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New Parent and Baby Help Tips

Simple Ideas and Thoughtful Ways to Encourage People with a Newborn

May 12, 2008

Most parents find a new baby at least a little overwhelming. Here are some easy tips and often inexpensive ways to assist mom and dad as they adjust to their new life.

Welcoming a baby into the home is a happy and momentous occasion. It also turns life upside down. Some parents adjust with just a few bumps in the road. Others find the experience more than a little disconcerting. There are simple but important ways to care for the new parents and give the baby the best start.

New Parents Have Needs

What do new parents need? Although this might vary from couple to couple, most new parents need sleep, good food, help and encouragement. The best way to know for sure what a couple needs is to ask. Beyond asking and responding to their specific requests, one fun way of blessing new parents is with a new parent gift basket that seeks to meet those basic needs.

New Parent Gift Basket

Putting together a gift basket can be a fun project for a group of people to do. This could be presented by friends, coworkers, church members, or neighbors. If several people contribute just a couple of items, the group can present a very nice gift for a small individual cost. Here are some gift basket ideas for baby, mom and dad.

Items for Baby

Burp cloths
Massage cream
Pacifier/Binky
Rash cream
Baby medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and gas drops
Rattle or small toy
Nightlight
Cuddly sleeper sacks that make it easy to change baby quickly

Items for Mom

Quality hand cream
Peaceful CD
Hand sanitizer in a pump bottle
Breastfeeding supplies (if breastfeeding)
Coupons for babysitting
Coupons for doing laundry
Coupons for cleaning
Coupons for running errands
Coupons for sleep time
Favorite snacks
Mixes in a jar or bag with directions
Devotional or inspirational book about being a mother
Stamps and thank you notecards

Items for Dad

Gift certificates to local restaurants, especially those with delivery and/or takeout
Dinner in a Basket 1: Pasta, quality sauce, loaf of bread, salad fixings
Dinner in a Basket 2: Pizza crust, sauce, toppings, cheese, soda, salad fixings
Coupons for lawnmowing, snow shoveling, etc.
Coupons for running errands
Favorite snacks
Devotional or inspirational book about being a father

Written Words of Encouragement

It is natural for new parents to feel overwhelmed with the daily responsibilities of an infant. But a little encouragement can go a long way. Even though spoken words can be encouraging, they can also be quickly forgotten in the details of keeping up with a newborn. One way to encourage new moms especially is by sending a note or card. In fact, a group of people can agree to each write a card a different week so the new mom receives encouragement every week for the first few months. A simple handwritten note or an inexpensive card that reminds her she is doing a good job and she is loved can make a huge difference in the life of a new mom.

Just the Two of Us

Some couples are ready to leave the baby with a sitter and go out together within the first few weeks. For those parents who need to get out alone and have a date night, offer to babysit for a few hours so they can get a bite to eat, have a cup of coffee, or browse in a bookstore.

For parents who aren’t ready to go out on the town without their baby yet, a fun option is to provide the ingredients for an instant date night at home. Put together a small gift bag or basket with coupons for a movie rental place, snacks, and coupons for an in-house babysitter.

New parents need lots of support. Every little bit of love will make a huge difference in the life of this new family!

The copyright of the article New Parent and Baby Help Tips in Postpartum Health is owned by Sallie Schaaf Borrink. Permission to republish New Parent and Baby Help Tips in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.