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These dietitian-approved easy freezer meals for new moms help ease the transition to motherhood.  Make ahead freezer meals are the best quick and easy pregnancy meals and will be ready for you when you need them by doing just a little meal prep when pregnant. 

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Focusing on freezer ideas for new moms and other freezer-friendly meal prep has been a life saver as a new mom, which is why I think it’s important to share these easy pregnancy meals with you.

As a Family Dietitian and mom of 3, I’m exceptionally tuned in to the importance of nutrition in the postpartum period. And doing anything ahead of time – like making easy meals for new moms – makes life much easier.

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Pregnant meal prep was by far the smartest thing I could have done to prepare for my daughter’s VBAC home birth. There is just so much exhaustion, hormone dips, soreness and more that comes with giving birth.

I remember having such limited energy, and the last thing I wanted to do in my free pockets of time was cook. I needed something quick to just heat or re-heat, so I could get back to snuggling with my baby or taking a nap!

Just having some balanced meals on hand that I could heat up when I was new to breastfeeding and taking care of a toddler and infant reduced so much stress.

I hope these healthy freezer meals for new moms will be helpful for you too! And, even if you aren’t a new mom but are just in a busy season of life, having healthy freezer meals on hand makes a world of difference.

Freezer Meals for New Moms: Why and How

I always tell people that making freezer meals for new moms is a great way to help (new) parents. We have several ideas for postpartum freezer meals as well.

While the process of actually making freezer meals for new parents may seem tedius, it’s actually easy to do.

Whether you’re making a meal for yourself or another family, just double a meal you’re cooking, and you can drop it off without disturbing the new addition. Personally, I always focus on some sort of freezer meal prep before baby.

It did take some time to make all these recipes but you can spread it out over weeks and months. Or, f you’re in a rush or low on time, you could knock a lot out in one weekend. Enlist the help of your mom, sister, neighbor or friend!

If you’re someone who likes to do a lot of cooking in bulk or wants to have easy meals on hand – maybe you have a surgery coming up, or a loved one is sick, etc.

It’s nice to have some meals pre-made so all you have to do is just heat them up.

Some strategic meal prep and subscribing to the annual membership for Thrive Market are my two must-do’s when I’m expecting.

Seriously, having the essentials (flours, snacks, almond milk, etc. etc.) delivered monthly was a LIFE SAVER and we even relied on Blue Apron and other meal delivery services in those early months.

You’re tired, sleep deprived, the laundry is excessive, and cooking a meal is the last thing on your mind. I relied a lot on the freezer meals I made when pregnant and also subscribed to some other helpful products.

I also subscribed to Butcher Box for high-quality meat and seafood, which I used for many of these recipes to prep. When I’m pregnant, postpartum, or now that I have kids, I only buy high quality, grass fed meat.

Storage Tips For Pregnancy Freezer Meals

When doing meal prep for pregnancy and postpartum, you do want to keep a few things in mind from a food safety perspective. Especially knowing that when pregnant (and early postpartum), your immune defenses may be down because of all the energy you’re exerting growing/feeding a baby.

1. According to the FDA, when preparing food, make sure to always separate raw from cooked meats and foods. This means using separate cutting boards.
2. Food safety is especially important for pregnancy and postpartum, when our immune systems may be more vulnerable. Always make sure to cook foods to proper temperatures.
3. When defrosting food, avoid doing so on the countertop at room temperature. Instead, defrost in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave. Food thawed in cold water or in the microwave should be cooked immediately.
4. If you thaw something and don’t end up eating it, do NOT refreeze.
5. It may be a good idea to try to incorporate some recipes that are allergen-free or friendly. You never know if your breastfeeding baby will react to dairy or something in your diet. If you do have a dairy allergy down the road, these are some helpful dairy free snacks for baby (and mom).
6. Try to use your freezer meals within 2-5 months. Believe me – these meals will taste better and have a stronger nutrition profile if you do. Make sure you have freezer friendly containers, such as Stasher bags or pyrex containers.

Ideas for Easy Pregnancy Freezer Meals

The best easy freezer meals for new moms will have multiple macronutrients and food groups to keep you nourished and full when your energy and nutrient needs are so high.

New moms have high energy needs based on birth and recovery. Plus, breastfeeding hunger is legitimate and real, and these healthy freezer meals, paired with healthy postpartum snacks, can help new moms recover faster. 

I’ve divided these freezer meals for new moms into different categories, such as:

• Breakfasts
• Snacks
• Crockpot Freezer Meals
• Dinners

I would recommend doing meal prep during pregnancy (ideally, mid third trimester) if you have the energy and time!

Little by little, it will add up. Just make sure you have somewhere to store them, like a deep freezer or chest freezer.

Note that these easy freezer meals are GREAT as healthy pregnancy meals and pregnancy dinner ideas as well. This goes back to the earlier point of just double up a recipe when you’re making yourself a meal, so you’ll be able to enjoy it postpartum.

What You Need for Postpartum Freezer Meals

I want to share some of my favorite resources for pregnancy meal prep and postpartum freezer meals because to succeed, you have to have a few systems in place.  

I would have loved to see a post like this when I was pregnant to encourage a meal prep pregnancy plan, so I thought it may be helpful to compile a list of meal prep ideas for pregnancy to make in bulk.

Meal prepping for postpartum does not have to be overly arduous and time-consuming. Just do it little by little.

While this is great for mamas-to-be to be, it can also be a resource for simple meal prep or freezer prep. And if you already have a little one, e family ideas that can double as freezable toddler meals. 

Chest Freezer

We bought a chest freezer a few months ago that has been the best purchase for postpartum freezer meals. We keep it in the garage.

If you don’t have the money or space for a deep freezer, try to utilize your current freezer the best you can.

Tupperware and Storage Containers

I recommend purchasing a good set of tupperware or meal prep freezer containers that can go in the freezer. You want to invest in a good quality that will last.

Your healthy postpartum freezer meals are literally going to be fueling you, so the container you store them in matters. Avoid the plastic.

These have been vital for food prep for pregnancy, too. 

Meal Prep Sheet To Keep Track Of Meals

This may be because I’m a nerd, but I love writing down and noting what I’m making or have made. I’m a mom who needs meal prep organization, especially when making freezer meals.

I love this magnet sheet for mentally planning and organizing meals and days and of course, my shopping list.

I would have easily forgotten about so much of my postpartum freezer meals if I hadn’t written them down.

Crockpot or Instant Pot

Lastly, if you don’t have a crockpot or instant pot, you should invest in one now for make ahead freezer slowcooker meals.

Believe me, the money spent now is WELL worth it when you’re tired, can’t/don’t want to leave the house (or put real clothes on) and have no fresh food.

ven make-ahead breakfasts, like Crockpot Oatmeal, is so hands off and can be cooked in the background of doing other things, like laundry or resting.

Best Freezer Meals for After Baby is Born

I can’t tell you how helpful these easy freezer meals were for me as a new mom. I now use this as my guide for new mommy friends who need easy meals that will last them a while.

Below is a list of quick and easy pregnancy meals to freeze before baby arrives that either I made, were recommended to me, or I found on the internet and thought would make for great easy freezer meals for new moms. 

Healthy Breakfast Meal Prep Recipes

We tend to only think about dinners in terms of make ahead freezer meals, but don’t forget about the power of breakfast, which let me remind you, you can eat any time of day.

Breakfast meal prep ideas for new moms are GOLD because we are groggy and sleep-deprived in the mornings. Here are some more ideas for meal prep breakfasts. 

You’ll thank yourself when you can just grab something or reheat a healthy freezer meal and start your day. Especially if you have a crying or needy baby and are functioning in a sleep-deprived state.

• Banana Peach Baked Oatmeal
• Apple Pumpkin Pie Baked Oatmeal 
• Easy Protein Granola paired with greek yogurt, cottage cheese, oatmeal or frozen waffles!
• Banana Oat Waffles (Great for breastfeeding moms and high in galactagogues that help with milk production!) 
• Sweet Potato Blueberry Baked Oatmeal 
• Kefir Overnight Oats – probiotics for better digestion!
• Turkey Sausage Breakfast Casserole
• Chocolate Baked Oats
• Spinach Feta Muffins
• Cherry Oatmeal Muffins 
• Asparagus and Mushroom Quiche
• Freezer to Microwave Breakfast Burritos via New Leaf Wellness
• Bulk Breakfast Sandwiches via Damn Delicious
• Sausage and Cheese Biscuits via Cleverly Simple
• Leftover Oatmeal Cookies, also a great lactogenic food for breastfeeding. 

Easy Snacks for New Moms

Snacks for pregnancy and filling breastfeeding snacks for new moms are essential. If you’re more of a smoothie person, check out this list of lactation smoothie recipes that can help with milk production. 

When hunger hits you instantaneously, you’re not going to want to wait to make or bake something that takes time, which is why I rely on some of my favorite snacks for pregnancy and healthy postpartum snacks that are ready when you need them!

No one remembers them, but snacks are the most important part for moms throughout the day. It’s totally okay to rely on storebought snacks too – just try to choose some with protein and even fiber or healthy fats – all which can help with digestion, fullness, hormones and more.

My go-to is Thrive Market for protein bars, collagen, dried fruit, granola, trail mix and more.

Most of these make ahead snack recipes have some sort of protein, which is key for satiety and satisfaction. 

• The Best 4 Ingredient Trail Mix 
• Protein Granola
• Vegan Trail Mix Bars (galactogogue friendly!)
• Sweet Potato Quickbread 
• Superhero Muffins via Run Fast, Eat Slow
• Sweet Potato Cookie Dough Dip (for those with a sweet tooth!) 
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Coconut Balls (Vegan & Gluten Free)
• Sunflower Chocolate Chip Chickpea Bars 
• Almond Flour Banana Muffins 
• BBQ Roasted Chickpeas
• Strawberry Applesauce Bars
• Make Ahead Muffin Mix via Make Ahead Meal Mom
• Strawberry Banana Chickpea Muffins 
• Chocolate Pomegranate Energy Bites
• Carrot Cake Energy Bites
• No Bake Protein Bites (Vegan)
• 3 Ingredient Vegan Banana Cookies 

If you just want something cold and creamy, this roundup of greek yogurt smoothie recipes should provide plenty of inspiration. And these smoothies for pregnancy double as providing nourishment for postpartum, like calcium, probiotics and Vitamin D.

Easy Dinner Meals for Pregnancy and Best Freezer Meals Postpartum 

Whether you’re looking for healthy instant pot or crockpot freezer meals, freezer family meals or easy freezer meals before baby, these pregnancy meal prep lunches and dinner ideas are perfect. 

They incorporate anti-inflammatory vitamins and minerals and healthy fats, from foods like onions, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, eggs, yogurt, tomatoes, omega-3 fatty acids, whole grains and more.

Eating well will help you feel better and more energetic during pregnancy and postpartum, so having pregnancy dinner ideas and go to recipes help!

However, you probably won’t have the time or energy to cook meals from scratch so these easy dinner recipes come together easily and are easy to prep in advance. 

I like to repurpose many of these are pregnancy lunch meal prep because we tend to forget about lunch recipes. 

You can pair many of these with a big batch (or microwaved) brown rice, white rice, barley, quinoa, etc.

• Vegetarian Pasta Bake  (easy to freeze)
• Pizza Quinoa Bites (aka quinoa meatballs!), a great plant based option 
• Lemon Pepper Baked Chicken Tenders – Serve with rice, grains or on a sandwich!
• Sheetpan Salmon and Veggies
• Kale and Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese
• Instant Pot Bison Meatballs
• Chicken Sweetpotato Chili
• Chicken Pasta with Coconut Milk – one-pot, easy to freeze and so creamy!
• Vegetarian Mexican Lasagna via How to Eat
• Sweet Potato Turkey Burgers 
• Baby led weaning meatballs (3 ingredients!)
• Bison Meatballs
• Instant Pot Tortellini Soup
• Easy Freezer Meatballs via Happy Money Saver
• Curried Chicken and Chickpea Soup via Jill Weisenberger
• Sweet Potato and Zucchini Fritters

Crockpot Freezer Meals

Crockpot freezer meals are the most hands off options available because the slow cooker does all the work! 

Here are some favorites: 

• Easy Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili 
• Slowcooker Chicken Pumpkin Chili
• Slowcooker BBQ Chili 
• I also like to make a big batch of air fryer frozen green beans and pair with easy lunches and meals.

Can You Make Freezer Meals for a Month?

I hope you find these pregnant meal prep ideas helpful if you’re expecting or just want to plan ahead. It can be easy to put all of our focus on a little one and neglect ourselves.

Easy freezer meals don’t have to be overwhelming. I just did a few recipes each week that built up over time (so thankful for my chest freezer).

Or, if you’re making a recipe that is freezable, just double or triple the recipe and then you don’t necessarily have to take an extra time to make freezer meals for baby. 

You could easily stock up on freezer meals for a month if you have the space and do it little by little.

I’ve found that toddler muffins and bars are my FAVORITE easy grab-and-go snacks. You need to have easy snacks that you can eat with one hand. Add some yogurt or nut butter for a protein-packed satisfying snack. 

Try to avoid the pressure to do it all at once (unless you operate better that way).

These pregnancy freezer meals are an act of self care for future you, to make your life easier and smoother as you transition to life with a baby.

And best of all – they are nutritious, too!