5 Things To Bring When You Visit a New Parent

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Want to be extra helpful and thoughtful when you visit your new parent friends? 

These are our top five things to do and bring that are always appreciated when you make that newborn visit (hint hint: it's not 'helping' to hold the baby). 

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When we first had babies we felt like while gaining one of the greatest loves of our lives, we simultaneously lost a part of ourselves. We were so focused on caring for baby that self-care went right out the window (nearly 5 years later we're still working on that one...)

Be an extra thoughtful guest by putting their self-care first: Eye masks to sneak in extra naps, dry shampoo to stretch between showers, comfy sweaters, nipple creams, and a big 'ol bottle of their favorite vino - anything to remind them that you care about THEM and not just that little bundle of joy they are caring for. 

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Bringing food is pretty standard practice when visiting new parents, but we encourage you to take it a step further: bring food they can eat while you're there so they don't have to 'host', AND throw in frozen meals and groceries they can save to eat later too. You'll save them from cooking that evening - freeing up time to nap or enjoy that bottle of vino you brought with you. 

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Everyone offers to hold the baby, but often the things parents of newborns need the most help with are around the house: do the dishes, fold the laundry, pick up toys, play with their older-kiddos, or take out the trash.

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Whether its their gnarly birth story, endless talk about all the cute stuff their newborn has done, or just to unload about how hard it t has all been - having someone to listen to means a lot during those hazy and exhausting newborn months.

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Your friends are SO happy to see you, but they are also likely exhausted. Plan to come for 60-90 minutes, chat, help out around the house, feed them, sneak in those baby snuggles (if the parents are cool with it), and then see yourself out when it's time. 

(Setting an alarm on your phone can help with making sure you don't overstay your welcome!)