New Babies

"Mother and Child" by Jacob Bratland

We've been making meals for friends with new babies for as long as I can remember. Ever since I was able to help in the kitchen mom would be sure to include me in the process. I graduated from shredding lettuce for salad to mixing cookie dough to eventually planning the entire meal.

Over the years I've learned what family's like, extra things they appreciate and special touches that show you care.

Here's a few things you can include in your next meal to make it extra special:

• A Card of congratulations with a monetary gift or gift card for groceries or for a restaurant.
• Small Bags of Goodies for the baby's siblings with their name on it. It can be something as simple as a bunch of chocolate covered raisins or a baggie of mixed dried fruit. Try to stay away from candy!
• An Activity Book or two for the very small children in the family. This can help provide some time of quiet while mother is recovering.
• Tea - give a few bags of the mother's favorite tea in a special tea cup. Make sure that it's herb or decaf so it doesn't affect hormones!
• Story CD's or books on tape. This is a really great way for mom's to pass their recovery time. You don't have to give the CD's away, just loan them for a while.
• A Freezer Meal or frozen breakfast foods such as muffins, pancakes or waffles.

If there are other small children in the family, you can coordinate child care for a few hours or even overnight to give mom a day or two to sleep in.

Go to mealbaby.com for a great online meal coordinating calendar.