TOP TIPS FOR HELPING NEW PARENTS

Kellie Eason RN, RM, IBCLC

Kellie is a Nurse, Midwife & International Board Certified Lactation Consultant with over 25 years experience in supporting families with Breast, Bottle Feeding & Sleep/Settling Issues. She works in private practice at Osteo 4 Kids & Adults, Preston Vic 3072 & Family Tree Health, Greensborough VIC 3088.  Kellie is also an expert contributor to FIT FOR 2 PRO, alongside a group of other healthcare professionals supporting families.  Kellie provides in home, clinic based and Skype/FaceTime consultations via MILK...early parenting support

1. MAKE SURE THEY ARE EATING AND DRINKING
​New mums are often exhausted and overwhelmed.
If you can make up a food basket with 'one handed grab n' eat foods, that will go a long way into ensuring she is nourished and hydrated.

Some ideas:

• 2 litres of water to drink per day
• Raw nuts
• Apple
• Banana
• Mandarins
• Berries
• Coconut flakes
• Bliss balls
• Savoury slices
• Hard boiled eggs
• Fruit salad
• Lactation Cookies

2. CUDDLE THE BABY WHILST THEY HAVE A NAP OR A SHOWER
This one is a win-win for all.
​Who doesn't love cuddling a squishy newborn and which new mama doesn't love having an unrushed shower?

3. HELP OUT WITH HOUSEHOLD CHORES
​If you can't clean the house, at least the main areas such as the kitchen and bathroom.  Better still, organising a house cleaner for the early weeks would be a tremendous help

4. COOK UP SOME HEALTHY BULK MEALS
A freezer full of meals can go a long way in helping a new family navigate their way though early parenting.

Some ideas:

• Lasagne
• Pasta bake
• Curries
• Vegetable soup
• Ratatouille
• Meatballs
• Arancini
• Pasties and sausage rolls
• Sweet potato salmon patties

5. ASK IF THEY WANT YOUR ADVICE.
A LOT OF THE TIME, LISTENING IS ALL THAT THEY WILL NEED
Supporting a new family is not only rewarding, but it can be really draining too.
It's not unusual for a new mum to have meltdowns and have periods of distress.  
It is equally not unusual for her partner to feel at a loss as well.
If you want to impart some advice, it is always a good idea to ask if it is needed.  New parents are finding their way and want to feel empowered to work it out on their own. 

6. KEEP HER COMPANY
Most mums will agree, that having a new baby makes them feel lonely and isolated.
Go out of your way to ask her out - odds are, she is not likely to ask.
Take her out for a coffee, take in some fresh air and sunshine and have a girly chat
Make regular weekly dates to get her out of the house, because it gets pretty depressing looking at the same 4 walls and feeding/changing nappies/settling baby 24/7

​