Kids Archives - Page 3 of 3

Hello! Today I wanted to share 25 things you can do to prepare for a baby. We had our son about a year ago, but there were a few things we did that lessened some of the stress and a few things we wish we would have done before he was born.

25 Things to do Before Baby Arrives

1. Write a birth plan. Some women choose to write an in depth birth plan and others choose to keep it on this simple side. Think about who you would like in the room with you when you give birth and if you will have an epidural. Would you like you partner to cut the umbilical cord? Do you want baby to have Vitamin K and the antibiotic eye treatment? I like The Bumps guide to writing a birth plan.

2. Sign up for classes you would like to take. We took a breastfeeding class and a Newborn Care class that were both beneficial.

3. Pack a hospital bag for you, dad and baby.

4. Put the car seat base and car seat in the car.

5. Stock up on diaper and wipes- Once we found out we were pregnant, I bought diapers whenever I could get them on sale and with coupons. I purchased a few different brands just in case the baby was sensitive to a particular brand so we weren’t stuck with a lot of diapers we weren’t going to use.

6. Stock up on personal items. It’s good to have a few extra things like toothpaste and toilet paper so you don’t need to run to the store to pick one thing up.

7. Learn how to set up and fold down the stroller. I thought we knew how to set up the stroller, but that was not the case when we needed to use it for the first time. It took about 10 minutes and a YouTube video to figure it out. Not the best timing in 80 degree weather with a newborn.

8. Sterilize and wash bottles, pacifiers and breast pump parts.

9. If you plan to breastfeed, familiarize yourself with your pump.

10. Decide on sleep arrangements– Will baby use the crib or a bassinet near your bed? Then set up the crib or bassinet.

11. Wash babies clothes and organize them by size.

12. Clean any preowned items. We purchased a used pack and play and received a used swing as a gift. I made sure to wipe down the plastic surfaces and washed all of the fabric parts in the washer or by hand in the bathtub.

13. Prepare freezer meals. I only had a handful of meals prepared, but they were nice to pull out the first couple weeks after he was born for a quick, easy meal.

14. Pack the diaper bag and have it ready to take to the hospital.

15. Clean your home. The couple of weeks before my due date I made sure to clean up the house to make sure we came home to a clean space. The last thing I wanted to worry about when we first got home was cleaning.

16. Purchase a couple of nursing bras or camisoles. These make a huge difference when breastfeeding.

17. Make arrangements for pets and other children and pack a bag for them.

18. Select a pediatrician. Before our son was born, were able to take a tour of potential pediatrician offices and meet some of the doctors. This helped us select the pediatrician we wanted to go to.

19. Take a tour of the hospital. Know where to park and what door to go into if you need to go to the hospital in the middle of the night. Also know what floor labor and delivery is on.

20. Add baby’s expenses to your budget. If you follow a budget for your finances, make sure you add expenses like diapers/wipes, formula, daycare, etc

21. Fill out FMLA paperwork for your job. My husband and I both needed to fill out this paperwork to take time off when Baby was born.

22. Declutter– Babies are so small, but all of the things you need for them take up a lot of room. When I was in nesting mode, I tried to go through most of our house and get rid of items we no longer needed. Click here if you would like to read my post about preparing for a baby in a small home.

23. Charge the baby monitor and set it up.

24. Go on a last date before the baby is born.

25. Take time for yourself and rest. You will be busy and tired when baby is born. Make sure you take some time for self-care.

What tips do you have for preparing for a baby?

Hello! I hope everyone is having a great weekend. Today I wanted to share some of our must have items for a newborn.

newborn essentials
1) Boppy Pillow– I have used our pillow since day one. It is great if you plan to breast feed or if you choose to bottle feed. It wraps around your waist and provides support for feedings. You can also use it for tummy time and for support when baby is sitting up. Don’t forget a cover for it.

2) Receiving Blankets/ Swaddles– Swaddling babies helps them sleep longer at night. I also use them to cover the changing pad and to throw in the diaper bag for a lightweight blanket.

3) Baby wrap or carrier– I used a Solly baby wrap around the house and when we went out. It was nice having a hands-free option to hold baby and we both enjoyed the closeness. When he was a little bit older we shifted to a Tula carrier.

4) Baby Tracker App– When we first had our son we had a lot of trouble with feedings and it was always a concern if he was getting enough milk. For the first couple of months, I used an app called Baby Tracker. It allows you to keep track of their feedings time/ amount, wet/ dirty diapers and their sleep. If you are breast feeding it has an option to time how long they feed and on which side. You can also keep track of your pumped milk supply. Keeping track of his wet/ dirty diapers helped us know if he was getting enough milk.

5) Swing– Some babies like swings and others don’t. Ours loved his swing. It was nice having him do something he enjoyed while we got ready or got a quick chore done.

6) Pack and Play– Our pack and play was nice to have as a designated changing area for baby and as a bassinet for nap time. Instead of having him upstairs by himself, we kept a pack and play set up in our living room for the first few months.

7) Sound Machine– We use a sound machine at night to give a little background noise.

8) Nursing Tank Top– Nursing camisoles are a game changer if you plan on nursing. It’s discreet and convenient to unlatch the top and feed baby or to pump.

9) Nursing Cover– Nursing Cover- I have 2 Milk Snob nursing covers that have been so handy to have when nursing on the go. They are light-weight and my son never seemed to be bothered when we used them. The covers can also be used as a car seat cover and a shopping cart cover. Multi-use products are always a plus.

10) Breast pump– I mentioned earlier that we had trouble nursing when our son was first born. Not only did he have a tongue tie that made it hard to latch, but my supply was also low. The first couple of weeks I used a pump after each feeding to help boost my supply. I also used it twice a day when I went back to work.

What were you newborn must-have items?

25 Things to do Before Baby Arrives

10 Newborn Must Haves