I’m forever grateful for the people in my life who have helped me and my husband through this transition. The support we received over the past six weeks has allowed us to focus on getting to know our baby, and has given my body a much needed break from nine months of pregnancy and several hours of labour. Below are some things that I found extremely helpful and comforting during the post-partum period.

1// Clean the house. Take the garbage out, clean the washrooms, mop the floors, do laundry, and change the sheets.

2// Do groceries. Essentials include milk, eggs, cheese, bread, yogurt, granola, fruits, salads, and meats.

3// Make meals and healthy snacks. Soups with bone broth are great for healing. Healthy snacks for middle of the night hunger pangs include: Lara Bars, granola bars, banana bread, muffins, nuts, etc.

4// Bring some treats for the harder days, like dark chocolate, homemade cookies, pies etc.

5// Make tea or coffee (and give her a chance to drink it hot)

6// Give her a break from holding the baby

7//Give her a back, arm, foot, and/or hand massage

8// Make her a perineum bath soak

9// Listen to her vent about sleepless nights, and reassure her that it gets better and that she will sleep again

10// Tell her she looks beautiful, and is doing an amazing job