Hellobee Boards

Wash any bottles or pacifiers you plan on using! I had to do that a couple days before my due date. WHOOPS

@LBee: OH YES. I actually used a template and had it all set to go.....and i pre-addressed, stamped, and return-addressed all our announcements, too! We have too much elderly family to NOT go the snail mail route

Will you be touring the hospital/birthing center?

Will you be taking a breastfeeding class? Do you have a LC lined up? Look for a mothers group, or LLL that you can join.

Do you have a place nearby that inspects car seat installs?

Set up "Stations" on main floor and upstairs - Changing station, Napping place, set up swing, bouncer etc

If you are going to do any babywearing, get your chosen device out and see how it works - go through the instructions, try it on - I found the Ktan so confusing at first

Newborn photos?

Stock your freezer

Relax - enjoy your husband, go out to dinner, go to the movies

@LBee: Oh, silly man, lol. @macintosh: I'm a traditionalist when it comes to paper announcements. I still get them and I gotta send 'em!

@macintosh: I thought we nailed teh car seat install too, until we went to the inspection and they ended up re installing it, now we go and have them show us every time we switch seats.... it only takes about 20 min and was free. I dont know where you're located but in and around philly Kohls partnered up with the local childrens hospital to provide this service. I think its called Kohl's Cares Car Seat program

thanks for this post. i'm 34 weeks and have yet to do most of this stuff! ahhh! haha.

Thought of another one
- Sterilize pump and bottle parts - you have to boil everything for 10 minutes

Why all the washing bottles and pacifiers? Don't most people hold off on those for the first few weeks? Or am I missing something?

Get a haircut! I actually scheduled one 3 weeks before LO2 was due, but she ended up arriving before my haircut, so I missed it!

@PawPrints: it's good to have them ready to go in case you need them. We used pacifiers and some bottles right from the start and never had nipple confusion or bottle refusal.

@macintosh: Your list looks good! I'd also make sure to have freezer meals prepared and a food plan in place. I found it so hard to eat, especially breakfast. I'd usually put him on his playmat and heat up portrays because it was quick and easy. Don't be like me! Lol. Try to have lots of healthy snacks on hand too.

If you're planning to BF make sure to have lots of burp cloths handy, I felt like everything was covered in milk the first few weeks. And stick up on diapers. DS was in NB diapers for maybe 3 weeks or so. If you buy too much of the wrong size you can always exchange them.

@PawPrints: Not everyone can breastfeed exclusively right off the bat. It's good to have some handy so you aren't mad dashing when you get home.

@macintosh: I think your list is good and everyone has added some great items too!

Also a good idea to have formula on hand! Like I said, I had trouble BF since he was in the nicu for a couple of days. my husband ended up having to go out at 3am and buy formula from the drug store!

What about infant cpr/safety

Music/movies on your iPad or computer? I had a playlist ready and some movies since I was induced and we were there for a while.

Maybe take a final belly shot? And a final pic of just you and DH.

Oh and this is not for before but actually right after - I had my husband buy a couple of newspapers, local and national, from the day he was born, so we can show him someday what the news and weather and stuff was that day.

I would also suggest not unpacking/washing everything. Without a doubt there will be clothing you never end up using and won't be able to return if you wash it. Especially newborn, Since they outgrow it quickly. And within newborn anything that is really cutesy (jeans and button downs, for example. They are stinking cute but we wore nothing but footed sleepers for the first month or two, so all of that went to waste).

And I majorly echo some alone/couple time. Time to yourself because you will have so little after the baby arrives. And time as a couple! Go to fave restaurants, movies, etc.

@PawPrints: I had a NICU baby, our nursing relationship never developed like I watned, I pumped and she bottle feed, I was so thankful to have bottles/nipples ready to go. they actually gave her a pacifier as well because they were encouraging her to suck, she was what they called a "lazy baby" and we started out feeding her by syringe because she didn't want to do anything on her own. You just never know what unforeseen complications can arise and it's better to be prepared!

I went to the dentist, sounds totally random, but I got a good teeth cleaning and check up.

I also prefilled a bunch of pages in the baby book, you can do all the "about the parents" and that sort of stuff upfront, if you're doing a baby book.

I also got some paperback books and magazines, and put them away in a drawer...in case I needed something fun and light to read.

Oh, and pick up all your stuff from the drycleaner, if you use one.

Get haircut, nails done... I mean I have gotten both things done since I've given birth but now I'm always thinking about DD and never truly just relaxed!

Also, if you plan to BF, I would actually start playing around with your nipples. I had no idea I had inverted/flat nipples. And if you want to just pump your nipples, give them some work out so maybe they're more "ready" for BF later? That's one thing I never thought about doing and wished I did!