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Arrange for help around the house, if possible – meals, cleaning, laundry. Let friends, church members, relatives help you.
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Ask your physician about when to call when you are in labor, who & where to call.
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Attend a breastfeeding class.
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Attend a newborn care class.
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Check with the hospital and your physician to find out what they require or recommend to do before the baby is born.
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Choose and purchase diapers.
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Clean, organize, cook and get other chores done ahead of time.
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Consider cover mattress, chair, car in plastic sheet, shower curtain or towels in case your water breaks (a few weeks before).
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Cook ahead and freeze meals
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Decide about breastfeeding and/or bottle feeding.
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Decide about circumcision (if having a boy).
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Decide about cloth diapers vs. disposable diapers.
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Decide where your baby will sleep – in a crib, bassinet, in your room, in their own room.
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Fill out hospital paperwork.
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Fill the car up with gas, and then refill often – so that you have plenty of gas in the car.
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Find out if your grocery store will deliver.
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Gather a collection of take-out and delivery menus, and set aside cash for food orders.
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Gather all items on “baby items – first 2 months” list.
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Go to a birthing class.
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If you have older children, pack up items for your child while you are in labor (for them to bring to the hospital & spend time with the baby, and for them to have with them while they are with a friend/family during labor) – change of clothes, entertainment, snacks, drinks, toiletries, toys.
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If you will be returning to work, research daycare options.
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Look ahead to see what events are coming up that you need to purchase gifts for – birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, showers, wedding presents, parties, … Shopping is difficult after baby arrives, so shop early. Stock up on gift bags, wrapping paper, greeting cards, scotch tape.
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Make sure digital camera has a fully charged battery and clear memory card.
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Make sure you have a reliable method of reaching your partner (pager, cell phone, …) for when you go into labor.
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Make sure you have your ID card, insurance card and money for co-payment in your wallet.
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Make your home safe for the baby.
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Pack diaper bag (see “baby diaper bag packing list”).
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Pack items from “hospital labor, delivery packing list” (see list).
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Pack up items for your partner during your hospital stay.
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Pamper yourself! Get a pedicure. Relax. Take a soothing bath. Indulge in your favorite hobby. Spend time with friends. Enjoy yourself!
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Pay bills.
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Pick out birth announcements. Put together a list of people to send to. Locate addresses. Address and stamp envelopes.
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Plan out menus, review recipes, purchase ingredients.
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Practice breathing, relaxation and positioning techniques.
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Practice the route to the hospital and approximately how long it will take to drive there.
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Prepare a list of people to e-mail after the birth of your baby. Set up a e-mail group, or draft an e-mail. Start the e-mail so your partner or friend can just fill in the blanks - .date, time, baby’s full name, length, weight. Instruct your partner how to send the e-mail and attach a photo.
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Prepare a room or place in your home for the baby to call their own – a quiet place to sleep, storage for clothing, supplies and diaper changing station(s).
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Prepare your pet for the adjustment of the new baby.
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Purchase all baby items needed for the first 2 months, or pull out of storage & clean up.
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Put the Federally approved car seat in the car, and learn how to use it.
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Read a baby book.
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Refill prescriptions.
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Review your medical insurance policy and make sure there are no recent changes.
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Review your will and other legal plans.
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Run errands.
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Select a physician (pediatrician or family practice) to be your baby's doctor. Meet the doctor. Arrange for them to visit the hospital.
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Send out thank you notes for any gifts you have already received.
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Set up a blog or photo-sharing web site to show off photos of your new baby.
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Set up a changing table or place to change diapers (or consider setting up stations throughout the house for changing diapers – a basket on every floor with diapers, wipes, ointments, change of clothes, trash).
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Set up the crib, bassinet and/or play pen. Make sure it meets current safety standards. www.nsc.org/library/facts/cribtips.htm
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Shop for and stock up on staple and convenience items (paper products, toilet paper, toiletries, frozen meals, food, …).
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Start your baby’s scrapbook – gather scrapbook supplies.
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Stock up an extra supply of baby items to keep in your car – for when you don’t have you what need in your diaper bag when away from home – diapers, wipes, bottle, formula, bottled water, trash bag, change of clothes, toy, blanket.
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Stock up on sanitary supplies.
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Talk to your older children about the upcoming birth of your child.
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Tour the hospital where you will deliver.
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Wash all the baby’s clothing, towels, and bedding in baby detergent before using.
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Wash bottles, pacifiers and other baby items.
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Wash the bedding and make baby bed(s).
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Wrap up your volunteer and work responsibilities, pass along duties to someone else.
