10 ideas: How to help new parents

How to support a new mother - that seems obvious, right? Not true. Ask any new mother and we bet she's had to serve a cup of tea to visitors when she'd rather be taking a nap.

Adjusting to a new baby in the house can be difficult for the whole family . Sleepless nights and a change in routine can leave a mother feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Offering support to a family with a new baby can help them adjust to the new normal, but often when asked, a tired, exhausted mother can't think of exactly what kind of help she needs. Here are some ideas.

1. Stop at the supermarket

Going to the store for the first time with a newborn and possibly older children can be a daunting task. Offer to do the shopping for the family. If the family has groceries, diapers, etc. delivered, offer to put away the shopping. 

2. Help around the house

The reality is still often like this: fathers take vacation or a few weeks of parental leave after the birth. But at some point in most families, the day comes when the husband has to go back to work. In addition to taking care of the baby, many household tasks are often left behind. Some mothers can cope with it, some want a tidy home despite having a newborn. Ask if you can take on household tasks. Wash laundry, cook food, vacuum or clean windows. 

3. Be a babysitter

Not all new mothers are "new mothers". Families having their second, third or fourth child need just as much help as first-time mothers, if not more. If there are older children, there will be no time to rest when the baby is resting.  Older children don't stop playing just because there's a new baby and mom and dad are tired. It can be very difficult to entertain a toddler while breastfeeding or changing a newborn. Offer to care for the older children for the mother, or offer to care for the baby so she can spend some time alone with her older children. 

4. Love goes through the stomach

Why not bring the family breakfast and lunch ingredients instead of just dinner? Fill the freezer with simple, ready-made meals like pizza, pasta sauces, soups and stews. Then the family can grab something from the freezer when they don't feel like cooking. If you have little time or don't feel like cooking an extra meal? Then bring the family their favorite snack or order something on your bill! 

5. Give everyday life

A mother may feel like she doesn't have time for basic things like showering, resting, or eating time. One of the easiest ways to support her is to hold the baby and watch the other children while she eats lunch, enjoys a relaxing shower, or takes a short nap. When she's rested and refreshed, she may be ready to tackle the rest of the day. 

6. Children ventilate

Show your support by offering to pick up the older children, even if it's just for a few hours. If you are going to the park with your own children, pick up their children for the afternoon too. This gets the kids out of the house and gives mom a break.Driving the kids to school or activities is also a big help for a family with a new baby. Time alone with the baby may be exactly what she needs right now.

7. Listen carefully

The birth of a child is a huge milestone, an experience that no mother will ever forget. Every birth has a story, and often there aren't many opportunities to tell it. Ask about their birth story and listen. Becoming a mother is a joyful, stressful and life-changing experience. Telling the birth story helps women process and embrace this new journey. 

8. Gifts for mom

Many people bring gifts for the baby and forget about the parents. Bring a snack or treat for them to enjoy. Moms are happy about flowers, books, comfortable clothes, care items. Or give something that will help the whole family, like a baby carrier ;)

9. Keep an eye on the time

Families with newborns usually enjoy company, especially if they help out with the household and with the children. However, you shouldn’t stay too long. New parents get tired quickly. Visit the family, bring them a meal, but listen for hints from them about when the family would like some alone time.

10. Don't give advice

An important tip for anyone talking to new parents is to listen, but don't give advice unless asked. It can be frustrating and overwhelming to receive unsolicited advice from everyone they meet. It's important to ask them what would help them. Would they prefer if you helped them with the housework? Would they like you to hold the baby while they do some things? Some parents would prefer to have someone to chat with for a while , and some parents may want to get out of the house for a while. Offer several options and see what they like best. A family adjusting to a new baby in the house is always grateful for any offer of help. And if you give them the opportunity to do so, you'll be doing a lot of good to support new parents.