Cards, gifts and ways to connect.

“With my family being so far away, I depended on friends to help us through those first few months with a newborn. Their support really made a huge difference.”

– Melissa W.

Skip past “How can I help?” and go ahead and run an errand for the new family, or drop off lunch or a magazine. Whenever you’re in person, offer to hold the baby or insist on folding the laundry.

Consider spoiling the new parent instead. Send a nice lotion or funny book, or ease their dinnertime burden by organizing a meal train or restaurant gift cards.

Acknowledge how overwhelming parenthood can be while also cheering them on. “The advice people gave helped a little, but the support and encouragement helped the most. It was always nice to hear someone say I was doing a great job.” – Melissa W.