How to Welcome Home A New Mom and Baby
Having a baby is simultaneously the best and most exhausting thing that can happen to a couple. Parents often take weeks or months to get into a routine that works, and it’s difficult to know where to take or leave things and what you can do to help.
It’s important to remember that while the baby is adorable and needs to be showered with love and attention, the parents also deserve to be loved and spoiled at this time. You can do a few small things to help the couple relax when they come back from the hospital or birthing centre.
Decorate a Bit
Making the house look more inviting can help them feel more festive when they arrive. Make sure you don’t go overboard and make decorations that are difficult to clean up.
Something small like a banner above the mantelpiece will do. You can even order a same-day bouquet delivery to liven the place up with some flowers and arrange congratulations cards on a table.
Check a few online shops to find perfect flowers for a baby and mom.
Clean Up
When the parents last left the house, it was likely in a hurry and with little regard for what it looks like. You can help a lot by sweeping and washing the floors and organizing the place a bit.
You can even set up a crib in the living room so the parents can relax on the couches when they get home. Remove any clutter, baby proof anything they might’ve missed, unpack the dishwasher and fold and pack away any laundry.
The parents will appreciate being able to relax as soon as they get home and not worry about cleaning clutter or doing immediate chores. You can also arrange to come every few days or weekly to help with cleaning around the house as there’s always something to clean when you have a newborn.
Get Some Snacks and Necessities
Birthing and getting back home from the clinic is exhausting, and the parents will likely want to crash when they get home. Set out some healthy snacks for the parents and any older kids around.
You can also leave some home-cooked meals and packed lunches, so mom doesn’t have to worry about preparing meals for a few days. Be sure to leave nutritious snacks for her while she’s breastfeeding and some yummy ones that satisfy cravings.
Although the parents would’ve planned ahead and probably have diapers, wet wipes, etc., those things are almost always needed and appreciated. Put together a care package for mom and baby.
For mom, you can include things like:
- candles
- relaxing music on a CD or USB
- a good book
- snacks
- comfortable clothes or socks
For the baby, you can include:
- newborn clothing
- toys
- wet wipes
- aqueous cream
- diapers
- formula
- a movie or some music for mom to play while putting them to bed
Leave a Meal
The mom and dad will be tired and won’t always have the time or energy to make meals, especially on the day they get home. You can make a meal and leave it in the oven or start a roast or pie that they can just pull out and eat when ready.
They will also appreciate things like packed lunches and frozen meals to keep them going for a few days without cooking.
Offer the Parents Some Alone Time
The excitement around mom and baby when they first get home is overwhelming. The parents might appreciate you holding the baby for a few minutes while giving everyone hugs and answering all the questions.
They might also want to spend time with their other children as it’s easy for siblings to get jealous and feel left out when a new baby is born. The parents might appreciate you holding the newborn for a bit while they play with the siblings, or you can take the older kids out on a play date to get them out of the house and give the parents some alone time with the baby while they settle in.
Conclusion
Having a baby is one of the most magical things that can happen to a couple, and they genuinely are gifts, but they also tire the parents out more than you’d expect. You can help them keep their heads above water until they’ve found a routine that works by lending a hand with cleaning, cooking, and minding any other kids in the household.
Even if you aren’t close enough to the family to offer things like daily meals or weekly cleanings, just some help with diapers or a bar of chocolate and some well-wishes are sure to brighten their day.
