7 Moms Share the Best Things People Brought Them After They Had a Baby

If you plan to visit a friend or family member who recently brought a new baby home, there is just one rule: Under no circumstances should you show up empty-handed. What to bring? In the midst of newborn chaos, nothing beats the gift of food. As Faith likes to say, “You better pay for those new baby snuggles with some mama food.”

We asked seven moms to recall the very best things people brought them after they gave birth, and wouldn’t you know most of them said food of some sorts! Here’s a definitive list of the very best things to bring new parents (according to moms who know).

“I feel so strongly that you should just never visit someone who just had a baby without bringing something to eat. I don’t care if it’s donuts from the grocery store; you better pay for those new baby snuggles with some mama food. Anyway, I was always lucky to have friends and family who really got this rule. My favorite thing was from my own mom, who came over and baked me triple batches of these nursing powerhouse cookies with apples and Gouda cheese. Satisfying and yummy — especially for midnight wake-ups.” — Faith Durand, SVP of Content at Apartment Therapy Media

“The day after we got home from the hospital, my mom came for a visit and showed up with at least a week’s worth of fully prepared meals (which meant ample leftovers that were stashed in the freezer for several future meals), snacks, and groceries. Despite stocking my freezer in advance, having fresh food ready for those first few days was totally invaluable.” — Kelli Foster, Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn

“When I had my second kiddo, a friend who was too sick to come visit in person sent an Instacart delivery of food and treats. It included a ready-to-bake pot pie, breastfeeding-friendly snacks (read: things you can eat with one hand), but also gummy snacks, coloring books, and stickers for my older daughter. That single delivery made several days of juggling a toddler and newborn so much better.” — Meghan Splawn, Former Associate Food Editor at Kitchn

“My mom bought me this Zojirushi Water Boiler and Warmer, which I didn’t think I’d actually need. Turns out, it’s great for immediately dispensing hot water for warming bottles, and we used it extensively to heat up frozen vegetables when my daughter was a toddler. We still use it today for tea and if we need a jump-start to boil water for dinner!” — Christine Gallary, Food Editor-at-Large at Kitchn

“Morning Glory Muffins were the best thing anyone brought me after having my daughter. The muffins are made with whole-wheat flour and packed with fruits and veggies. I not only ate them for breakfast, but also anytime I needed an energy boost (hello, midnight feedings!). The fact that I could eat them one-handed while holding my baby made it even better!” — Patty Catalano, Kitchn Contributor

“With each baby, the gift I was most grateful for was food for me and my family in the early days. Not cookies or sweets (although let’s just say that nothing ever went to waste), but nourishing food that I could prepare and eat with one hand in the 10 seconds of downtime per day that one has as a parent of a newborn. After my first baby, it was a platter of sandwiches; after my second baby, it was a homemade veggie lasagna; and after my third, it was a bagels and lox basket. These gifts each fed me for days on end and were even tastier knowing they were a gesture of love and support from friends.” — Anna Hoffman, Creative Studio Director at Apartment Therapy Media

“For me, the hardest part of being a new parent was getting in a quick meal, so the best thing people brought me was food — lasagna, meatballs, chicken, muffins — anything that I could store and easily cook in the oven or microwave. If you don’t have time to make a meal for a new parent, a Seamless gift card is just as good!” — Annie Carroll, Head of Creative Studios at Apartment Therapy Media

This post was originally published on Kitchn. Read it there: 7 Moms Share the Best Things People Brought Them After They Gave Birth