Some Tips for Your Mother-In-Law

The following are some tips and suggestions for a new Grandmother.

Blog Readers: You are welcome to copy and paste this message, or send her the link to this blog post so that she gets the idea!

Visit your newborn grandchild while mother and baby are still in the hospital. Visiting hours are usually in the afternoon. Knock before you enter the room, and when you first arrive ask the mother if now is a good time for a visit. She may need to breastfeed her baby, and it can be difficult learning how to breastfeed in those first few days. Offer to wait outside while she attends the baby.

Take some treats with you to give to the new mummy, something like a magazine or some yummy snacks & drink would be well appreciated and a nice change after hospital food.

There are bound to be lots of gifts for the new baby, so try and find a lovely gift for the New Mummy.

Tell the new mummy what a great job she has done with the new baby, and tell her how great she is looking.

If you are in the room while the mother is feeding baby, just carry on as normal. Talk to her, make eye contact. If you feel embarrassed and look away while she is feeding, that will just make her feel uncomfortable and stressed about nursing discretely.

When the mother and baby arrive home, always telephone before you visit to ask if it would be a convenient time – also ask if they need you to pick up anything from the store, like bread or milk. Never turn up unannounced and never turn up empty handed.

When you visit in those first few weeks, a pre-prepared meal and/or some baking would be well received. Leave a meal for them to put in the freezer. When you visit, you should offer to make a cup of tea, rather than the New Mummy hosting everyone. Its also a nice idea if you offer to hang/fold washing, vacuum as she may not yet be allowed to do these tasks after labour or c/section. Don’t be offended if the answer is “no” when you offer, she may not feel comfortable with you doing housekeeping for her but it will be nice if you offer.

When the baby is a few months old, you could offer to look after the child for an hour or so, (just after they have been fed) so that perhaps mum could get out of the house for a while. She might need to get a haircut or just enjoy some time out of the house having a coffee. If you plan this for just after baby has been fed and had their nappy changed, then perhaps the child will sleep while mum is away. Mum should be able get an hour or two away before she is needed again.

As a mother in law, only give advice when asked.

Written by Frances, Manager of Breastmates, a website that is popular with mothers around the world. The website has some gorgeous products for mums with new babies. These include stunning maternity lingerie sets and sleepwear, breastfeeding clothing, pillows and breast pumps aswell as Gift Vouchers. The website has some great ideas for new mothers http://www.breastmates.co.nz