Having a baby is one of the most magical experiences that new parents will experience. You have this little one growing inside you for 9 long months and, trust me it may not seem like it at the time but it goes by so fast. I just recently gave birth to my 3rd baby and it’s been a much more relaxed experience than my other two. I think this is partly due to the fact that I have done this twice before and know what to do to get prepared. Before this baby was born I came up with a list of things to do before your baby is born and it helped tremendously. So I figured that if this list helped me, it would probably help some of you two. So here is my list of 15 things to do before your baby is born.
15 Things To Do Before Your Baby Is Born
1. Wash crib sheets, baby blankets and clothes
It’s a good idea to wash a good portion of your babies new gear before they arrive. You don’t want to wash everything, because there will be some things that may not fit or that you just don’t use. If you wash them you won’t be able to exchange them. I would recommend washing a week or two worths of clothing and blankets using a gentle baby-friendly detergent.
2. Invest in a few QUALITY nursing bras
Your nursing bra is going to become your best friend after you have your baby, especially if you are breastfeeding. A nursing bra makes it so much easier to breastfeed your little one. I would recommend getting a few high quality nursing bras so that you can rotate them.
3. Buy nursing pads
The one bad thing about breastfeeding is the fact that you are going to leak. It’s a very unpleasant side effect but one that most new moms will go through. Be sure to get quality nursing pads because they are more comfortable especially in the beginning.
4. Stock up on baby medications
You probably aren’t going to need these for awhile but it’s nice to have them on hand for if or when your baby gets sick. Before my baby was born I stocked up on Mylicon Drops, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Diaper Rash Ointment and Saline Drops. It gives me peace of mind know that I have these on hand in case my baby needs them. Because there is nothing worse than having a sick crying baby and having to drive across town to pick up tylenol in the middle of the night.
5. Find a pediatrician
There are a lot of stressful moments after you have your baby, but trying to pick out a pediatrician at the last minute shouldn’t be one. I recommend researching pediatricians a few months before your due date. That way you and your hubby have plenty of time to find the perfect one. Also make a list of questions that you can ask each pediatrician, this will help to determine which doctor is right for you and your new baby.
6. Sterilize bottles, pacifiers and breast pump equipment
Even if you plan on exclusively breastfeeding your baby, I would still recommend sterilizing a few bottles and pacifiers to have on hand. You want to first clean everything in warm soapy water and then boil them or you can use these handy Microwave sterilizer bags which are quick and convenient.
7. Pre-register at the hospital
You definitely want to pre-register far in advance of your due date. TRUST ME. You don’t want to be filling out paper work and rummaging through your purse trying to find your insurance card when you are having contractions. When you pre-register all you will have to do is check in at the hospital and you’ll be on your way to having a baby in no time.
8. Pack a hospital bag for you and baby
This is another one of those things that you should do several weeks before your due date. That way if you happen to go into labor early your hospital bag is ready to go. I would pack things for both you and your partner and pack a separate bag for your baby.
9. Buy a waterproof mattress pad
Not for your baby but for you! When I was pregnant with my first child I had just purchased all new furniture including a new mattress. Why we waited until having kids to buy a new couch is beyond me. It took all of 30 minutes from being home from the hospital before my little one threw up all over it. But that’s another blog post. I had purchased the new mattress and didn’t even think about putting a protective mattress pad down. Well not until one night when my water broke in the early morning hours, while I was laying on my brand new, not even a month old, mattress. Thankfully I have really good reflexes and jumped right out of the bed before any damage was done. Lesson learned.
10. Install the car seat
Having the car seat installed before you go into labor can alleviate a lot of stress. You want to make sure you are familiar with the car seat and how it works. There is nothing worse than trying to figure out how everything works when you have a baby in the car seat.
11. Have a date night
This one is so important because date nights will become few and far between once you have your little one, at least for awhile. So plan on having a date night or two before the big day and enjoy these kid-free moments with you and your spouse.
12. Make and stock up on freezer meals
Once you have your baby the last thing you are going to want to do is slave away in the kitchen. It’s easy to eat out but that’s not only going to cost you a lot of money but it’s not good for you. I recommend making several freezer meals ahead of time so that all you have to do is pop them in the crockpot or oven and that’s it.
13. Charge your camera battery
I know that in this day in age most of us use our phones for everything, including taking pictures. But trust me, you will want your best camera to capture those first special moments after your baby is born so make sure to charge your camera battery. After it’s fully charged it’s a good idea to pack it along with your hospital bag so you don’t forget it.
14. Stock up on plenty of diapers
This includes both newborn and size 1 diapers. Babies will go through 10-15+ diapers a day in those first few weeks, especially if they are breastfed. It’s crazy how quickly you’ll go through diapers so you will want to make sure you have a good stockpile to last you at least through the first month.
15. Try to get as much sleep/rest as possible
This one is easier said than done. The last trimester is the hardest and sleep is difficult but try to get as much rest in as you can because you are going to need it.
There you have it, my list of 15 things to do before your baby is born. Now please remember that every mom is different so some of these tips might work for you and some may not. I’d love to hear some of your tips on things to do before your baby is born.
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