Setting up your support system

Line up three tiers of support before delivery. Tier 1: logistics — someone for rides to appointments, meal drops during the first weeks, older-kid pickups. Tier 2: emotional support — a friend or two you can text at 3am without hesitation. Tier 3: professionals — a doula, therapist, IBCLC lactation consultant, or postpartum doula. Book any professional support well in advance; the good ones fill up months out. Ask early. People love being asked and hate being told after the fact that they could have helped. A shared spreadsheet or a meal-train link makes it easy for friends to plug in without needing to guess what would be useful.