2026
M ATERN ITY ESSENTIALS
GUIDE
THE MATERNITY EXPERIENCE MORE THAN A MEAL — A MOMENT OF CARE Welcoming a new baby is one of life’s most meaningful moments — and for many families, it happens inside our hospitals. During recovery, mothers often experience unpredictable schedules, overnight nourishment needs, and long gaps between meals. Traditional tray delivery models don’t always align with the realities of maternity care. At the same time, expectations around hospitality, flexibility, and patient experience continue to grow. This creates an opportunity for our teams to make a meaningful impact through:
FLEXIBLE NOURISHMENT
PERSONAL AND MEMORABLE CELEBRATION MOMENTS
THOUGHTFUL HOSPITALITY
Even small touches — a handwritten note or a well-timed meal — can transform a hospital stay into a lasting memory.
WHY MATERNITY PROGRAMS MATTER • Meal timing is often unpredictable • Overnight nourishment access is limited
THE GOAL Create a maternity experience that feels: • Nourishing
• Mothers may go long periods without eating
• Flexible
• Families increasingly expect convenience and flexibility
• Simple to execute
• Nurses value strong coordination with Food & Nutrition teams
• Welcoming • Meaningful for families
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WHAT WE HEARD FROM NURSING & OPERATORS As we gathered feedback from operators, nurses, and moms across the country, several consistent themes emerged. TIMING & RESPONSIVENESS Missed timing often leads to missed meals.
SERVICE EXPERIENCE Delivery, follow-up, and interaction matter as much as food quality.
OVERNIGHT ACCESS Many mothers need nourishment outside traditional meal periods.
EMOTIONAL IMPACT This is a major life moment; small gestures go a long way.
FLEXIBILITY & CONTROL Patients increasingly expect convenience and choice.
HOW THE ELEVATED MOM & BABY PROGRAM RESPONDS NEED
SOLUTION
FLEXIBLE MEAL TIMING
PATIENT-DRIVEN ORDERING (WHENEVER POSSIBLE)
ELEVATED EXPERIENCES
CELEBRATION MENU & HOSPITALITY TOUCHES
NURSING COORDINATION
CLEAR ORDERING WORKFLOWS
EMOTIONAL CONNECTION
CELEBRATION TOUCHES & PERSONALIZED MOMENTS
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GETTING STARTED START SMALL. BUILD OVER TIME. The most successful maternity programs aren’t always the most elaborate, but they are the most consistent. Sites don’t need to launch every component immediately, but rather begin with well-executed core components.
CORE PROGRAM ELEMENTS These small additions create a memorable experience without adding significant complexity.
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OFFER A CELEBRATION MENU Create a dedicated maternity meal experience. INCLUDE A HANDWRITTEN CARD A personal note creates an emotional connection.
Congratulations on your new addition! We hope this meal brings you a moment to relax & celebrate.
SERVE ON AN ELEVATED ROOM SERVICE TRAY Transform a meal into a memorable celebration moment.
- Chef Stephen
FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS MOST Hospitality and service delivery often matter more than the menu itself. The following elements consistently stand out as key impact drivers across high-performing maternity programs: • Warm hospitality. Deliver the experience with warmth and intention. • Flexible timing. Allow mothers to choose the timing of the celebration meal. • Comfort-focused food. Provide elevated comfort foods that feel satisfying and special. • Coordination with nursing. Work together so moms receive timely, supportive care. • Consistent execution. Deliver a seamless experience through simple, repeatable processes.
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EXECUTION + IMPLEMENTATION KEEP THE PROCESS SIMPLE Clear workflows and flexible timing are critical to a successful maternity program.
STEP 1 SET THE FOUNDATION Confirm included program elements (patient, celebration, guest meal)
BEST PRACTICES
Define the budget for the celebration + guest meal approach Align with nursing leadership Identify the most common maternity diet needs Build celebration meals into MenuWorks/diet spreads Add a new course within dining software to house menu options Include a “celebration meal” menu item to alert team building tray
Keep workflows simple Prioritize timing flexibility Coordinate closely with nursing Focus on consistency over complexity
STEP 2 BUILD THE ORDERING WORKFLOW Incorporate new admission rounding if possible to intro program Identify who initiates ordering (nurse, patient, or rounding) Determine when orders are placed Set guidelines for how timing flexibility is managed (During which meal periods can you execute most consistently?)
STEP 3 LEVERAGE YOUR SERVICE MODEL Room service (patient orders when ready) Bedside/rounding (staff place order with mom)
STEP 4 DELIVERY TIPS Daily Births <5: Choose an elevated delivery experience with a separate cart Daily Births 6-11: Choose a path that best fits your operational constraints Daily Births >12: Focus on consistency, including within normal tray delivery
For a more elevated experience, consider using hospitality carts, dedicated celebration delivery moments, or non-PDA staff for delivery when available.
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THE MENU COMFORT-DRIVEN. RECOVERY-FOCUSED. EASY TO EXECUTE. The maternity menu brings together thoughtful food and a soft, welcoming aesthetic to create a celebration meal that feels warm, polished, and easy to execute. Each menu follows a simple three-course format with two starters, three mains, two desserts, and one signature beverage, giving patients and guests meaningful choices without adding unnecessary complexity for operators. Patients and guests order from the same menu, with guest meals typically being subsidized by the client. Menu selections should focus on elevated comfort foods, protein-forward options, hydration, and simple presentation that supports recovery while making the moment feel special.
Pro Tip!
The most successful programs focus on a smaller selection of highly executable menu items rather than large, complex menus.
MENU TOOL CUSTOMIZING YOUR MENU The maternity menu is designed to support local flexibility while maintaining a consistent patient experience. Teams can customize offerings based on: • Culinary capabilities • Patient preferences • Staffing models • Regional trends
GETTING STARTED
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Explore the celebration menu options.
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Make your account specific adjustments in the menu tool.
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Update your menu cycle in MenuWorks, and submit to FSR for printing.
READY TO DIVE IN? SCAN HERE TO LEARN HOW TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR MENU
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SMALL DETAILS. BIG IMPACT. Small presentation upgrades can significantly enhance the patient and family experience, helping each meal or hospitality moment feel more intentional, polished, and memorable. The right smallwares support the story of the program—from celebration meals and beverage service to shareable bites and bedside experiences—while creating consistency in how the experience is delivered.
Use the Smallwares Guide and Matrix Resource to identify approved items, current specifications, and recommended applications for your account.
WHERE TO FOCUS ELEVATED SUSHI PRESENTATION
COFFEE SERVICE MOMENT
If sushi is a guest favorite or a mainstay on your menu, consider investing in an elevated serving tray and updated soy sauce dispensers. These simple upgrades help create a more premium experience without changing the menu itself.
Create an elevated coffee experience with a china creamer pitcher, sugar packet holder, and upgraded mugs. Thoughtful presentation helps turn a simple cup of coffee into a hospitality moment for patients, partners, and visiting family members.
COMFORTING TEA SERVICE
SHAREABLE SNACK DISPLAY
Turn tea service into a comforting recovery experience. Serving herbal teas from an elevated teapot with matching china cups adds warmth, comfort, and a personal touch.
A charcuterie display served on a presentation board instantly elevates the experience, transforming a simple snack into a memorable hospitality moment for patients, partners, and visiting family members.
DELIVERY NOTE
All food components should be cater-wrapped for transport to help preserve presentation and quality from kitchen to bedside. Small details create a big impact. Focus investments on the moments guests notice most, rather than upgrading every smallware category.
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GROWING THE PROGRAM BUILD THE PROGRAM IN PHASES The maternity program is intentionally designed to grow over time. Begin with a core elements and expand the experience as staffing and budget allow. The most successful programs focus first on consistency, hospitality, and timing, then layer in additional enhancements over time.
PHASE 1: LAUNCH Start with the essentials. Begin with a simple, sustainable foundation that’s easy for teams to execute consistently. Core elements: • Celebration menu • Handwritten note • Elevated tray • Flexible meal timing whenever possible
PHASE 2: EXPAND Add flexibility and hospitality. As the program becomes more established, you may choose to expand offerings that further support patients and families. Potential additions: • Guest or partner meals • Expanded menu selections • Additional hospitality touches
PHASE 3: ELEVATE Create a premium experience. For sites looking to further differentiate the maternity experience, additional hospitality-focused enhancements can help create memorable moments for patients and families. Examples may include: • Elevated smallwares and china package • Celebration carts • Surprise & delight • ‘Wow’ moments
Pro Tip!
Let feedback guide your next move. Patient comments, nursing input, and participation trends can help identify which enhancements will make the biggest impact. 9
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE CREATING MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES A successful maternity program improves both patient experience and operational partnership across the hospital.
PATIENT EXPERIENCE Moms feel recognized, supported, and cared for during their stay. Feedback you may hear:
“I can’t believe they did this for us.” “That meal made the moment feel even more special.”
CLINICAL TEAM ENGAGEMENT Nursing and care teams see Food & Nutrition as a partner for delivering a positive maternity experience. Feedback you may hear:
“Food makes such a difference on this floor.”
METRICS TO TRACK
Celebration meal participation
Guest meal utilization
Patient comments & satisfaction
Nursing engagement & feedback
Delivery consistency
Program growth over time
The most impactful maternity programs succeed not because they are the most intricate, but because they are deliberate, dependable, and centered on the patient experience. 10
QUICK START CHECKLIST Launching a maternity program doesn’t need to be complicated. Many successful programs begin with a few simple elements and grow over time based on operational readiness, staffing, and patient feedback. Focus first on creating a thoughtful, consistent experience that feels warm, flexible, and easy for teams to execute. Small touches and strong coordination often make the biggest impact. Use the checklist below to help guide your launch planning.
MATERNITY EXPERIENCE QUICK CHECKLIST PLANNING
OPERATIONS
Confirm budget and program scope
Define ordering workflow
Align with nursing leadership
Select delivery method with cart type and personnel
Define guest meal approach Identify core program elements for launch
MENU & BUILD Build a celebration menu Update MenuWorks/diet spreads Confirm common maternity diet needs Order smallwares and presentation items Add menu course for maternity meal in dining software
Determine timing and flexibility process Define staff responsibilities and ownership Train staff on hospitality and service expectations Identify rounding and program intro strategy for patients
LAUNCH Communicate launch plan to care teams Launch program Gather patient and nursing feedback Adjust and expand the program over time
Every thoughtful touch helps create a maternity experience families will remember long after they leave the hospital.
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