When someone close to you brings home their newborn, be it their first or their fifth, it's only a matter of time before you're invited to come by [1] and see the baby. Sometimes it's within days of them returning home; other times, it could be a few weeks. But no matter how long it takes, I know that I never want to show up empty-handed.
However, I feel strongly about bringing added gifts [2] (especially if a shower or sprinkle [3] has already happened) and I highly doubt new parents need more clothes to hang or things to put away as they settle into their new routine with their baby. I want to bring those close to me something useful and stress-relieving, not something to add to the to-do list. So, beginning with the first baby in my group of friends, I began a little tradition that every one of my friends and family has become so grateful for — I bring meals.
Food is surely my love language, as I enjoy meals and cocktails with friends [5] on the regular and some of my favourite moments with my boyfriend [6] are made in the kitchen when I am cooking him a meal. But, I also think about the routine shakeup that a new baby brings. I think about the father that probably has to go back to work sooner rather than later and the other children who need to eat. I think about trying to plan a meal for two and all that it entails, and how overwhelming it can be to plan a meal for more, especially with fresh C-section scars, a body that has been through a battle, and a new little human who can be completely unpredictable in their first days of life.
My plan is simple. I bring a main dish and a side dish or two for one complete meal. I often try to throw in a few extras, like small soups or salads that can be made quickly and eaten around lunchtime, or something special. For example, I have two friends that moved from my area and are having a hard time finding authentic Italian food. I made sure to bring some good pasta and meatballs from home when I went to visit.
While sometimes I do make the meals myself, I oftentimes purchase meals that are ready-made or already prepped from a local specialty store. It's not that I don't want to cook, but I'm also busy even though I'm not running around after kids of my own [7].
However, if you decide this is something you decide to try, do what works for you, your time, and your budget. New parents are usually grateful for something as simple as a rotisserie chicken, I promise.
"You were a lifesaver. I was so sick of eating bagels and pizza," one friend told me after the birth of her son. "It was the best meal I think I ever ate." And that is why I will forever make sure those close to me are well fed — especially after baby.