Becoming a mother is full of surprises – most of the time good, but at times, stressful. The stress and anxiety can be particularly intense when it comes to very new mothers or mothers-to-be; even though it’s an exciting time, there’s an inherent fear that comes along with the prospect of having a child, wherein a whole manner of doubts and worries start to manifest.
Having been through it yourself, you know the struggle, and you’ve also come out the other side. This puts you at a prime opportunity to give back and help, but if you’ve come to this conclusion, it can be difficult to know where to begin.
This article is here to get you started. Here are a few of the best ways you can support new mothers as they embark on this incredible journey!
Offer Physical Help
One obvious way you can help is in the physical sense. If you know a new mother or someone who’s pregnant, you can offer to help them with the responsibilities of their day-to-day, such as doing their shopping for them once in a while or watching the baby while they have half an hour’s peace.
Even minor forms of help will be greatly appreciated. You’ll know all too well that it’s not just about the physical burden, but the mental one, and sometimes, just having a few minutes rest is enough to reset.
Start a Support Group
If you’re looking to have a wide-reaching impact, you could consider setting up a support group. While friends and family offer a tremendous amount of support to new mothers and pregnant women, it’s also key that they broaden their social circle to include those who are going through the exact same thing.
Support groups offer exactly that – a place to chat, laugh, and cry. There are many different ways to start a new group: you could launch one off your own back by leveraging the power of social media and your own website, or reach out to established centers like churches who can provide the necessary courses and information (you could launch a support group with Embrace Grace, for example, who offer such a service).
Put Together a Care Package
If you have the available funds, putting together care packages can be a thoughtful and practical way to support a new mom. One of the hardest parts of those early days is just staying on top of the basics. A bundle of items like diapers, wipes, gentle baby wash, nipple cream, or cozy socks can be a true gift.
These little gestures go a long way and can help a new mom feel seen, loved, and less alone in a very tender season.
A simple act of kindness like this can go a long way, and you can donate them to your local hospitals, shelters, and churches so that they go where they’re needed most.
Nourish Them with Meals (or Meal Delivery)
Food is one of the most underrated yet deeply appreciated gifts for a new mom. A warm meal can feel like a hug on a hard day. If cooking isn’t your thing, consider sending a gift card for a food delivery service like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub. It gives her the freedom to choose what she’s craving and removes the burden of meal prep altogether.
You can also organize a meal train with friends, family, or members of your local community. It’s a beautiful way to ensure consistent support during the first few weeks postpartum. Even a few simple meals dropped off throughout the week can bring so much comfort and peace of mind.
If you’re interested in gathering friends to batch cook several meals at once and gift them to new moms, check out the Freezer Meal Club Course. It’s a great way to build community while serving others with love and intention.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, this article has given you some food for thought on what sort of services you can provide. There’s nothing stopping you from thinking up your own modifications to any of the above methods, of course, so have a brainstorm and see what you can come up with!