chicken parmasean with side of pasta reheats great.

i got a friendship casserole. never had one but ate all of it. super hearty ground beef recipe---with noodles and sause. i just needed so many calories those early days.

When I prepare a new baby meal, I generally email the family a couple days in advance and ask them to choose from 2 or 3 things that I can make. I also ask if there are any foods they are avoiding. I also ask what time works best for them to have the food dropped off.

I agree with pps that chicken soup is a good choice! My midwife gave a super simple recipe for this to my husband and he made it for me after both babies. It was so nourishing and wonderful. Just chicken, barley, carrots, salt, and water.

I made a platter of chicken picatta (can be eaten at room temp or reheated), a big bowl of cheese tortellini with pesto, a green salad, homemade vinaigrette and a big fruit salad for friends that recently had a baby. They said they loved it. It was enough for several meals and none of the dishes necessarily required reheating. I second the suggestion of serving containers that don't have to be washed or returned.

FTM here, and thinking about what I'd want (haven't had baby yet), if it's just the two of them, consider making the portions right for two people so they don't have a ton of leftovers. Stuffed shells in two smaller containers vs. a large container and can freeze one, heat one.

I LOVE casseroles...chicken pot pie, tuna noodle, enchilladas.
Soup is also a great idea, as is the idea for the "sides" like bread and some salad.
Great thought you are putting in to this for your friends - I'm sure they'll appreciate it.

Some really yummy granola, berries, and yogurt.

Second pp suggestion for easy breakfast options. I would love if someone brought me breakfast and healthy snacks- DD is nursing round the clock and I am unable to put her down long enough to fix a meal for myself (even a sandwich) so having precut veggies, fruit, trail mix, cheese sticks, etc are my best bet at eating during the day until DH gets home and makes dinner or takes the baby for awhile.

Anything but a rotisserie chicken. They are going to burn out on those early!

I always liked a nice casserole. We could eat is over a few days or freeze portions.

A good loaf of crusty bread and premade salad w/dressing in a separate container alongside something simple like a hearty soup, pan of lasagna, spaghetti, chicken etc.

I like to give gift certificates for restaurants that deliver. That way they can choose exactly what they want and can save them for a few weeks after all the fresh meals have been consumed.

Anonymous wrote:I just had a baby and really liked soups because they are super easy to reheat or to freeze. If the couple is not vegetarian, a good classic chicken soup is perfect because everyone likes it and it doesn't contain things that may cause breastfeeding problems. I also liked getting one-dish meals, like lasagna/baked ziti or strada.

Thank you! I just remembered that she likes soups.

Chicken Marbella (google for the recipe), because it is good at room temp too
Rice
Salad (include dressing on the side)
Good crusty bread
Homemade dessert (e.g. fruit pie or cobbler)

Empanadas with a couple different types of fillings. Google some recipes, there are a lot of good ones out there. I loved them, because they're a great one handed food, which was vital during the "baby won't let me put him down without screaming" phase.

PP again - one more thing... it's AWESOME if you can (1) put everything in disposable containers so there are no dishes to wash or return) and (2) provide some bread or salad or whatever that would go with what you bring - makes it feel like a full meal.

If you don't want to do dinner, easy breakfast foods like bagels or muffins are also very nice.

I just had a baby and really liked soups because they are super easy to reheat or to freeze. If the couple is not vegetarian, a good classic chicken soup is perfect because everyone likes it and it doesn't contain things that may cause breastfeeding problems. I also liked getting one-dish meals, like lasagna/baked ziti or strada.

I'm looking for ideas of what to bring a family that just had their first baby. I know the mother does not like spicy or very complicated food but I don't know much beyond that.