Having two children, 10 nieces and nephews and a
surplus of friends with babies I have come to know a few things. One of the
most important is to know how to really help out a new mother. Believe it or
not, but a lot of friends and family think helping means "take care of the
baby"... this is NOT HELPING A NEW MOTHER!! Mothers and fathers want this
time to bond with their baby, what they need help is the other stuff. So if you
are going to lend a hand, here are some basics to follow.
1. Bring food, preferably something that doesn't
require much but opening and heating.
2. Wash your hands upon arrival, and only hold the
baby when you are given permission.
3. Do not bring pets or sick children along with
you.
4. Offer to help with laundry, cleaning, cooking...
or just do it without asking.
5. Call before you come, sleep schedules are not
consistent the first few months, so make sure you come during a time when baby
and mom will be awake.
6. Do not stay long, typically when the mom says
she going to put baby down that is your cue to leave. She is tired and needs to
rest when the baby does.
7. This is not the time for you to tell mom that
she is doing things incorrectly. If she chooses to bottle-feed then let her.
Mothers have enough guilt to deal with on a daily basis, this is not the time
to put your two cents in... unless asked!
8. If asked, be honest! Do not sugar coat things
for her but let her know it gets easiest and every mom will find a system that
works.
8. Make her a play list of good music to listen to
while nursing!
9. Let her know that one day she will sleep again!
10. Tell she looks beautiful and that she is doing
an awesome job!
11. Make sure to take a photo with her actually in
it, candid moments are the best!! So many end up being of just the baby.
12. Offer to keep an eye on the baby if she would
like to take a shower, be careful here and do not suggest she NEEDS a shower!
13. If you do bring a meal, make sure you serve it
and clean it up.
14. Offer to walk and feed pets, and if you are
really nice clean a litter box!
15. If she is nursing, her eating habits are almost
more important now then when she was pregnant. Offer to stop at the store and
pick things up. Nutrition bars, water, fresh fruit, yogurt and nuts are all
good things to have on hand for her.
If you really want to show how much you care, purchase one of my
services! Working moms especially, really want to focus their leave on baby.
Not cleaning, cooking, shopping, party planning, childcare placement, nanny
interviews, and who to use for a newborn shoot! I have done all the work and research;
my packages offer vendor discounts that you will not see elsewhere. I can
accommodate any mother’s unique needs so that she can enjoy this time with her
baby. So if your best friend from college is having a baby and you cannot drop
everything to help her- hiring me will be a godsend! Or if you daughter or
daughter-in-law is in need of help... she will love you for this!
Stephanie Antoinette
480-717-2795
byVictoriaAntoinette@gmail.com
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