Beyond Lasagna: caring for postpartum friends
Ahh, postpartum. If you are a mama yourself then you know the wonder of this time. You’re snuggling a brand-new baby, getting to memorize their face for the first time and drink in that perfect newborn smell. And, you’re healing, trying to figure out how to feed this new little person, processing your birth experience, and more tired than you ever have been. If it’s your first baby, this experience has so many parts that you didn’t quite know how to prepare for, and if it’s not your first, then you have one or more little ones to help through the adjustment to big sibling life.
Postpartum is blessing and grit all mixed together.
What a sweet, sweet time to enter in and encourage a pal who might be in this season!
If you’re looking for ways to show up for postpartum friends, bringing them a meal is never a bad idea. It is such a practical and loving way to meet a physical need they have (they need to eat) while also relieving the mental burden of figuring out cooking with a new baby in the house. But maybe you’re brainstorming some other ideas to serve friends in this season.
Here are a couple ideas for how you can show up if you want to go beyond lasagna with caring for your postpartum friends. :)
1. Pray, specifically.
Ask your friend for specific ways you can be praying for her as she goes through the fourth trimester. Make a list of what you want to be lifting up on her behalf and set reminders in your phone for specific times when you want to be praying.
2. Pack a survival basket.
If you want to bring a gift when you visit a mama and her new little bundle, keep in mind that the baby probably doesn’t need any more cute outfits! Bringing over little things for the mom will probably be a lot more practical and helpful.
Here are some survival items that would probably be appreciated:
Snacks! High-fiber, high-protein or just plain yummy snacks are never a bad idea for a recovering/breastfeeding mama.
Electrolytes. I like these!
A book light. Seems random, but I loved having something like this handy by my bed for all the times I was up with a newborn at night and didn’t want to turn on my phone flashlight or the big lamp.
Reading material. Maybe a favorite light-hearted fiction book or something encouraging.
Self care supplies. I always love to have face mist and chapstick with me 24/7 when I’m postpartum.
Aromatherapy. A little room spray or essential oil roller is so nice when you’re spending lots of time in the same spot in your house.
All the dark chocolate. Come on now.
3. Help keep little ones occupied.
If your friend has an older child, why not gift an activity for the new big sister or brother to enjoy? Anything low-mess is probably a good idea. The Toddler Busy List has a whole bunch of ideas for easy toddler activities—drop off the supplies for an activity or two and you’ll probably absolutely make someone’s day.
4. Wash the dishes.
Especially if you are close with the friend you are visiting, just pick up a sponge and wash whatever dishes you see in the sink. You don’t have to ask. My mother-in-law did our laundry, washed our dishes and set our coffee pot for the first few days after my son was born and it was the absolute sweetest gift to know those things were taken care of.
5. Drop off nourishing, pre-portioned meals.
This is a little different than bringing by a whole dinner—something that was so helpful to me when I was postpartum was having smaller portions of hearty soups and individually wrapped muffins and breakfast sandwiches in my freezer. These will be useful for weeks after a baby joins the family, and can be super helpful when your friend is past the time when others might be dropping off meals.
Ideas for recipes I would make if I was bringing prepped things to a friend:
If your own postpartum season is coming up soon, feel free to send this post to someone who loves you so they can take care of you a little extra—you deserve it!
Praying that the love of the Lord goes with you as you are His hands and feet to a friend in a tender season. <3
He will tend his flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in his arms; He will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. - Isaiah 40:11
Posted by Megan
Hey there, I’m Megan! You can usually find me dreaming up a new project with my husband, trying to figure out homeschool with my two girls while my little boy explores the pots and pans cabinet, or excavating a pile of laundry with coffee in my hand. We live in New England and our dog is named Moose.
Connect: @lilac.and.sparrow
