Funds to Support the 4th Trimester

Taking time off of work is not possible for every family, yet it one of the most important investments of time and resources. Please contribute to our postpartum nest egg to support our wish to take time to rest, recover and bond as a family without feeling financial hardship.

Postpartum Doula Care

A postpartum doula is a wonderful resource for mothers to receive care with physical healing, breastfeeding support, being seen and heard to integrate the birth experience, share practical tips for newborn care, offer support for mama to rest as well as specific bodywork and nourishing foods for the early weeks of mothering. We recommend finding an Innate Postpartum Care-certified provider, or researching your local postpartum care providers.

Nourishing Meals

One of my favorite ways to support new families is to set up a meal train (mealtrain.com) to provide nourishment. One person can coordinate setting up a meal train, sharing any food sensitivities/allergies and preferences, drop off times, requests like leaving food in a cooler and not ringing door bells and coordinating the return or donation of dishware.

A few tips on meals for new mothers: leave the brassicas, heavy cheesy foods, garlic, highly processed and high sugar and cold foods out for now and focus on warming easily digested foods packed with good nutrition.
Organize this meal train BEFORE baby arrives and then simply click send to all who have signed up. Even folks from out of town can participate if you have nearby meal delivery options.

www.mealtrain.com/

Postpartum Wellness Plan

Prepare for the arrival of baby by creating a plan listing community wellness providers to support perinatal healing. Using the printable plan below, fill in the names and contact info for lactation consultants, pelvic floor specialist, chiropractors, cranio-sacral therapists, massage therapists, postpartum doulas and more. One person could take on this job and research what is available in the area so that the new parents will have a printed resource list on hand when baby arrives.

www.motheringarts.com/downloads/cspp/

Freezer Stocking Party

Before baby comes, get together for a fun and useful gathering to fill the freezer for the new family. I find lots of ideas on Pinterest for Postpartum Meals, mamabake.com and the internet has plenty of delicious recipes. Perhaps the new family can choose a handful of recipes and everyone can pitch in for ingredients and have a big prep party.

www.pinterest.com/motheringarts/

Garden Tending

Depending on what time of year baby arrives, your garden and yard may experience some neglect. If you have a green thumb and enjoy being in the garden, please come by to water, weed and harvest our garden so we can continue to enjoy it's bounty.

Pet Care

Our furry friends can feel a bit left out when baby arrives. Please consider taking our doggy for a walk or a game of fetch. Our kitty would love some pets and attention as well.

Sibling Care

Siblings need extra care as well when baby comes along. Consider organizing a play date with friends, or a special outing just for them. It could even be as simple as reading a book or playing in the backyard.

Running Errands

Giving parents the gift of staying home for the first few weeks is so valuable. Support with running simple errands is so helpful.
A few ideas:
picking up groceries
sending mail/packages at the post office
returning any gifts
returning used dishware from meals that were delivered
paying bills
depositing money at the bank
picking up takeout for dinner

House Cleaning

If parents are ready for folks to come in and lend a hand, a tidy home can create a feeling of peace and serenity. An overall cleaning can be done, laundry can be folded and trash emptied. Please take care not to use heavily scented or toxic cleaners.

Another alternative is to pitch in funds to hire a house cleaner.

Carpooling siblings

Can you offer a ride to or from school or a class? This will support parents and baby to stay at home to rest and bond.

Funding for a parent-child class

Give the gift of a fun community building experience. Research some local offerings for a parent-child class, a mothering arts group, a music together class, parent child yoga, etc. Then create a fund to give the gift of connecting to community.

www.motheringarts.com/

Funds for diaper service

Many parents are making the switch to cloth diapers knowing how disposable diapers negatively impact our environment. Research your area to connect with a local cloth diaper laundering service. It is a wonderful gift for parents!

Organizing Baby Clothes

Come and help get baby's clothes and toys into containers organized and labeled by size.

Create a Nurture Basket

Parents will spend lots of time with a baby in arms for the first month. Help create a basket that can be kept in arms reach with nurturing items for a parent.
Ideas for the basket:
*reusable large water bottle

*burp cloths

*tissues

*nipple salve and breast pads (for nursing mamas)

*blanket for baby

*a book or magazine for parent if baby is asleep

*some affirmation cards/encouraging notes from community

*unopened nutritious snacks like dates and nuts, pumpkin seeds and gogi berries, traditional medicinal lactation granola bars, etc.

*pen and journal

Making the house safe for baby

Once baby starts moving, we need to prepare the house to be a safe place for movement and exploration. Please help notice and tie up loose cords and strings, move pet food and water, install and cupboard latches and outlet covers and share your own experience with what you found to be most helpful.