help new mom - Boston Moms

Spring is always a reminder of new life! And as a mom, new life reminds me of babies and new parents. There will be quite a few new moms in my life this year, and I’ve been brainstorming ways to help them, even if I can’t be there. Here are a few great gift ideas for any brand-new mama!

A “rainy day” gift card

This one seems really standard, but my suggestion is to give a gift card to the partner or trusted friend/confidant of the new mom. That way, on days when mama seems to be having a hard day, use that card to order her favorite coffee, lunch, or small gift! Partners are tapped out, too, and with limited mental bandwidth, small gestures of care can get missed; this gift is an all-around win.

“Housekeeping!”

Pay for it! Do it yourself! If the new mom in your life is anything like me, it can be difficult to function in a messy home. For the first few weeks, your friend may benefit from an extra pair of hands (or two) to get things done around the house. If you’re nearby and able to spare that kind of specific help, it will be welcomed. If not, a local cleaning service would be happy to take that task off their hands!

Find local support

If your friend was an avid yogi before she became a parent, she may want to participate in a group from Down Under Yoga. Or maybe she just wants to talk — whether online or in-person, there are several groups with like-minded moms who are up at all kinds of hours and ready to chat. Know your friend is looking for more community around breastfeeding? Groups like Boston Breastfeeding Coalition meet virtually and safely around Greater Boston for in-person assistance and community. The last year has shown that these virtual communities can provide help and new friendships! 

Hire a doula

Postpartum doulas help families make smoother transitions into parenthood. If a new mom’s extended family isn’t local, there’s a good chance she won’t have help when she comes home from the hospital. A doula can help with light housework, show parents the ropes of their new baby carrier, or allow mom to nap while they watch over the new baby. Some postpartum doulas even offer overnight support so you and your partner can rest one or two nights a week!

Listen

New parents really just need to be heard. When you really listen, you’ll find that the new mom may have a need she didn’t know about. Is she still working through birth trauma? Does she need a new routine to help her jumpstart the day? Does she need a new skincare product because she’s developed eczema or melasma in postpartum? Does she need a personal shopper to help build her confidence as she returns to work? There can be expected and unexpected issues during postpartum, but if those around are really listening, issues get resolved and parents thrive.

Dashanna Hanlon
Dashanna was born in Michigan and raised between there and Virginia. She moved to Massachusetts in 2011 after getting a bachelor’s degree in English and gender studies from the University of Pittsburgh. She married her favorite Massachusetts native (Tom) seven years ago. Together they have two sons, Lucas and Isaiah, born in 2018 and 2019. Becoming a parent ignited a passion for supporting others, and Dashanna became a doula before the birth of her second son. She is now the owner of Caring for Mamas, working with families all over Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She loves fresh-squeezed lemonade, good music, and helping and supporting families.