Best Way to Emotionally Support a New Mom

Becoming a mother is an emotional roller coaster. When you first found out you were pregnant, what was your immediate reaction? We asked our mom’s and the emotions ranged from excited, to nervous and even scared. In preparing for motherhood, you probably will spend a lot of time researching and making plans for your baby. Picking out the best car seat for your family, what diapers you want and how to decorate the nursery are all top of the list. One of the things that might get overlooked is how you will feel postpartum. 

Welcoming a little one into the world will come with a whole host of changes. A baby is the biggest blessing, but it can also be terrifying in certain ways. Adjusting to motherhood takes time and new mother’s need extra love and support ad they adjust to a new baby and a new lifestyle. While every new mom will have different needs, we’ve compiled a few ways you can emotionally support the new mama in your life:

Ask Her about Her Needs

In the early days of motherhood, a million thoughts go through a mom’s mind, and it can be impossible to guess what she needs in any given movement. Just asking, “what do you need right now?” can provide a variety of answers. Be prepared to hear something like a shower, a nap, to go outside for a walk, time to go grocery shopping, time for a target run, someone else to take the baby for a little bit or maybe a hug. The list can go on and on but even if the answer is “nothing,” the ask will go a long way in knowing she’s supported. 

Words of Affirmation

Every day is unpredictable when you have a child. You might feel like you’re on top of the world one day and struggling just to survive the next. Telling the new mom in your life that she’s doing a good job and reassuring her can do wonders. 

Encourage Connection

Emotional support from partners, family and friends are crucial but sometimes there is nothing better than talking with other moms who are in a similar position. Offer to watch the baby or find a couple mommy and me classes for the new mama to attend. 

Just Do It

It’s safe to assume a new mother is tired, hungry, thirsty or wants a moment alone. You don’t need to ask her about what needs to be done around the house (which is probably everything from laundry to grocery shopping), just do it. Order grocery delivery. Walk the dog or empty the cat’s litter box. Change the sheets on the bed. Take care of the trash and emptying the dishwasher. Any little household task you can think of or see that needs to be done, do it! These small gestures will go a long way in alleviating the mental load.

Give Permission

Having a baby is a massive life change and often new mothers need permission, freedom, and space to find their new identity. Parenting is a personalized journey and new moms need the permission to forge their own path, to change their minds, to try things one way and change direction if it isn’t working. Leave your personal agenda at the door. She might parent differently from her mom, sister or friends, but that’s okay. The goal is to make sure the new mom isn’t left feeling like a failure.

As a mom, what would you add to this list? Is there a small or big gesture that had a profound impact on your journey as a new mom? We’d love to hear from you. Drop your thoughts in the comments below.