Maybe you just saw the two pink lines or you've been expecting for a few months now. if you're a planner like me, I started doing research right away for what I needed to do before our baby girl arrived.
Here I am providing a brief checklist for things that you need to do before your sweet baby is born. Hopefully this will help you feel a little less stressed about planning and keep yourself and your family stress-free and excited.
1. DAYCARE WAITING LISTS
If you are a working family and will need childcare, I can’t emphasize enough to do some research and get on a waiting list for a few different daycares. Choosing a daycare is a very personal family decision, but the waiting lists can be long, so might as well get on some as soon as possible.
2. FIND A PEDIATRICIAN
Same goes for a pediatrician. Often times the best pediatricians in town have a waiting list so it is important to get on that list as soon as you can. If you have a pediatrician established when your baby is born, you can easily get an appointment for the first check up which is normally just a couple days after birth.
3. PRIORITIZE YOUR HEALTH DURING PREGNANCY
Something I wish people told me… continue to eat healthy and exercise throughout your pregnancy, for yourself not just for your baby. I did exercise daily, but my diet wasn’t what it should’ve been. I promise it’s a lot easier to work out and be healthy during your pregnancy, then to work out and eat healthy postpartum, with a healing body, little time and little sleep.
4. PLAN A BABYMOON
Even if you can’t take any time off, considering that maternity leave is around the corner, prioritize at least a weekend get away with you and your partner. It is time that you will cherish both during and after the trip. Also, it gives you something to really look forward to during your pregnancy that is not part of your new family member on the way. Pick something that you can really relax doing. My husband and I went to Charleston, SC. He went fishing when I went to the spa, then we enjoyed the delicious food, downtown shopping and historical tours.
5. NURSEY
You can have all the ideas in the world for a nursery and maybe you just can’t choose yet. Maybe you don’t know the gender yet so your theme is up in the air. But I encourage you to clear out the room where the nursery will be as soon as possible. It’s one less thing you have to worry about when you do start decorating and moving furniture in. Go through the closet and get all the furniture out that won’t be in there, so you have a nice clean slate room that is stress-free.
Also make sure you get a paint that is an appropriate VOC for a baby room.
6. GET A COUPLE PARENTING BOOKS
If you're anything like me, realistically, you will not pick these up until you have your baby at home and feel lost in what do do next, but it will be nice to have it on hand before you needed. I highly recommend Moms On Call and Happiest Baby on the Block.
I tried reading what to expect when you're expecting but it was just too much. I downloaded an app called BabyCenter and still use it. It gave me weekly updates on what to expect on the babies growth, and on symptoms with me. Once your baby is born, it will give you postpartum tips and insight on stages of development.
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