Your baby is coming soon! You want to be ready, but preparing for baby is a complex process. It requires a significant amount of time and energy. And you may have lots of questions.
What decisions do you need to make? What tasks do you need to complete? What essentials do you need to buy? Planning for your little one’s arrival has lots of moving parts. If you feel overwhelmed, you’re not alone.
We’ve created a comprehensive list of “to-dos” to make your preparation less stressful. This way, you’ll be able to focus on your newborn in your first days and weeks together.
Key Takeaways
- Following an organized preparation list can help ease stress in the months leading up to the birth of your baby.
- Making a birth plan, taking a childbirth class, and planning postpartum care help you create a positive birth experience.
- Gathering baby gear, setting up the nursery, and buying essentials before your baby comes saves you time and energy when they arrive.
- Practicing self-care is a critical way to get yourself ready to be a parent.
A Note About Nesting
Nesting, or the strong urge to prepare for the arrival of offspring, affects parents across animal species. From elephants gathered around a pregnant mother in a circle of support, to mice building small birth nests on the ground, getting ready for a baby is an instinctual drive.
Sometimes it’s harder for humans because we rely on what we learn as opposed to our instincts. Layer on busy schedules, work obligations, and caring for other people, and innate knowledge fades.
This can produce anxiety. Creating a checklist to keep track of pre-baby tasks can replace that feeling of stress with a sense of calm.
What To Do Before Your Newborn Arrives
1) Create A Birth Plan
A birth plan is a written document that explains your preferences for labor, delivery, and post-partum care. Ask your OB/GYN, midwife, or doula to help you write it. Together, you can create the kind of birth experience you want.
Your birth plan should include a wide variety of decisions, from the kind of environment you want to give birth in to the types of medications you want to avoid.
2) Attend Childbirth Class
Joining a birth class is a great way to prepare for the birth of your baby. You’ll learn what to expect during labor and delivery, as well as techniques and positions to ease the process of delivery.
You can also expect it to help you:
- Feel more confident in your body’s ability to give birth
- Get comfortable sharing your fears about giving birth
- Learn some labor pain management techniques
- Know what questions to ask your OB/GYN or midwife
If you have a partner who is attending with you, a birth class is a wonderful way for them to learn how to best support you.
3) Find A Pediatrician
If you don’t already have a pediatrician, try to find one ahead of your baby’s birth. You can talk to friends about their doctors or research practices in your area. Try to schedule a meeting with the pediatrician ahead of time to see if they’re a good match.
4) Babyproof Your Home
Even though your newborn won’t be getting into your kitchen cabinets anytime soon, it’s a great idea to babyproof while you have the time!
Safety precautions include:
- Installing safety gates to block off stairs
- Using outlet covers
- Securing heavy furniture
- Locking cabinets and drawers
- Adding corner guards to furniture with sharp edges
5) Gather Baby Gear
You might want to start thinking about baby gear once you hit your second trimester. That way, you’ll have plenty of time to research and get what you need. (And you’ll have more energy too!)
We’re talking about big-ticket items here, like a bassinet or a crib, a car seat, a dresser, a changing table, and a comfortable chair.
6) Set Up The Nursery
Once you have your furniture, you can begin setting up your baby’s nursery. Choosing elements like a color palette, theme, and decorations can be a fun way to get creative!
The truth is, though, your baby doesn’t need anything fancy. Simple can be perfect: a place to sleep, a place to get changed, a place to be fed, and a place for clothes.
7) Make A List Of Emergency And Support Numbers
Compile a list of critical numbers. Include your pediatrician, the hospital, the fire department, the police, and poison control. Add contact information for your support people, too.
8) Stock Up On Essentials
Stocking up on essential household items like toilet paper, paper towels, and cleaning supplies can save you time once your baby arrives. You’ll want to gather essential baby items too, such as:
- Baby bath products (like Mustela’s Foam Shampoo for Newborns)
- Baby face and body lotions (like Mustela’s Organic Hydrating Cream with Olive Oil and Aloe)
- Baby clothes
- Diapers, Mustela’s Diaper Rash Cream 123, and Mustela’s Home Compostable Wipes
9) Know Your Work’s Maternity And Paternity Leave Policies
Review your workplace policies. While federal law mandates 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected leave, your place of business may have its own policies.
10) Plan Postpartum Care
Giving birth is an incredibly demanding process. (And that’s on top of carrying a baby for nine months!) Your body is going to need time to heal. Let yourself rest. And take care of your skin with Mustela’s Stretch Marks Oil and Essential Care Multi-Purpose Lotion.
Be emotionally gentle with yourself, too. Reach out to your friends and family. Even when you think you’ve got it all together, build in some time for yourself.
11) Make Meals To Freeze
Make some of your favorite meals ahead of the birth and freeze them for when you’re too busy to cook. Better yet: if you’ve got a partner, ask them to make some meals! Friends and family too!
12) Pack A Hospital Bag
Chances are, you won’t know when you’re about to go into labor, so get a hospital bag ready ahead of time. Items to pack include:
- Car seat
- Blankets and swaddles
- Baby clothes
- Burp cloths
- Diapers
- Baby lotions, gels, and creams (like Mustela’s Hydra Bébé Body Lotion and Gentle Cleaning Gel)
You may want to bring a separate diaper bag, and don’t forget to think about yourself! Pack something comfy to wear, a change of clothes, lip moisturizer, toiletries, and whatever else is part of your routine.
Don’t Forget To Take Care Of Yourself, Too
Beyond postpartum care, don’t forget about your needs. Adopting some self-care habits before your little one comes can help you feel calmer and confident, which is a great way to start your parenting journey.
The self-care list is truly endless. Create a set of choices and rituals that speak to you and best relax you. Some ideas to get you started:
-
Cat naps
- Walks
- Gentle exercise, like yoga
- Massages
- Music
- Baths
And stock up on some favorite snacks, too!
Preparing For (Not Perfecting!) Your Newborn’s Arrival
Spending time preparing for baby can help you feel organized and ready for the big day. Gather your essentials, like diapers, Cleansing Wipes, and Soothing Moisturizing Face Cream. Do the tasks (like setting up the nursery) that will save you valuable time later.
Prepare as best you can, but then try to let go. Try to be present. Make mistakes, ask questions, ask for help, and embrace being flexible. As you’ll learn, that’s what parenting is all about!
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start preparing for my baby’s arrival?
Once you enter your third trimester, you should start preparing for your baby’s arrival. Except for big furniture acquisitions, three months is plenty of time for preparations.
Of course, everyone is different. For example, if you know you like to dive deep with research or you’re juggling a job or other kids, you might want to start early.
What kinds of classes should I consider taking before my baby is born?
In addition to a basic childbirth class, you may want to consider a hypnobirthing class, a prenatal yoga class, or a class that specializes in a specific birthing technique like the Alexander Technique, Lamaze, and the Bradley Method.
What baby gear can I buy used and what has to be new?
Baby gear is expensive. So it makes sense to buy second-hand when you can. Much baby gear falls into this category. Clothes, shoes, and outerwear are great to buy used. So are dressers, chairs, and changing tables.
Baby toys can be second-hand, too, as long as they don’t have chipped paint or loose pieces. Used strollers are fine if they were made after 2015, when safety standards got stricter. And used baby bathtubs are good if they’re mold-free.
However, cribs and car seats should be bought new for the safety of your baby.
