When my daughter was born, I thought I would read all sorts of books and magazines while blissfully cradling a sleeping newborn, sniffing her head and perhaps doing some light arts and crafts.
Reality found me trying to use one hand to direct her head to my breast, which was being squeezed into unnatural shapes by my other hand. Then the nursing pillow would slip out of position, or the burp cloth would fall on the floor and I had to start all over again after readjusting.
We all wish motherhood came with an instruction manual.
I would add that an extra arm or two would be a nice touch. Especially when you want a snack and can’t set the baby down.
These are not fancy Pinterest postpartum bento boxes of placenta-shaped homemade fruit snacks or absurdly healthy quinoa and kale puffs. These are basic snack ideas designed to impress your stomach, not your neighbor. Sometimes when you’re in survival mode, you just want yummy protein and carbs to get you through the day.
Any prep work can be done ahead of time – by someone else. Come to think of it, go ahead and send this list to everyone who asks, “Can I bring you anything?” Let other people do the work while you eat the rewards.
The 20 Snacks
- Lactation bars and energy bites — full of oats and galactagogues, freeze well, taste great straight from the freezer.
- Mini muffins — bake a batch in a mini tin for two-bite portions that freeze well.
- Mini frittatas — same idea, savory version.
- Tortilla roll-ups — spread, roll, fridge overnight, slice into rounds. Doubles as a one-handed lunch.
- Milkshake — nobody gets to judge a postpartum milkshake. Send the squeamish guest on the shake run.
- Smoothies — the milkshake's more virtuous cousin; veggies and protein blended in.
- Pre-cut fruit, veggies, and cheese — have someone portion these into single-sitting containers so you're not trekking back to the fridge.
- Trail mix — go heavy on chocolate, or don't. It keeps forever either way.
- Cold pizza — newborn life and college life have more in common than you'd think.
- Finger sandwiches — cut into fourths, or keep frozen kid-aisle PB&Js on hand to eat half-thawed.
- Hard-boiled eggs — halved, salted, a little boring, very effective.
- Easy meat — nuggets, rotisserie chicken, jerky, or lunch-meat roll-ups. Protein with no cooking required.
- Prepackaged snacks — granola bars, protein bars, crackers, chips.
- Hummus — pairs with anything. If some lands on the baby's head, no one has to know.
- Yogurt smoothies — or the kid-tube version, straight up.
- Mini pancakes — wrap around a breakfast sausage and call it an hors d'oeuvre. Champagne optional but not discouraged.
- Peanut butter — by the spoon, with mini chocolate chips if you're feeling wild, or spread on graham crackers or apple slices.
- Pretzels — the delivery vehicle for hummus or peanut butter, or just fine on their own.
- Chocolate milk — regular milk, but better. Add protein powder if you want it to pull double duty.
- Water — not a snack, but non-negotiable. Get a big bottle with a straw. You'll learn to pee one-handed too, eventually.
Storage Tips That Actually Help
- Milk storage bags make great single-portion containers.
- Keep a small cooler next to your usual feeding chair so the fridge trip disappears entirely.
- Baby wipes double as hand-cleaner in a pinch.
- If food lands on the baby's head, take the photo. You'll want it later.
What worked for you? Drop your own one-handed snack finds in the comments (future exhausted parents will thank you.)
Our next reco: Going home with your first-born in 7 easy steps
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