10 To-Do’s BEFORE Your New Baby Arrives
December 16, 2021 2024-06-20 16:5210 To-Do’s BEFORE Your New Baby Arrives
10 To-Do's BEFORE Your Baby Arrives
Feeling overwhelmed by the endless “to-do’s” and “must haves” when expecting a baby? It often feels like your feeds, inboxes, and conversations are flooded with things to do the minute you find out you’re pregnant. The reality is- you don’t need to prepare for everything. Focus on essential decisions, basic items, and targeted education to be ready for the big day.
The ideal time to start preparing is in the second trimester, since it’s the stage when you are most likely to be feeling energetic. You’ll want to finish your tasks early in the third trimester in case your baby decides to make their debut earlier than expected!
To help ease your anxiety, here are our top ten tasks to tackle before your little bundle of joy arrives.
1. Take Childbirth and Parenting Classes:
Every birth is a unique journey, and being equipped with skills and up-to-date knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions about your and your baby’s care. While each birth is different and there are no guarantees, education is key to preparing for a positive outcome. With the abundance of advice you will get from well-meaning loved ones, taking classes provides a solid foundation to help you navigate conflicting opinions and make the right decisions for your growing family. You will gain insights into what to expect, how to handle various scenarios, and where to find reliable resources for further learning as needed. In short, classes enable you to make educated, informed decisions for yourself and your little one.
Typically, starting classes around the third trimester (around the 7th month of pregnancy) is recommended. However, this timeline is flexible. For instance, if you’re expecting twins, have restricted availability for classes, or intend to take a longer course like hypnobirthing (which spans 5 weeks), starting classes earlier may be necessary to ensure you are able to get all the education you desire.
2. Purchase and Install a Car Seat: Every state requires parents to have a car seat installed in their vehicle before being discharged from the birthing facility. Install your car seat early and have it inspected by a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). This is an important step, because statistics show that 4 out of 5 car seats are installed incorrectly, and 7 out of 10 children aren’t correctly secured in their seat. Car seat inspections are typically free and take about 30 minutes to an hour. Locate a technician in your area here.
3. Have Essential Baby Equipment Ready To Go: Be sure your baby’s sleeping area is ready to go with clean linens. Wash baby clothes, burp cloths, washcloths, towels, hats and blankets. Stock diapers and wipes. If you will not be breastfeeding, purchase formula and sterilize baby bottles.
4. Discuss Important Decisions: Talk with your partner about important decisions like cord blood banking, whether you will consent to your baby receiving the Hepatitis B Vaccine before leaving the hospital, or whether you will have your baby boy circumcised.
If you wish to bank or donate your baby’s cord blood, ask your healthcare provider if they charge for this service. Most cord blood facilities recommend signing up around your 32nd week of pregnancy so there is ample time for you to receive your collection kit. Learn more about cord blood banking here.
Your baby’s healthcare providers will give you a Vaccine Information Sheet to review. See it here.
Read more about circumcision here.
5. Tour Your Birthing Facility: Ask important questions regarding their rules and regulations, such as:
✔ What is the facility’s visitation policy?
✔ What infant security procedures are in place?
✔ Are there amenities available such as a birth ball, squat bar, birthing tub, mirror, etc.?
✔ Are there obstetricians, anesthesiologists, and/or nurse midwives in-house 24/7, or on-call?
✔ What is the hospital’s cesarean rate, your physician’s cesarean rate, and are VBACs allowed?
✔ How does the facility support breastfeeding?
✔ Can you bring your own products for yourself and your baby?
6. Review Your Insurance Plan: Familiarize yourself with your policy to understand coverage details. For those intending to breastfeed, most plans cover a free breast pump; however, providers vary on how and when you will receive it. Knowing your plan’s distribution timeline can help prevent delays when your pump is needed most. Also review your benefits for in-network lactation consultant options, as lactation support is considered preventive care under the Affordable Care Act. Learn more here.
7. Pack Your Hospital Bag: Pack your bag four to six weeks before your due date (for twins, you may want to pack even earlier). Not sure what to pack? Download our checklist: Hospital Labor Bag Checklist
8. Find a Pediatrician: A pediatrician must be chosen before your newborn is discharged. Seek recommendations from friends, family, and local mothers to help guide your decision. Make sure the provider is in-network with your insurance. Many physicians offer meet & greets for you to ask questions and assess compatibility. If you find the pediatrician isn’t the right fit, you can always switch providers later on.
9. Pre-Register with Your Birthing Facility: Pre-registering will get all the paperwork out of the way to facilitate a smoother and more efficient experience for both you and the hospital staff, ensuring that you receive the best possible care during your stay.
10. Do you plan to breastfeed? Prenatal lactation consultations offer valuable benefits such as addressing your questions or concerns and assessing risk factors for potential challenges that may need intervention. Additionally, since breastfeeding is an intimate journey, establishing a relationship with a lactation consultant prenatally can help you feel more at ease during your most vulnerable times.
Our Lactation Specialists are available to help answer all of your questions. Book an appointment today. We take most insurance so there is no out-of-pocket expense for you!
What classes you should take prenatally? Here are our Top Four :
✔ Prepared Childbirth Class
Preparing for your labor and delivery experience can help to reduce anxieties, help prepare you for the stages of labor, teach you effective breathing and relaxation techniques to use during your labor, teach you various labor positions to facilitate the birth, help you make informed decisions regarding your care, and assist you in communicating your birth choices with your practitioner(s). There are many types of prepared childbirth classes including the Lamaze Method, The Bradley Method, and HypnoBirthing. Choose from online classes, in-person group classes, or private classes.
Breast milk is the ideal nourishment for infants and offers numerous long-term advantages for both mothers and babies. Despite being natural, breastfeeding can pose challenges, particularly in the early weeks. Taking a breastfeeding class will equip you with essential knowledge: understanding milk production, recognizing signs of sufficient milk intake, overcoming common struggles, addressing challenges like pain and latching difficulty, tips for including our partner in the experience, guidance on pumping, and more. Support persons are encouraged to attend. My Pure Delivery accepts most major insurance for our Breastfeeding Basics live webinar class, meaning there is no out-of-pocket expense for you!
This class teaches expectant parents who have little or no experience with babies about the basics of newborn care. Learn how to hold your baby, bathe, swaddle, change diapers, dress, burp, take a temperature and use your bulb syringe. You will also learn feeding techniques, how to calm a fussy baby, and safety information. My Pure Delivery accepts most major insurance for our Newborn Care live webinar class, meaning there is no out-of-pocket expense for you!
This important class teaches preventative and life-saving information to parents and caregivers of infants up to 1 year of age. Anyone taking care of your child should take this extremely important class. You can find a certification course if you desire, or opt for one that is designed for parents without medical training. Many hospitals offer Infant CPR classes in person, or you can check out our webinar class, which covers four important infant safety topics.
My Pure Delivery’s Infant CPR & Safety live webinar class is taught by a registered nurse and is designed for parents and caregivers. Participants will receive instruction on handling a choking emergency, performing basic CPR while waiting for help to arrive, babyproofing your home, and car seat safety. Registration is $25 per login. (Insurance does not cover this class.) Register here.
***The information provided on our website is intended solely for general educational and informational purposes only. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician for any questions you may have regarding your or your child’s medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have received in this information.***
