Did guests bring you precooked meals when you had a newborn?

[Redcargidan]

Not an AIBU but a question. We have a newborn baby. Multiple people have asked me if our friends/family/visitors have brought things like precooked meals in tupperware (that can just be put in the microwave) when they visit, that sort of thing.
Nobody has done this and nobody did when our eldest was a newborn. In truth, nothing would be more appreciated right now than a meal I did not have to cook. Is this a thing? Do other people generally do this, or are the people that have said it just expectant?

I am fighting the urge to spend a fortune on takeaways because we are way too tired to cook, and am VERY jealous if other people generally receive precooked meals from visitors!
YABU - this isn't really a done thing
YANBU - this is a thing

The temptation to ask people to bring these instead of clothes that will only fit baby for 1 week when they come round! (Joking but wish I had the balls to do this )

Bringing a casserole around seems very Neighbours!

My MIL did prepare us some meals which was VERY helpful. Nobody else did though. Lots of pasta or quick easy meals. Congrats on your newborn.

I've had 3 kids and no, no-one brought meals around because I have a husband in the house.

He also worked long hours, but that didn't stop him from cooking quick, healthy dinners.

Thank you to everyone who has suggested Cook, I had never heard of it before so I will have a look into it and see if it's something that is in our area.

Out of curiosity, have you made a habit of providing cooked meals to other people when they have had babies?

I've done a takeaway on me in the form of a voucher because I'm not convinced I'm a good cook

No, and I had no expecations either. What I did was batch cook a load of meals and freeze them for when I came home from hospital.

@Mariposista did you mean to be so rude?

A friend did this for us a little bit but for context we had very premature twins and I was incredibly ill in the immediate postpartum period.

I think it is ok to a) restrict visitors b) not cater for them if they do come but can't your partner cook for you two in the evening. When things settled down this is what we did.

Cross posted @Redcargidan. Cook is excellent. IMO their meals taste home made.

My dad brought us loads of home cooked meals and took requests! It was amazing and I loved it. I always take a meal now when I visit new parents.

My sister in law also turned up with a meal and a freshly baked cake (still warm) when she came over the day after our first baby was born, my in laws babysat the first when the second was born and cooked for m husband when I was in hospital, made a delicious meal when I came home and left us a meal for the next day when they went home. Amazing.

Yes in lieu of presents.
We didn't need anything so asked for a dish we could just heat up and it worked out brilliantly. People were only too happy to help.
We had curry, pasta dishes, casseroles and even Danish meatballs.
We made sure the freezer was fairly empty by due date
I'd do it again

In my church there is a lovely couple who coordinate something called 'bundles of joy' which involves people cooking meals for families who have a new baby.

I hd a couple of family members do this. MIL bought us ready meals including a pudding for three days.
A friend also gave us a voucher for 'cook' instead of present for the baby. I thought that was such a kind and thoughtful gift and made such a huge difference to us.

I went to my DD and SiL when they had DGC and cooked at their home and filled their freezer with Bolognese, shepherds pies, fish pies, stews and quiches. I also did a deep clean and looked after older DGS whilst DD was in hospital having the baby and stayed 2 days before and 5 days after the birth of DGS2 so my DD could concentrate on breastfeeding the baby and giving attention to her elder son. She was in hospital for 3 days after giving birth so good job I had planned enough time with her.

Yes, my wonderful sister in law dropped off delicious hearty meals on the doorstep in lockdown.

Ask them! I'm sure they'd love to help in any way possible and would be pleased to do some meals for you.

While they're there, let them watch the baby for a bit while you go and lie on the bed.

Newborn stage is short but very intense so get the help you deserve.

Nah. I give new parents the Cook box now, but we lived off a lot of takeaways until we found a groove!

MIL showed up with a giant shop from M&S, my family sent one of those cook things people are suggesting (I think- basically a weeks worth of batch cooked food from a company) my neighbor arrived in with lasagnes, bakes, Shepard pies- a load of gorgeous bits you bung in the oven she picked up in Avoca. Blessed with a capital B. Didn't happen with the second- but I was aware of how helpful it all was so had batch cooked into oblivion for the second.

Horrible thing to post

My MIL did a meal or two both times. Second time my best friend sent a cook box and my neighbour dropped off a lasagne. It was much appreciated.

If we had another and no food gifted I'd buy the cook box again with no hesitation. The food is lovely.

When I had ds1, my lovely MIL put a couple of lasagnes and a summer pudding in our freezer, but apart from that, no-one ever brought round pre-cooked meals/food, @Redcargidan.

I honestly don’t know anyone who has had this happen.

No one did it for me but I've done it for a couple of friends.

Having a new baby is the equivalent of being hit sideways by a speeding train.

If you're feeling overwhelmed ask for help. People will help.

Yes with all of mine and I have 5!
But then I did the same, still do for friends and family. Not only with new babys but if someone's not well, been away for a couple of weeks, even just when we're are popping in for a catch up.
I have one friend who'll always bring marinated drumsticks in a foil tray to pop in to the oven and family members who'd drop by with enough to feed the family twice.
I also did alot of batch booking beforehand so stock up the freezer with meals and chapattis.

This sounds so wonderful. So caring.

Two of my neighbours gave us a 'Cook' readymeal. I had never heard of Cook but both meals were delicious and i have since ordered from them. Particularly in the early months.

My in laws did for the first couple of weeks at our request but it’s not really a thing where I am in general
i did however make a tonne of frozen meals the month before and we ordered the occasional take out so we were all good.

My mum did actually do this. She brought a massive cottage pie that did us for 3 meals. It was nice but unexpected. I didn’t really mind cooking in those days. Newborns sleep a lot during the bloody day so I didn’t struggle with meals. No one else did it though and I wouldn’t expect them to. Maybe it’s just a mum thing?