The New Baby Shower Gift!

Baby  showers are a time to bless a mom. She may or may not be surprised with  the event to begin with, then she is blessed with an abundance of  clothes, diapers, wipes and possibly whatever else she had on her  registry.

While baby showers, have transformed into some of the most “glam”  events, many moms know that once all of that fades, many moms still are  in need of so much! So essentially, the question is “what can we do!”

Here are 5 things that you can gift to mom after a baby that can prove to be “golden”:

1. Meal train or gift certificate for a meal service.
We all know that after having a baby, moms are tired. Add to that the  stress of possibly not being close to family or having a supportive  community around her then it can put a huge strain on a new mom.  Fortunately there are several meal services that exist offering an array  of meals including specific options like vegan and gluten free. Here in  Atlanta, Instead of Flowers  is one such service. Nutrition is also a key component in the recovery  process and healing after birth, so a nourished mom truly is a happier  healthier mom!

2. Maid service
Who wants to clean after having a baby? Especially if you have a newborn  and a toddler running around? Well now you don’t have to. The gift of a  maid service can be the blessing a new mom needs to take care of her  home when she may not be “up to the task”.

3. Spa service
Self care is huge. Being a mother can sometimes feel like you have  competed in a marathon. Add to that no sleep and sometimes pain and most  moms don’t feel glowing and blissful, instead they feel… well they feel  like “crap”. If you really want to make a mom feel great, get her a  massage, a pedicure, a manicure, all the above, a few of the above or  more. Help mom feel relaxed, allow her to get some pampering so that she  can truly be the super mom she was intended to be.

4. Post Partum Care Specialists
Most moms will not ask for help. Sometimes they don’t even know they  need it. Or maybe they do and they are just in denial. Who knows!
What can be helpful though is providing moms with people to take care of her and her needs. These may include:
– A post partum doula who is worth their weight in gold and can do  anything from being a companion all the way to helping with  breastfeeding (if they are trained to do so)
– A sleep specialist- most people still are unaware that they exist but  helping moms to get their babies trained to sleep and on schedule can  prove to be nothing short of a miracle because it means that mom gets to  sleep too!
– Lactation consultant. Many moms may not need one and those that do may  not even know where to start, but a consultation can definitely get you  on the right path or address any issues that you may be having with  breast feeding.

5. A gift certificate to see a PELVIC FLOOR SPECIALIST!
You knew I was going to put it in there… you had to have known. As a  pelvic floor specialist and a doctor of physical therapy, I have seen  and continue to see my fair share of women who have not healed well post  birth and who have dealt with issues for years, so much so that there  children are in middle school, high school or beyond and they are still  having issues. A simple evaluation can identify any potential issues,  address those that may already be present and get you started on a plan  perfectly suited for you to address these issues so that you can enjoy  the life that you desire. No more leaking. No more pads. No more feeling  of heaviness. No more uncontrolled gas or bowel movements. No more pain  with sex. No more back pain, groin pain, hip or leg pain. Now you can  truly enjoy yourself and your family.

These are not only great ideas for a baby shower but truthfully, great ideas for any new mom!

Blog content contributor, NBDA member Dr. Juan Martin