How to Support a Friend After She’s Had a Baby: 3 Postpartum Ideas That Help

The days after birth can be beautiful — and overwhelming. We asked our community what truly helped them during the postpartum period, and the same three answers came up again and again.

If you’re wondering how to support a friend who just had a baby, here are the top three things that make the biggest difference (and don’t cost a fortune).

1. Bring Nourishing Food

   Skip the cute baby gifts — the most repeated answer was food!
   Everyone feels better with a full belly, but cooking can be the last thing on a new parent’s mind. Drop off a home-cooked meal, arrange a food delivery, or prep some easy snacks for the fridge.

   Food is more than fuel — it’s comfort, care, and connection during the fourth trimester.
   If you’re cooking at their home, be sure to read the next point first ;)

2. Help with Cleaning

   Remember the nesting phase before baby arrived? Once the baby’s here, it all disappears.
   Laundry piles up, dishes multiply, and clutter can start to feel overwhelming.

   A good way to help is by quietly taking on a small task — tidy a corner, do a load of laundry, or wipe down the counters. Keeping things clean helps your friend breathe a little easier and focus on what matters most: rest and bonding.

3. Take On a Task or Chore

   Support doesn’t always have to be about cleaning — it can mean running an errand, collecting a grocery order, or taking their toddler to the park.

   Sometimes we’re so excited to meet the baby that we forget new parents still need help. So, instead of being another guest, be the friend who makes things easier.

   Pro tip: Be proactive but respectful. Offer specific help (“Would it be useful if I took the toddler out for an hour?”) and always check in before jumping in.

Supporting a new mum doesn’t have to be complicated — small, thoughtful actions make the biggest impact.

Image by: Spencer Plouzek

If you’d like to give your friend something extra special, our Coco Birth Box was created to bring comfort, calm, and recovery support through the fourth trimester.

Have you supported a friend after birth — or been on the receiving end of that support? We’d love to hear what made a difference. Share your experience with us on Instagram @cocobirthbox.uk.

If you’ve already received or gifted a Coco Birth Box, your review helps other mums discover the care and comfort it brings — we’d be so grateful if you shared your thoughts here.

Looking for more ideas to support a new mum? Explore our postpartum recovery guides, designed to support you through the fourth trimester.