How to Support a New Mum When Baby Arrives

When you first come home with a newborn baby everything can seem overwhelming, especially in the early weeks and months, and doubly so if there are additional complications such as health issue or personal problems happening at the same time. 

If you have a baby that prefers to be in arms it can be challenging to even work out how to have a shower and get dressed every day, let alone prepare your own meals and do a little bit of housework! Mum and baby are learning so many new things, including how to breastfeed, how to communicate, and most importantly, bonding with each other.

Sometimes the difference between an easy early motherhood journey and a hard one comes down to the amount of support surrounding a new mum. If she is surrounded by people who are encouraging her and helping to create time and space for her to focus only on her baby she is much more likely to be able to persist through any issues.

Wondering how to support a new mum without getting in the way? Don't worry. We have LOADS of suggestions for you!

How To Support a New Mum

1. ASK! The best thing to do is ask how you can help her, would she like a drink of water? Can you get her something to read? The number of times I've been stuck somewhere breastfeeding my baby with a glass of water frustratingly out of reach is way too high!
2. Mum is likely to be sleep deprived, so offer to take baby for a walk so Mum can get an extra hour of sleep (it can make all the difference!)
3. Organise food and do household chores. It is incredibly difficult to get anything done when you have a new baby in the house. Ask for a prioritised list of chores that you can work on whenever you have time
4. Manage her visitors - it's lovely to have people to visit when you have a new baby, but check in with Mum to make sure she's not overwhelmed. Limiting the numbers, or having days 'off' from visitors can help reduce stress levels while Mum and baby are getting to know each other. 
5. Offer to contact support for her if she's having trouble, or needs more info on something. There are a number of services to help new mums. You can call the hospital or midwife she gave birth with, otherwise for general health queries, you can talk to a registered nurse on the HealthDirect Line (1800 022 222). There is a 24 hour breastfeeding helpline (1800 626 268), or you can organise a Lactation Consultant for a one-on-one visit to get to the root of any breastfeeding issues (you may also have access to free services through the hospital or your local chemist).
6. Tell her she's doing a fabulous job, and that you are so amazed at everything she is doing (she created and is sustaining a new human being!!). 
7. Look after older children. Take them to the park, play with them, read to them etc. It's hard to look after older kids with a baby at the same time! 
8. Offer to hold baby so Mum can have a shower, a peaceful cup of tea, or anything else she hasn't had a chance to do.
9. Ask if she needs you to get anything from the shops.
10. Be interested in what she's going through. This means listening without judgement, and provide empathy. If you're not physically there, you can call regularly so she doesn't feel isolated. 

Do you have more suggestions? Let us know in the comments below

About the Author

Corryn is a lover of coffee, hugs and sunshine. Mum of 3 and founder of Milk and Love, Corryn loves chatting to new mums and pregnant mums. She has extensive breastfeeding experience, and is an advocate for gentle parenting, cosleeping and looking after Mum's mental health...  read more about Corryn here