Six Resources for New Moms

When I was a new mom and even a mom-to-be, I couldn’t have made it through those early days without the advice and support of other moms. Not only moms who had been there and done that, but also moms who were in the trenches with me. I’ve shared openly about my postpartum journey and because of that, I wanted to compile a list of resources for new moms that I found helpful when I was navigating the overwhelming and unfamiliar world of new motherhood.

If you’re local to NYC, many of these are specifically for you, but I’ll try to make these resources for new moms applicable to any location when possible.

One // New Mom/New Parent Groups. These groups have saved me through all stages of motherhood. First, in person when they were happening and after the world shut down those groups went virtual. I took advantage of any and all. A few of the ones I’ve attended:

• 14th Street Y, this started in-person and then went virtual. I had a free trial but ultimately it’s for members of the Y.

• Union Square Play has a mom group for any stage of motherhood – moms-to-be, new moms, toddlers, moms of two – they’ve got you covered. I just finished an 8-week group for moms of one-year-olds.

• Kids at Work held a new mom group which was the first one I did when Valentina was a newborn. We covered all newborn-related topics and had a chance to share everything from our birth stories to intimacy after childbirth in a safe, non-judgmental space. The group was run by a local doula so if you’re not NYC-based, it’s worth checking with local doulas, birthing centers and other spaces that host classes for kids to insure about potential new parenting groups.

For the time being, many of these groups are virtual but will likely be back in person once it’s safe. I recommend finding a group from the time you’re a mom-to-be and then at each stage of motherhood thereafter. It’s an incredibly supportive experience and an outlet for de-stressing and connecting with other moms.

Two // Local Mom Facebook Groups are a great resource for asking questions, finding childcare, getting recommendations, making connections, buying and selling second-hand kids’ items and also meeting other moms for playdates. In NYC, almost every neighborhood has a local mom’s/parent’s group on Facebook which are easy to find with a search.

Three // Mom Crew. The Mom Crew Happy Hours were the best thing that happened to me as a new mom. I started going to Mom Crew local, in-person meet-ups (pre-Covid) when I was pregnant and continued going to Mom Crew Happy Hours (also pre-Covid) once I had Valentina. It was the only time it was socially acceptable to 1) take a baby to a bar and 2) drink alcohol midday. While the in-person events are on hiatus for now, Mom Crew has an active Facebook group nationally and separate Facebook groups in several major cities. They also host educational webinars on parenting topics.

Four // The Motherhood Center is among one of the most important resources for new moms when it comes to mental health. Whether it’s diagnosed or not, I think almost every new mother experiences some level of postpartum depression or anxiety. I certainly did. Having access to therapy and other mental health resources was invaluable to me in navigating all of the changes that were happening to my life and my body. There are a plethora of resources available but I love that the Motherhood Center offers resources specifically focused on women and new moms.

Five // Mommy Matters. Founded on the premise that new moms are expected to put all their attention on their new baby, Mommy Matters puts the focus back on self care for new moms by creating products that encourage postpartum recovery, most notably the postpartum panty – a welcome departure from the disposable, hospital-issued postpartum panties. If you know, you know!

Six // Fit Pregnancy Club. While they certainly cater to the mom-to-be crowd, the support doesn’t end there. You’ll find everything from pre and postnatal workouts to newborn care and new mom support groups. While the physical space in NYC is temporarily closed, everything is virtual.

Post birth, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of dirty diapers, baby snuggles, around-the-clock feedings and all the emotions that come with it, but it’s crucial to seek out resources for new moms like these that can make the transition to motherhood seem a lot less lonely and more manageable.