The end of pregnancy feels like it is going to last forever AND that you have SO MUCH TO DO before the baby comes. One thing is for certain: No matter what else is on your to-do list, you will have to eat after the baby comes.
Nourishing your recovering body in the postpartum period with nutrient-dense foods to meet the new demands of your body while you heal and care for your baby is vital for your short-term and long-term health. It’s not only important for your physical recovery but an equally important factor in your emotional and mental transition to parenthood. Studies have shown that there are a number of ways we can use a whole foods system of eating to lessen or even prevent the onset of postpartum depression.
Some families are prepared with freezer meals, full pantries, printables ingredient lists, and loads of help. But not everyone is that organized, motivated, or has hands-on support. And maybe, you just don’t like to cook. Wherever you are, we are here for you.
As perinatal coaches, we have seen families get really creative with meals during the postpartum phase, and we would love to share some ideas with you.
A Meal Train
A little bit of help goes a long way, and maybe you have more support than you realize. If a friend, coworker, or relative asks, “How can I help?” – don’t be afraid to accept the offer to help and say, “Actually, a meal train would be most helpful after the baby comes.”
There are so many online options for this that make organizing a meal train quick and painless while accommodating food restrictions. There are also options to have your friends and family purchase gift cards to your favorite restaurant or grocery store and instructions on what to do with the food upon delivery. One of the most popular easy-to-use sites for setting up a meal train is Mealtrain.com. One preference we often see is families setting a cooler outside of the front door for a contactless drop-off. They can leave their number for you to text them if they have a dish to be returned to them.
You do not need to feel obligated to entertain those who are dropping off a meal nor invite them inside or offer to let them hold the baby. Most people want to help even if they don’t get to hold the baby. After all, this is about you and your family’s needs. It is okay to keep drop-off to contactless while still being appreciative of the meals being delivered.
Charcuterie!
That’s right – the trending snack-turned-into-a-full-meal catering craze! When you or your partner are grocery shopping to prepare for postpartum, keep this option in mind. Olives, cheeses, crackers, prepared raw vegetables, precut fruit, dried fruit, sliced meats, nuts, and hard-boiled eggs are all really healthy options that don’t need to be prepared, can be thrown on a plate for a full meal, or eaten directly out of the fridge with one hand while holding your baby. Read this post about how to build the perfect postpartum charcuterie.
The Freezer Isn’t A Total Wasteland
Don’t get me wrong, freezer meals are great! And if you want to prep some, you should. We support you! But, maybe you don’t have the time or don’t have the freezer space or mental energy to forge a month-long, ready-made freezer stash of crockpot meals for after the baby comes. Even so, the freezer can still be useful. Prepared soups, leftovers, breads, and premade meals from delis or grocery stores can all be ready with little to no prep from you or your partner in the days and weeks of bonding and recovery postpartum. One tip we like to suggest for soups is to freeze them in silicone muffin cups or muffin pans. Once frozen, pop the portions out and store in a resealable freezer bag. This way you have a single serving ready to easily reheat in a small pan on the stove or in a mug in the microwave.
Feeding yourself after giving birth is something we all have to do while we all have varying levels of support available. What used to seem like a simple task of stopping to eat may now seem like a much larger undertaking while you juggle postpartum emotions, a healing body, and caring for a new baby. A little bit of planning ahead can go a long way, and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Keeping simple ingredients at home that meet your daily nutritional needs will get you through those first few months of adjustment.