joy and make sure to give a positive compliment. I have always loved it when people have told me I look “wonderful” or “fresh”, even if I have been awake with the baby most of the night.
If you and your friend get talking I encourage you to listen with great interest. This might be the only adult contact that your friend has all day. Try and make it count for them. If they voice any insecurities, listen, acknowledge and don’t condemn or judge. If you know someone who might be experiencing depression and/or anxiety, gently encourage them to see their doctor about it.
5. make supportive phone calls
The odd phone call from a friend can go a long way in the life of new mothers. I found it so uplifting and encouraging to receive phone calls from friends who were just seeing how I was doing. It would lift my mood to know that someone was thinking about me.
Conclusion
There you have it, a few ways on how to support new moms. Do you know someone who is a new mom? Or even someone who is still pregnant or has small children? I encourage you to reach out in one or a few of these ways to show that you are a part of their greater village.
Your single act of kindness and support can really go a long way in the life of that mother and the life of her child/children.