blank-paid-2

T's Tips: Preparing for Postpartum

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:58:13 GMT

Why Your Future Self will Thank You for Freezer Meals

Preparing for Postpartum: Why Your Future Self Will Thank You for Freezer Meals

If you’re expecting a baby (congratulations!) you’ve probably heard a lot about birth plans, car seat installations, and the Great Swaddle Debate. But what about preparing for postpartum —that tender, beautiful, sleep-deprived season where your body is healing, your baby is learning how to human, and you’re wondering whether it’s socially acceptable to eat oatmeal at 2 a.m.? (Spoiler: absolutely yes.)

As a certified birth doula, postpartum doula, and pediatric sleep consultant , I spend a lot of time helping new parents prepare for this transition. And one thing always makes the biggest difference?

�� Having food you can grab without thinking.

Because let’s be honest: postpartum isn’t the time to ask, “Hmm, what should we make for dinner tonight?” It’s the time to ask, “Is this granola bar from last Tuesday still edible?” And that’s why I created my Proactive Postpartum Prep Recipe Booklet —packed with 5 freezer-friendly meals and 5 easy, protein-rich snacks that your future, sleepier self will adore.

Let’s get into why prepping food now is one of the most important parts of preparing for postpartum.

Why Food Prep Matters for Postpartum Recovery

Search engines love clear, helpful answers. And so do tired parents. So here’s the truth in a nutshell:

1. Your body needs nourishment to heal.

Postpartum recovery requires fuel. Warm, nutrient-dense meals help with tissue repair, hormone balance, milk production, and overall energy. And yes—just making it through the day counts as “overall energy.”

2. Cooking with a newborn is… an adventure.

Imagine chopping onions while wearing a baby who just discovered that 4 p.m. is their preferred crying hour. Not ideal. Freezer meals save your sanity.

3. It reduces mental load.

Decision fatigue is real. When you already have a plan (and a freezer full of meals), you get back precious brain space—something postpartum parents are notoriously short on.

4. It gives partners a practical way to help.

Partners want to support you—sometimes they just need direction. “Take a frozen meal out and pop it in the crockpot” is much easier than “cook something nourishing from scratch while the baby cluster-feeds.”

What Should You Prep Before Baby Arrives?

If you’re wondering what kind of meals and snacks are best for postpartum, you’re not alone. Some of the most Googled questions I see as a doula include:

“What meals should I prepare before baby?”
“How do I prepare for postpartum recovery?”
“Easy freezer meals for new moms.”
“How do I not starve during the fourth trimester?”
(A real question. No judgment. I support it.)

The best postpartum foods are:

✔ Simple
✔ Freezer-friendly
✔ Protein-rich
✔ Comforting
✔ Low-effort to reheat (bonus points for crockpot meals)

This is the exact formula I followed when creating the recipes in my Proactive Postpartum Prep Recipe Booklet.

What’s Inside the Free Recipe Booklet?

Your Proactive Postpartum Prep Recipe Booklet includes:

�� 5 freezer-ready meals
Think hearty stews, nourishing bowls, and crockpot favorites that require almost zero effort on newborn days.

�� 5 freezer-friendly snacks
Quick, nutrient-dense bites you can grab one-handed while nursing, rocking, or doing that slow tiptoe walk to get the baby to stay asleep.

Every recipe is:

New-parent-tested
Doula-approved
Simple enough to prep while pregnant
Designed to make postpartum life so much easier

This isn’t just a recipe booklet—it’s an emotional support freezer.

Want to Make Your Postpartum Smoother? Grab the Booklet.

Your future self—the one wearing cozy pajamas, holding your sweet new baby, and wondering what time it is—will be so grateful you prepared.

�� Click the button below to get your free Proactive Postpartum Prep Recipe Booklet.

Whether you’re in full nesting mode or simply know you’ll thank yourself later, this is one of the easiest, most impactful ways to prepare for the fourth trimester.

And if you're someone who likes to keep things simple?
Great. This is literally the simplest postpartum prep out there.

Final Thought

Preparing for postpartum doesn’t have to be complicated or Pinterest-perfect. It just needs to be supportive. Thoughtful. Nourishing. And ideally… edible with one hand.

You don’t need to “do it all”—you just need to make life a little easier for the version of you who’ll be recovering, bonding, and adjusting to a brand-new little human.

And I’m here to help you do exactly that.

T's Tips: Postpartum Planning

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 18:24:39 GMT

Creating a Postpartum Plan: Because the baby isn't the only one who needs TLC

Creating a Postpartum Plan:

Because the Baby Isn’t the Only One Who Needs TLC

You’ve probably spent hours thinking about your birth plan — who’ll be there, what music you want, maybe even what snacks to pack. And that’s great - planning for and having a supported, loving environment to welcome your baby is so important! But have you thought about your postpartum plan ? Because here’s the truth: the baby isn’t the only one who deserves tender loving care once you’re home. You do, too.

Why You Need a Postpartum Plan

The postpartum period (sometimes called the fourth trimester ) is a time of massive transition. Your body is healing, your hormones are doing the cha-cha, and you’re getting to know a whole new little person — while trying to remember if you brushed your teeth today. A postpartum plan helps you prepare for that reality instead of reacting to it. Think of it as a roadmap for rest, nourishment, and support.

What to Include in Your Postpartum Plan

A good postpartum plan covers three main areas:

1. Rest & Recovery:
Decide ahead of time how you’ll protect your rest. Will you nap when baby naps (and ignore the dishes)? Can someone take a night feeding so you can get a stretch of sleep? Even small chunks of rest add up.

2. Nourishment:
Your body needs real food to heal. Line up meal trains, freezer meals, or grocery deliveries before baby arrives. Warm, comforting foods like soups, stews, and oats help replenish energy and balance postpartum hormones. (And yes, snacks count as self-care.)

3. Support & Boundaries:
Decide who can visit — and when. Designate a “gatekeeper” to manage texts and drop-ins if that feels helpful. Have a list of things visitors can help with - besides holding the baby. Identify your support team: a postpartum doula, lactation consultant, sleep consultant, or therapist.

How a Postpartum Doula Can Help

A postpartum doula’s role is to make sure you feel cared for, too. We help with everything from newborn care and feeding guidance to meal prep and emotional support. It’s like having a calm, nonjudgmental best friend who knows all the baby hacks.

If you’re feeling unsure where to start, working with a doula can help you build a plan that fits your family’s unique needs, whether in-person or virtually.

 You Deserve Support, Too

Postpartum is not a time to “bounce back.” It’s a time to rest, connect, and rebuild — with gentleness and grace. Creating a postpartum plan gives you permission to put yourself on the list of people who need care. Because when you’re supported, your whole family thrives.

T's Tips: Meal Planning

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 21:30:51 GMT

T's Tips: Meal Planning

My favorite childhood memory is not having to decide what to cook for dinner every single day.

A friend recently posted this funny quote, and I could relate! Even though I love to cook, it’s true that coming up with meal after meal can be exhausting and feel like a never-ending chore. And unlike my husband, I’d like a little more variety and nutrition than ham and cheese sandwiches every day . :) One simple tip that helps me decide what to have for dinner - and plan ahead enough to know what to put on that grocery order - is to have flexible theme nights for each day of the week.

Theme nights help me keep a variety to my meal choices while still being able to loosely plan on what’s to come. For example, Mondays might be meatless main nights, Tuesday, taco Tuesday. Friday nights have always been pasta nights in our house because of the tradition of carb loading before a Saturday race day or long run day. I recently heard someone say they always plan for a crockpot soup on Sunday, so that it can be prepared ahead, and they can have a true rest day. Saturdays were always pizza night in my house growing up - usually frozen . :) Other ideas could be breakfast for dinner (i.e. brinner) or Thai Thursdays.

I do not look at my theme nights as a rule to follow, but rather a starting off point to get ideas. I love variety and creativity in cooking, but coming up with new ideas can be difficult. Theme nights get my creative juices flowing, and I hope they do for you, too!

Here is a sample week to get you started:

Nana's Nook

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 20:25:48 GMT

Perfect Peace

The story goes that some painters were challenged to depict the concept of

peace. One created a glorious scene of quiet, still beauty. The other portrayed a

storm in full force, and, in a tiny nest scarcely sheltered from the fierce weather, a

bird calmly waiting out the wind. Whose picture would you choose?

While we often long for the quiet moments, it seems chaos is more often the

reality, especially with small children. When the closest thing to quiet time is your

two minutes in the bathroom (with or without little ones, depending), intentional

stillness may seem like a fantasy.

If this season of your life feels like a wind storm, take courage. The Lord knows

where you are, and the priceless work you are doing raising the babies he gave

you. Instead of guilt, invite him into your personal pandemonium: offer up toddler

songs as thanksgiving, dirty dishes as gratitude for groceries, clean laundry as

praise for renewed grace.

And remember, he is not impatiently waiting for you to get it together. He is the

lee in your storm, shielding you, his masterpiece.

You keep him (and her!) in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he

trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3 ESV*)

*Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV(R) Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version)(R), copyright(c) 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations [marked NIV] taken from The Holy Bible(R), New International Version(R).

Welcome

Sat, 09 Nov 2024 18:10:53 GMT

Welcome

My love of holding and caring for babies started when I was a child. My dad was my example and would hold any baby he could; we have so many pictures through the years o f him with a baby asleep on his shoulder: definitely one of each of his children and grandchildren, and now great grandchildren. My sister and I would fight over who got to hold the babies at family reunions, and we were territorial over our babysitting families. I started babysitting as soon as I could and continued to work with children, babies, and families all the way through my schooling, career, and even having my own children. When my children were young, I was involved in an organization called MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers). I learned so much being mentored by older, wiser women and moms, and this is where my compassion and care for other moms and new parents began.

In the spring of 2018, I jumped into the doula world and haven’t looked back. I am certified as a birth doula through Well-Rounded Maternity. After that I was certified as a postpartum doula through CAPPA. I am also a Hypnobabies Hypno-Doula, and most recently a certified pediatric sleep consultant through CPSM. Additionally, I have had training with Spinning Babies and a breastfeeding support class for doulas. Supporting families in each of these different ways brings me such joy.

My favorite “job” of all is being a mom to my three kids. Part of why I love serving families with little ones is because mine are too big! Being a parent is an adventure and a high calling. What a joy it is to get to encourage and coach and cheer on new moms and parents.

My main hope for this blog is to be an encouragement to moms, new families, as well as friends and family looking for ideas on how to be a blessing to a postpartum family. I envision sharing recipes that are simple and easy, ideal for families with a new baby. I’ll also share tips for birth and postpartum planning as well as sleep help. In the Nana’s Nook portion, I will share prayers, devotions, and Bible verses that will serve as reminders that you are loved.

I hope you follow along and feel loved, encouraged, and supported as well as find some practical parenting help, tips, and recipes.

Meals & Munchies

Sat, 09 Nov 2024 18:08:19 GMT

Banana Oat Bites

Banana Oat Bites have been a favorite in my family for as long as I can remember and are appreciated by big and little kids alike. They are a perfect bite-sized snack or an easy breakfast. Banana Oat Bites would be a wonderful recipe to make ahead and freeze for after you bring home your baby, or a great addition to gift to a postpartum family. Bonus: these can easily be made gluten and/or dairy free. I recommend doubling the recipe and enjoying some right away and freezing the rest.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit

2 bananas, mashed

1 cup regular or gluten free oats (quick cooking or rolled*)

1/2 cup milk of your choice

Stir above ingredients together, and set aside while you work on the rest. *You may want to allow for a little extra soaking time if you use rolled oats.

4 tablespoons butter, softened, or coconut oil for dairy free

1/2 cup brown sugar

Cream together using a hand mixer.

3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Add to the butter and sugar; mix.

2 cups all purpose flour or all purpose gluten free blend

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons baking powder

Sift together. Combine with the all of the other ingredients. Scoop into mini or regular muffin tins that have been greased or lined with muffin liners.* Bake for approximately 15 minutes for mini muffins and 20 minutes for regular muffins. Enjoy, share, or freeze for later.

*This recipe makes about 48-54 mini muffins or 24 regular muffins.

Nana's Nook

Sat, 09 Nov 2024 18:06:05 GMT

A Breath of Grace

I shook my head in sheer frustration. Too little sleep, too many M&Ms, and a grumpy sciatic

nerve were haunting my afternoon, and the end of my rope was fraying rapidly.

I looked at the mess surrounding me and wailed aloud, “Lord, I can’t do this!”

I wasn’t exactly in a spiritual mood, but God graciously nudged me anyway. But I can , he

reminded me gently.

Slowly, haltingly, I felt the knot in my gut start to loosen. At a quiet prompting, I took a deep

breath, grabbed a fresh cup of coffee, and gave myself ten minutes with my feet up.

I was still tired, still hurting, and my desk still looked like a toddler had organized it. But it was

different, too.

Fortified with a breath of grace, and with an eye on the bigger picture, I pulled up a chair to my

keyboard and smiled. Yes, Lord .

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to

the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory . . .. (Ephesians 3:20-21a ESV*)

*Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV(R) Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version)(R), copyright (C)2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.