Everyone is quick to say how exciting and wonderful welcoming a new baby is - and they’re not wrong - but it can also be an incredibly overwhelming time for new parents. If you know someone who's just had a baby, here are 3 awesome ways to show them some love and make their lives a bit easier amongst the chaos, anxiety, and sleep deprivation.

1. Offer practical help with household chores

New parents are swamped with - you guessed it - looking after their baby. This often means that the usual household chores are all but thrown out the window. Whether it’s putting on a load of laundry, taking the bins out, whipping up some reheatable meals for the freezer, or simply cleaning the car or freshening up the shower for them, these little acts can be a lifesaver. If you do help with the chores, be sure to write a cleaning checklist of what you’ve done so they know where they’re up to and what still needs to be taken care of.

2. Be a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on

Sometimes, what parents need most is someone to talk to who understands. Offer your time to listen without judgment, share your own experiences (without taking the spotlight), and just simply be there for them. The support of a good friend can make a world of difference in reducing a new parent’s stress levels.

3. Gift practical items

This is super important. What you think the new parents need may be very different to what they actually need. Some gifts that you can generally assume will be practical and helpful are gift cards (for grocery stores and meal services), a gift pack of frozen meals, their favourite snacks, or things they’ve expressed genuine interest in that you know they will appreciate. If in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask! They’ll be grateful that you’ve taken the time to consider their needs rather than simply buying a gift for the sake of buying a gift.

There you have it! Some simple ways to show new parents that they’re loved and supported. Your thoughtfulness can help make their days a whole lot brighter and their journey into parenthood a little bit smoother.