WNY Family Magazine April 2019 | Page 10

3991 Harlem Road, Amherst, NY An exclusive provider of Medela, Motif Medical and Spectra Baby USA breast pumps. 15% off coupon (excludes breast pumps and sales items) Expires: 12/31/19 s Call The Care Connection today to check your insurance coverage. Insurance may cover a FREE breast pump. s We offer a variety of parenting classes covered through insurance. Check out our website for times and dates. s Stop in for a free nursing bra fitting. Find us on Find us on For More Information Call 725.6370 or visit www.careconnectiononline.com Experts in Fine Children’s Clothing 12 Ways to Support a New Mom — by Sarah Lyons A djusting to having a new baby in the house can be difficult for the whole family. Sleepless nights and a change in routine can leave mom feeling over- whelmed and exhausted. Offering sup- port to a family with a new baby can help them adjust to their new normal. Often when you ask, mom isn’t able to think of the exact way she needs help. Here are some ideas: 5520 M ain S treet at C ayuga W illiaMSville , ny 14221 632-2246 10 WNY Family April 2019 Provide A Meal Going to the store with a newborn and possibly older children for the first time can be a daunting task. Offer to pick up a few things the family needs. This is especially easy if you will be out running errands already. Many gro- cery stores now offer drive through pick up. Have the family order and pay for groceries online, then pick them up and deliver them. Helping to put them away would be an extra bonus. Friends and family often send versa- tile casseroles like lasagna after the new baby is home. Try thinking outside the 13x9 pan. Why not bring the family the fixings for breakfast and lunch rather than just dinner? Stock the freezer with easy, ready to make items like pizza, pasta dishes, soups and crock pot meals. Then the family can pull something out of the freezer when they are not up for cooking. Crunched for time or don’t feel like mak- ing an extra meal? Bring the family their favorite take out or send a gift card. Sweep the floor, fold laundry, vac- uum, or do dishes. Even a little bit of tidying up can make a big difference. A clean house during a time of transi- tion can bring order to a time that feels chaotic. However, mom may prefer to clean herself. Offer to care for the baby and other children while she works on a household project. When one meal just doesn’t cover it, set up a meal train using websites like www.signupgenius.com or www.taketh- emameal.com. Discuss with the family the most convenient dates and times to deliver meals and solicit friends to fill all the open spots. Social media is a great place to recruit people you might not think to ask. Not all new moms are “new moms.” Families that are adding their second, third, or fourth child need help just as much as first time moms, if not more. When there are older children, there is A new mom may feel she doesn’t have time for basic things like a shower, rest, or time to eat a meal. One of the simplest ways to help a new mom is to hold the baby and watch the other chil- Stop By The Store Help Around The House Monday - Thursday 10a-7p Friday & Saturday 10a-5:30p no time for resting when the baby rests. Older children do not stop activities just because a new baby has arrived and mom and dad are tired. It can be very difficult to entertain a toddler while mom is nurs- ing or changing diapers. Offer to take care of the older children for mom or of- fer to take care of baby so she can spend some alone time with her older children. Come When Others Don’t Set Up A Train Let Her Shower