Trying to figure out what you need to do before you go into labor? Here are last minute things you need to do before your baby arrives.
It’s hard to know what you will need when you are expecting your first baby, here is a checklist for new moms with everything you need to have done before you go into labor and bring baby home.
Don’t stress over it momma I got you covered!!
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9 Last minute things you need to do before your baby arrives
I have made a list for you of things you need to buy before you give birth, fun things to do, what needs to be prepared and what to clean so that you don’t have to figure it all out.
Baby Things You Need to buy before birth
It’s a good idea to go over all your baby items and purchase those baby things you haven’t bought yet.
I am to tired to go into the store and look for the things I need so I have ordered all of my last minute items online and it has made it a lot less stressful.
You may want to do the same thing if you don’t have a lot of energy to go out!
Make sure you have these items:
- sleepers
- Bibs
- Burp Cloths
- Wash Cloths
- Baby Bath
- Baby Bottles if using them
- Breast Pump if planning on using one- I recommend this one, I love it!
- Lots of Diapers and wipes
- Carseat and accessories
- Baby Swing
- Bouncer
- Baby Carrier– This is the one I have and it’s awesome!
- Bassinet or Pack n Play
- Sheets and Blankets
- Changing Table with Pad
- Lots of onesies and newborn outfits
Once you get everything you need be sure to boil your bottles and pacifiers for 5 minutes before you put them away to be used.
Wash all of the baby items so they are ready to go and the baby’s room is fully stocked and things are organized.
prepare for postpartum
One of the most important things you need to do is prepare your postpartum care kit.
Please don’t think that the hospital is going to provide all ( they will have some period pads but not enough, peri bottle and mesh underwear) of this because they won’t.
For more on postpartum recovery, you may want to read this article that has a full list of these items and why you need them.
You can purchase these items at your grocery store or on Amazon for a reasonable price and you will be so glad you have them!
You cannot forget to do this!
What you should have in it:
- Peri bottle
- Postpartum Pads
- Dermoplast
- Mesh Underwear or Always Discreet Underwear– I love these and they keep you from ruining your own underwear.
- Nursing Bras
- Nipple Cream– I love this one!
- Sitz Bath
- Tucks Pads– these ones are the best!
With my last pregnancy, I was preparing for a VBAC so I had to get two postpartum kits ready just in case I had a c section instead. Thankfully I did this because I ended up with an emergency c section.
It is always good to be prepared for anything if you think you may have a c section here is a list of items to get:
- Postpartum Pads or Always Discreet Underwear
- Mesh Underwear
- C panties
- Stool Softener
- Postpartum stitches oil
- Peri Bottle
- Belly Wrap– This is the one I recommend and love
It is better to be overly prepared than to forget something!
You can also order more of these items if you start running low and have them shipped to you or have someone from a grocery delivery service like Shipt get them for you along with your groceries.
I started putting together my postpartum care kit when I was packing my hospital bag that way I am ready for the hospital and when I get home.
If you need to know more about what to pack for a c section you may like this article: What To Pack For Planned C Section
Stock up on household essentials
You will want to stock up on household items like toilet paper (you don’t want to run out of that), paper towel, cleaning supplies, trash bags, baggies, laundry soap, dishwasher detergent, hand soap, and sanitizer.
Don’t forget toiletries as well like deodorant, soap, toothpaste, and shampoo.
Any other items you go through that you need all the time are a must have to stock up on. I recommend buying them in bulk if you have the space to store them.
These are things you don’t want to have to worry about buying after you bring baby home. Like I said before if you have a grocery delivery service it will make it easier for you to get the things you need.
I personally use Shipt and love them!! It saves me so much time, keeps me from getting sick from other people’s germs and I can do other things while they do my shopping and all I have to do is answer the door and put my things away when they arrive!!!
Prepare Freezer Meals
A great way to prepare for your babies arrival is by making freezer meals using the same recipes you are making for dinner and double it then freeze half of it for a meal to be eaten postpartum.
This is the least stressful way of going about freezer meals unless you want to have a day that you make a ton of meals and freeze them.
Personally, that is not my thing but if you are into that more power to you!! At this point, I simply don’t have the energy to do this.
You could also use a food delivery service like blue apron to deliver meals or have friends and family bring you already prepared meals for a few weeks.
Prepare a breastfeeding station
You will want to set up a place to breastfeed that has everything you need for pumping or breastfeeding.
Be sure to include things like water bottles because you will be thirsty, breast pads for leaking afterward, burp cloths, books or remote for tv, nipple cream, and breastmilk storage bags.
Organize and Clean
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to do a last minute cleaning. Wipe down the counters, finish dishes, mop the floor and organize things so you can come home to a neat house after delivering.
Get all your stations set up and finish up on things in the nursery if you haven’t already.
You could even have a cleaning service come in and steam clean your carpets so that everything is fresh and ready for a new baby.
If you have other children be sure to go over the plan of who is taking care of them when you go into labor and finalize the details with them.
Mentally prepare yourself for labor
Get yourself prepared for the pain of childbirth and learn ways to breathe and connect to your body.
You can do this using prenatal yoga or meditation and embrace the idea of giving birth.
Spend time relaxing and practice breathing, have a trial run with your birthing partner so that you both will feel confident when the time comes.
Have sex to relax and prepare your uterus for birth, this is both good for you and the baby and releases good hormones as well as helping you dilate.
Get plenty of rest, either by taking naps during the day or going to sleep earlier.
Use positive affirmations and have them written down somewhere you can easily read them during labor. Some moms put them on a banner that they hang up in the room.
For more tips on preparing for labor and birth read this article: Easy Ways To Shorten Labor
Spend Quality time with your husband and family
One of the best things you can do for your loved ones is to spend time with them in the last few weeks.
If you have other children they will need this time to know that you love them and reassure them that you are there.
Spend some quality time with your husband and do fun intimate things, this will be one of the last times for a while that you will have time for each other.
Having a baby can put a major strain on a marriage so it is good to spend time together and talk about your feelings and any fears you have.
You don’t have to go out to spend quality time, you can stay in and watch movies and eat your favorite snacks.
Pamper yourself
Make sure to spend some time pampering yourself and relaxing.
Go get a new easy to manage hair cut or color, get your nails done or spend a girls night out.
Whatever helps you feel better about yourself now is the time to do just that.
Having a baby takes a lot of time from taking care of yourself, not that you won’t but you will have limited time to do so.
It is nice to give birth with your nails and hair freshly done so even when you feel gross you still look your best!!
Final thoughts on last minute things to do before baby arrives
Having a baby is a big deal and absolutely life changing!! You got this momma, take it all in stride and don’t dwell on negative things or what if’s.
You can do this!!
If you follow this checklist of things to do before baby you will be ready for your big day and not feel like you still have things to prepare.
Do a few of these at a time, maybe one a day if that works for you and your energy level.
I don’t want you to feel like it is crunch time and panic over last minute things!
If you have anything else to add to this list leave a comment and I will be sure to add it! Don’t forget to pin it so you can come back to this post later if you need to.
