There are many people willing to hold and rock a newborn, but most often where a new mom really needs help is in keeping up with everyday household maintenance. Most mothers would never ask someone to clean their dirty bathroom or cook them dinner, yet this is often precisely the kind of help they need most.
Doing Laundry
New moms have less energy and time to do everything after the baby arrives, and laundry is no exception. There is also more to wash, as baby inevitably spits up a lot during the first few months. Doing laundry requires lifting heavy baskets (not allowed for recovering moms) and bending down to empty the dryer (often difficult for moms recovering from C-section,) so it really is a chore that she shouldn't do alone for at least a few weeks postpartum.
Household Cleaning
This is another area that often falls by the wayside in the craziness of life with a new baby. Simple acts like sweeping the floor, along with more involved tasks like cleaning out the refrigerator, are often appreciated by busy new mothers. Moms often hide the messy parts of their house rather than ask others for help with them, so make sure that she knows you're not judging her for having a less-than-spotless home.
Providing Meals
Many babies have their "fussy time" in the evenings, right during the time mothers normally prepare meals. There isn't much cooking that can be done with a crying baby on one arm, so it may help to provide a new mom with dinner. Bringing over a full meal already portioned on individual disposable plates is the best option, because moms can simply uncover and eat without heating up, serving, or washing dishes afterward. A frozen casserole is also a good option because it can be saved until needed.
Giving the Gift of a Nap
New babies have to eat every few hours, which rules out dropping a baby off with a sitter for the afternoon for many nursing moms. A lot of mothers, both nursing and bottle-feeding ones, may also feel uncomfortable about being far away from their newborn. But a caring friend could drop by a new mom's house to watch, hold, and play with the new baby for an hour while she takes a nap in the next room.
Offering Friendship and Support
One of the most difficult and unforeseen challenges of new motherhood is loneliness. New mothers may feel isolated, particularly if they don't have many friends with children. Those who are alone with the baby all day may be dying for adult conversation and a sympathetic ear. Mothers often won't say that what they need most is a friend, so be sensitive to those needs and offer companionship and support.
New mothers are usually overwhelmed with the task of juggling household chores and satisfying a newborn's needs, not to mention recovering from childbirth and emotionally adjusting to motherhood at the same time. The things a mother really needs most are help with household work, finding time to sleep, and finding emotional support through a friend.
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