postpartum meal ideas: who wants help with postpartum meal planning and food prep after the birth of your baby?

just like a birth plan, let’s make a postpartum meal plan.

postpartum meals from family and friends can be scheduled using a meal train app. or assign someone to organize the meals.  who loves to cook? give those folks favorite meal suggestions if you are craving something specific.  they will love the challenge!  other friends and family can use a delivery service or send a gift certificate for food to your favorite restaurant, bakery, or coffee shop.

* when friends sign up for their meal, encourage them to also bring breakfast fixings such as a quiche, a bag of fresh bagels with a side of cream cheese, or protein powered pancakes and syrup and fresh fruit. 

* gather your favorite take out menus. keep them in a folder and handy.

* find restaurants that deliver in your area.

what home-cooking style delivery services are in your area?

here are two resources locally found in blacksburg, va: hazelbea catering offers freshly prepared meals, ready to eat and thyme & table nrv offers frozen locally-grown meals for delivery or pick up.

4th trimester meal prep ideas

* invite a group of friends and/or family over to help put some meals together for the freezer.

* when making a recipe, double it and put one in the freezer.

*create a sample grocery list of all the foods you like and include the specific brand name.  include dairy items, favorite cheese, cereal, veggies, salad foods, snacks, entrees with ingredients needed, etc. you get the idea.

* cut up onions, peppers, mushrooms, celery, carrots. keep each vegetable in a separate baggie and keep them all in a large plastic bag. you will be ready for chicken noodle soup or scrambled eggs or snacking.

* www.meal train.com family and friends can sign up and schedule easily.

* www.mealbaby.com this service brings baby food to the home.

* www.takethemameal.com it is easy to schedule and they give lots of ideas on what is easy to deliver.

* when visiting a new mama, always bring food.  anything: favorite coffee to go, hot and ready to drink, fruit is always good, any snacks she loves: pretzel crackers and hummus.

after the birth of your baby, try these postpartum meal ideas to get  more protein in your diet.

* add protein powder to your pancake mix.

* add more eggs to the french toast batter.

* add some cottage cheese and fruit to your yogurt

* add dried fruit and seeds to your oatmeal.

* put black strap molasses in your warm drinks.

* eat beets to build up your blood after delivery.

* include good healthy fats to meals like avocados and all kinds of nuts.

fourth trimester meal ideas for the freezer

some examples of freezer meals would be lasagna, baked spaghetti, meat balls, meat loaf, turkey and dressing prepped and ready for the freezer, chicken pot pie, barbecue, quiche or egg casserole, muffins, french toast and then just pop it in the toaster and add nut butter.

more tips here on prepping meals for the postpartum period.

postpartum meal planning is a great idea

would you like to ask questions about preparing postpartum meals? 

i am offering free 15 minute sessions to chat.

email hello@grammiedoula.com to schedule your call.

more about grammie doula:

i offer in-person and virtual postpartum doula support in middle tennessee and my clients call me “grammie doula” or “grammie d.”.  i have 25 years as a labor and delivery nurse and then 10 years as a birth photographer.

i am a mom to 3 grown children, 6 grandchildren and a baby in heaven. i live in a cabin in the woods with my gray-bearded husband and two pets that prefer his company over mine! ~laura