Knowing exactly what to offer a newly postpartum mother is tough. Here are five unique ideas:
- Bring over flavored water, drink mixes, or Body Armours so a breastfeeding mama is drinking enough. A neighbor did this for me and it was so thoughtful and needed. You can also bring prepared healthy snacks like cut veggies with ranch, cheese and crackers, sandwiches, etc. Food that is effortless to prepare and nourishing for their recovering body is a great gift.
If neighbors and friends deliver meals to the family, arrange to pick up the dishes and deliver them back to the owners. Returning dishes is the last thing most people want to do after having a new baby. If you are in charge of assigning meals, you could assign someone to be the “dish returner”. Bonus: If you are delivering a meal, consider using disposable dishes so they don’t have to return anything!- Throw a “service baby shower” where guests bring their skills and time instead of a gift! The mama shares her to-do list with friends and they do the nagging tasks that need to be done before or after baby arrives. For example, putting together the crib, scrubbing the baseboards, or organizing the baby clothes. This can take a huge load off a woman who is late in her pregnancy or recently postpartum and it’s especially ideal for a woman who is on her second, third, or fourth child!
Come grab the dirty laundry in a laundry bag, wash it, fold it, and bring it back. There is always laundry to be done so you can almost guarantee that this will be helpful.- Send a favorite song, podcast, or short YouTube video that you think she might like. Make sure it’s something that is uplifting and doesn’t take a ton of mental effort to listen to. (Remember: she’s tired!) Listening to something that a friend sent her might brighten her day.
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