This March I had my first baby. I was living far from all of my family, in Missouri where my husband was going to medical school. Luckily I was involved in a Student Advocate Association. The club advocated not only for the students but the partners who were, like me, stuck in a rural town away from everything ‘normal.’ The long hours of classes and studying meant that my husband wasn’t able to help as much as he would have liked, but the amazing group I was a part of stepped up to the plate and made sure that I was supported. I learned the great impact that a small gesture, like bringing a new mom a meal, can have.
Here are a few gifts of food that made a big difference in those first weeks of motherhood:
Tip 1: A lot of people immediately think of bringing a new mom a casserole. My Nana’s go-to recipe is either called “death and disaster casserole” or “joy and celebration” depending on the occasion. Slow cooker meals are another great option for a meal in one dish. Pre-measure the ingredients in a freezer bag and write directions with sharpie on the bag (as simple as high/low for how many hours) for a simple hot meal.
Tip 2 : If the new mom is a foodie like me, she will light up at the sight of some soft cheese, wine, iced coffee or any other foods she was abstaining from for the past 9 months.
Tip 3 : Fresh and ready-made food can be easier for you and for the recipient. While a hearty stick-to-your-bones dish is welcome for a nursing mom, sometimes something to clean the palate is a welcome change. Think about fresh ready-to-eat staples like muffins or scones, pre-cut fruit, or veggies and a pack of hummus, sliced cheese and lunch meat, or all-in-one bagged salad with croutons and dressing.
Tip 4 : Remember the deep pangs of hunger during those late night feedings? Snacks are just as helpful as a full meal. My favorite was chocolate chip Teddy Grahams.
Tip 5 : Think of nutrient rich foods (especially iron, calcium, vitamin D and folic acid) but don’t forget dessert!
Other tips:
Pack the food in disposable containers so yours don’t get lost and mom doesn’t need to worry about getting it back to you. This could be leftover containers from lunch meat or tomato sauce all cleaned out and filled with meal fixin’s or a disposable aluminum pan. These days you can even purchase a pan with a clear plastic lid which will help the new parents to identify what is available in their fridge.
Websites that help organize– prevent doubling up on the same casserole, timing may mean that you bring the meal 2 weeks later, when parents or in-laws have left.
I was gifted the cook book, “Parents need to eat too,” by Debbie Koenig. It has great ideas for one-hand meals, nap-friendly cooking (where recipes are split up into small chunks that can be completed throughout the day), recipes for Work at Home Moms, recipes to support breastfeeding, and more.
Of course, you will want to take into consideration the family’s particular food allergies or religious exemptions of certain foods. This is easier than ever with websites that help you to organize with other meal-givers. The new parent can share the link on their Facebook page or with anyone who shows interest. Special features allow the parent to indicate what dates they could use a meal and what time would be good for drop-off.
Have you used a site like takethemameal.com ? What worked well for you as a meal giver or receiver?
