Sarah Borchgrevink shares comfort food choices to consider when bringing a meal to a new mom. Tips from a Mom of 4 Kiddos!
Having a new baby is one of the most wonderful milestones in your life! When your precious angel is placed on your chest, it’s almost as if time stops and the missing piece to the puzzle in life is complete. Your hopes, dreams, everything beautiful in this world is before you. Once you return home with your new bundle of joy, you’re going to be healing and spending much time tending to baby. The best thing you can do in the first few weeks of life is put your feet up and focus on bonding with your newest addition. I remember, for instance, when having my son, all I could do was gaze at him in complete awe that he is mine. This amazing little human being - who would he grow to be?
This in mind, when you’re healing, but not getting much sleep, sometimes being on your feet and cooking meals can take a backseat to the Baby’s needs. After all, as Moms we are designed to go into parenting overdrive. We want all of our little one’s needs to be met and we forget about ourselves, such as eating meals.
Moreover, despite the fact that time seems to stop once Baby is born, the world keeps spinning around us. There are things to be done, such as cooking, housecleaning, and keeping up with everyday life.
If you know someone who has recently had a precious baby or is about to have a little one, check in on them and see if they’re interested in a meal! For example, in the playgroup I’m in, the organizers are super kind and set up meals trains for families growing by two feet.
Why Not Lasagna?
You’re probably scratching your head and thinking, “but lasagna is amazing!” I agree! Cheese, richness, carbs, noodles, protein, gooey-gooey deliciousness, ha! However, almost everyone thinks of lasagna when they want to bring a meal to someone. And while scrumptious, a new Mom is not Garfield the Cat and may want a little more variety in her life, ha! To combat too much of the same dish, a veteran Mom tip I have for you is to team up with 3-4 friends and perhaps plan menus for the family you’re serving. Consider the ages of their children, if they have other little ones, and perhaps Dads work schedule, as he will be back at the office sooner rather than later.
Quick tips from a veteran Mom
I’ve had four babies myself and while I always thought meal trains were a nice gesture it was not until I had my own little ones did I realize what an act of love it to prepare a meal for someone with a new baby. Here are a few tips before we get to the ideas for meals!
Make it Easy. The new mom (and Dad!) should not have to do a thing. Sure, they can pop something in the oven, but avoid any type of chopping, prepping, etc. Believe me: mom may be pumping and the last thing she wants to do is finely mince an onion while baby wearing, at least when her little darling is 3 hours old.
Don’t bug Mom about what she likes. I promise you, if she has a food allergy she will tell you but just take it upon yourself to select something that not’s Cheetos and Diet Coke, ha, but that is thoughtful and wholesome. There are typically classics everyone likes (hence why you can easily have too many lasagnas, ha!) If you are curious, though, about dairy of spicy foods for a new Mom, check it with her spouse or partner, but leave Mom in peace.
Drop the food off and leave. Do not linger, do not hover. Mom and Dad will let you know when they’re taking visitors, I promise! It’s nothing personal, but they are bonding with little one. For example, my son, Jack, was born at Christmas right at the height of flu season, which was particularly bad in Houston this past 2017/2018 season. My son was not yet vaccinated.
Breakfast Foods | The Forgotten Meal
Everyone always thinks about lunch or dinner, but what about breakfast, the most important meal of the day? Check out these ideas!
Breakfast Breads such as blueberry muffins, banana-zucchini bread, or a granola, oatmeal, etc.
Fresh fruit bowl. 8 great fruit to eat when you’re breastfeeding would be oranges, apricots, papaya, blueberries, strawberries, bananas, avocados, and cantaloupe.
A Few More Ideas (thanks to this nifty article!)
Crock-pot for Ease
The crock pot is a great idea because it is easy for a new set of parents. You can simply drop off the pot and head on home! These can be a new moms best friend because the ingredients are all in one place and they can hang out until dinner time without too much mess or fuss.
Top 10 Lunch/Dinners | Sarah’s Picks
Hi, again, friends! Thanks for stopping by the blog to see my favorite picks for new meals and snacks for a family who has just had a baby! Hope you visit again soon!
Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Harris County. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Richmond, West University and Rice Village.