There is no doubt that becoming a mother for the first time is an exciting yet challenging time, so it is thus perfectly understandable that new mums might need a bit more support as they enter this new phase of their lives. The realities of motherhood (such as sleepless nights and the physical recovery from childbirth) can make mothering for the first time an overwhelming experience, so how can we support new mothers without pestering them with unwanted questions or adding to their to-do lists? After all, a new mum’s mind is sure to be already drained by having to meet the constant demands of a newborn baby! As you will learn from this article, you can rest assured that there are many practical and thoughtful ways in which you can offer your help and ease their burden.
Gift hampers
Does the new mum in your life have a keen taste for luxuries? A simple yet effective way to show your support without feeling like you are intruding on her one-on-one time with her new baby is by sending her a gift hamper. This is a great option as gift hampers are very versatile and can accommodate even the pickiest of gift receivers. There are so many options when it comes to the treats included in hampers, and any new mum will certainly appreciate a hamper with snacks and self-care items that she can reach for when she needs to unwind after a busy day, or have a moment to herself while her baby naps. These hampers are not only practical in the contents that they provide, but they also show that you are keeping her in your thoughts, without imposing on her precious space or time.
Vouchers for meal delivery apps
For a new mother, cooking can feel like an impossible task. Between waking up multiple times throughout the night to feed the baby and managing the necessary housework, preparing a home-cooked meal from scratch is pretty low on the priority list. How about gifting the new mum a voucher for a meal delivery app? That way, she won’t have to worry about cooking and she will also be able to bring her favourite restaurant home and satisfy any cravings she might be having. If you live close by, you could also consider making an easily reheatable meal and dropping it off so that she can have something home-cooked at her fingertips. Either of these two simple gestures will allow the mum to focus on bonding with her baby rather than stressing over what to cook for dinner that evening.
Helping out with household duties
If you’ve ever found staying on top of your housework difficult, then imagine how easily chores pile up when you have a baby that you need to tend to throughout the day. According to the most recent Australian census, women typically spend more time doing housework than anyone else in their households, so what better way to offer help than by doing some chores for the new mum? Offering to do some light cleaning or a load of laundry can really help to alleviate the pressure on busy parents. Another idea is to offer to look after the baby for a short period of time while the mum takes a shower or has a much-needed nap. While these gestures might seem small, they can truly be a lifesaver for those who are time-poor.
Importantly, be proactive with how you offer assistance. Decision fatigue is common in mothers who already have to make many small decisions throughout the day, so being proactive with the type of help you are offering rather than waiting for the mum to tell you what needs doing can make a huge difference to an already overwhelmed mother. With that in mind, be specific with the type of help you are offering, for example by saying “I’m going to vacuum the living room” or “I’m going to run the dishwasher” rather than asking “What do you want me to do?”.
Supporting a new mother does not need to be difficult. As outlined in this article, gift hampers, meal delivery app vouchers, and proactively helping out with household duties are simple and thoughtful ways to support a mum as she transitions through early motherhood. Offering your support in these ways will undoubtedly help her to feel more confident in navigating this new phase of her life.
