For new mothers
The first year is a lot. Plain answers for the baby and for you, help you can get, and a blessing for the little one.
Mama Shepherd Plain help for mothers Written with care and checked against medical sources, from the first weeks through the school years. Newborn carePostpartumNeurodivergent moms Open Mama Shepherd (opens Mama Shepherd in a new tab) All resources ›
The first weeks
What’s normal, what isn’t, and when to call.
Mama Shepherd Feeding a newborn How often, how much, and signs it’s going well. Read on Mama Shepherd (opens Mama Shepherd in a new tab) Mama Shepherd Newborn sleep, and safe sleep Why they wake so often, and the safe sleep basics. Read on Mama Shepherd (opens Mama Shepherd in a new tab) Mama Shepherd Is this normal? Spit-up, jaundice and the odd things newborns do. Read on Mama Shepherd (opens Mama Shepherd in a new tab) Mama Shepherd Your body after birth Healing after a vaginal or cesarean birth, and the warning signs. Read on Mama Shepherd (opens Mama Shepherd in a new tab)
How are you doing?
For the mother, not just the baby.
Mama Shepherd Postpartum depression and anxiety Baby blues, scary thoughts, and where to get help. Read on Mama Shepherd (opens Mama Shepherd in a new tab) Mama Shepherd When you don’t feel like yourself Loving your baby and missing your old life at the same time. Read on Mama Shepherd (opens Mama Shepherd in a new tab) Mama Shepherd Finding your people Why new motherhood can feel lonely, and small ways to find friends. Read on Mama Shepherd (opens Mama Shepherd in a new tab) Mama Shepherd After a loss Miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of a baby. It is not your fault. Read on Mama Shepherd (opens Mama Shepherd in a new tab)
Help you can get
Free and low-cost help, and your rights at work.
Mama Shepherd Free help in your state WIC, Medicaid, early intervention and mental health lines, state by state. Find help (opens Mama Shepherd in a new tab) Mama Shepherd Going back to work Your federal right to pump at work, and finding childcare. Know your rights (opens Mama Shepherd in a new tab) Mama Shepherd Money and the mental load Benefits you may qualify for, and sharing the invisible work. Read on Mama Shepherd (opens Mama Shepherd in a new tab) Mama Shepherd Help now, any hour Free, confidential lines for mothers, day or night. See the lines (opens Mama Shepherd in a new tab)
Faith, for you and the baby
From this site, in a few minutes each.
A blessing for a new baby Psalm 139, and a blessing to say over the crib. Bless the baby 2 min Baptism, in plain words What God does in it, and why Lutherans baptize babies. Read 6 min A prayer for anxiety Two minutes, for when your mind won’t slow down at 3 a.m. Pray it now 2 min Talk with a pastor For a baptism, a blessing, or someone to listen. You don’t need to be a member. Reach a pastor
More help
Other sections, and a person to talk to.
- For kids Stories, games that teach, calm games
- Autistic, ADHD and neurodivergent For parents, teens and adults
- Know your rights Police, school, work and voting
- Young adults Purpose, doubt, work, money and love
- Faith at home Bedtime, meals and Sunday with your kids
- Talk with a pastor You don’t need to be a member