Best meal to take to new moms? new moms w/ toddlers? new moms w/family staying with them?

[Anonymous]

I've done beef stew, which can be reheated and eaten or stuck in the freezer. (As a PP noted, I had definite knowledge that the family was carnivorous.) But I like the roasted chicken idea, since it can be eaten at all temperatures.

[Anonymous]

Just had #3 and I didn't care if people brought food my 6 and 1 year olds would eat. They're kind of picky, so I'd rather have something tasty for myself. The kids can have a sandwich or some pasta if they don't like whatever is brought over.

I've taken people chicken pot pies and enchiladas in the past.

[Anonymous]

I also vote for baked chicken and veg. Couple of years ago after my SIL gave birth to her 4th child, I baked a big batch of chicken breasts (with skin), carrots, onions, and potatoes, all in the same pan. The whole family ate for days.

[Anonymous]

All great suggestions above, but be mindful of food restrictions that nursing women may have - so I would not bring anything too spicy or that would cause gases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All great suggestions above, but be mindful of food restrictions that nursing women may have - so I would not bring anything too spicy or that would cause gases.

Gee, I wonder how women in other cultures who eat "spicy" foods manage to breastfeed? It goes without saying that you only take food that she normally eats.

[Anonymous]

When I was home after #2 I got some great meals -

Pot Roast w/ carrots & potatoes
BBQ pulled pork with buns, a bag salad, and dessert
Enchiladas

My go to meal that i always bring is a homemade soup and spinach & ham pie (sort of like a quiche). The quiche can be eaten for ANY meal including the middle of the night.

[Anonymous]

I order a crate of fresh fruit for the family knowing mom will worry about what she eats. And, then I make 2 dishes:
1. vege lasagna with low fat cottage cheese instead of ricotta
2. chicken, mushroom, rice, broc. casserole

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our standard new-baby meal is chicken marbella, which is easily reheated, stays moist, and is good at room temp:

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/chicken_marbella/

Add a salad in a bag, without dressing, and cooked rice, plus an easy dessert.

Other ideas:

http://annies-eats.com/2009/05/11/meals-for-new-parents/

http://baby.about.com/od/welcomingbabyhome/a/quick_meals_and_recipe_ideas.htm

http://www.chow.com/food-news/55632/what-food-to-bring-new-parents/

I am not OP, but thanks for these links, some of the recipes look fabulous.

[Anonymous]

A big pot of soup or stew is great because it's easy to heat up individual portions in the microwave-- good for those hunger pains when up at all hours. Bring a good loaf of bread to with it and perhaps a salad that just needs to be dressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All great suggestions above, but be mindful of food restrictions that nursing women may have - so I would not bring anything too spicy or that would cause gases.

Gee, I wonder how women in other cultures who eat "spicy" foods manage to breastfeed? It goes without saying that you only take food that she normally eats.

A lot of women in other cultures who eay "spicy" foods do not eat them while nursing. My Husbands family doesn't eat spicy foods that they normally do when pregnant or nursing, and it is a cultural thing. I have another friend who comes from a spicy eating place and she has a long list of foods to avoid while pregnant, per custom.

[Anonymous]

quote]

Gee, I wonder how women in other cultures who eat "spicy" foods manage to breastfeed? It goes without saying that you only take food that she normally eats.

So, so true.

[Anonymous]

I deliver a LOT of meals to new parents and I usually check with the family first about their likes/dislikes, preferences, allergies etc. Most of the time, I prepare a homemade roast chicken, scalloped potatoes, a nice green salad with lots of fresh veggies and a fruit cobbler for dessert. It has always been welcomed with open arms.

I rec'd a lot of meals when I had my DC and I loved the spicy foods, especially from my Thai friends. I BF my son and had absolutely no issues with hot Thai spices, onions, garlic or the likes.

[Anonymous]

15:06 & 18:55

your ideas sound great.

Have to disagree with those that spicy does not matter. It may matter to the Mom. It did me. I really had to avoid tomato sauce and broccoli. Those foods really did affect my son. Love italian food so it was hard.

[Anonymous]

Handy forum for me, thanks all for the ideas!

I second asking the new mother if she's had to adjust her diet for the new baby. It's incredibly common. For us, there were five things that caused a bleeding rash in our little one and so kind friends would drop off food and I would watch mournfully while my husband had to eat it all because it had dairy in it. A total bummer, on top of the bummer that is not being able to eat everything for a while! So ask, lest your work and thoughtfulness go uneaten!

I'm making a deconstructed sheperd's pie for our friends who have older toddlers as well as a newborn. That is, mashed potatoes/roasted veggies/crispy fried tofu (vegetarians) kept separate for the toddlers and assembled as a casserole for the parents!

[Anonymous]

Just want to say that all of you are really good to your friends and are inspiring me to try to be better.