When you are preparing to bring a new baby into your life, one thing that will be increasingly important is be getting a meal on the table. Eating enough healthy meals can be a challenge in the beginning, a nursing mom needs to consume an extra 500 calories a day, and find the time to do it! Eating needs to be a priority to ensure adequate milk supply and energy for you and your family. If you’re not eating properly you cannot function and meet the needs of your baby. Planning ahead will make the transition of life with your baby  smoother one!

Even if you’re not a “planner” spending 15 minutes a week mapping out the week’s meals will save you a lot of time and hassle. If you’re preparing for the arrival of your baby plan a few weeks (even a month) in advance. Here are a few tips I have found that have made meal time one less thing to stress over.

- In a note book write down the days of the week ( or do it right on your calendar where everyone can see it) and decide according to the day what you will have for dinner. On days where I am busy I plan quick easy meals that can be thrown together. If you are planning for life with a new baby make all the meals simple and easy to prepare.

- Sit down with your cook books, favourite websites or weekly store fliers for inspiration. On a separate list jot down what groceries you’ll need to pick up. keep this list on the fridge so you can write down things you’re running out of. I write my meal plans in a note book so I can look back to previous weeks for meal inspiration.

- Ask your family for suggestions. If you have older kids, they will be more likely to eat their dinner if they came up with the idea. I have my partner chose a few meals he would like to prepare for the week.

- Once or twice a week I try to make something I can make lots of so I have enough left over to put in the freezer. This frees up a lot of time. If you start doing this a few weeks before your baby arrives you have a good stash once the baby comes.

- Crock pot! In the morning or while I’m cooking dinner the night before, I prepare the ingredients for a delicious crock pot meal. Plug it in and forget about it!

- Don’t forget lots of healthy snacks. Easy to grab snakes like fruit and nuts are essential while trying to stay nourished when nursing a baby. Think of a few things you would like to have on hand and add it to your grocery list. Grazing throughout the day is less time consuming that making three big meals.

Your plan doesn’t have to be written in stone, don’t get down on yourself if you order in a few times in those first weeks with your new family. Enjoy the time with your infant without worrying that you’re not able to do it all. Feed yourself, get rest where you can and you’ll slowly settle into your new routine.