12 Things to Do Before Baby Arrives: The Perfect Checklist for New Parents
9 minute read
The clock is tick-tick-ticking as your baby’s due date approaches! You may wonder how to prioritize the time left in your pregnancy and which things *really* need to get done before your little one arrives.
From installing a car seat so you can bring home your bundle of joy, to preparing for your postpartum recovery… This list of 12 things to do before your baby arrives is the perfect place to start.
Your future self will be oh-so-appreciative that you checked these items off your list — especially when you’re getting zero sleep and busy caring for your little one 24/7!
A Quick Glance At Your Pre-Baby To-Do List:
- Install Your Baby’s Car Seat
- Set up a Safe Sleep Space for Your Baby
- Gather Essential Baby Supplies
- Prepare for Your Baby’s Feeding Needs
- Find a Pediatrician for Your Baby
- Stock Your Pantry (and Freezer!)
- Prepare for Your Postpartum Recovery
- Gather Your Postpartum Village
- Take Time for Yourself (and Your Partner!)
- Clean and Organize Your House
- Prepare for Tummy Time
- Stock Up on Educational Toys for Newborns
Whether you’re nervous, curious, anxious, excited, or all of the above… Tackling all or even ONE of the items on this list means that you’re that much closer to getting ready for your baby! Ready to get started?
1. Install Your Baby’s Car Seat
Photo of UPPAbaby MESA V2 Infant Car Seat
Driving home with your newborn baby in tow is an exciting milestone as a new parent. But finding and installing a new car seat can be a little intimidating! Car seats are expensive and you want to make sure your money is well spent and keeps your little one safe.
Whether you want an infant car seat, convertible car seat, or travel system that pairs with your favorite stroller… it can help to shop from a curated selection of parent-trusted (and NHTSA approved) car seats to make the shopping process smooth and easy!
And once you’ve picked out the perfect car seat, you’ll want to make sure it’s installed correctly! In fact, a majority of parents still misuse their child restraints. Yikes!
That’s why we offer Car Seat Education & Inspection sessions so you can get the hands-on training and assistance you need. That way you’ll have peace of mind that your bundle of joy will be safe and sound while you’re driving to and from doctors appointments or to grandma’s house!
Pro Tip: We’ve got all the car seat accessories you’ll need in the boutique! Check it out!
2. Set up a Safe Sleep Space for Your Baby
Photo of Soho 3-in-1 Convertible Crib
There’s nothing like soaking in those newborn snuggles! And we know how tempting it can be to fall asleep holding your little one…especially when you’ve been up in the early hours of the night taking care of your baby’s needs!
But sharing a room with your baby is much safer than bed sharing and may decrease the risk of SIDS by as much as 50%. That’s why creating a separate sleep space for your baby is one of the best ways to protect your little one while they drift off into dreamland…
A safe sleep space could be a convertible crib (placed in your room or in your baby’s own room), a pack n’ play (or travel crib), or a bassinet. It totally depends on your preference and home environment!
3. Gather Essential Baby Supplies
There are SO many baby products out there. This can make it feel a little overwhelming to know what your baby will actually need. But the truth is, you don’t need a ton of stuff to take care of your baby. You just need the right things.
Whether you have a small space, like the minimalist lifestyle, or want to get a few things first and add as you go… You may want to have a few essential supplies ready to go before your baby arrives:
- A few onesies, footie pajamas, infant-sized hats
- A swaddling blanket or sleep sack
- Newborn-sized diapers and wipes
- A few bibs, burp cloths, and a baby blanket
- Baby first-aid kit with a baby thermometer and nasal aspirator
- Bath time supplies like baby soap, diaper balm, and lotion
Shopping at a small boutique with parent-trusted, quality items can also help to reduce your overwhelm! You may also want to have a few items on hand to make your feeding journey as smooth as possible. Let’s take a look.
4. Prepare for Your Baby’s Feeding Needs
Whether you plan to chest/breastfeed your baby, bottle feed using formula, or some combination of the two… Feeding your baby will take a lot of time and energy!
You don’t need a bunch of fancy equipment to feed your little one, but it can help to have a few feeding supplies on hand to make your feeding journey easier.
If you want to chest/breastfeed your baby, you may want to have some chest/breast care items on hand. Like a quality nipple butter to soothe your sore nipples or a nursing cover to help you nurse comfortably in public. And a nursing pillow can be just the thing to promote a better latch and make those 3 a.m. feeding sessions as enjoyable as they can be!
Many parents choose to pump which means having a good chest/breast pump, along with all the needed pump parts and bottles. A good pumping bra can help you make the most of your pumping sessions so that you’re hands-free…perfect for multi-tasking!
And if you want to build a freezer stash, a milk collector and milk storage supplies are a must-have!
5. Find a Pediatrician for Your Baby
Choosing a pediatrician is an important decision! But you won’t want to feel rushed finding the right provider for your little one.
Most likely your sweet bundle of joy will need to visit the pediatrician a few days after they’re born. That’s why you’ll want to start looking for a pediatrician well before your baby’s due date.
Give yourself plenty of time to ask for recommendations from friends and family, read reviews on Google, and interview one (or more!) providers to find the perfect one.
You’ll also want to make sure your pediatrician is covered by your insurance and can practice in your preferred hospital. Depending on where you give birth, some pediatricians will even check on your little one before you’re discharged to head home.
6. Stock Your Pantry (and Freezer!)
Photo of Legendairy Tea-Tas Lactation Support
Stocking your pantry and freezer during your third trimester is a simple — yet genius! — way to make things easier on yourself once your baby arrives.
Because once your baby is born, getting out to the grocery store and cooking a healthy meal may be a bit more challenging than it used to be. Before you’re consumed with elaborate feeding and pooping schedules…now is the time to fill your pantry with your favorite snacks and stock your freezer with ready-made meals.
Be sure to include your favorite postpartum tea to help with milk production or to ease your postpartum recovery! And speaking of your recovery…
7. Prepare for Your Postpartum Recovery
No matter how they came into the world, the physical act of giving birth to your baby is one of the biggest physical feats your body will ever experience.
And even though your Instagram feed may give the appearance that all new parents “bounce back” to their pre-baby bodies immediately after birth. The truth is, it can take a few weeks or months for your body to heal and recover.
You may need some extra supplies to make going to the bathroom a more pleasant experience (Fridamom’s Postpartum Recovery Kit is a great place to start!). Or want to live in your tub soaking in the soothing warmth of a sitz bath. And that’s ok!
It’s so important to give yourself plenty of time to rest, replenish, and recharge. Eat nourishing foods, sleep as much as you can, and ask for help when you need it.
8. Gather Your Village
Between caring for your new baby, your own postpartum recovery, and keeping up with all the cooking, cleaning, and other household chores… Those first few weeks with a newborn can be physically and emotionally exhausting!
And although you can probably handle all of the above and pretty much anything that gets thrown your way… that doesn’t mean that you should!
The phrase “it takes a village to raise a child” is a thing for a reason. Gathering your “village” of support before your baby arrives is an amazing way to make those early days of parenthood as enjoyable as possible.
Because when sleep is nonexistent and your body is in recovery mode, you deserve a little bit of help! Your village could be your parents, friends, relatives, neighbors, or even a postpartum doula or night nanny.
Remember, there is no shame in asking for help! The transition to parenthood is a challenging one — no matter if this is your first or fourth baby. Our Postpartum Support Group is a great place to connect with other new parents and get the support you need.
9. Take Time for Yourself (and Your Partner!)
Life may look pretty different once your baby arrives… It may be hard to get out of your pajamas or out of the house after 8 p.m.! The constant needs of your little one can mean that your wants and needs get put on the backburner.
This can make it more difficult to plan date nights, go out with your friends, or do the hobbies you loved before your cutie pie was a part of the picture!
In the midst of planning for the arrival of your new baby, it’s important to take time for yourself and your loved ones. Maybe that looks like going to a prenatal yoga class, grabbing a decaf latte with your bestie, taking your partner out on a hot date, or planning a babymoon! You’ll cherish these memories when you’re at home caring for your baby 24/7.
10. Clean and Organize Your House
Even if it’s not time for spring cleaning…you may want to set aside some of the last few weeks of your pregnancy to prepare your house like you’re expecting the arrival of a very special guest! Because once you come home with your baby, you may find that you don’t have the time (or energy!) to clean your house from top to bottom.
Turn on your favorite Spotify playlist, grab your feather duster and start cleaning those ceiling fans and baseboards! You’ll be happy to rest and recover in a clean home without a long list of household chores.
And if your pantry is a mess, your hallway closet is a disaster, or your bills and important documents are looking like the leaning tower of Pisa… Now is the time to tackle those home organization projects! Your future self will thank you!
11. Prepare for Tummy Time
Photo of Itzy Ritzy Tummy Time Play Mat
Tummy time is one of the most important first exercises for your little one! Tummy time is when your baby spends time playing on their belly. This helps to build the muscles they’ll need to roll over, sit up, crawl, and walk!
You’ll be able to start tummy time with your baby as a newborn during their awake times. A comfy playmat is a must-have to give your nugget a soft place to play. You can even roll your favorite swaddling blanket into a little bolster pillow to help build your little one’s strength.
Pair your playmat with an activity play gym to hang your favorite teething and grasping toys to delight your baby’s senses!
12. Stock Up on Educational Toys for Newborns
Photo of Banana Panda High Contrast Baby Pack
From the moment your baby is placed on your chest, they are constantly learning about the world around them. You can help them meet their developmental milestones by helping them explore their environment and discover the joy of learning!
Books with high contrast images (like our favorite Wimmer Ferguson Baby Zoo Book), baby flashcards, newborn toys with fun textures and sounds, and soft teethers that encourage grasping are perfect for promoting your child’s vision and motor development while boosting their imagination!
Final Thoughts on Things to Do Before Baby Arrives Checklist:
This checklist is the perfect place to start preparing for your little one’s arrival! Using the last few weeks and months of your pregnancy to prepare as much as you can is one of the best things you can do to make those early days with your baby as smooth as possible.
But don’t stress if you don’t get as much done as you would like or if plans change along the way. Remember that you are the perfect parent for your little one and you can learn and make preparations as you go!
Want more help preparing for the arrival of your new baby? Join us for a class or two! From Breastfeeding 101 to Newborn Care, CPR & First Aid… We’ll help prepare you for the experience you’ve always dreamed of!
Our family-owned boutique prides itself on its staff of knowledgeable experts –for all parenting stages and needs. Shop online or in-person today!
