Please don't say these things to a new mom...and what to say instead
New mothers hear it all – from advice and compliments to thinly-veiled criticism. For some reason, most people consider it normal to say what’s on their mind without filtering their thoughts. While that is not recommended in general, it is blasphemous when spouted to a new mom!
As hilarious as these may sound now, they were stress-inducing when I first heard them. Take note and please, please don’t say these 30 things to a new mom.
1. “I did *insert action* differently with my baby.”
2. “God, you look stressed!”
3. “It’s going to be tough losing that baby weight.”
4. “Just let them cry. They’ll eventually learn to self-soothe.”
5. “Don’t pick her up so much. You’ll spoil her.”
6. “You are not fun anymore.”
7. “I never had a sitter. I did everything myself.”
8. “Ready for another one?”
9. “You need to start looking after yourself.”
10. “You still have a 6-month belly.”
11. “Wait, what! You’re giving your baby the bottle?”
12. “Better not have that glass of red.”
13. “It only gets harder from here.”
14. “Your breasts have hit the floor.”
15. “Are you sure about that name?”
16. “She is tiny. Is she fed enough?”
17. “Um, can you maybe breastfeed in the corner there?”
18. “Sleep when the baby sleeps.”
19. “C-section is the easy way out.”
20. “She doesn’t look like either of you.”
21. “I wish I could take a vacation like this (while referring to my maternity leave).”
22. “Was she planned?”
23. “My baby slept throughout the night. Does yours too?”
24. “Don’t you feel bad going back to work?”
25. “Giving a phone to a baby is just lazy/bad parenting.”
26. “When my child was her age….”
27. “I only gave nutritious and organic food to my baby.”
28. “Where’s her hair?”
29. “Girls are so much easier than boys.”
30. “Don’t co-sleep with your baby.”
Say these 5 things instead!
1. “I want to help without getting in your way. Tell me what I can do.”
2. “I had a wonderful night nanny/chiropractor/physiotherapist/sleep consultant. Let me know if you need the contact.”
3. “Go for that dinner date. I’ll help with baby for a few hours.”
4. “It’ll get easier. I’m here if you need to talk.”
5. “She has your smile.”
It takes a village to raise a baby. Nobody understands that better than us! Are you a new parent who needs help landing on their feet? We are here for you. Reach out to us on WhatsApp. Happy parenting!
