Celebrate National Grandparents Day with these Tips!
Updated: Sep 12
National Grandparents Day is fast approaching! Grandparents play such a vital role in the family structure that we had to celebrate them before the official holiday date, which is Sunday, September 13! If you are a grandparent who is far away, or an in-law or son/daughter of a soon-to-be grandparent, feel encouraged to share the helpful information in this blog and connect via FaceTime or a regular phone call.
This article will provide medical and up-to-date scientific baby advice, as well as cultural/societal tips to help improve relationships with parents and grandparents. Resources for all grandparents (including those who will be the baby's primary parents or support system) will be provided. This article will conclude with some interesting facts from Dr. Sonal's book titled: The Doctor & Her Black Bag: How Old-Fashioned Care Tackles Maternal Mortality and Benefits America’s Economy.
Dr. Sonal Patel reviewed this article. She is a board-certified pediatrician, neonatologist, and breastfeeding specialist dedicated to improving postpartum care and infant nutrition. As the founder of NayaCare: Fourth Trimester Clinic at YourDoorstep, she focuses on the vital yet often overlooked fourth trimester. Her career spans clinical care, research, and advocacy—as a published author, TEDx speaker, podcaster, Colorado medical director of Family Connects, and co-founder of the national nonprofit Center of 4th Trimester Care. Dr. Patel is also a mother of four boys.
For any grandbaby related questions
Virtual and Free
A helpful resource for the entire family
Quick-Fact Guide for Grandparents:
Do not let babies sleep on their stomach.
Do not let them wear winter coats in the car seat.
Newborns do not need a bath every day.
Learn a gentle Indian style infant massage. Use either coconut oil/olive oil/ or hypoallergenic lotion. 5-10 minutes.
Do not use a crib bumper or drop-side cribs.
Do not use baby powder.
Do not use teething gels.
Encourage your daughter or daughter-in-law to breastfeed if they chose!
Water and juice can be introduced after 6 months.
Start solid food when babies are able to sit up with support, usually 4-6 months of age.
Babies should stay rear-facing in car seats for up to 2 years and check your state laws.
No honey until a year old.
Babies should sleep on a firm, flat mattress and in a bare crib.
Cereal isn’t safe in bottles.
Pay attention to diaper and stool count.
Contact naps are great for grandparents! Never fall asleep with baby on chest.
Make sure mommy is getting enough rest and the right vitamins.
Make sure your are up to date with vaccines, especially Tdap/Td and Flu!
Leave the umbilical cord alone--no alcohol!
Responsive caregiving - let them be picked up when crying! You can't spoil a newborn!
Ask daughter or daughter-in-law about parental leave and her mental health awareness.
Dr. Patel’s Prolactin Naps are a must!
Encourage skin-to-skin contact between baby and both parents. A great way for dads to bond with babies is through a 15-minute-or-less sunbathing ritual.
Download or read our Help List for new parents, which is the next section of this article to provide to your grandchild’s parents!
SOS or The Help Menu: 4th Trimeter Edition for Grandparents and Parents
A great idea or resource to help the entire family is a help or To-Do list for new parents. During the fourth trimester, families can use The Help Menu: 4th Trimester Edition as a simple way to communicate their needs. Posted on the fridge, it offers a clear, visible list of specific ways others can help. When a parent is overwhelmed, exhausted, or in survival mode, they may not have the energy to explain what they need. In those moments, they can simply point to the fridge. This turns the fridge into a practical communication tool and makes support easier to give and easier to receive. The Help Menu: 4th Trimester Edition, allows grandparents to truly shine by helping with daily tasks or responsibilities that may overwhelm new parents. The best starting point would be to share our tips below (feel free to print the list for the fridge) and ask the parents, "What tasks can I really help with once the baby arrives?"
Example List:
Help pay attention to older siblings: playing, pick-up, even a sleepover!
Help with pet care.
Run an errand like going to the grocery store or pharmacy.
Do laundry/help with clothing.
Giving encouragement without asking questions
Helping with bedtime with older children.
Chip in with yard work or pay for landscaping.
Washing bottles or pump parts.
Arrange for a dinner to be delivered via Uber Eats or Grubhub.
Make snacks or a meal for the week.
Tidying the kitchen.
Get a cleaning service.
Ask parents how they feel about posting content online about the new baby news!
Double-check home safety such as; securing furniture. Think of anything that should be anchored to the wall (Bookshelves, TVs, sideboards). Also lock away hazards such as cleaning products, medications, and small objects. Check the flooring (remove loose rugs or items that can cause trips). And baby-proof high-traffic areas, especially in the kitchen and living room.
Create a grab-and-go kit for the parents or your own nursery. Essentially, keep all diaper/napping essentials in one caddy or basket. Make sure to include fun, soft toys, and feel free to keep spares in multiple rooms.
Keep a grab-and-go bag ready with snacks for toddlers/children/ or that hungry breastfeeding mother!
Try to help the new parents declutter and create a calm, safe, and nurturing home so the baby and entire family can thrive.
Ask about helping provide postpartum or doula care to support the health of both new parents. You can do this for free via our NAYA app 24/7, or grandparents can schedule a FREE virtual consultation with Dr. Patel.
Being a Solid Support System for the Entire Family and Yourself
To be a solid support system, you need to be prepared (now and down the road). This section aims to cover information that can serve as a resource for all grandparents. From a gift guide or list of items you should think of preparing for the newborn, to tips on how to bond with your grandbaby in the future.
This section will cover:
Gift or Baby-Tool Kit Ideas
Snug and Sweet: For the families that appreciate a little cheekiness in your life.
See Another Family’s Experience/Perspective
In-Person Resources for Grandparents
Ideas for the Future
Gift or Baby-Tool Kit Ideas!
Baby gates for stairs and doorways.
Corner protectors for sharp-edged furniture.
Non-slip rugs to prevent little accidents.
Plug socket covers to keep curious fingers safe.
Small, lightweight stroller.
Portable playard or Pack ‘N Play.
Safe seat for lounging.
Toddler-friendly plates, bowls, and cutlery – Non-slip and BPA-free.
Fitted sheets – Have at least two sets for quick changes.
Bibs and wipes – Because spills are part of the fun.
Highchair or booster seat – Sturdy, easy to clean, and safe.
Bottles and teats – If bottle-feeding, keep a few extras on hand.
Sterilizer – electric or microwave - to keep bottles germ-free.
Toddler-friendly plates, bowls, and cutlery – Non-slip and BPA-free.
Bibs and wipes – Because spills are part of the fun
Ask about dietary needs – Allergies, intolerances, or weaning preferences.
Compact push chair or stroller – Easy to fold and store.
Changing bag – Stocked with diapers/nappies, wipes, and a spare outfit.
Portable snacks and drinks – Age-appropriate and easy to carry for older toddlers/children.
Sun hat and sunscreen – For outdoor protection.
Light blanket – For warmth or shade as needed.
Soft toys – For comfort and cuddles.
Stacking blocks – Great for fine motor skills.
Board books – Encourages early reading and bonding.
Musical instruments – Rattles, tambourines, or shakers for playful sounds.
Outdoor toys – Balls, bubbles, or a small ride-on toy.
Changing mat – Foldable and wipe-clean for easy storage.
Diapers/Nappies – Keep a small supply in different sizes.
Baby wipes – Gentle and fragrance-free.
Nappy cream – To protect delicate skin.
Nappy sacks – For hygienic disposal.
Check out our baby wear collection, all organic baby onesie for a little laughter in your life! Snug N’ Sweet Shop! You can also get a gift card for the new parents to use on any NAYA Care service, such as virtual consultations or in-home consultations (applicable to only Denver Metro/Boulder/Colorado Spring) or our online shop.
In-Person Resources for Grandparents
With all the updated medical and scientific information readily available online, new grandparents can also look to real-life, in-person ways to become better grandparents. In some cities, hospitals, and community centers, you can find caregiving or grandparenting classes. You can also look to your grandchild’s pediatrician for up-to-date health and safety information. Safe Sitter® is an amazing program that every grandparent should know about because of its easy access to medically recommended child-care methods. You can find a class nationwide near you here. Participants are taught by a Safe Sitter® Instructor in a 3-hour class about life-saving skills, how to manage the behavior of children of all ages, and, most importantly, the latest information on safely caring for infants and children.
For grandparents that will be stepping into the parental role and taking care of the baby primarily, there are resources for your emotional, physical and financial health. Generations United is a national group that offers toolkits, resources, and advocacy specifically for grandparents raising grandchildren. You can also look into TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) which varys state-by-state. Each state manages its own rules regarding specific income limits, processing applications, and issuing Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
The Best Gift to Give to New Parents is the Knowledge, Tools and Support they Need.
Dr. Patel’s tagline is “Everything 4th Trimester,” Meaning you’ve landed in the right place for a plethora of knowledge about postpartum care and support. Besides being able to chat for free anytime or schedule a free consult with Dr. Patel, please share and download these essential resources!
Dr. Sonal Patel’s Postpartum Care Roadmap is the perfect daily guide to help you through the first 6 weeks. Most daily tips focus on the importance of breastfeeding and fatherly contact. Growth spurts are common in the first 6 weeks, and this guide also provides some information on crying patterns.
Here is a helpful tip from the guide about vitamins and supplements to help the mother's physical and mental health recovery:
1) Prenatals/Postnatal
2) Vitamin D: 6400 IU - 8000 IU (including the
amount in prenatal/postnatal).
3) Magnesium (Citrate/Glycinate) 250mg-400mg.
4)10-15 minutes in the Sun.
This digital pamphlet is more like a daily journal and a checklist for both partners. This document focuses on the emotional journey for both parents. This guide highlights key milestones for mothers, fathers, and their relationship during this transformative phase. It supports both individual and shared growth as you begin your parenting journey together—with knowledge, compassion, and confidence.
In particular, Part 2 of this book reviews how history has influenced today's postpartum care.
Find out interesting facts such as:
Back then, most midwives were older women or those who had prior
experience with guiding laboring mothers through birth. The word
“midwife” is derived from the Middle English “mid” (meaning “with”)
and “wife” (referring to a woman); thus, the term means “with woman.”
Various world cultures also adopted the practice of midwives, who are
known by other terms. For example, midwives in India are “dais,” in
France they’re “sage-femme,” and in Japan they’re “sambas.” (Patel, 2023, p. 35)
Regardless, insurance generally covers postpartum care costs for mothers up to six weeks. For neonates, medical costs are bundled under the mother’s insurance for the first month before they transition to their own. As of 2021, Medicaid expanded maternal postpartum coverage up to a year, in reaction to America’s dismal maternal mortality rate. (Patel, 2023, pp. 68-69)
Comments