How to Support Postpartum Moms
Supporting Millennial Postpartum Moms: A Guide for Family, Friends, and Communities
Motherhood is a transformative experience, and for millennial moms, the postpartum period can be particularly challenging. With unique cultural, social, and economic pressures, millennial moms navigate the early stages of motherhood differently than previous generations. Understanding their needs and offering appropriate support is crucial for their mental and physical well-being.
Here’s how you can support millennial postpartum moms in a way that truly makes a difference.
1. Acknowledge Their Emotional Needs
Postpartum isn’t just about adjusting to a new baby—it's about adjusting to a new self. Millennial moms are likely to experience a wide range of emotions during this period, from joy to exhaustion to anxiety. Postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety are prevalent, so offering emotional support without judgment is key.
Ask open-ended questions: Instead of “How’s the baby?” try asking, “How are you feeling today?” This gives the mom space to talk about her own emotions.
Be non-judgmental: Understand that emotional ups and downs are normal, and avoid offering quick fixes or minimizing their feelings. Just listening can make a huge difference.
2. Offer Practical Help, Not Just Words
While well-meaning, offering phrases like “Let me know if you need anything” is often too vague. Instead, be specific about how you can help and follow through.
Help with chores: Whether it's cooking, doing laundry, or running errands, practical support goes a long way. This can help alleviate some of the mental load that many millennial moms experience.
Offer childcare: If you can, take care of the baby for a couple of hours so the mom can rest, shower, or run personal errands. It’s essential to give her a break for self-care.
Bring meals: One of the most appreciated gestures is preparing or delivering a healthy meal. Postpartum moms need nourishment, but they often don’t have the time or energy to cook for themselves.
3. Understand Their Unique Pressures
Millennial moms face a unique set of challenges that can affect their postpartum journey. Many of them juggle the demands of career, social media, and the pressure to be the “perfect mom” (which is an unrealistic standard). It’s important to be mindful of these pressures when offering support.
Respect their work-life balance: Many millennial moms return to work after maternity leave or manage their careers remotely. Acknowledge how difficult it is to balance work responsibilities and childcare. Be understanding if they need flexible schedules or time off.
Don’t judge their social media presence: Millennials often share their experiences online, but this doesn’t mean their life is perfect. Be mindful that what is posted doesn’t always reflect the reality of their day-to-day struggles.
4. Encourage Self-Care
After childbirth, the focus tends to be entirely on the baby, but moms need self-care too. However, many millennial moms feel guilty about taking time for themselves.
Normalize self-care: Encourage mom to take time for herself, whether that’s a nap, a walk, a phone call with a friend, or enjoying a hobby. Remind her that taking care of herself benefits both her and her baby.
Support mental health: Suggest therapy or support groups if needed. Many moms benefit from talking to a professional, especially if they are experiencing anxiety or depression.
5. Respect Their Parenting Choices
Millennial moms tend to be more research-driven in their parenting choices, with an emphasis on doing what feels right for them and their baby. Whether it’s breastfeeding, co-sleeping, or choosing a specific parenting style, respect their decisions, even if they differ from your own.
Offer information, not advice: Rather than telling a millennial mom what she should do, offer to share resources or allow her to ask for your input if she’s seeking advice.
Empower her choices: Validate her decisions. If she’s navigating the tricky waters of breastfeeding, formula feeding, or sleep training, acknowledge that it’s her choice and she’s doing what’s best for her family.
6. Foster Connection and Community
One of the biggest struggles millennial moms face is isolation, especially in a digital world where face-to-face interactions can sometimes feel limited. Building a community around the new mom is essential.
Help them build a support network: Encourage them to connect with other moms, whether through local meetups, online communities, or through social media groups. Connection with others who understand can be incredibly helpful.
Be present: Often, just showing up—whether in person or through a quick check-in message—can make a world of difference. Let them know that they aren’t alone in this journey.
7. Create an Open Dialogue about Parenting
Millennial moms are often highly attuned to their parenting style and preferences. Open, non-judgmental communication is key to supporting them through their postpartum experience.
Foster open conversations: Encourage regular discussions where they feel comfortable sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. Creating a safe space for these conversations helps to reduce stigma and gives the mom a chance to express herself freely.
Avoid unsolicited advice: Most moms, regardless of generation, don’t appreciate unsolicited advice. Instead, ask them how they’re doing and listen to what they need.
Conclusion
Supporting millennial postpartum moms requires empathy, understanding, and practical assistance. By respecting their emotional and physical needs, offering help in specific ways, and acknowledging the pressures they face, you can make a significant difference in their postpartum journey. It's not just about offering help with the baby; it's about being there for the mom, who needs care, rest, and connection to thrive in this new chapter of her life.
Together, we can help millennial moms feel empowered and supported as they navigate the challenges and joys of new motherhood.
Looking for support? I’d love to connect! My therapy services are specialized for pregnant, postpartum moms and moms raising young children. Therapy for Pregnancy, therapy for Postpartum depression, therapy for postpartum anxiety, therapy for perinatal mood disorders. I also use parts work and internal family systems to support moms in therapy. I provide all therapy services virtually throughout California. Perinatal Mental Health Therapy for Moms in California. I look forward to connecting with you!
