I will never forget having my first baby. It was a time of complete euphoria and complete exhaustion! I truly feel nothing but fondness when I think of those first weeks with baby, but I also remember very clearly that getting my teeth brushed was a major accomplishment. A shower? Talk about productive! Needless to say I wasn’t doing much cooking! Since I didn’t know what I was getting into, I didn’t prepare any food ahead of time. Luckily I had a good friend and a mom who knew better. Between the two of them Nate and I had a freezer full of prepared dinners that simply required defrosting and reheating. Those meals were a lifesaver for us! We ate wonderfully during a time when about all I could manage was cold cereal. Having food waiting in the freezer when baby is born is not only a good idea but almost a necessity, especially if you have other little ones running around! The following 12 meals are perfect for freezing ahead and are delicious, too! Get all the cooking done before baby arrives or, better yet, get your mom to do it for you! Whoever does the prep, once your sweet one is here, you’ll be so glad you won’t have to think twice about prepping a good meal. All of these recipes are great for freezing and a few are even dairy-free, something that many nursing moms need.   This Sweet Potato Goat Cheese Quiche looks especially scrumptious. Get the recipe from Well Plated! One of our family’s most favorite recipes is Grammy’s Orange Chicken. This dinner is ultimate comfort food, has no dairy except for butter, and is not heavy on spices. Plus it freezes nicely! Get the recipe from This Week for Dinner! This cozy Spinach Tortellini Tomato Soup is not only delicious but filled with healthy tomatoes and spinach, and the pasta makes it nice and filling. Get the recipe from Diethood! Chicken Noodle Soup was one of my most favorite meals after having babies. After my third child, a friend of mine (who also happened to be a chef…lucky me!) brought over a huge container of homemade chicken noodle soup and it seriously made me happy! If you want to freeze some soup ahead of time for yourself, Simply Sated has a great recipe!   Chicken Pot Pie is another great dinner for new parents! Protein, veggies and pure deliciousness is just what you need in those early weeks with baby. Get the recipe from This Week for Dinner! Yes, filling healthy dinners are a great thing to have in the freezer, but so are yummy Nutella Stuffed French Toast Sticks. Whether for breakfast or a snack, you definitely need to fill your freezer with these French toast goodies! Get the recipe at From Valerie’s Kitchen! When I started compiling this list, I got in touch with my friends at Once a Month Meals because they are the freezer food experts. The whole team wholeheartedly recommended this Crockpot Mongolian Beef recipe, so I think it is a must! Click here to get the recipe from Once a Month Meals! Lasagna is a fabulous meal to have in the freezer after baby is born. One of the best things we did was divide a cooked lasagna into individually-wrapped servings, so Nate and I could just grab a few servings at a time. This lasagna recipe from Ina Garten is a traditional tomato-based lasagna but with a few flavor twists. A friend brought it to us after one of our babies and it was divine! Get the recipe on This Week for Dinner!   If you’re looking for a completely different kind of lasagna, this Creamy White Caprese Lasagna is a great option. Get the recipe from The Cookie Rookie! Beef stew was another meal that my mom cooked and froze for us when we had our first baby. I don’t know if it was just because I was completely famished and bleary-eyed, but it was one of the best things I ever tasted! I am sure I would have devoured this Vegetable Beef Stew from The Lemon Bowl just as thoroughly! Once a Month Meals also put together two complete freezable meal plans tailored for new parents. These meals are dairy free and the meal plans include side dishes and dessert, too. You’ll love having these meals stashed away! Click here for the recipes from Once a Month Meals!     Guest Contributor: Jane Maynard // This Week for Dinner