All new parents need help. However knowing what help they need is not always easy. This is to help starting to think about how to help out a new parents.
Partner/Spouse
If a partner has given birth, know their body is in recovery and needs rest to recover. The non-birthing partner can help by:
Taking time to bond with baby/ skin-to-skin/snuggling
Making sure their partner has plenty of sleep & eats meals
Help them remember to take any medications & drink lots of water
Encourage self-care and offer reassurance and love to each other
Assist with baby wakings by changing diapers, swaddling, getting baby back to sleep or feedings if they are not nursing
Get to know the 5 S's for soothing a baby together
Extended Family/ Close Friend
t is possible you will be welcomed into their home during those first few weeks. If so here are some tips; if not, respect that this can be a very vulnerable time for new families and they may want some time to bond and heal.
Make meals and/or organize a meal train or care calendar
Hire a postpartum doula or night nurse for them
Offer to help with household chores or hire someone for them
Help out with older children if needed
Pick up groceries or perscriptions for them
Take care of the family pet/pets
Be there for them & reassure them, talk & listen
Neighbors, co-workers, etc
New families need lots of help and support! If you are comfortable with it, offer to do one of the below tasks!
Make or order meals for them, offer to share their meal train
Offer a playdate with older children if your kids are friends
Offer to pick up groceries
Offer to help maintain their yard
Pay for a cleaning service to come a time or two if they would like
The point is, do not be afriad to offer to help with a specific task (that you actually really want to and are willing to do) or if you are a new parent, do not be afriad to ask for help. As the old saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. Be a good village.
