Spit-up On My Shoulder

Americans value their independence, which is a wonderful thing, but letting others help you can also be wonderful. In many other cultures (particularly African, Asian, and Latino cultures) it would be unheard of to leave a new mother alone anytime within the first months after birth.

Sadly American moms are often on their own in a few weeks, if not days, after delivery. Wouldn’t it be great if all new mothers had the support they needed during this important transition?

When someone says they want to help you out after your baby arrives, squelch the desire to say no right away. I recommend to the moms I work with that they say, “Let me think about it.” And then I HIGHLY recommend that they choose to say yes. I’ve never heard a new mom say she has too much help.

Prepare a list while you’re pregnant of the help you would like. Some ideas for your list include:

•providing meals
•coming over to watch the baby so you can nap or shower
•addressing thank-you notes
•grocery shopping or other errands
•laundry or other household chores

If this is not your first baby, then babysitting your older children could be on your list.

How I wish I had had help with all of the above after having my babies! I would have been a better mom for it.