What to Do For the Parents of a New Baby
The arrival of a new baby is one of life’s most joyful moments. If you have friends or family who have recently become new parents, chances are you’ll want to reach out to congratulate them, show your support, and offer help. We’ve got you covered with card inspiration, useful gift ideas, and a few additional tips to support and celebrate the new parents in your life.
Send a Thoughtful Card
A card is a great way to let new parents know you’re thinking about them. It can also serve as a family keepsake, to remind them of the first few months of their child’s life.
When choosing a card and writing your message, consider how close you are with the new parent or parents. Whether they’re a family member, close friend, casual acquaintance, or co-worker, your relationship with them should influence the tone of your well wishes. Remember to keep your message positive and uplifting—you want them to know you’re excited and supportive.
Does considering what to write in a new baby card make you tongue tied? Here are a few phrases to use as a starting point:
Wishing health, love and joy to you and your new arrival. Congrats!
Cheers to you and your growing family.
Congrats on the arrival of your new family member. We are so very happy for you!
May your newest arrival bring you both joy and happiness. Thinking of you during this exciting time!
Wishing you and your new baby many years of health, happiness, and love.
Bring Food
Food is one of the most practically useful things you can bring a new parent. Having a well-stocked fridge allows them to spend more time on what matters most—bonding with their new baby.
If the new parents don’t have a meal train set up, consider contacting their friends and family to get one established. Meal trains are a great way to provide the new parents with a steady supply of meals while ensuring they don’t end up with a freezer full of casserole and no fresh fruits or veggies.
Consider bringing food that’s simple to prepare and eat. If any chopping, slicing, or grating is needed, do it ahead of time so all mom and dad have to do is throw everything in a dish and bake. Consider buying several pre-prepared meals from Costco or Whole Foods that parents can simply throw in the oven. Moms are often hungry while breastfeeding. Nuts, cut fruit and veggies, and prepared sandwiches and wraps that can be eaten with one hand are all great snacks for a breastfeeding mom.
Don’t Forget Hydration
Liquids, such as smoothies, sparking water and fruit juice, are also great things to bring new parents. It’s important to stay hydrated to reduce fatigue, especially when new parents are running low on sleep, and a lemonade or seltzer is a fun alternative to water. Additionally, many moms crave sweet and citrus fruit flavors while breastfeeding—fruit juice is a great way to satisfy that craving and stay hydrated.
Help Out Around the House
One of the most valuable things you can give a new parent is more time with their baby. Helping them check a few items off of their to-do list accomplishes exactly that. Instead of offering up a vague “Let me know if there’s anything I can do!” to new parents in the first few weeks, take the initiative. Ask them if they need anything from the store when you’re there, or offer to make a grocery trip for them.
The same rule applies when visiting new parents. If you see a sink full of dishes, go ahead and take care of them. Ask them if you can clean their floors, do their laundry, vacuum, or take out their trash and recycling. Get the chores out of the way so they can spend more time doing what they actually want to do: paying attention to their bundle of joy.
Long Distance Help
If you don’t live close enough to drop off food or assist with household chores but still want to help, consider a gift that will make the lives of new parents easier.
Purchasing a house cleaning service that will show up one day a week is a great way to help out if you can’t stop by and unload the dishwasher yourself. Purchasing a year of a diaper service is another way to help out new parents. If you don’t live close enough to drop off meals, meal delivery services are another option to help out mom and dad in those first months.
