This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s fall editorial intern Jason Tsoi. Find him on Instagram at @jason.tsoi. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Postpartum is a joyous and transformative time for moms and their families, but it can also bring new challenges, especially for new moms. Balancing between caring for a newborn while returning back to work often leaves moms feeling stressed. This is where your support comes in, making sure their transition into this new chapter of life is as smooth as possible. Here’s how to support a new mom.
Prepare Meals
While new moms are busy making sure their newborn is fed, it’s important that they are able to eat too. However, there may be instances where they cannot cook for themselves while taking care of their child. One way to chip in is by offering to cook them simple foods that will keep them full and energized. This way, they can eat something quickly before returning to look after their newborn. Here are a few comfort meals to bring to new moms.
Meatloaf is a great choice to make for new moms. It’s a dish that is both filling and delicious. In order to make meatloaf, you need three main ingredients: ground beef, an egg and one cup of milk. First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and mix all three ingredients together. Then, add seasonings, such as salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder. You may also add vegetables, like celery and carrots into your meatloaf. Then, thoroughly combine the seasonings and vegetables until you get your desired consistency. Lastly, add the mixture into a greased pan, bake it in the oven for one hour and serve.
Another easy dish to prepare for new moms is chicken pot pie. This pastry dish is guaranteed to provide new moms with a satisfying meal that will feel like a warm hug. For this recipe, you will need pie crust, diced rotisserie chicken, one can of condensed cream of chicken soup, and ½ cup of milk, carrots, celery and peas. First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and mix the diced chicken, vegetables, cream of chicken soup and milk together in a bowl. Then, pour the mixture into the bottom section of the pie crust and cover it with the top layer of crust. Afterwards, bake the pot pie for around 30 minutes and serve.
Clean The House
An additional way to support new moms is by offering to help with household chores. With their energy focused on caring for their newborn, cleaning up the house can become overwhelming and draining. To lighten their load, you can take on simple tasks, like vacuuming their house. It can be difficult for new moms to move around after giving birth, so it’s best to take charge in vacuuming every nook and cranny of the house for them. But while vacuuming, make sure the baby is not in the room to ensure that they don’t get spooked by its loud noise.
In addition to vacuuming the house, another way to help new moms clean the house is by doing the laundry. Since doing the laundry requires bending and moving around heavy objects, it may be hard for new moms to perform this task. Doing the laundry will not only give a new mom one less thing to worry about, but also provide her and her newborn with clean clothes. Before returning their clothing, make sure to fold the clothes into organized piles to make it easier for the new mom to grab specific clothing.
Make Care Packages
In this day and age, childcare is expensive. It requires a lot of money to provide your newborn with the supplies and care that they need. To relieve new moms from the financial stress, consider making care packages for the new mom and newborn. In order to make a care package you will need a basket to put all the items in. Baskets can be found at your local convenience store or on Amazon. Once you’ve found your basket, it’s time to make the care package. But before buying the items, try consulting with the new mom to find out what she needs. Some items to include in the basket are baby wipes, diapers, toys, baby food and clothing.
But, you should also make a care package for the new moms too. When making a care package for a new mom, include some of her favorite drinks and snacks, items, teas, pillows, comfortable clothing and gift cards to retail stores. In her basket, you can also write a card, expressing your admiration and support for her. Before giving new moms these packages, you may also wrap them with gift basket wrap.
Babysit The Newborn
Sometimes new moms need to take a break from their newborn to rest. Between hearing cries and cleaning up after their newborn, taking care of a newborn can be physically and emotionally exhausting for new moms. A final way to support a new mom is to offer to take care of the newborn for a few hours while they shower or take a nap. This way, the new mom can have a little time for herself. When it comes to babysitting, make sure that you have the right baby supplies near you at all times. This will make it easier for you to reach for a specific item that a newborn needs.
Do you need ideas on things to do while babysitting? While babysitting a newborn, you can keep them entertained by reading a short book or playing with them with their toys. Another activity that you can do while babysitting is taking the newborn on a stroller ride to the park. Since newborns are usually indoors, this will give them new sights to see and sounds to hear. Finally, if you’re putting a newborn to bed, rock them while singing a lullaby to them.
Offering support to new moms shows that you deeply appreciate them. It also shows that you will always be there for them. These good deeds will help make the transition into motherhood a little easier.
How will you support new moms? Do you plan on doing some of these ideas? Let us know in the comments.
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