They're going to be so busy and tired that cooking a full meal may be tough, so you should think about making a meal ahead of time and freezing it for them.

Meals like lasagna, meatloaf, stew, pot pies, or enchiladas work well -- anything that requires a fair bit of assembly beforehand but can just be popped in the oven once it's time to eat.

My suggestion would absolutely be to ask her what she'd like! That way, you don't risk bringing several tubs of something she used to like ten years ago... And I know I'd not just 'like' to be asked, but probably throw a county-sized temper tantrum and stubbornly refuse to touch unsolicited food gifts - just me, I know, but I guess more rational people might also resent the loss-of-control involved in being out of the decision making loop...

What a thoughtful sister you are. As a mother of three, myself, I would rather not have others cooking in my kitchen. Cleaning-up after cooking will take energy she may not have...so I think your hesitation to cook/bake at her home are correct. The only thing I could think of that would travel well were baked goods, which is great if you crave sweets. But, I might bake a loaf of bread (or something that could be savory) if she craves savory/salty. Do you have an outlet in your car? If you do, that opens up other possibilities. I have actually made crock-pot meals, and they cook throughout the trip to my in-laws, plugged into our car oulet. A soup, stew, or casserole could be cooking as you drive...

I agree with what everyone has said, but that said, when I gave birth a few months ago, my mom and sister visited (different weeks) and asked me if they could cook and clean up for me. I was thrilled. We only recenly finished off the stockpile in the freezer (stews, meatballs, bread, cookies, casseroles, god it was all so good).
I'd also bring a lot of delicious non-alcoholic beverages. It makes a meal more special to not drink water.
And most importantly, have FUN with your family.

When I was nursing I was STARVING all the time. It was very hard to get enough sleep because not only was my little one a frequent and full nurser, but I simply HAD to eat once she was back to sleep. I brought a new-mom friend a big bag of insta-noshes from a gourmet shop: crackers and flatbread, hummus, an artichoke tapenade/spread, cheeses, nut butters, Nutella, dried fruit, easy-grab fruit (apples, clementines), nuts--anything scarfable. So, even if you can't cook, you can certainly provide!

I'd add to that prepared tea (grab and chug, not brew), coconut water (for the potassium), her favorite juice.

I ate like a pig and wasted away. Wish I could do the same now!

A few years ago, I made meals for a friend who had her second child and was also the mother to a two year old little boy. I made meals in advance, such as spaghetti and meatballs, roasted carrots, mashed potato casserole, broccoli and cheese, etc. and sealed all of that in foodsaver bags and froze it. When my friend had her baby, I was prepared! This would survive a car trip in a well packed cooler with lots of ice.

Also, think about muffins. They are an easy snack and breakfast and you could make them in advance, freeze them, and keep them cool in a cooler during your trip.

I agree that snacks might be a wonderful thing for a new mom. Maybe a basket with homemade muffins, jam, juices (ones that don't have to be refrigerated until opened), and fruit would be a great idea.

Congratulations to you and your family and I hope you have a great time visiting your new family member!:)

As a new mom (last year) I loved having a few meals in my freezer that were easily defrosted and cooked. The BEST thing were the home made soups. Make them put them in a large freezer bag, freeze then put in a cooler to make the trek.
Lentil soup, chicken noodle, vegetable, etc. YUM

I vote for healthy grabbable snacks. When I was a new mommy (last year) I just wanted something that felt healthy to me and my baby - not just cookies. So vegetables with dip, hummus, fruit fruit fruit, nuts, pickles. Ideally I would have liked a mix of these separated out for me on plates or something. So i could just grab a container and have a little bit of a bunch of stuff.

Having just had a baby (well my wife, not me), I second the recommendation for frozen stuff. I cooked lots of meals and froze them prior to our son's birth and it was a lifesaver those first few weeks. Also, if you're in a baking mood and the mom is breastfeeding, there are some recipes online for oatmeal cookies with brewer's yeast that can help milk production and are really tasty.

Take some cereals, instant oatmeal if she likes it so that something very quick at any point in the day could be prepared.

Hummus and baba freeze well. That would be an awfully nice thing to pop out.

Consider taking with you some homemade cookies - not so much for the new parents but something that they can pull out to let guests snack on when people come by to see the new baby.

Last, consider getting a fruit of the month club gift for them. Sounds cheesy but for a set amount of time there will be something yummy and kinda gourmet coming into the house for snacking on.

We had some out of towners come visit after we had a baby in May and they brought a rotisserie chicken and some mashed potatoes they had bought at a grocery store. They didn't have to worry about bringing it a long distance and we got a very hassle free meal. Sure if wasn't homemade, but it was great none the less.

The frozen meals are great - as long as they have adequate freezer space. We didn't, so we couldn't stockpile some of the stuff that otherwise we might have been able to.

I think bread, muffins, cookies, and brownies are all great ideas as well.

I recently brought friends a huge tub of homemade hummus, bags of cut-up veggies; fruit salad; baked ziti ready to either freeze or put directly in the oven; bagged nice salad greens with homemade dressing, cheese crumbles, and dried cranberries and candied walnuts; roasted pork tenderloin that could be eaten room temp, on sandwiches, or heated up; big loaf of bread with a tub of homemade garlic butter; and a pot of soup. I tried to do a mix of things that could be eaten now, frozen for later, and that could serve as snacks over a week or so.

As a mother of two, I would recommend asking her. After I had my babies, I couldn't eat a lot of stuff. I was breastfeeding and dairy was hard on them, gave them lots of rashes and gas so they couldn't sleep well. I cut diary for a while and also spicy stuff and food with lots of condiments. I was eating bland, light food.

Snacks, fruit, veggies, frozen meals, some sweets, soups. Just ask her if she is avoiding any kind of foods before you get everything done.

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions! :D

-Liz (sighants)

I just went to visit (out of town) a good friend that had her first baby and is in crazy new mom not getting any sleep mode.

I sent her via mail some nice tea, a barefoot contessa cupcake mix, and pajamas before I went to visit. She loved the tea and pjs.

Once I got there I went to the grocery store one day and bought food and cooked for her in her kitchen.

I asked the same question recently when everyone seemed to be giving birth. I wound up making pans of enchiladas and quiches. Both freeze well in individual portions.

If I were you I would get over not wanting to cook at your own sister's house, with a new baby and little sleep she will not want to be entertaining your butt. I'm not trying to be mean but I had sooooo many guests after having my baby and it was so tiring to just do the mom things you have to do plus think about meals and all that other stuff that goes with having people over. Offering to handle a few meals would be much much much appreciated.

Everyone's had great suggestions! Especially the part about one-handed foods and late-night snacks!

I'm actually a nurse-midwife, so when considering what foods a new mama should have, I tend to consider postpartum/nursing nutrition too. Every woman who gives birth loses a little blood in the process, so it's good to support her iron level. Also, if she's nursing (hopefully!), she also needs to be aware of her calcium intake. Blackstrap molasses is very high in both calcium and iron. Maybe some chili, cookies, or quick bread made with blackstrap.

Other suggestions (not so much food related) are to not only pitch in while you're visiting, but to encourage others to do the same. I tell new moms to put a "to do" list on the fridge, and let a friend/family member ask visitors to pick something from the list to do for the family when they come to see the baby. Could be folding laundry, sweeping the floor, or running an errand.

We lived off frozen / prepared stuff from trader joe's for a few weeks. Relatively healthy and easy. And throw in some sweets if she's breastfeeding. One thing, though, check if they have freezer space before getting too many frozen things. We never have enough space in the freezer (though 1/4 of our freezer is taken up by breastmilk, so that's part of it ... ).

I craved FRESH tasting things like fruit and veggies when I was nursing. I was hungry all the time. Oh, I also needed lots of proteins. But again, fresh was pretty key for me, and best of all for you, fruits and veggies need little of any prep and cooking!

also keep in mind that foods like onions, broccoli and beans can make little babies gassy -- more gas was not something my little one needed!