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T e Modern Family New Families & Health It takes a village


The arrival of a new baby is an occasion to celebrate, but sleepless nights, round-the-clock feeding and a new routine can be tough on parents. Here are practical ways friends can help. Words: Kate Beeden


deprivation and the physical and hormonal impact of giving birth, it’s no wonder parents — especially fi rst-time mothers — can be as overwhelmed as they are overjoyed by their new arrival. Whether you’re a friend, neighbour


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or relative, your support during this time can make a real diff erence.


Feed, but take their lead New parents often miss meals when they need to keep their energy levels up. Providing simple homemade food that is quick and easy to reheat is a great way to support new parents but remember they might not have the energy for guests. “It’s natural to be excited to see


someone’s new baby and a kindly thing to want to help out, but nesting helps the new family to heal from birth, develop confi dence and feel safe,” Phoebe Pallotti, an independent midwife, explains. New parents may choose to keep


even well-meaning and lovely people to an absolute minimum, since they’re so exhausted. So Phoebe says if they open the door, say ‘thank you for the lasagne’ then close the door to stay tucked up together, don’t take it personally. If you know your friend is nesting,


vouchers for food delivery services such as Just Eat or Deliveroo are a zero-contact alternative.


A TIME TO SHOW SUPPORT/GETTY


Postnatal planning T e unknown nature of fi rst-time parenthood can be challenging, which is why baby-wearing consultant Laura Morgan-Watkins suggests


Promotional Content • Saturday 30th August 2025


elcoming a baby into the family is a joyous time but adjusting to new routines, sleep


new parents make a postnatal plan with support from their network of friends and family. Everything from setting boundaries for visitors to collating a list of useful contacts and organisations can be included. For those who want to give a gift,


Laura recommends refi llable water bottles and fl asks for hot drinks. “Visitors can refi ll them so the new family is always well hydrated,” she says. But adds, “Encouraging them to reach out and ask for support is important as it allows the immediate family to fi nd their new normal.”


Help around the home Katie Ingram, a former nanny, suggests friends pick up the small, everyday tasks that can often be overlooked. “Although my role was caring for children, the parents I worked for always appreciated it when I helped around the house during quiet times,” she explains. “Good friends can help with jobs like washing up and hanging the laundry out so the parents can focus on their new baby.”


Learn to listen It’s almost irresistible to want to off er new parents advice, especially if you have kids already. But no matter how sound the advice is, if it wasn’t asked for, it probably won’t be well received. “If you absolutely can’t resist


off ering advice (and would like some advice on what to do about it!), you could try starting with showing that you can cope with their discomfort by listening patiently with minimal interruptions,” suggests Lindsay Snow, founder of Understanding Kids. “When it’s your turn to speak, ask if they’d like a few suggestions, or if they’d prefer to keep offl oading.”


Metabolic and surgical care


RCGHealth puts people fi rst. Founded by consultant surgeon Mr Ricardo Camprodon, the prac- tice off ers personalised treatment pathways for those seeking sup- port with weight loss, gallstones, hernias and acid refl ux. Combining advanced surgical


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actively of


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Relief from childhood allergies


Allergy symptoms can aff ect every part of a child’s life, from how well they sleep to how much they enjoy playing outside. AllergyRhino is a new virtual clin-


ic helping families treat allergies at the source, for good. It uses a proven approach called immunotherapy to build long-term relief and immune system resilience — rather than just covering up the symptoms. Delivered entirely from home,


AllergyRhino provides allergy tests, video appointments with UK allergy experts and a personal- ised treatment plan made just for your child. Immunotherapy


MR RICARDO CAMPRODON


rcghealth.co.uk PA: Debbie Shields T: 07708 029 566


trains the body to stop overre- acting


to common airborne


gradually al-


lergens like pollen, house dust


mites and pet dander. It’s espe- cially helpful for kids who struggle with hay fever, asthma or ongoing allergic reactions. With fewer symptoms, kids can


feel better, sleep better and enjoy life more — and so can their families. Recommended by NHS allergy


specialists, AllergyRhino brings modern, evidence-based care di- rectly to families, without long waiting lists or travel to clinics. T is is allergy care as it


should be.


Limited-time off er: get 25% off all treatment plans throughout 2025 — use code RHINOFAMILY25 at allergyrhino.com. Off er valid until 31 December 2025 T: 020 7362 1023


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