The Big-Time Baby To-Do List
Thanks for all the great feedback on my post yesterday! I definitely feel a lot better. If you followed me from my wedding blog, you know I am pretty Type A (and if you didn’t follow me from my wedding blog, you’ve still probably figured that out by now, haha.). One of the things that always helps me feel a little more calm is making lists. I alluded yesterday to the fact that I made a baby to-do list, but I thought I would also post it here. I find this is a great way to keep track of things (and those of you who have been there, done that can also tell me what I’m missing!).
I’ve broken it down by trimester and made any notes I deemed informative.
Second Trimester To-Dos:
* Research daycare options:
* Visit daycares
* Get on any waiting lists/make any deposits necessary to secure a spot
* Research registry and register!
(I actually did a ton of research on the registry last night! So I feel pretty good about this one right now. Much more prepared than yesterday!)
* Find a pediatrician.
(Upon further discussion yesterday with some lovely ladies on Twitter, I’ve decided not to interview. Our options for peds are limited, so I think we’ll just pick one and if it doesn’t work out we can switch. A pediatrician is not set in stone.)
* Start working on nursery:
* Pick a paint color; paint
* Purchase crib & dresser (for use as changing table)
* Purchase crib sheets; make crib skirt
* Slip-cover the upholstered rocking chair we already have (gliders are expensive!!!)
* Hang shelves & hanging rack
* Organize closet—paint as well?
* Other miscellaneous décor items
(Yes, I know the baby doesn’t NEED a nursery to be completed before he or she gets here. But I also know myself and I know it will bother ME if it’s not done. Not to mention the fact that I doubt we’ll really have any time to devote to it after baby is here. I’d rather just get this done while we can than worry about it.)
*Sign up & take childbirth and breastfeeding classes.
(The actually taking of the classes might occur in the third tri, but I know my doctor will be giving me sign-up information at my next appointment, which is why it’s on the 2nd Tri list.)
Third Trimester To-Dos:
* Purchase & install carseat.
* Pack hospital bag.
(I have tons of questions about this, actually. Things like, what do you pack for wearing in the hospital AFTER baby is born? Also, do you wear a maternity bra under your hospital gown? I see so many pictures of women who’ve just had their babies and they are in bras. I think I’ll do a separate post.)
* Get some new maternity bras that can transition into nursing for those first few days, until I can get properly fitted for nursing bras after my milk comes in.
(Uh, where do you actually get maternity bras?! I have been making due with my pre-pregnancy bras, but I am getting close to having to purchase new ones…and it’s not like I can just waltz into Victoria’s Secret and buy one off the shelf (I pretty much couldn’t do that before pregnancy, either. Yay, large chests!). Do they even make maternity bras that I can wear in the transition after birth, or should I buy some separate nursing bras too? If I can’t, how do you handle a newborn and going to get fitted for a nursing bra?! Help!)
* Create a contact list for who to call, etc. when labor starts and after baby is born.
* Assemble any baby products necessary.
* Wash all baby clothes, etc.
* Create a list of easy-to-make, freezable, and crockpot meals. When closer to due date (if possible), do a total grocery shop to restock pantry for easy meal prep.
* Pre-register at the hospital; double check and confirm they have the information on file.
You’ll notice I didn’t include things like “make a birth plan” on here. The reason for this is that the hospital I deliver at gives us a “Your Personalized Plan of Care” form to fill out, so I don’t have to pre-write my own. I am not really big into birth plans anyway (another post for another day), but I like the way my hospital handles them. It’s really nice, because it essentially lists the hospital’s policies on things like skin-to-skin contact, etc. and then lets you pick and choose which options you’d like.
So, I think that’s it. What else am I missing?
I had the same worries when it came to getting it all done and I must say I am sitting here with 6 weeks to go and everything is finished! Try to just do a little at a time and it will all come together
I read this RIGHT after reading this funny tumblr post: http://perfectonlyinimperfections.tumblr.com/post/25475610070/23-things-newborn-parents-should-know the the very first one made me laugh out loud. “The more time and effort put into decorating a nursery, the more likely that the baby will sleep in your room”
Regardless of completing the list, my hopes and prayers for you are that you’re blessed with a healthy little baby girl or boy. And if you can get that to do list done, that wouldn’t be that bad either
Haha I’ve read that article too. Pretty funny!
We are actually planning on having the baby sleep in our room for the first few weeks regardless. My parents bought us a cradle to use, so baby will be sleeping there anyway!
First things first- Advice: Take what you want from people…ignore EVERYTHING else! Everyone thinks they know all the answers about parenting, but what worked for me may or may not work for you. The old “smile and nod” trick seems to work wonders.
On that note, here are all the right answers for every question you will ever have…because I know it all.
1) RE: make a crib skirt- simply offering assistance if needed…I love to sew.
2) I felt SO much better (and for some dumb reason, more ready for the baby) once the nursery was finished. You aren’t crazy for thinking/feeling that way. It’s fun and exciting and it makes the baby’s coming arrival that much more “real”.
3)What to pack- I still looked about 4-5 months pregnant after my kids were born…only flabby. Lovely, right?! Don’t worry, it goes back to normal pretty fast (especially if you breast feed- BEST weight loss plan EVER!!) I had a pair of super comfortable Victoria’s secret yoga pants that were giving in the waist line. They were perfect. I would say pack something comfortable…and most people wear maternity clothes for at least a few weeks, if not a few months after delivery.
Here is what I can remember from my list:
comfortable slippers…you may be doing a LOT of walking of the halls to get labor moving.
Lightweight robe
Music (ipod, cds, etc)
toiletries- I know it sounds weird, but if you normally wear makeup, pack it. It feels so good to feel somewhat normal while sitting in that hospital…not to mention the bajillion photos that will undoubtedly be snapped during your stay!
sucking candy-I didn’t use it, but a lot of people do
focus photo-calm place, person who calms you, etc. Being able to focus during the intense parts of labor REALLY helps
Clothes to wear home
Outfits for baby- one newborn size, one 0-3 month. Odds are you will need the newborn size..but you never know
Massage oil- okay, so here’s the scoop with this one- find a mild scented massage oil, begin using it now. When you are in labor, using the same oil (if you can handle the smell as everything is exaggerated times ten) will basically trick your brain into going back to that “calm place” tied to the scent of the oil. Worked for me…crazy.
Motherhood Maternity has a decent selection of maternity bras-not the cutest, but practical and affordable. I only purchased bras that were also intended for breastfeeding…kill two birds with one stone. The problem there was the regular (non-sport) bras all became too small QUICKLY one my milk came in. So, prepare to buy bigger bras soon after baby arrives.
Random things that I would have LOVED to know before having my first:
* Ask for help..accept help. If people want to cook for you- Let them! If they want to do your dishes-relinquish control, you are NOT a failure! (I am speaking solely from my own experiences!)
* You CAN shower- even if the baby is awake! They make these little seats-bounce, vibrate, etc MUST HAVE…take it into the bathroom, buckle baby inside, WAHLAH! Baby is happy, mommy can shower, life is good!
* If you find yourself at a store with a hungry baby, find a fitting room! MUCH cleaner than a bathroom (YUCK!) and all the time and space you could need!
* In the hospital, after you have the baby, allow the staff to help. Seriously. I know you want to be with your new baby 24/7 but you need to recover. If they offer nursery care, at least consider it. They will bring the baby in to feed and you can keep him/her with you as long as you like…but give yourself some time to sleep during those first couple nights.
* Don’t be too “stuck” on a birth plan. You are not a failure if you take an epidural, have a c-section, etc. You have created, carried, and delivered LIFE! There is no failure in any of that. Make a birth plan for the comfort of having a clue as to what to expect…don’t write it in permanent marker!
* Don’t be afraid to ask questions (no matter how ridiculous they may seem) to people who have been there before.
* Enjoy every millisecond of this baby! The time goes by so unbelievably fast. Enjoy it…the crying, the coos, the diapers, the baths…all of it. And take a LOT of pictures!
You are going to be a great mom. It will change you and your outlook on life forever. Sorry for the extra-super long comment…I could have written more, but am realizing I wrote a small book on your blog. If you need anything or have any questions, just ask. I definitely don’t have all the answers, and my answers may not be your answers…but sometimes its nice just to have multiple ideas to choose from
Take care, mama!
I love this comment so much. THANK YOU!
Destination Maternity on Bluemound in Brookfield. BEST STORE EVER for maternity clothes and bras. They measure you and work with you to find what you need. I went into a few maternity stores in malls and walked out crying cuz I couldnt find a bra that fit decent. Honestly I would go there now and get fitted for a bra for the rest of your pregnancy, you would be surprised how amazing it will feel. And yes they have other clothes but I was completely focused on the bra, nothing sucks more than being uncomfortable.
YES! Thank you! I was just wondering where to go around here!
You’re the best for puttin this list up, because I’m a week behind you, literally and physically! I am using this as a starter to my to-do list!!
We cleaned out the nursery and I bought the paint today. BABY STEPS!!
I lived in Gillian O Malley nursing tanks for the first year of my second child’s life. They are at Target. Old Navy has some nice nursing stuff as well. My mother in law gave me an ON yoga set (foldover pants and a lightweight hooded shirt). I wore that for most of my 4 days in the hospital (stupid c/s and reaction to epidural). The foldover pants held my tummy. I had a belly bandit, but it made me too hot.
Okay, so here’s what I learned with packing for the hospital. I packed the following:
2 maternity shirts
2 nursing tanks
1 pair yoga pants (wore to hospital)
1 pair pj pants (fit while pregnant)
1 robe
3 pair underwear
make-up
Toiletries
Kindle
Cell phone charger and extension cord
Baby book
Back massager
Neck heat pad
2 sleepers (one newborn and one 0-3 months) and a hat for the baby, plus an Aden + Anais blanket. Used the newborn sleeper and the blanket for swaddling because the hospital blankets were so small!
I used: nursing tank, pj pants, yoga pants, robe and maternity tee-shirt (wore home). I put on the pj pants, nursing tank and robe after my shower. Made me feel somewhat human. Toiletries for my one quick shower I took (I was too tired to take a long shower but it felt great)! Cell phone charger and extension cord. The extension cord was key! There were lots of plugs but they were far away from the bed.
Didn’t use: any forms of entertainment other than my phone, underwear (use theirs post birth – USE THEIRS), make-up (too tired, didn’t even think about it). Didn’t need the baby book because they put the footprints on a separate piece of paper. I didn’t want anyone or anything touching me during labor so, didn’t use the massager or heat pad.
My husband took magazines and a book. He didn’t read anything while we were in the hospital for 2 days. We were both too exhausted to do any reading.
Oh – SNACKS. We took snacks and I’m so glad we did. Peanut butter crackers, granola bars, gummy bears and breakfast bars. I wasn’t too hungry right after birth but I had a lot of late night and early morning hunger, you know, when the hospital cafe is closed. The nurses did have turkey sandwiches available to moms which was awesome. That was the best sandwich I had ever had at 11pm on my last night in the hospital.
Hope that helps!
This is fantastic! Thank you! Hope you and that sweet little M are doing well!
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