The first thing to remember is that poor Mum will be pretty exhausted for the first few days. And if this is her first, she may be quite overwhelmed by just how dramatically her life and her body have changed. The best thing you can do is check that it is OK for you to come over and meet her baby. Then be prepared for a last minute cancellation! Things happen, and when you’re new to it, it takes a while to figure out how to fix it.
When you do meet the newborn, don’t expect a cuddle at first. And if the little sweetie is asleep, definitely don’t wake him. Instead, ask Mum if she would like a rest too while you tackle some of the housework. Perhaps she would love her first chance of the day to take a bath or even eat a meal. Visitors should expect that there are other priorities now over entertaining you. One of the best things you can do to celebrate Mum’s birthing triumph is to bring her a hot meal! A cup of fruity tea would probably go down quite well too.
If you’re wondering what kind of gift would be appropriate for a newborn, have a look at things like Little Chickie’s newborn baby gifts for inspiration. When you have a baby for the first time, new things are very important. While hand-me-downs are helpful, things like a brand new bottle sanitiser or changing table can be very welcome. Toys and storybooks are also very good ideas for a new baby.
You may choose to bring flowers and a card for Mum as well. But sometimes flowers can promote allergic reactions or discomfort. And Mum may not have the time to look after them right now. While it can be a nice gesture to think of bringing something like a gift for her, sometimes it’s just not practical. Instead, why not consider donating some time to provide a watchful eye over little one while Mum takes a much-needed break? Perhaps you can offer to do the laundry for a couple of days? Practical help will always be required when a baby is first born!
Big parties with balloons, loud music, and booze just aren’t right for a celebration of a new baby. Instead, think of the little gestures that can be a big help for the new Mum. A few photos of her holding her little one would be most welcome. Maybe you can capture a few of those cute new facial expressions newborns are famous for? Congratulations to the new Mum.
