What New Moms Really Need
Let’s talk about the postpartum experience for moms because it can be so freaking hard.
As a postpartum mom myself, I’m reminded of this now more than ever. Parents need to be checked in on, too. Even second or third-time parents don’t have it all figured out. Not even close.
Our second baby, Maeve, arrived in September and it’s just…different with baby #2. People check in less and offer less support—not because they don’t care, but because there’s an unspoken assumption that “repeat” parents have it handled.
But in our case? We’re juggling two kids under three, two full-time jobs (thank God for maternity leave), an entrepreneurial venture AND we just bought a new house and closed two weeks before the baby came. We just moved and still working on unpacking. These truly are the Wyld Years.
So from someone in the thick of the newborn trenches (again), here’s my best advice.
3 Ways to Support Postpartum Moms—Even If It’s Not Their First Rodeo:
1. Check in on them.
It sounds so simple, but it matters more than you think. Sometimes all a new mom needs is a quick message that says, “I’m thinking about you. These early days are so hard. You’re a great mom. You were made for this. How are YOU doing?”
That kind of message reminds us we’re not alone or forgotten. A simple check-in like that can be a game-changer for a mom’s mental health.
2. Drop off something thoughtful.
We always think about dropping off meals to new parents (hello, mystery casseroles), but there are so many easier and more helpful options:
- A batch of cookies (either baked or frozen with instructions)
- Banana bread or muffins for breakfast
- Pre-cut fruit for the toddler running around
- A Starbucks gift card or treat from a local coffee shop
- A magazine—yes, really, a magazine just for fun
- A bouquet of flowers to brighten their counter tops
These little things nourish more than just a body—they lift spirits. You don’t need to make a plan or ask what they need. Just leave it on the doorstep and send a quick “check the front door” text!
One of my favorite postpartum gifts ever? A friend dropped off a bag of Trader Joe’s snacks like chips & salsa, dark chocolate peanut butter cups, bananas and more. Such a great, unexpected gesture.
3. Show up. (This one’s for your close friends.)
Ask when you can come by. Hold the baby so they can shower. While listening to their birth story, wash a few dishes. Wipe down a counter. Fold a load of laundry.
Offer your presence, your ear, and your hands.
Postpartum moms often push people away because they don’t feel “together” enough for visitors. That’s exactly why you should show up. Skip the “let me know how I can help” text— and just do something.
It takes a village, both to raise a baby and to love a postpartum mom back to life. I hope you have this kind of support around you. We truly need each other.
With love,
Kelsey and The Wyld Years Team
P.S. If you’re looking for a GREAT gift for the postpartum moms in your life, we’ve got you covered. Send them a Mylk Mate™ to make bottle prep a little less stressful! It’s just one piece of the new mom puzzle, but we know from experience that it will save a few “spilled milk” tears.
Kelsey and The Wyld Years Team
P.S. If you’re looking for a GREAT gift for the postpartum moms in your life, we’ve got you covered. Send them a Mylk Mate™ to make bottle prep a little less stressful! It’s just one piece of the new mom puzzle, but we know from experience that it will save a few “spilled milk” tears.