33 Little Things To Do For New Moms That Go A Long Way

Hot, iced, full strength, latte, or herb tea if she's watching her caffeine — anything that she doesn't have to brew herself or go out for will be appreciated. Find out the best time to bring over a cup, and be there, even if it's 6 a.m. on a Sunday.

You don't have to load up three carts' worth, but she could probably use some staples: bread, milk, bananas, juice, bagged salad. While you're at it, throw in a box of newborn diapers and a bottle of organic laundry detergent.

Not only are the usual assortment of clothes piling up, but now there are stained nursing shirts and wet onesies in the hamper, too. Take an hour and get that task off her hands. Or, if she already has a load done, do the folding.

Sometimes, just taking the baby outside can seem like an ordeal. Having a friend along to help with the stroller and to chat with can be a big help.

When you visit, take a few candid shots of mom, baby (and other family members, if they're there), and get her okay to post them on her Insta or FB account. Even better: If you get an especially great shot, have it printed out, frame it and give it to her as a gift.

New moms are expected to be a fountain of effervescent joy, happily recounting their blessings and delighting in the maternal life. Just below the sunny surface, though, they may be overwhelmed, frightened, stressed, and just one big hormonal mess. Let the mom in your life know that it's okay to share all the feels with you, even the miserable ones. Bring tissues.

If this isn't her first child, chances are the older sib(s) are feeling a little left out. Offer to babysit for an afternoon and take them out to a movie or the playground. Bonus points for getting ice cream afterward. Super amazeball bonus points for bringing a double scoop home for Mom.

One saintly mom-friend told Hallmark that she invited a new mom and her friends to a "sip and see" gathering at her house. The friends got to enjoy wine and snacks and fuss over the baby, and the mom got to relax and socialize without having to worry about cleaning her house and shopping for prosecco.

Her hands are full enough dealing with gloppy diapers. Give her a break for a day or two by taking over dog-walking, litter-box scooping, birdcage-newspapering, or whatever animal care she's too tired to handle.

She may not be up for a long phone call, but a quick check-in via text ("how u doing? any sleep last nite?") will let her know you're thinking of her. Or message her a cute gif or Bitmoji. And don't worry if she doesn't reply right away; she may be busy or exhausted, but she'll still appreciate hearing from you.

The last thing a new mother wants to think about in those first weeks is getting meals on the table. She's obsessed enough as it is with making sure the baby is feeding well. Take the burden off by providing dinner for her family; a dish of comfort foods like baked ziti or fried chicken should go over well with everyone. Add a salad or veggies and a dessert, and you'll really be a hero.

Or go a step further and set up a Meal Train account. A twist on the crowdfunding model, this site lets friends pick from a selection of preferred dates and times to bring over food for families in need of support for any reason (a birth or passing of a loved one, illness, or just hard times). The site even lets you add details about dietary restrictions or preferences, which is especially helpful for families who are vegetarian, kosher, paleo, allergic to certain foods, or just have picky eaters.

If sleep is the first casualty of new motherhood, regular bathing has to be the second. When you visit a new mom, point her in the direction of the bathroom and insist she indulge in a warm shower or soak while you watch the baby. If you bring over a gift set of scented gel and lotion, that'll tempt her to take advantage of the offer.

Catch a whiff of ripe bottom while you're cradling the baby? Instead of handing the little one back to Mom, head to the changing table and do the job yourself. Just make sure you know where the extra onesies are before you start, in case of an atomic poop.

She's formula-feeding? Using cloth diapers? Co-sleeping? Not co-sleeping? Going back to work after just four weeks? Whether you agree with her parenting choices or not, the best thing you can do is to keep your opinion to yourself. There's enough mom-shaming going on in the world without adding to the problem. Same goes for subtle digs like "I could never do that, but if it works for you..." If it is working for her, then that's all that matters.

Even the most confident new mom has her moments of doubt and worry — and most of us have a lot more than just a few moments. Letting her know that she's doing fine will go a long way toward boosting her self-esteem. Try: "You're an amazing mom.""You've got this." "You're a natural." "It's okay to feel overwhelmed. You're doing great."

A nursery is usually well stocked with blankets and pajamas by the time the baby arrives. The bookshelf, on the other hand, often gets overlooked. Start the little one's journey to reading with a book or two; maybe a board book of first words, along with a copy of an old favorite like Goodnight Moon.

A light beach read, a thriller, a novel by an up-and-coming writer — whatever genre she enjoys, she'll appreciate having something to read while the baby feeds or sleeps. If you know she's a fan of audio books, send her a few Audible credits so she can pick a title she's been meaning to "read."

If the new mom is breastfeeding, she'll find that she's surprisingly thirsty all the time. Gift her an infusion bottle (like this one, available on Amazon), which has a full-length infuser for inserting fresh fruits to add extra flavor. Then make a strawberry or lemon-infused water treat for her.

A new mother spends a huge chunk of time either nursing, pumping, or prepping bottles. Trying to toss together a lunch for her school-aged kids every day on top of that can be stressful. Offer to put together the PB&J yourself, pack the lunch boxes, and have them ready in the fridge. It's one less thing for her to think about.

A new parents' bed quickly becomes a rumpled, sweat- and milk-stained mess. When you visit, find out where the linen closet is and put on some fresh sheets — and then send the new mom in for a lie-down. She'll feel positively spoiled.

A well-stocked diaper bag is always good to have, but they can be bulky and awkward, especially on short outings. Give her a smaller bag with just the basics: a couple of diapers, a small pack of wipes, a travel-sized rash cream, a change of clothes, and maybe some non-perishable snack options for baby and mom. She can keep it on the back seat or the bottom of the stroller for everyday use.

Ever since that tiny bundle was placed in her arms, it's been all about the baby 24/7. Let the mom know it's okay to make herself a priority once in a while (or more than once in a while, really). Take charge of the baby while she goes out to get her nails done, does some stroller-free shopping, or just goes into the other room to nap.

Moms-to-be and new mothers don't lack for gifts... for the baby, that is. By the time their bundle of joy actually arrives, they're well stocked with crib gear, bath linens, feeding supplies, brain-boosting toys, and enough outfits to last a month without wearing the same thing twice. But the parents tend to get lost in the hubbub, and it doesn't take long for a mom to wonder if she'll ever have an identity or a life apart from her child. Let her know she's still a distinct human being by bringing a little present just for her: a Starbucks gift card, a soothing body lotion, even a bottle of wine for nights when she's inclined to pump and dump. Anything that doesn't scream "Mom" or has to be shared with the baby will do nicely.

It’s like the biggest new momma cliché ever, but it’s true. No matter how amazing your newborn is, they’re still, well, a newborn, and as such, aren’t going to sleep much. Give your sleep-deprived BFF what she really needs — a nap. Offer to watch Baby while your friend takes a shower and goes to sleep. She’ll feel amazing afterwards, and you’ll get to soak in all those snuggles while she snoozes.

Yes, your friend loves you. She just doesn’t want to see you right now. To not be an imposition, you can always have her favorite food delivered right to her door. That way, she can get to enjoy some of her fave foods without feeling like she has to entertain anyone or talk when she would just rather chow down on some chow mein.

It might only take 15 minutes or so, but doing your friend’s dishes will feel like the biggest gift. From scrubbing baby’s bottles to her older child’s sippy cups, your gal pal will appreciate the effort, and spend more time soaking up her baby — rather than last night’s lasagna pan.

Emotions can be all over the place when you have a new baby. For once, try not to be a fixer, but simply listen to your friend. Knowing that someone is hearing her can make her feel validated in how she feels, and offer her a sense of comfort and peace.

Trying to keep your house neat and take care of a new baby is a total exercise in futility. So ask her if she’d like for you to help her straighten things up. It might mean sorting through that mountain of mail, or picking up a pile of clothes that haven’t quite made their way to the hamper. It could even be helping her answer emails or clearing out a closet — anything that can help her feel more organized and in control.

It’s almost unfathomable how much laundry such a little person can produce on a daily basis. And staying on top of it (even when you’ve gotten a full night’s sleep) is pretty impossible. So break out the baby detergent and throw a load of Baby’s onesies and sleep sacks in the wash for your friend. She’ll be grateful to find clean clothes neatly folded in the baby’s dresser.

Have some hair stylist skills? Bring some hair care essentials to her home and let her feel like she’s at the salon (sort of). Maybe it’s straightening her hair (or heck, just even helping her wash it), but spending some time coiffing her curls, giving her hair a trim, or just getting her locks looking more luscious can go a long way in making your friend feel like herself again.

Whether your baby is feeding or sleeping, it seems like you and your little one are always attached at the hip (or more likely, the bosom). But even though she’s so in love with her newborn, she probably wants a break, too. Give her arms a break by just holding her baby so she can do what she wants, from watching TV in peace for a little while, eating something, bathing, or just relaxing.

Just because she had a baby doesn’t mean that she doesn’t have a million other things to do. Ask your amiga ahead of time what she needs to get done, put on your sneaks, and get ready to run some errands for her. Mailing out thank you notes for Baby’s gifts, going to the supermarket, or buying her a new nursing tank are small ways in which you can help her accomplish tasks that she just doesn’t have time for now.