Food Gift for a New Mom?

Ask her what she WON'T eat... I recently brought meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, and cookies to some friends that just had a baby. They could freeze the meatloaf if they didn't eat it all at once. I used tupperware that they could either keep or throw out, and I literally brought the food over and said 'here you go!' and left, since they were trying to get baby into a schedule. They really appreciated that, since everyone was stopping by un-announced and bugging them to death. I left a little note with them telling me to call me when they need their laundry done ;)

take it in throwaway containers - ziplocs for soup, one time aluminum pans for lasagna, etc. my mom was really sick for 3-4 months when I was a kid and while we very much appreciated all the food that came our way, it was a real chore for my dad to round up the containers and get them back to their proper owners every week.
stick w/ a basic unless there's something you're really known for. something like chicken noodle soup.

You could always ask her...my personal favorite gift for this kind of thing is a big pan of lasagna or baked ziti, with enough leftovers for days.

A large pot of soup (in tupperwares if that makes it easier to transport) and good bread works really well too. I also made food to take to health conscious friends with all organic ingredients. It was much appreciated.

I'd ask her, or if she lives in a populated area give her a gift certificate/card for a place that delivers so she can order her own, but make sure to include enough on it to cover the tip.

Whole wheat banana bread muffins? I think the chicken salad is a great idea too.

Take over some easy to eat dishes, like pasta salad with grilled chicken, so she doesn't even have to heat it up, just pop open the container and eat... sounds rediculous but with a newborn, not only do you eat and sleep on their schedule, but you are so tired, that something that can just be picked up and put in your mouth is a relief from having to dish it out, heat it up, etc.

Or buy some use and toss containers like gladware in personal size and portion out whatever youare taking over, so it's like take out, just heat eat and throw it away.. no dishes, but a great home cooked meal instead of pizza or chinese.

You are a good friend for thinking of her like this... good luck!

i would first start with learning her eating preference. is she veg? vegan? is she nursing? nursing moms need more calories...

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but start with this:

1) prepared meals are best! anything that she can pop into the microwave and heat within 5 minutes will make her life much easier.

2) include some fruit in small food containers. that way she can have fresh fruit without having to peel, cut up things.

3) snacks with dried fruit and nuts are good for both fiber and protein. new moms are very "sore" down there (especially if she got hemorrhoids and/or stictches) and anything with fiber will "help the process." if you know what i mean :-)

4) don't forget drinks. pom, tropicana and ocean spray serve great "single serve" drinks, that are actually very healthy.

5) salads and soups are a great. make sure they are in ready to serve (keep or toss) containers. i would try for salads with lots of whole pieces of veggies (beets, cucumbers, et al) and not over load with lettuce.

a week supply would be great! you are a great friend!

congrats to your friend..

I just had my second child and meals from friends were the best gifts ever! My husband's co-workers even arranged for us to have a meal every night for 2 weeks! So having just been the lucky recipient, I would suggest maybe a vegetarian lasagna, eggplant parmesan or homemade fried chicken. The best meals though were the ones that came with a bag of fresh salad, roles and even dessert. It was blissful not to have to think of anything. If you don't have time to cook than a gift certificate to a local place that delivers is great to.

Call her up and ask her what she wants!

I always make a lasagna or a 13 X 9 of enchiladas or something that they can just throw in the oven for dinner and not have to worry about making something for everyone. I buy a pack of the Ceasar salad that you just open all the different packets and add it to the bowl to go with it. If I take Lasagna I usually pick up a loaf of french bread as well. Enchiladas, I will get a can of beans. Anyone can heat up a can of beans real quick right? LOL ~ anyways, those are always my go to meals when sending something for someone....Good Luck

Fresh fruit is always good. Pears, bananas, apples, oranges, kiwi, etc.
Fresh baked bread if you bake.
I love the idea of soup that I saw briefly below (I haven't read many responses, but saw that one.).
crackers and cheese, cut up ready to go
What a great blessing this will be for her!

Soup! Good for lunch, dinner or snacks.