How to support first-time mothers

‘It takes a village to raise a child’ is not just a statement. Parents require a lot of assistance navigating parenthood. A lot of this assistance is required in the first year or two of parenthood. Parents often exclaim that no child is like the other. However, most confess that being a first-time parent was a challenge.

In this article, we highlighted ways to show up for a first-time mum.

 Hold the baby

When the baby arrives, the world starts to revolve around them and the mother forgets to take care of herself.

Mothers have things they would like to do. A shower, a nap, some fresh air, some peace, all could do a solid to their mental.

“I wish I had help putting the baby to sleep, someone to hold the baby when I ran errands, and someone to hold them when they cried too much,” said Njeri a mother, wife, and businessperson in Nanyuki. She insists that mothers should get all the help they need.

Affirm the mum

Starting anything requires confidence and self-belief and so does being a mum. However, it becomes difficult to navigate motherhood because of the uncertainty of it all.

Am I doing enough? Have I fed them enough? Am I burping them correctly? are some of the questions new mothers frequently ask themselves.

A new mum needs to be reminded she is doing a good job. Affirm her. Do not just give a bracket statement, make your compliment meaningful. Compliment her on how well she cleans the baby, how she is managing to take a shower, the scents on the baby’s clothes, and more.

Childbirth comes with weight gain and loose skin. Be mindful of your words around this topic. As women may feel insecure about their bodies it is important to help them feel good about their bodies. Gift them beautiful and sexy lactating outfits, pay for their pedicures and manicures, and do their make-up.

Clean and cook for them

Motherhood is a heavy task and that is why most first time mothers are always tired. Imagine how grateful they would feel not having to wash utensils or mop the floor. Cleaning for the new mums helps them relax and recover peacefully.

As for food, make sure you know about any allergies or dietary restrictions they would have before making her a mouth watering meal.

Keep the support coming

Being alone with an infant can feel isolating. It is important that you keep visiting your friend. Keep them up to date with the news and trends.

You can help a mum by baby-proofing their house. Read on how to baby-proof the house.