Best Snacks for Early Labor

When you're going through the slow-mo stage of labor, you might find yourself feeling a bit peckish and needing to refuel for when things kick into gear. However, you also might be pretty tired, irritable, and nauseated! You need a snack that will give you some healthy calories for energy and won't cause any extra gastrointestinal distress. What are some good choices for healthy snacks during labor that will recharge and replenish?

1. Prepped fruits and veggies

Bananas, grapes, and orange slices are great choices to give you a little energy boost. Think peeled, cut, easy to hold and ready to eat. Baby carrots and celery sticks with guacamole work great too!

2. Granola or energy bars

If the thought of a full meal makes you cringe, reach for a granola bar or a protein-packed energy bar to help you feel satisfied.

3. Applesauce cups

Applesauce cups are easy to eat and digest, and give you a little boost from the natural sugars.

4. Smoothies

A smoothie is a yummy and easily digested snack (or meal!) to have during labor. You can even put in a bunch of hippie stuff like sprouts and cover the taste with strawberries. Some moms like to prep smoothie bags and freeze chunks of fruit and other favorite ingredients, then a helper can just dump one in the blender upon request.

5. Crackers

Your favorite crackers are simple comfort food and should be easy on your tummy. You might want to have both saltines and more complicated flavored crackers on hand in case of nausea.

Help, I'm Laboring and Hungry at the Hospital

Unfortunately a lot of hospitals still have rules against eating during labor, so eat up before you grab your bag and head over there. However, you can usually have liquids once you're settled in your room, so this opens up a ton of possibilities for nourishment, calories, and deliciousness.

1. Honey sticks

I like to bring honey sticks to the hospital for my birth clients because they give you a great-tasting little shot of calories, but don't count as contraband solid food. It's zero-mess and you can suck on it here and there while you're laboring in any position you choose.

2. Broth

Broths can be an amazingly healthy and delicious way to hydrate and nourish you during labor. Whether it's bone broth you simmered in your own kitchen, or a can of broth from the store, it will be gentle on your tummy and get some nutrients into you.

3. Gatorade/Electrolyte Drinks

Labor is definitely hard work, and you may be sweating it up by the end. A sports drink or electrolyte water will help replenish and cool you. You can buy a couple bottles to toss in your hospital bag or even make this homemade electrolyte water recipe.

4. Jell-O

If you're crafty you can make homemade gelatin snacks. If you're more of an Amazon Prime mom than a Pinterest mom, your trusty L&D nurse can snag you a cup of Jell-O at the hospital!

5. Popsicles

A popsicle is awesome if you're craving ice, but don't want to hurt your teeth. You can buy popsicles or make them with your favorite flavors of juice. Perfect for some slow-release energy boosting, and cooling you down when you're working hard.

Despite healthy snacking and drinking during labor, many moms are ravenous after delivering and settling in with their baby. Consider having someone designated to order your perfect victory meal after the birth. You deserve it!