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Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Preparing for Baby Checklist | Extensive & Realistic

What do you need to prepare for the new baby? Do you have everything done on your list? This is a list for parents who just need a bit of a checklist in the final stages of pregnancy! If you are like me, you'll still have plenty to do as you get close to the end of the pregnancy. That's ok. Try to dedicate the last 4 weeks to put together your baby supplies. It will remove the stress of not having it done early on.


I'm 9 weeks away from my newest baby's due date and I have done this a few times. Yet I STILL need a kick in the right direction! Some things on this list might NOT apply to you, but they do for me!

  • Put Birth Supplies Together
    I have my babies at home, so I need to order my birth supplies. However, if you are a hospital bound mamma, put together your hospital bag and the 'first few days at home' basket.
    • Birth pool
    • Hoses/connections for birth pool
    • Midwife supply box (gloves, blue pads, and whatever else she needs)
    • Bulb Syringe
    • Herbal baths (I buy mine here). 
      • I always buy two. Here's the directions: Boil a gallon of water with 1 cup of herbs (tied up in a nylon) for one hour(ish). pour it into the bath BEFORE you or your baby get in. Sit in the bath for at least 20 minutes. Reuse each cup of herbs once. I take 2 baths a day with each of my babies until the herbs are gone. This dries up their umbilical cords fast and gives you great skin on skin bonding time.
    • Nylons (for herbal baths) I just ordered this one
    • Goldenseal capsules
      • You don't need more than 5 capsules. If you know someone who has some, that would be better than buying an entire bottle. I always put a small bit on the wet parts of umbilical cord. It kills bacteria and helps cord dry out. It will stain clothes though, so you'll want to use onesies.
    • newborn disposable diapers I just ordered these
      • I just started ordering things like diapers on amazon. I love it! They cost the same and then I don't have to fill my cart with them! Win win for me!
    • newborn hat
    • first outfit for baby - If you make it yourself it's more special!
    • Hospital bag - toiletries, an outfit that you can take pictures in (but comfortable), a nursing shirt, a couple pairs of underwear & SOCKS (*this list is not extensive because I will hopefully NOT be going to the hospital!)
  • Stock up on Mamma items for after your baby is born
    You'll be taking care of yourself sensitively for a few weeks after your baby is born. 
    • One regular bag of the largest pads you can buy (or make your own postpartum pads)
      • I realize that I have a pattern for postpartum pads because some people are really sensitive and need them. However, I prefer disposable ones. I don't like to have to worry about anything other than my babies when they come. I just ordered these 
    • Regular pads for 3 weeks - think a bag per week I just ordered these ones 
    • Panty liners - get a large box I just ordered these ones.
    • Witch hazel - for tears and soreness I get this witch hazel 
    • Cramp bark - for afterbirth pains I get this kind
      • I always get a tincture. Get two bottles. Put a few drops under your tongue for 15 seconds. It helps with the pain within seconds.
    • Motrin - afterbirth pains I just bought this one
    • Mama's milk tea - getting the milk to come in This is the one I use
    • Nursing pads - for when your milk DOES come in These are what I ordered
    • A manual breast pump - trust me, you'll need this when your milk comes in This is what I have
    • Breast milk bags Like these ones 
    • BEER. Ok, don't freak out. They used to give this to you in the hospital to bring in your milk quicker. Really!! In all seriousness, if you just went through labor and delivery like a champ, you want a beer. Reward yourself and have your favorite kind sitting there for you after you get some rest! Your husband will think it's the coolest thing ever to celebrate your bundle with ONE beer. He will toast to you for sure!
    • Paper products. I'm considering this a mamma product, because who wants to wash dishes when baby is born? Get plenty of paper plates, disposable bowls, silverware, cups and disposable pans. Lots of paper towels too! *This is an excellent gift of any expectant parent that will ALWAYS be appreciated!!
    • New socks. Yes. Get them. It's a small way to pamper yourself because who doesn't love the feeling of new socks!
    • Lanolin for sore nipples This is what I ordered
    • Flushable wipes. You will be sore. You'll want them. Just ordered these ones 
  • Household supplies
    • Laundry soap (get your favorite kind or make a huge batch if you make it yourself!)
      • Don't forget to write a list/tutorial to tape above your washing machine of your laundry routine. Your husband will appreciate it and so will your visiting mother!
      • Did you know that amazon prices are about the same as most stores? Then you can have it delivered?! This is what I order 
    • Toilet paper
    • Paper towels
    • Dish soap (although you can use laundry soap in a pinch)
    • Dishwasher soap
    • Tin foil
    • Plastic wrap
    • Paper plates/bowls/cups/silverware
    • New tupperware - Are people bringing you dinners? You'll want a way to store it in the fridge or freezer I just ordered this and can't wait for it to come!
    • Gallon size freezer bags and disposable pans - most of the time when people are bringing dinners, they bring too much. Eat what you can for one meal, then put the rest in the freezer!
    • Shampoo/conditioner/bath soap/handsoap
    • WATER. I don't usually think about this because I have good water. If you don't, please please do yourself a favor and buy outrageous amounts. When your baby starts nursing, you will feel like it is going through you, and will down a quart of water in 2 minutes. Easily.
  • General Baby Supplies to buy (not including clothes)
    • One small bag of newborn disposable diapers - I never even go through a whole one. If you need more, your mother can get it.  I just ordered these
    • 2 decent size boxes of size 1 disposable diapers. You'll need more than this, but it's nice to have these on hand. Even if you plan to cloth diaper full time, you'll appreciate having these. I just ordered these 
    • 2 large boxes of size 2 disposable diapers. You won't need these for a while, but you'll be glad to have them. I just ordered these
    • 4 boxes of unscented disposable baby wipes
    • Baby Shampoo (Only buy one. Just in case baby is sensitive to brand) This is what I have 
    • Baby lotion (Only buy one. Just in case baby is sensitive to brand) This is what I just ordered
    • Baby Butt Cream  (Only buy one. Just in case baby is sensitive to brand) This is what I ordered
    • No oils/powders
    • Baby nail clippers
    • Bulb syringe (aka - booger sucker haha!)
    • Prefold diapers for burp cloths (unless you want to make them yourself!)
    • Diaper bag or backpack or large purse
    • Baby socks. Ok this is clothes. But when you buy them, you want them to be the "NOT SOFT" kind. They need to be longer tops that you can fold down without fleece/terry in them. Otherwise they come right off. All.Day.Long. These are the baby socks I buy 
  • Baby supplies to make - Trust me. Babies are expensive. You want to make things as often as you can to save money. Plus it gives you the added bonus of being creative in those last few weeks of pregnancy when you are nesting! These are the things that I make for my babies that are coming:
  • More things to do: a list that might not be your typical
    • Wash refrigerator and clean it out
      • You need room for meals brought to you
    • Wash clean out freezer
      • again, you need space for the meals you put away yourself and for what people bring you
    • Clean out pantry
      • Only keep things you are actually going to use. Wipe everything down and organize.
    • Make a few meals and organize them nicely in your freezer. Label and date them. You'll want them in the weeks after your baby comes. 
    • Get insurance info for your baby put together so you know what you need to do after he/she is born
    • Talk to your chiropractor about making sure your body is lined up properly...it'll make an easier labor
    • Talk to the chiropractor about whether he sees new babies or not. If your baby is fussy regularly, you might need a trip to see the chiropractor!
Well that's all I can think of right now! I have a lot left to do! Thankfully I did my amazon shopping yesterday, so now it's to the sewing machine I go! What did I miss? I'd love to hear your thoughts and add to my list!
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