Baby Due Soon - What to have in fridge?

[ml2620]

I'm due in about 2 weeks (same days as Nuisance!) and am wondering what to have on hand in the fridge for very quick and easy meals or snacks that we can just eat without fuss when we have a chance. I'm thinking making up some chicken and tuna salads, yogurt, bananas, slicing up some veggies and fruit to just grab and eat. What do you recommend for quick/no cook "meals" for us in the next few weeks?

I'm also wondering what to have on hand for guests that will come by to meet the new addition.

Any advice would be really appreciated!

[frugalwarrior2]

The guests should bring a dish to you,your resting. Are you breast feeding?? Stay away from lemonade,wish someone had told me. I liked spaghetti it was easy but not w/ onions. Your DH should cook a few and pizza at least once. They sleep a lot at first but so should you.

[pollypurebred39]

Congratulations! Sending prayers your way.

My MIL's Mac-n-Cheese

Cheese
Butter
Pasta
Milk

Butter a deep casserole dish and make layers of dry elbow noodles and shredded cheese till about an inch from the top. Fill to almost the top with milk and bake till golden brown on top. Very easy, very good.

I recently discovered that you can make up cake batter and put in prepared pans and freeze. You just pull out and pop in the oven frozen, normal temp. Can be done with muffins too. I was thrilled with how they came out, just perfect. Good for company, just sprinkle cake with powdered sugar.

[lisaflex]

in the very beginning, babies do sleep quite a bit as i recall...

we had people bringing us food left and right! we didnt need anything..other than coffee!!

just have cheese and crackers in case you need a snack. some carrots and celery. maybe some squash - as it lasts longer than other vegetables - then you can just roast. we prefer spaghetti squash...just cut in 1/2. rub w/ olive oil. salt and pepper. add some whole garlic cloves...put in a sided pan. add a bit of water and roast. when done, shred. add some tomatoes if you have. smash the roasted garlic, and sprnikle w/ grtd fresh romano and you have a wholsome dinner! or lunch or snack.

drink lots of water!

good luck. no worries, a baby is a gift from god and it is just another life lesson that comes w/ no instructions!

[Kellili]

Sleep? What is this sleep you speak of? I wish for better luck for you than I had...I DID NOT sleep much the few months after he was born. If you have time I'd prep some yummy casseroles and freeze them, so you can just pop them in the oven and have a nice meal. I often didn't eat because I was so tired and didn't have the inclination/energy to get up and cook. I didn't have anything ready before hand, first baby and didn't think about it. I had a c-section too, and it hurt to move around a lot. Just give yourself lots of EASY choices. If you need any pointers on Breastfeeding, PM me...I BF Gavin for 14 months and would be happy to help! Congrats on the baby and have a wonderful delivery!!!

[lisaflex]

dd is now 8. but i do recall in the very beginning, she slept and slept and slept...alot! until about 2-1/2 mths old. then was up alot til about 6 mths or so.

[3tomboys]

Have sandwich supplies and canned soup on hand, quick and easy. I hope that the family and friends coming to see the new baby bring the food with them. The last thing I would expect when visiting a new baby is for them to feed me. Enjoy every wonderful moment with your new baby.

[nuisance26]

~I went the freezer route. I've made and froze hamburgers, cooked hamburger and meatballs, breads, bbq pork and goodies. I'll be cooking a whole turkey soon for sandwich meat and soup to freeze.
I assumed with my other two kids that people would bring food when they visited. My mom and a cousin were the only ones who did. This time I'm more prepared!
If you don't have a lot of freezer room I suggest cold cuts and rolls, bagged salad, milk and cereal, eggs and English muffins, fresh fruit, low sodium canned soups, frozen pizza and pasta. Make a shopping list and be ready to hand it to the first person who asks if you need anything. Seriously!
Also start clipping coupons to any local restaurants you may have been wanting to try. It's ok to spoil yourself those first few weeks and get curbside pickup or delivery. Just watch the sodium!
If you have a fairly uncomplicated delivery you should be back on your feet and starting back into your regular routine in a week or so.
Hoping everything goes smoothly for you in the coming weeks!~

[wanderlusting]

I agree with everyone else. Have easy things to prepare/grab. I wish I would have thought ahead and had more snacky items. Sometimes I only had enough time to grab something and stuff it in my mouth.

I wouldn't worry about having things for guests- they should know that you won't feel like playing hostess.

[Palooka]

I was lucky with my last one because my parents loaded me up with a ton of groceries.

Things that helped at first was a bucket of potato salad, pasta salad, coleslaw and beans . Everything for a sandwich and a ton of Romaine lettuce for salads with fresh fruit and veggies. Cereal and even some pre-made goodies, bagels and cream cheese, plenty of bread and canned soups. A giant can of mixed nuts in the fridge to grab for snacking.

[MyMelody]

Here are some links I found for casseroles that freeze well. May want to reduce spices if you breast feed.

Black Beans and Kielbasa:
Christian Frugal Mama: Recipe of the Week: Black Beans and Kielbasa

Taco Pasta:
Taco Pasta :: Lynn's Kitchen Adventures

Brown Bag Burritos:
Brown Bag Burritos

[DCHarris]

Excellent thread! My wife is due mid December. I appreciate the tips!

Thanks
Craig

[Libby]

I'm thinking the OP has already had the baby judging by the date of this thread?

I was thinking more along the lines of ingredients that can be whipped into the crockpot and forgotten about. No fuss, no muss & yummy food afterwards.

Craig - congrats on the outcoming baby