Tips For Helping a Friend With Meals
Posted in Relationships on 12. Sep, 2009
When a friend has a new baby, friends and family usually sign up to bring her meals for a couple of weeks. This is a huge blessing to a new mom, because cooking is the last thing she’ll want to do! Since I have brought many meals to friends, as well as received many myself, I thought I’d compile a few tips and suggestions when it comes to what to do – and what not to do – when bringing a meal to a new mom.
- As her what meals she’s already received. No one wants to east spaghetti three nights in a row – even if it’s from friends.
- Time your arrival with when her family eats dinner. If your friend’s family usually eats at 5pm and you don’t arrive until 7pm, it could end up making things stressful instead of helpful.
- Is she nursing? If so, avoid gassy foods like onions and broccoli. When my first daughter was born, we found out the hard way that her tiny tummy couldn’t tolerate onions.
- Offer to come an hour early to help out. One of the best things my in-laws did right after my baby was born was to come over with dinner – and clean. I’m not suggesting you arrive ready to clean her entire house, but ask her if you can swing by to help out for a few minutes. Throwing in a load of laundry, doing a few dishes, and making the beds can be incredibly helpful to a new mom.
- Make sure you cook enough food. Consider providing enough dinner so that her husband can take some to work the next day. This will be helpful if he usually takes leftovers anyway. Also remember that nursing moms are notoriously hungry!
- Call to ask if she needs anything before you come over. Life with a brand new baby can be hectic – she may be out of milk or running dangerously low on diapers. Even if she’s fine, it will mean a lot to her that you offered.
- Don’t turn it into a long visit. Yes, she’ll want to chat and be glad to see you, but she will also be incredibly tired. Drop off your meal, sneak a peek at the baby, and save the visiting for later. She’ll appreciate the favor you are doing her family, as well as your thoughtfulness in understand how exhausted she is.
- Grace
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