Mothering the Mother: How to Care for a New Mom
“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. ”
When a friend has a baby, she’s likely facing a complete whirlwind of emotions, ranging from utter elation and joy (“I can’t believe I’m a Mom!) to overwhelming anxiety (“I have no idea what I’m doing!”) . And then of course the exhaustion from sleep deprivation builds and builds.
So how can you help and support a new Mom with a newborn?
In our opinion, the best thing to do is find ways to take care of your friend and “mother” HER! Make sure she feels supported – physically and emotionally - as she adjusts to her new role.
Let’s dive into specifics.
First, we would take her home-life dynamics into account. Does she have family living nearby (Mom, Mother-in-law, sister?) who will be helping her out during those first few weeks? If not, we love the idea of asking if it would be okay if you visit (schedule it, don’t swing by) to help her around the house. Here’s what you can do while you’re there:
o Let her nap! Offer to hold the baby while she rests. (Or if the baby is sleeping, let her nap while you do some chores)
o Offer to hold her baby so she can take a shower or eat a meal
o Wash any dishes that are in the sink and load/unload the dishwasher
o Put in a load of dirty laundry and fold any clean clothes that have accumulated
o Prepare a few snacks or meals for Mom (chop up veggies or fruit she has in the fridge)
o Make her a hot cup of tea that she can sip in between baby feedings
o Refill the new mom's water bottle if she is breastfeeding and grab her a hand-held snack (like a bar) while you’re at it
o If she has older children, play with them! Make them feel special. Take them for a walk or to the playground.
Besides helping her IN her house, there are so many wonderful ways to support a new Mom. We asked for some concrete ideas from our community on social media, and here are there lovely ideas:
Drop food at the door and leave! :) – Tania Lang, @tanialangsocial, www.tanialang.com
Offer to clean her house, pick up groceries, or drop off WINE and pizza! – Caitlin Houston, @caitlinhousetonblog, www.caitlinhoustonblog.com
Something I found helpful as a new mom and have done for other new moms was set up a meal train/bring a meal. – Bethany Tuhacek, @hi_its_me_bethany
Bring her dinner! – AJ Aubrey, @dating_and_decorating
I always drop off a meal, snack basket & I make homemade cookie dough scoop and flash freeze with instructions so they can bake homemade cookies in 10 minutes (this is a favorite!). Also, gifting a new mom a delivery service like Shipt or Amazon Prime is also super helpful to eliminate errands and can focus on bonding with the baby. If the new baby has older siblings I send a little gift for the sibling- water wow book (so no mess for the parents) – Jena Khabazeh, @jenaklifestyle
Asking about any food allergies and making a meal to drop off. For me it was so nice that someone made us a meal and understood that I couldn’t have dairy because my baby was sensitive to it. The other thing that is nice is going over to a new moms house and just giving her a few hours to sleep or shower or Wtv. - Cat Maslany, @life_withcat
Finally, we love encouraging a new mom to embrace self-care during those first few weeks and months, reminding her that it’s 100% okay to take a few minutes just for herself, without the baby. Guilt free! Whether this personal time means reading a book, making herself a hot beverage and watching her favorite tv show, putting on a face mask and listening to a podcast or taking a long leisurely bath!
Here are our favorite gifts for New moms that encourage self-care and self-love:
PERFECT FOR A NEW MOM DURING POSTPARTUM OR “4th TRIMESTER”. MAKES A GREAT NEW BABY GIFT OR BABY SHOWER GIFT THAT’S JUST FOR MAMA!
The Replenish and Restore New Mom/Postpartum Recovery Gift Box Includes:
Nurtured 9 Maternity/Postpartum Robe in Cream Floral, Oatmeal & Cream Stripe or Solid Dusty Rose a luxe lounging layer with a relaxed silhouette that works for pregnancy and postpartum. Nursing friendly! (Small/Medium - sizes 0-10; Large/X-Large - sizes 12-18)
bkr Glass + Silicone Water Bottle to stay hydrated at home and on-the-go (a nursing mom will keep this by her side morning, day, and night). Features the subtle tone-on-tone message “Just For You, Mama” stamped along the side.
Hand Sanitizer (70% Alcohol) - Nourishing Lavender a soothing spritz to keep hands germ-free around the new baby
Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butterto soothe irritated nipples and to relieve dry lips, cheeks, heels, cuticles, and elbows
Nurtured 9 Multi-Use Nursing Cover to provide privacy for nursing mothers and to create a protective sun and wind shield over baby’s car seat
French Girl Organics Replenishing Hair Oil to strengthen and moisturize hair follicles root to tip
Eases These Postpartum Stressors:
Extreme thirst (especially during breastfeeding)
Irritated nipples
Breastfeeding privacy
Postpartum hair loss
Why We Love This Gift:
Baby is here! After months of growing a little human, mom-to-be is officially mom, and she is head-over-heels in love. Overjoyed as she may be…she is also exhausted, physically uncomfortable, and most likely a little overwhelmed at times, too. That beautiful baby has arrived with a lot of adorable needs, and while new mom is thrilled to step up to the challenge, she is also recovering from labor or surgery and trying to navigate the new task of breastfeeding (if that’s how she’s feeding her baby), all while running on very little sleep. It is a physical and emotional roller coaster!
The Replenish and Restore New Mom/Postpartum Recovery Gift Box is a care package for natural labor and C-section moms that has been thoughtfully curated to include an assortment of elevated yet practical items that are perfectly well suited for a new mom during her “fourth trimester”. From nursing discomforts (like sore nipples, extreme thirst, and privacy concerns) to middle-of-the-night feedings to postpartum hair loss (yup, it’s a thing). This new mom care package is full of beautiful items to help this new mama feel more comfortable in her skin, and help you show HER just how much you care. The nursery is full of items for baby – this postpartum recovery gift box is just for mama!
Packaging & Shipping Details:
This new mom care package is beautifully packaged in our luxe signature Nurtured 9 gift box, topped with ribbon and your gift note, handwritten on our Nurtured 9 card (no need for additional gift wrapping!).
In a hurry? No worries! This postpartum basket ships within 24 hours, and generally takes 2-5 business days to arrive via ground shipping. If you need your order sooner, you may select one of our expedited shipping methods at checkout.
If you have any questions about packaging & shipping, please visit our FAQ page or email us at info@nurtured9.com.
WANT MORE GIFT OPTIONS?
Shop our entire collection of PREGNANCY GIFT BOXES and NEW MOM GIFT BOXES or you can CURATE-YOUR-OWN
PERFECT FOR A NEW MOM DURING POSTPARTUM OR “4TH TRIMESTER”. MAKES A GREAT NEW BABY GIFT OR BABY SHOWER GIFT THAT’S JUST FOR MAMA!
The Peaceful Postpartum Gift Box Includes:
Earth Mama Organic Periodic Tea to gently ease postpartum cramping and discomforts
Blush Pink Slippers to warm and comfort a new mama at home (S/M for shoe size 6-8 and L/XL for shoe size 9-10)
Boobie Lactation Oat Cookie Bites delicious, indulgent & packed with nutrients that boost milk supply
Nurtured 9 Bloom No. 2 Non-Toxic Candle a refreshingly light scent to set a relaxing and cozy mood at home
Nurtured 9 “Moment For Mama” Apothecary Matches to make the relaxing ritual of lighting a candle meaningful from the strike of the match
Why We Love This Gift:
The days immediately after giving birth are so amazing and so exhausting at the same time. Despite the sleepless nights and nursing-filled days, Mama will look back with joy as she remembers this special and magical phase with her little one. This postpartum care package is all about soothing the new mom in the days after birth, so she can really enjoy these fleeting moments. With a healing warm tea, cloud-like slippers, delicious chocolate peanut lactation cookie bites for a sweet and comforting pick-me-up that also boosts milk supply, and a clean-burning non-toxic candle and matches to set a tranquil mood, the Nurtured 9 Peaceful Postpartum Gift Box is the ultimate care package for the new mom to enjoy while she cares for her beautiful baby.
Please note: the Earth Mama Periodic tea is not for use during pregnancy (postpartum only).
Packaging & Shipping Details:
This postpartum gift box is beautifully packaged in our luxe signature Nurtured 9 gift box, topped with ribbon and your gift note, handwritten on our Nurtured 9 card (no need for additional gift wrapping!).
In a hurry? No worries! Your order of gifts for postpartum moms will ship within 24 hours, and generally takes 2-5 business days to arrive via ground shipping. If you need your order sooner, you may select one of our expedited shipping methods at checkout. If you have any questions about packaging & shipping, please visit our FAQ page or email us at info@nurtured9.com.
WANT MORE GIFT OPTIONS?
Shop our entire collection of PREGNANCY GIFT BOXES and NEW MOM GIFT BOXES or you can CURATE-YOUR-OWN
Why Moms-to-Be and New Moms Will Love It:
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves; This book is “A much-needed voice of encouragement for every woman who had a baby and lost her mind.” Written by two-time mama and award-winning journalist Leslie Ann Bruce, You Are a F*cking Awesome Mom is jam packed with support, inspiration, and encouragement directly from another mama who’s been there!
"I can't think of anyone better suited than Leslie to write a book on the first months of parenting. She is refreshingly honest, non-judgmental and always hilarious. And as a first time parent, I can tell you that sometimes you really need to laugh . . . so that you don't cry." —Lauren Conrad, designer, New York Times bestselling author, and mama
Book Description:
Sometimes, motherhood feels never-ending. A child is born, chaos ensues, and it seems like life will never return to normal.
In You Are a F*cking Awesome Mom, award-winning journalist and Instagram star Leslie Anne Bruce acknowledges that, yes, motherhood is a total mind f*ck—but then she offers the self-empowerment lessons new mothers need to get through the psychic upheaval and emerge stronger than ever. After childbirth, a woman's body, her relationships, and her very sense of self are tested like never before. Bruce encourages readers to look past the sugarcoated truisms about the miracles of child-rearing in order to embrace the real joys of motherhood, spit-up stains and all.
Loaded with unfettered support from a mom who has been through it all, You Are a F*cking Awesome Mom offers a lifeline of encouragement, inspiration, and community for the new mama who got a baby, lost her mind, and desperately wants to find herself again.
256 pages
"For those of us who were shocked to discover that modern motherhood is a den of insanity, Leslie Bruce is a lifeline."
—Jill Smokler, New York Times bestselling author and creator of Scary Mommy"Finally, a mom who doesn't claim motherhood is all unicorns pooping glittery rainbows. Moms need this book."
—Karen Alpert, New York Times bestselling author of I Heart My Little A-HolesLeslie Anne Bruce is a five-time New York Times bestselling coauthor/ghostwriter and an award-winning entertainment journalist, formerly of Us Weekly and the Hollywood Reporter. She is the founder and editor in chief of Unpacified, an online community for like-minded women to discuss motherhood through an unfiltered, judgment-free lens of honesty and humor. She lives in Los Angeles.
Why Moms-to-Be and New Moms Will Love It:
We are all about soaking in the simple pleasures--like a soothing sip of a toasty beverage. The Nurtured 9 “Just For You, Mama” pale pink mug elevates this moment with a subtle reminder that this joyful moment is all about her. (Even if mom does have just ONE moment to herself!)
We collaborated with a local designer to create this classic clay pale pink mug with Mama in mind, so it is equal parts beautiful, thoughtful, and practical (yes, it is dishwasher and microwave safe!). Each mug is handmade, wheel thrown and kiln-fired, then hand glazed in an ombre pale pink and stamped "Just For You, Mama". We love to pair it with one of Earth Mama Organics' Teas as a well-deserved, relaxing treat. Let Mama know that it is important for her to take time for herself; she will certainly feel loved with every sip.
Product Details:
Microwave and dishwasher safe
Size - Holds approx 10 oz.
Pale pink ombre glaze
Includes the phrase “Just For You, Mama” stamped on the side
Hand-made in small batches by a female owned ceramics studio
Let us know which gift idea is your favorite! And tell us how you plan to help and support your new Mom friends.