As always, I’m honored to have my friend Brandy posting here. She’s eternally a source of encouragement for me…and today she’ll tell you how to be an encouragement to others. Thanks, Brandy!
Ten Ways to Love a New Mother and Her Baby
- Encourage her to rest–That’s the best way to heal from the hard work of birth. Spending the first week in bed is ideal, though two weeks is even better!
- Encourage her to trust her baby–Babies are really awesome–God made them! They know what they need and when they need it: when to be fed, held, changed, rested. We just need to learn to listen.
- Encourage her husband–She needs his support most! He can be the gatekeeper when she just needs to rest and you can do your part by being sensitive and respectful to his efforts. Take over for him for a little while, so he can get some fresh air and replenish his resources.
- Bring her good food–Nursing mothers of new babies are famished. Satisfy her appetite and her body with nourishing foods full of good fats, fiber and variety.
- Bring her a glass of water–Nursing mothers always need lots to drink to avoid mastitis.
- Do a load of laundry for her and finish it–Those first weeks with a new baby find the family with laundry coming out their ears. They change the sheets, only to have a diaper oops on them moments later. Help them stay on top of it.
- Wash her dishes–A clean kitchen is a balm for the soul.
- Call before visiting–Some days aren’t good, but others feel lonely. Check in before you come over. You may have perfect timing!
- Give her your respect–This is her journey and no one knows her baby better than she does. Motherhood is a transformation, full of stops and starts (like labor!). Let her do the knowing and find her own way.
- Share her joy.
Brandy has two children: one born in a hospital and the other at home. The transforming support of her midwives carried her through the two very different births onto a path toward encouraging other mothers. You can read along as she finds the way at Young in the Mountains.
Just reading this and knowing that you’re helping someone know how to minister to a new mom makes my heart happy. What a special, happy, terrifying, joyful, peaceful, painful, beautiful time in a women’s life! Beautiful mostly.
SO beautiful!
I just found your blog,and I love it! I am going to be spending a lot of time checking it all out here!
Welcome! 🙂 Let me know if I can help ya with anything at all.
Some other great ideas is if someone can be with the new Mommy so she can REST, and sleep. My sister stayed with us for the first 10 days of my son’s life, and helped me get back on my feet after a C Section. Also great ideas are maxi pads, and nursing pads as gifts because your not going to want to travel anywhere after giving birth, and it’s nice just to have those items already at the house. In my area, folks give the new family space, and time, but sometimes just having someone call, or go by and say howdy to the new Mom can help with those baby blues if she’s having them. Just some ideas to throw into the pot.
Baby Blues are no fun at all…it’s nice to have support, you’re right Wendy!
Such a lovely article thank you, my husband is at bible college and yself and two other wives have their babies due after christmas. This has really helped me think about ways to help them. I dont know either of them very well yet but after reading this I have thought that I would get them both a Thermal mug and some cereal bars and things in a basket for those first few days. Hopefully they’ll have a warm cuppa to go to lol!!
They will be thankful for the blessing! 🙂
This article is full of excellent advice.
Brandy is just a genius like that. 🙂