1. FOOD
Sharing a meal with a new family can mean the world to them. It means one less trip out for groceries. It also means that the time saved by not having to prep, cook and clean can be spent instead on showering, sleeping, or family time.

We had many meals brought to our home and shared with us during the first three months with our son. I think I can name every dinner and every friend who supported us in this way. Yup, it means that much to have a hot meal delivered and friends to share it with at the end of a long day!

There are so many ways to feed a new family:

• Before the baby comes, you can help prep meals that will go into the freezer that can be warmed whenever needed.
• You can also help to organize a meal registry so that friends and family can sign up for a day when they will deliver a meal to the new family.
• If you do not live near the new family, ask them for a restaurant that they enjoy and give them a gift card so they can grab some healthy take-out when they need it most.
• You can also Google your loved one's area to see if there are postpartum doulas who offer mother-baby specific meal services or personal chefs who will deliver a meal at your request.

2. LAUNDRY
During those first few months with my son, it seemed like our washer and dryer were spinning constantly, day and night. One afternoon, I had no less than 5 girlfriends come to our home with food so we could share a potluck lunch, they could play with my son and help me fold ALL of my laundry.

Having your own "laundry folding luncheon" means you get time to chat with friends, you can eat (yes, chew and swallow!) while your friends love on your baby and buy you hours spent doing something other than folding laundry all by yourself.

If you have a new family in your life, offer to come by and fold laundry, check on the mom & dote on the little one, if needed. If you're coming by for another reason, then don't leave without folding a load that is ready to go. It helps new parents so much, PLUS, you can get your hands on all those cute little clothes and socks!

3. CLEANING
Like with any help given in service to a new family, cleaning is a biggie. If cleaning is your thing then jump right in with both hands and a bucket. And if it isn't your thing, wiping off the counters and sweeping the floor is a quick way to help your loved ones out.

You can always gift the family a cleaning service voucher too if you are far away or faint at the sight of dishpan hands.

Remember, new parents (mothers especially) are spending most of their time at home as they care for their baby, doing all of that in a clean house makes a big, positive impact on a momma's well being and her family's life.

4. SHOPPING
I remember on numerous occasions where I would manage to take a shower, dress myself and my son fully, get my wallet and our coats and all the necessities that come with a baby— only to find that he needed his pants changed or nurse or another one of a million things that would happen while trying to get us out the door.

So, if you are going to the market, offer to pick up something and drop it by. If you have more time, offer to drive along with a new mother and her baby so that you can divide and conquer her to-do list.

This was always such big help for me because if my son fell asleep, then my friend could wait in the car with him and play Angry Birds while I ran into the shop to do my thing.

5. HEART-CENTERED AVAILABILITY
Less tangible than the other four, but so incredibly important. New parents need acknowledgment and cheering on.

For most of us, we have never tried so hard at something as important as raising our babies well. We are giving them and our families everything we have — body, mind and heart.

When you are exhausted and caked in spit-up, having someone tell you that you are doing a great job is a bright ray of sunshine. It can quickly turn a tough day around and it can set you right again.

When you are with new mothers and fathers, make time for deep listening as they share their struggles and joys with you. Give them a place to speak without any judgment and help them create solutions for their new families.

Encourage parents to listen and explore what their hearts and instincts are pointing them to. Share what has worked for you as a parent, but leave room for them to see it as a good fit for them, or not.

Hearing what has worked for a friend, partnered with their loving support, allows us all to find our way in life. It helps us develop and hear our inner wisdom as parents, which will always serve us and our families in both the short and long run.