Ideas for Preparing Ahead of Time...

[vintagegyrl]

Just wondering if anyone has any tips for what to do ahead of time to make things easier when you bring baby home. I have everything ready, packed, etc.

Are there any things you stock up on, meals u make ahead of time, - pls. tell me.
I am mostly getting ready by staying organized, decluttering BIG TIME (throwing so much away) and cleaning - just to stay on top of things.

We have no one really coming to stay when the baby is brought home... not sure how this is going to work. DH is a trooper, but I am just nervous..

[Dandelion]

Things to do before hand...

Shop for the staples. Since I'm the one that does all the grocery shopping I'm going to stock up on everything I can. I'm planning on having atleast a 2 month supply of things like Toilet Paper, Cat Food, Shampoo/Conditioner, Detergents, Canned Goods, Batteries etc... anything that is shelf stable that I can stock up on so I don't have to do major grocery shopping with a new baby.

Cook Ahead. I'm planning a Cooking Week. I'm 33 weeks today and am planning my Cooking Week starting June 30th, at 36 weeks. Since it's payday, I can stock up then! I'll be cooking things that we eat regularly, but making extra batches to freeze. Things like Pasta Sauce (I never use jar sauce), Marinating Stakes/Chicken ahead of time and freezing them, and Chopping Vegetables for future quick use (like onions which I use tons of), etc.... I want to have a couple of weeks worth of dinners preped/cooked and put up in the freezer so I don't have to worry about it when we come home. My Mother-in-law is also coming to visit and she has very limited cooking skills... so having ready made food is a must!

Wash ahead. Be sure all the new Baby Clothes, Bedding, Towels, Diapers, Wipes etc... have been washed and sorted. ie... you don't want to be searching through a pile of baby clothes looking for something in the right size. Also keep up your other family laundry so it doesn't pile up. You don't want to be in labor worrying that your other family members have nothing to wear! :)

Be ready. Have where ever your new baby will be sleeping already set up with bedding. (If you have cats or dogs that would think this is a keen place to cozy up to, cover it with a plan flat sheet and discourage them from sleeping there) Have your changing station set up with all your supplies. Have your Baby Monitor already Charged. Practice putting the carseat in and out of the car, so you know how it works... especially if it is a new one that you are unfamiliar with. Put the car seat in the car a week or so before your due date... less to Panic with later on. :)

If you can, set up your bills online with your Bank. That way nothing gets forgotten. If online banking isn't for you, write out envelopes for your upcoming bills and label them for mailing or drop off. If you mail a lot of bills buy extra stamps.

Birth Announcements. Address Envelopes and put stamps on them ahead of time. That way all you just print up/write out the announcement and mail. Inquire to your Newspaper ahead of time so you know what the procedures are for putting announcements in the paper, if that is something you want to do.

I know I have more ideas rolling around in my head... but I just can't think of anymore right now.

Cheers,
Colleen

[Bridget Riedell]

Wow! Now this is a thread I can glean advice from:0

So many great tips have been mentioned already; but I'll share what I'm doing/going to do in these last weeks. I will be 34 wks. this Sunday.

As of Sunday, I'm going to try and start perineal massage.:blush: We'll see how that goes.

I've been getting things ready for baby by:

Lanolizing all the wool covers, washing and prepping diapers and covers, sewing fitted and pocket diapers, wipes, and breast pads, still crocheting another wool cover.

I need to rearrange our bedroom to include the co-sleeper(ya know, for a changing table:), diaper cart, and pail. I also need to transfer dog from our bedroom to our girls across the hall.

I need to sort out all the newborn, infant clothes that we'll use in the first months and wash them.

Install car seat in the van. Install baby mirror in van.

Teach my eldest how to cook a few meals and have her help me make some ahead for freezer. We're vegetarian, so there will be no meat to prep.

Install diaper sprayer in bathroom. Wash my nursing pillow.

Make sure I have someone willing to take the girls when I go into labor and also a backup person.

Charge our digital camera, and pack hospital bag.

I also had to order new nursing bras (my others had been through 6+ yrs of nursing and were on their last legs).

I still have to buy announcements unless we do the picture card thing, and buy thank you notes too.

I know there are probably more things; but this is what is keeping me sane these days; business:)

[vintagegyrl]

thanks so much! i didnt think about the car seat... these are great lists and i am printing them out!

[FinnegansMom]

Great tips. Also, call your insurance and ask what the protocol is for adding a new dependent. Generally, the baby is covered under you for 30 days but you want to know for sure and need to get them covered asap. I was getting bills for my son over a year later from the hospital even though we added him THE DAY he was born. Ugh.

Also, buy a few books (breastfeeding or whatever) to keep by the rocker or wherever you nurse the babe. I nursed him so much, I used to read a TON.
I'm setting up a little "station" in the new baby's room with a basket of some bottled waters and some books, and some new books/toys for my toddler to entertain himself. He is going to have his own "toy box" in there, so I can shut the door and he can play with "special toys" while I nurse. :-)

[Amberjoe_1]

Also, buy a few books (breastfeeding or whatever) to keep by the rocker or wherever you nurse the babe. I nursed him so much, I used to read a TON.
I'm setting up a little "station" in the new baby's room with a basket of some bottled waters and some books, and some new books/toys for my toddler to entertain himself. He is going to have his own "toy box" in there, so I can shut the door and he can play with "special toys" while I nurse. :-)

What a good idea! I plan on getting a little table set up too, maybe have a little lamp on it with a book and somewhere to put my water. (I drink a lot that first month).

Such great ideas! I plan on cooking ahead too, maybe have some stuff together to throw in the crockpot some days.
Wash baby clothes as you buy them, that way they won't get all piled up and you have a ton to wash.
Decluttering is great! I've found I can keep the house cleaner without all the stuff!
Stockpiling is a good idea too! I should do this!

[Dandelion]

Thought of a couple more!

Pack a copy of your Birthplan in your hospital/birthing center bag! Write out a list of important phone numbers to have on hand. Take an empty folder with you for any paperwork you get from the hospital.

If you plan on using music to help you relax in the hospital... have your IPOD, MP3 player or Portable CD player charged/batteries and packed! Or take a Portable DVD player if you are so inclined.

For nursing time, if you aren't dextrous enough to handle a new baby and a book, try a book on CD. Barnes and Noble have quite a nice selection in stores.

Finish any sewing projects! I just picked up more flannel today to make wipes and receiving blankets.

If there is anything you need to order online do it WEEKS before you are due. This allows extra time for backordered items to be restocked and shipping delays. I just put in my Diaper/Covers order today so I have time to wash and prep everything with plenty of time to spare. (hopefully :) )

Be sure your camera works! And that you Pack it!

If you have family with a Birthday/Anniversary/Graduation in close proximity to your due date... Buy cards or gifts ahead of time and have them ready to mail out or just send them early!

If you have an older child that will be "sizing up" soon, go ahead and buy a couple of outfits in the next size up. You don't want to realize that 2 weeks after your new little one is born that your older kiddo's pants are 2 inches too short. :) Kids often have a growth spurt over the summer break!

Have a care plan in place for any other children for when you do go into labor. If they are going to a friend's or Grandmom's house have backpacks/suitcases with clothes and toys already packed for them to take along. Writing a special note/card to each of the kids is a nice way for them to feel special on the day there little brother/sister is arriving.

Have Hot and Cold packs at home ready to go if you think you'll need them.

If you will not be at your house for a couple of days while in hospital and don't have anyone coming and going at your house... let a neighbor or a friend know so that your mail/newspapers can be collected for you.

Collect take out/delivery menus for your area and put them in one place near a phone. I know this isn't the best option, but when you are exhausted and your husband doesn't cook.... sometimes it is needed!

If you are Cloth Diapering, Print out laundry instructions and put them up near your washing machine.

If you are concerned about your water breaking in bed, sleep with a towel under you. Keep a towel in the car for the ride to the hospital.

Get Prescriptions refilled a head of time.

Most of all... Practice relaxation techniques and breathing!

Cheers,
Colleen

[CarolinaMama]

What a great thread!!
I am having my first and there seems to be SO many things to think of.
I love the bottle water idea near the nursing chair.
Thanks so much!!!

[lyra1977]

I also set up a distribution list in my e-mail program of all friends and family so that we can easily send out stats and first pics to everyone!

Great thread...I'm learning a lot.

[ShayneLeMaster]

This is my third and I'm pretty comfortable/confident that we will survive but my sis is due with her 1st same day I'm scheduled for c section and my mom and sis are in NC and I've asked my mom to be there for my sister (she's 18 single mom) and I would be there with her if I could. My mom is torn and still contemplating the 6 hour drive to be there for me and try to be back in NC hoping sis doesn't go into labor while she's gone lol...

But to prepare we bought a deep freezer we needed one anyway but to store BM..I'm a pump freak was so worried something would happen and he would starve lol but today actually I am off to sams to get loads of things that DH can handle nonstress..and or my 6 year old can get snacks and stuff..I don't want to cook ahead lol I don't want to cook for now lol and since I can't say for sure my mom will be here to cook and clean while I'm in hosp im going the easy route for DH
Lol

[vintagegyrl]

What else in terms of food?? :goodvibes:

What kinds of snacks are u getting for LO's to get on their own? I have stocked juice boxes/ pouches, goldfish, little cracker packs - maybe pretzels.. I was thinking about packing stuff in little ziplocs or just getting little pre-packaged stuff, which would be easier but more expensive.

what works for u & other children? My oldest is 4.5 so he could maybe get juice boxes for me to open.

I have chili, lasagna, marinated chicken breasts in the freezer, ready to go. Some frozen veggies, what else do I need???

[mhaddon]

Some frozen foods I enjoy are:
Well, the ones you have :giggle:
Chicken and noodles
BBQ freezes well
Package of hamburgers and some french fries
frozen pizzas

Maybe some of those will work? I'd keep a variety of things b/c after having both boys it took me a while to get my full appetite back and some things just sounded not so good. At that point (first few weeks) it was more about eating just for the calories to keep going, not to be healthy :) I did make sure to drink a ton of water so I was hydrated.

I have all the cloths and diapers washed and put away in an easy to reach place and organized so that DH can figure out what is what. I might even label b/c I have every combination possible :giggle: IF you have pockets go ahead and stuff them.

I'd check any lightbulbs on things that you've used for a while so you don't go to use a lamp in the middle of the night and realize it is out and aren't able to see or get a new one.

I put all my pp supplies in easy reach of me while on the toliet and I really don't care who sees them b/c I'm not bending and doing a ton of reaching to get out my private stuff- I just had a baby, they can deal.
Wash all bedding and rather than putting a pad under my side I keep extra blankets that I lay down under me so I can change them w/ ease when I leak in the middle of the night. Much easier for me to handel ;)

I make sure our deep freeze is clean to store all my ebm, or have an area devoted to your storage so you don't spend half an hour moving things around for a few ounces of ebm. I also make sure my pump is ready to go and in good working condition so I'm not engourged and in pain w/o anything.

Good luck! Most of all I clean a ton and then let it go for a while afterwards and focus on the baby and spending time with my other LO's :) Meals don't have to be on time, the boys can watch TV or movies and I don't feel bad, and if I haven't showered in a few days and you come to visit me and I stink- that's your problem!!

[ShayneLeMaster]

Snacks/quick meals for my LO ages 6.5 and 2 that mainly she can get for the both of them with min supervision.. Or DH could get with ease..

Sams brand "uncrustables" pb and j sandwhiches cheaper than name brand but not as cheap as just making a sandwhich but its a convience I'll pay for lol
Bagel bites
Waffles
Hamburger helper singles (found on closeout for 1.25 a box from 3.89)like easy mac but HH
Bbq pork
Chicken tenders
And steaks ready to grill already marinating while in freezer so I could take out and DH can grill

Just tried to make easier foe everyone we bought things wouldn't typically buy but if I didn't we would spend it on take out lol..

[NKWahm]

These are all great ideas! I am glad I found this thread, (I was searching for wool wash suggestions because I need to wash up all my nb woolies!) I am thinking of breakfasts and lunches, smaller meals. I think I have everything else ready, just finishing up some PP pads, I will be keeping those within close reach too, I dont think anyone will even know what they are! lol

[nina730]

As of Sunday, I'm going to try and start perineal massage.:blush: We'll see how that goes.



just some advice, dont try to do it around your husband :giggle: .....or DO, depending on what you want the end result to be...

[joslin]

just some advice, dont try to do it around your husband :giggle: .....or DO, depending on what you want the end result to be...

DH and I just started "the" massage last night. I am having trouble finding the words to describe the experience. . . um, it was just, wrong wrong wrong. I wanted him to do it so that I could practice my hypnobabies techniques while in discomfort.

My advice for anyone pursuing this as a partner experience would be to make sure that your partner is comfortable and in a position to get the angle/pressure they need BEFORE YOU START. Nothing like a clutsy man rearranging himself on the bed, falumphing around WITH HIS HANDS IN YOUR BITS. Ow.

Ow.

[vintagegyrl]

Yeah, DH doing the massage did NOT work for me, either. It did hurt!
I need to get going on this. Anyone know if u need to do it with baby #3??