Having a new baby in the house is a blessing, but it’s also hard work round the clock. Although they might not admit it, new moms love pampering and having a friendly face around for those long hours of rocking the baby. If the family already has children, you can more than bet that mama will be smitten to have an extra set of hands on deck. Housework and babysitting rank high on the wishlists of most mothers and are a good start. Here are a few more ideas to jump start your helping out a new mom.
Go all out and bring the family an entire meal complete with utensils and a large pitcher full of iced sweet tea. Don’t forget dessert! If you’re not Julia Childs in the kitchen, a pizza voucher works well too!
Encourage Her
Purchase a pretty notebook and fill it with encouraging quotes and notes for the new mama. Accentuate the notebook by tying on a handcrafted pen.
SourceProvide Pregnancy Prohibitionary Fare
Many mothers forgo on culinary delicacies like sushi, soft cheeses, and champagne during pregnancy. Cater to mom’s postpartum cravings and show up at the door with her favorite fare that she hasn’t consumed in nine entire months.
Entertain
Gift a new mom a month of Netflix, a season of her favorite show, or a DVD that she’s been keen to see. Chances are, she’d love a little distraction during feeding times.
SourcePlay Nurse
Fill a colorful basket with medicine cabinet staples for both the new mom and her baby. Things to include: Gas-X, baby pain-reliever, breast creams, diaper rash cream, hair ties, eye drops, baby nasal aspirator, thermometer, etc.
Gift It
Who doesn’t swoon for a personalized gift basket? Think long and hard about the mama’s preferences and consider a glam basket decked out with some of the following items:
- Dry shampoo- who has time to shower anyway?
- Fuzzy socks or slippers- pamper those toes!
- Hand cream- Hourly diaper changes rub hands raw.
- Lavender soothing candles
- Magazines & reading material
- Muffins- perfect for anytime!
- Late-night snacks (granola bars, juice boxes…)
- Lip gloss or chap stick
- Nail polish- she’s probably been wearing nude nails for nine months.
- Nursing top- I live in these most days.
- Nursing (& feminine) pads
- Snacks & treats for the bigger children
Check out even more creative & unconventional ways to brighten a mom’s day:
Ways to Bless a Mom from Our Family for His Glory
Bringing Baby Home: 30+ Ways to Bless a Family by Erika Dawson
18 Ways to Help a New Mom by The Mommypotamus
10 Scriptures for New Moms {Printable!} from Jessica June
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That food looks so delicious! Love your blog and have just started following maybe you would like to check us out and follow back! xx
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What great ideas! I just had my second son 7 months ago and greatly appreciated some of my family and friends doing similar things! Pinning! I would love to have you stop by and share these tips at my link party going on!
http://www.madetobeamomma.com/2013/08/homemade-by-you-63.html#more
Thanks for the invite, Katie. So glad you enjoyed the creative ideas. I know I’d never turn down a casserole, but sushi? YES, please!
Having just had my second child three weeks ago, I have to admit that food has been my favorite gift. Especially those first days when I didn’t feel like being up with hubby not being much of a cook. Now it’s a time issue – I don’t have time to cook! Meals, snacks, it doesn’t matter, as long as it’s edible!
I completely agree! We eat a handful of mini meals throughout the day, and scrounging up healthy snack options has been quite a chore with a toddler and a newborn who seems like he’s constantly nursing. Food gifts are wonderful! Thanks for stopping by, Elise, and congratulations on your new baby!
Thank you for these great ideas! I have some friends who are expecting so I will put some of these to good use I am sure.
So great to hear positive feedback from a post, especially when it will encourage somebody else. Hope your mama friends love it, Ashley! Thank you for stopping by.
Thanks! My friends is about to have a baby and has kind of declined any help around the house. I feel lead to bless her in some way and this post gave me lots of ideas! Thank you so much!
Great! I can’t imagine saying no to a helpful hand around the house, but I sure am glad you found a few ideas that will better suit your friend’s needs. Thanks for visiting, Amy!
Loved reading this. Like you I am a mom to a brand new cuddly baby boy and a toddler girl. A mom just blessed me with a meal last week from my favorite restaurant. I loved that she included a salad, rolls, a cake and a beverage. It felt great to be on the receiving end of such food joy. 🙂
What a great friend you’ve got, Lisa! This weekend we also had friends bring over a tasty lunch of chicken cacciatore and spend a few hours just hanging out and catching up. It was great. Thank you for stopping by & taking the time to comment. I know firsthand that time is precious when you’ve got your hands full with the littles. Take care!
As a postpartum/nursery nurse (and as a mom expecting #8!) I *love* this list. Very practical. Our home is very full, so “stuff” is rarely needed… but the gift of time and help is always appreciated!
So glad to give you some fresh ideas for helping out a new mom. Congratulations on #8 too! I can only imagine how wonderful it must be to have a house full of joyful kiddy laughter. What a blessing that must be!