when to get ready/set up for baby.

trytry38ever

Finally hitting me that baby Is comming soon well i still have bit of weeks ahead but now I have a few questions. When did you all start packing for the hospital, wash all of the bottles etc, make the crib, unbox stuff that will be needed. I already have the big furniture set up so I'm talking about the smaller stuff pack n play etc. I'm trying to wait as long as possible to make sure everything is extra clean and that baby will actualy use it but I am worried that I will wait to long and end up doing everything last minute or end up in the hospital giving birth without having a bag ready. I am trying to make bringing home the baby as easy as possible since this will be our first baby. Also do you recommend taking classes on birthing or breastfeeding so far I do not feel the need for classes and worried it will just stress me out but what are your experiences with or without classes. Another question is where will you be storing bottles, plates, etc I have an extremely small kitchen with no spare space. I am thinking about a tupperware container but the only place i have free is on top of the refridgerator and i dont think that would be idea. Any other tips will be appreciated. I know once baby comes I will figure everything out but again I want to make it a bit easier by at least having somewhat of a game plan.

Alyllyra

I was pf work starting two weeks before my EDD, so I did most of this stuff then. I ended up having to rewash a couple of things because DD was 9 days late, but mostly I think I did things with a good time frame.

I packed my bag in the morning when the contractions started before we went to the hospital. No stress. I had a list of the most important things that I followed and other than that just added some clothes that I never used.

saric83

I'm taking care of everything I can right now.  I could certainly wait, but if I'm feeling up for it, I'm going to take advantage of that.  

In terms of the classes, the only one I've taken is a Newborns 101, which walks you through everything from right after delivery to three months.  I've been around tons of babies and worked in daycare center infant rooms all through college, so this was more for DH.  But I still found out things that were really helpful as a reminder or just things where recommendations have changed.  We're also doing a sleep series (0-3 mo, 3-6 mo, 6-9 mo) online through the center where our in-person class was.  

If you're thinking you want to go natural for delivery, you should absolutely take a birthing class to help you prepare for pain-management techniques.  And if you're planning to breastfeed but don't want to take a class, just make sure to educate yourself by reading some great books about it.  I asked my OB for recommendations, which was really helpful.