Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Author:
Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, RDN
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Inside: Learn tons of quick, easy food ideas and meals for new parents to eat when they have a newborn in the house.
It can be hard to feed yourself when you’ve got a newborn in the house. Whether you’re new to parenthood or you’re keeping an eye on your toddler or other kids while feeding a newborn, it’s easy to miss a meal.
The following is a list of over 100 foods and meals for new parents. These ideas were brought together by the Kids Eat in Color Instagram parent community.
Tips for new parents from parents who have been there
All of these ideas have come from parents. Some of them couldn’t remember what they ate through the newborn stage, but they did have some advice for you. Here are some of their ideas:
“Utilize the baby carrier. If your partner isn’t around, strap baby in a carrier and sway or soothe baby while you eat.”
“Have a snack basket near the feeding area.”
“Eat on the bathroom floor while the baby is in the baby tub for bath time.”
“Order takeout.”
“Let other people bring you meals. I still think about a butternut squash mac and cheese a friend brought me 4 years ago.”
“I had someone feed me while I nursed.”
“Prepare frozen meals before the baby arrives.”
“Cut up a bowl of fruits and veggies and graze throughout the day.”
“When people offer help, ask for food/groceries. They offered, so you can be specific!”
“Eat fast.”
“Small pasta shapes are best – booties, penne, etc.”
“Make whatever you can load on a spoon: shepherd’s pie, chicken and rice, etc.”
Now it’s time for all of their amazing ideas to help you eat well during the newborn phase!
Grab-and-eat foods for new parents
Here’s a list of easy new parent foods to stock up on that you can literally pull out of the fridge or pantry, eat them and keep on going.
Nuts
Trail Mix
Peanuts and raisins
Nuts
Spoonfuls of peanut butter
Chocolate-covered almonds
Dairy
String cheese
Yogurt pouches
Pre-sliced cheese
Bars
Granola bars
KIND protein bars
CLIF bars
Perfect Bar
RXBAR
GoMacro bars
Larabar
LUNA bars
Meat
Jerky
Beef/pork/turkey stick
Sliced deli meat
Other
Crackers
Uncrustables
Hard-boiled eggs
Peanut butter pretzels
If you need other snack ideas, both easy and make-ahead, our Everyday Snacks ebook gives you a great running start on feeding yourself and your child. The snacks are friendly to all ages over one, including adults!
Meals you can drink
Sometimes it’s easier to drink meals than sit down to eat when you’re a busy new parent. Try these slurpable meal ideas.
Smoothies
Protein drinks
Protein yogurt drinks
Milkshakes
Chocolate milk
Overnight oats (you can practically drink them from a shaker bottle)
Quick prep cold foods
These easy food ideas require only a little prep and can help fill you up while you’re taking care of your infant.
Air-fried chicken with different toppings (black beans, corn, croutons, etc.)
Stew
We’re rooting for you during this time! We hope you can enjoy some of the snuggles. Remember to print all these ideas to put on your refrigerator to make feeding yourself easier!
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Jennifer Anderson is a registered dietitian and has a masters of science in public health from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. In 2019, she founded Kids Eat in Color®, a public health resource that improves child and family nutrition and mental health. Prior to starting Kids Eat in Color® she coordinated youth nutrition programs at a food bank, performed research in inner-city food deserts, and consulted for the USDA national office SNAP-Ed program. Her academic background is in public health nutrition, cultural anthropology, and economics.
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Inside: Learn tons of quick, easy food ideas and meals for new parents to eat when they have a newborn in the house.
It can be hard to feed yourself when you’ve got a newborn in the house. Whether you’re new to parenthood or you’re keeping an eye on your toddler or other kids while feeding a newborn, it’s easy to miss a meal.
The following is a list of over 100 foods and meals for new parents. These ideas were brought together by the Kids Eat in Color Instagram parent community.
Here’s what’s inside:
Tips from parents who have been there before
Grab & eat foods
Foods you can drink
Quick prep cold foods
Quick prep warm(ish) foods
Frozen foods
Sweets
Fruits
Veggies
Bake-ahead
Cook-ahead/freezer-friendly
Easy meals
Tips for new parents from parents who have been there
All of these ideas have come from parents. Some of them couldn’t remember what they ate through the newborn stage, but they did have some advice for you. Here are some of their ideas:
Now it’s time for all of their amazing ideas to help you eat well during the newborn phase!
Grab-and-eat foods for new parents
Here’s a list of easy new parent foods to stock up on that you can literally pull out of the fridge or pantry, eat them and keep on going.
Nuts
Dairy
Bars
Meat
Other
If you need other snack ideas, both easy and make-ahead, our Everyday Snacks ebook gives you a great running start on feeding yourself and your child. The snacks are friendly to all ages over one, including adults!
Meals you can drink
Sometimes it’s easier to drink meals than sit down to eat when you’re a busy new parent. Try these slurpable meal ideas.
Quick prep cold foods
These easy food ideas require only a little prep and can help fill you up while you’re taking care of your infant.
Toast
Sandwiches
Quick prep warm foods
This list of warm foods can be prepared by new parents quickly and easily.
Warm cereals
Pasta and noodles
Sweets
Got a sweet tooth? Here are some suggestions for when you need something sweet.
Fruit
Veggies
Freezer meals & foods
Stock up on these simple heat-and-eat freezer meals, perfect for tired parents during the newborn phase.
Bake-ahead foods
Prepare these foods in batches and freeze them for future meals or snacks.
Cook-ahead, freezer-friendly meals
Freezer-friendly meals can be prepared when you have a spare minute, and then reheated when you need something quick.
Easy meals for new parents
Check out these easy meal ideas for new parents!
We’re rooting for you during this time! We hope you can enjoy some of the snuggles. Remember to print all these ideas to put on your refrigerator to make feeding yourself easier!
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