These stories come from WIC parents. Feel free to to share your story in the comments! Your words may be featured in the future.

We asked real WIC families how grandparents, dads, partners, and other family members and friends can help in the baby’s first weeks. Here’s what they had to say:

“My lactation consultant told me that, as a mom, my only focus in the first few weeks should be on feeding my baby. She told me I should ask for help with everything else. I passed that information along to my partner, and he started assigning “jobs” to everyone (including himself!).”   ~ Sarai


“If you’d like snacks from grandparents, but not babysitting, let them know you (and your little one) aren’t quite ready to be separated, but you’d gladly appreciate any food/snacks!”   ~ June

“After my second son was born, my mom came over to my house every single morning and made me a cup of coffee. She helped with the baby and my older daughter when I needed her to, but her main role was just to listen to me talk. She gave me the emotional support I didn’t even know I needed!”    ~Ladell

“My aunt offered to spend the night one night to help out. All I had to do was breastfeed my son, and then she would handle the diapers and put him back to bed. Even though it was just one night, I was really grateful for it. If I had to do it over again, I would ask for more people to give me this gift!”   ~ Ana

“Ask friends and family to bring meals and stay and hold the baby while you eat. If they can't, ask for a gift card to a place that delivers food. They won't care if you're in your jammies when you answer the door!”    ~ Rachael

“After I had our second baby, my husband took on bedtime routines with our 2-year-old daughter. He gave her a bath, read to her, and put her to bed every night. It was good for them. She went from being a mama’s girl to a daddy’s girl. It is still great to see their bond a few years later because of the routine he created with her every night.”    ~ Michelle

“My mother did more for me than I could ever ask. She cleaned my house, did my laundry, and most importantly kept my in-laws at bay. Accept help, but set boundaries."    ~ Allyn

“I realized I wanted pajama tops I could more easily breastfeed in while my daughter and I were figuring things out. I wasn’t ready to leave my house so I asked my friend to buy me a couple of things. She was happy to do so and dropped them at the door because she had a cold and didn’t want to spread her germs.”   ~ Joy

“My godmother came with me to my appointment with the lactation consultant. It was really helpful to have her there to take notes and remember things for me.”   ~ Flor

“Support is so important! Having others that baby is comfortable with, and who know how to help with diapers and bottle feedings, is really helpful.”   ~ Melanie

“By keeping negative opinions to themselves and being supportive.”    ~ Katherine

“I had my babies in my 30s and my grandma was in her late 70s. She asked what she could do to help and I quickly asked for meals. She was happy to help and send them with my mom when she came to visit. It may not have been food we would have cooked, but we were thankful to have 5 meals we didn’t have to shop for or prepare.”    ~ Ebele

QUOTE

“Every time I had a question about feeding my baby, my partner reminded me to call the WIC clinic. I’m so glad he did because they always had an answer ready and they were only a phone call away.”    ~ Marta