Aunts are important for a child, but also important for the mom.

I became an aunt for the first time almost 10 years ago. It was a beautiful Friday morning in July when I opened my eyes to a text message – the baby is coming! I jumped out of bed, emailed my boss that I was taking the day off for the birth of my niece or nephew, and got dressed in excitement! We drove an hour north to the hospital and waited with my in-laws for the sweet babe to arrive. I fell in love with that darling little girl instantly. 

The following weeks were a constant stream of buying cute little outfits, weekend trips up north, and superfluous amounts of snuggles. That beautiful baby had so much love and attention.

It wasn’t until almost exactly one year later when I brought my first child into the world did I realize how our family totally bungled the postpartum experience for my sister-in-law. I still cringe at the mistakes we made. Inserting opinions and our emotions onto the new parents, allowing a postpartum mom to make up bedsheets for weekend guests, cuddling the baby more than making meals, and so on. We were swept up in the excitement and joy and happy to help, but looking back, I don’t think we were actually helping. 

If you are a soon to be auntie or uncle to a new baby, here are some suggestions:

1. Offer practical help: Offer to assist with household chores, cooking meals, or running errands. These tasks can be overwhelming for new parents, and your support can make a big difference.
2. Provide emotional support: Listen to your sister without judgment and validate her experiences. The postpartum period can be emotionally challenging, so offering a safe space for her to express her feelings can be incredibly helpful.
3. Encourage self-care: Remind your sister to prioritize self-care, even if it’s just taking short breaks to rest or engage in activities she enjoys. Offer to watch the baby while she takes some time for herself.
4. Help with childcare: Offer to babysit or provide assistance with childcare, allowing your sister to have some time for herself or to catch up on sleep.
5. Connect her with resources: Research local support groups, parenting classes, or lactation consultants that can provide additional guidance and support. Share this information with your sister and offer to accompany her if she feels comfortable.

What else would you add? What mistakes have you made or as a new parent, what do you wish your family had done differently?

-Ashleigh Riehl, CoFounder