What are you doing to prepare for after baby?

yesthisiskim · February 2011

I've been reading posts about you ladies freezing meals and buying pads. It totally never occured to me (until right now) that I should probably be doing the same thing. I'm probably packing my hospital bag today (I'm an over-thinker about stupid little things such as this) and writing down a list of things I need to buy to go in the bag (slippers, a new robe would be nice, etc) as well as supplies for after the baby arrives.
What things make life easier when you have a newborn (mainly easier for us)? What should I stock up on now so I don't have to beg DH to go out and buy them (he's totally freaked out that he might have to stand in line with a box of pads or Depends)?

Seeing as this is my first baby and I'm an over-planner, any tips would be greatly appreciated Big Smile

campbaby76 · February 2011

My plan is to make sure we have plenty of house essentials on hand. Toilet paper, dog food, kitty litter, some easy frozen meals. Also making sure that the car is in good repair (we are in the middle of nowhere and I hate being stranded) A list of people, and numbers, I or DH can call if we need help. (we have no family in the area) I am also lining up refills on everyones meds, dh, me, dogs.

I am looking forward to seeing what other people post as I am sure that I am forgetting a lot of things!!

MrsB*7*21 · February 2011

In the next couple weeks, I'm going to make a list of things to bring to the hospital, then I'll go shopping for things like pads and such that are on the list. Lucky for me my mom and MIL are taking on the 'freezer meal' task for us! My mom has started stocking us up on NB diapers - I think we finally have enough for 2 weeks (I'm planning to switch to cloth once they are out of the NB size).

I am also going to make sure things like TP, shampoo, tooth paste, etc... aren't getting low. And that we have a good supply of bread, juice, cereal, peanut butter, etc... so that we don't have to make special trips to the store for things for us either.

LadyXaverian · February 2011

Preparing for myself? (As opposed to specially for the baby)

Meals and pads for sure. Oh, and lanolin for breastfeeding. Beyond that, I don't know. I'll be interested to see if any BTDT Moms answer.

jteneback · February 2011

I'm getting a hair cut and an oil change so I don't have to worry about that for a while. (In addition to the freezer meals, pads, etc as mentioned above.)

yesthisiskim · February 2011

I asked a friend (who is having her 3rd baby tomorrow! So excited for her!) And she suggests buying two packs of underwear, tank tops and sports bra's from Wal-mart so you don't ruin the stuff you already have. And a pair or two of cheap sweat pants.

jbd1020 · February 2011

I just realized the other day that I should probably start thinking about this too! Actually, I briefly was admitted to the hospital after an appointment on Wednesday (everything turned out ok, thankfully!) but that made me realize I had NOTHING ready in case I needed to go back early again.

Anyway, I just placed a few online orders (ankle sprained so no real shopping for me) to start getting some stuff. I ordered a new bag (Vera Bradley - yay!) and some nursing camis and 2 stretchy nursing sleep bras. I also bought a robe since I don't have one, and I bought some henley-style shirts to make the girls accessible for breastfeeding. I also placed an order w/ drugstore.com for pads and whatnot. So that will get me started at least! And I'm going to set aside some clean pjs and stuff now in case I get sent back to the hospital.

As far as freezer meals, that is an awesome idea but I'll start thinking about that in March!

BabyBurns · February 2011

Dermoplast! I used that stuff every 2 hours it seemed.

HollyMarie1984 · February 2011

All great ideas! I didn't even think of making sure we have enought TP, shampoo, etc. in the house so we wouldn't have to worry about running out to get it.

I have started a list for things to pack for my hospital bag and I even have a few things in my duffel bag already. i will probably hit CVS this coming week to grab some pads and other things needd for the bag....I would like to have it all packed by 31-32 weeks.

As for diapers I will probably start stocking up after my shower. My SIL had a shower last year and got enough diapers to last almost a month (we have a VERY big family). So I will wait until after to see what sizes I will need.

And as for meals my family (aunts & cousins) all pick a day and bring us dinner and come and visit LO for a little while. It is really nice because i won't have a million people in my apartment at once all wanting to hold LO and we won't have to worry about dinner (and probably lunch) for about two weeks!

toadybug · February 2011

This is a great thread!

I am making sure I have plenty of breastpads. I remember it seemed like I was constantly sending someone out for more last time. I also am going to stock up on pads.

I just ordered several nursing tanks and a few bras. I figued it would be better to do it early since I was ordering online and I'm not 100% about sizing.. That way I'll have time to make exchanges if necessary. I am also going to clean out my dresser and rearrange in such a way that panties, bras, and the things I'll be wearing the first few days will be easily reachable. It's not easy to bend over to get something from a lower drawer after c/s.

I have a great cookbook that has all freezer friendly recipes. Each recipe makes double, one to eat that night and one to freeze. It also tells the best way to reheat the frozen one for best taste. I have obviuosly not started stashing meals just yet (still a little early) but we have been trying out a few of the recipes here and there to see what we would like to make when the time comes. We're also working on cleaning out the freezer so there will be room for our meals.

I have two school age chidren, so I need to make arrangements for them, and also need to arrange to have the dog taken care of.

I'm going to make sure the yard is mowed and cleaned up for spring so that DH doesn't spend the time he takes off to have baby time doing yard work. I also need to make sure we have plenty of household necessities: lightbulbs, batteries, tp.

SandiaPinaMama · February 2011

I'm a person who drives until the gas light comes on, so one thing is to make sure that the gas tank ALWAYS has enough gas to get me to the hospital 40 miles away without stopping for gas in labor.

Seeing as how I'm due right around tax time, I plan to get my taxes completely squared away early.

We also need to clean out/rearrange my DH's work rig so that if needed he can fit a carseat.

Other things on my list include: good book, laundry detergent, hay for my horses, dog food, birth control, lube, getting my horses' feet trimmed, restocking on meds (prescription and OTC), toiletries.

Good thread!

ManiacMcGee · February 2011

Thanks for this thread! There are so many things I didn't think of!

goldielocks222 · February 2011

Great ideas ladies!! Toadybug - what is the name of your cookbook? Sounds like a great idea!

MissLadyTay · February 2011

My "getting prepared ahead of time" to-do list includes making freezer meals, stocking up on pads, toilet paper, diapers, large underwear, keeping on top of the laundry so that if I need something at a moment's notice it won't be dirty, keeping the house tidier than normal so that if we have to leave for the hospital suddenly, I won't be embarrassed to have my mom arrive without me there, etc. I have a whole series of lists that I'm slowly compiling too: post-baby shopping list to give to my mom, which includes our regular grocery items (the type of milk we like, our favorite bread brand, our favorite gatorade flavor, etc.), post-baby list of people to call/email with their numbers and email addresses, post-baby list of baby things to buy, which includes clothes (we're Team Green and haven't purchased ANY clothes - I'm going to send my mom out to buy gender-specific things after the baby arrives), and finally, a list of things my dad can help with while he's down here with my mom, since I know he'll ask constantly "what can I do?" This list is mostly to keep him busy, and includes interesting touristy stuff nearby, plus things he can do around our house (baby proofing our entertainment center, fixing the banister, taking our recycling to the center, returning library books, picking up our dry cleaning).

I'm also putting all of our bills on "automatic bill pay" so that I don't have to worry about paying our bills in those hazy first few weeks.

Finally, we're filing our taxes early, instead of at the last minute, like we usually do.

bobalina77 · February 2011

watermelonmom:

I'm a person who drives until the gas light comes on, so one thing is to make sure that the gas tank ALWAYS has enough gas to get me to the hospital 40 miles away without stopping for gas in labor.

Seeing as how I'm due right around tax time, I plan to get my taxes completely squared away early.

We also need to clean out/rearrange my DH's work rig so that if needed he can fit a carseat.

Other things on my list include: good book, laundry detergent, hay for my horses, dog food, birth control, lube, getting my horses' feet trimmed, restocking on meds (prescription and OTC), toiletries.

Good thread!

LOL! DF and I were just talking about this yesterday! I do the same thing and it drives him crazy! He's like "Come March you can't do that anymore.. I don't want to have to stop for gas on our way to the hospital!" It was something I hadn't even thought about lol!

I'm lucky because DF works from home so he'll be around if I need something. He also cooks dinner every night anyway so having frozen dinners around won't be much of a necessity for us. Our parents are also close by as well.

I guess I should start thinking about stuff to put in a hospital bag though..

elle80 · February 2011

Ok, I've been thinking...

the only thing that I can remember not having and needing were nursing tanks. I had my friend pick me up a few on her way over the first day or so we were home.

Other than that, my in-laws were in town and while we were in the hospital they did some super grocery shopping for us. I didn't have much of an appetite when baby got here, but things like trail mix and nutrigrain bars were handy.

Pads are good- but I seem to remember the hospital sending me home with enough to get through awhile.

toadybug · February 2011

goldielocks222:
Great ideas ladies!! Toadybug - what is the name of your cookbook? Sounds like a great idea!

It's called Freezer Pleasers and it's from Taste of Home. I made the title clicky. It's certainly not gourmet cooking, but so far we've liked the things we tried. Lots of the recipes can be pretty heavy, but can be slimmed down some with some modifications.

PAmiler82 · February 2011

elle80:
p
I didn't have much of an appetite when baby got here, but things like trail mix and nutrigrain bars were handy.

This! Freezer meals are awesome (as are family/friends who bring over dinner) but especially at first I didn't have much of an appetite for big meals, nor is there always time to really sit and eat. But it's important to keep eating (especially if you are BFing). I did a lot of snacking at first. Plus, it was easier for both DH and I to get through those long nights with snacks around.

I definitely recommend stocking up on some easy, healthy snacks.

RunningGal900 · February 2011

I didn't read the whole post yet (need to go back and do that), but if you have a pet - their food. Also, depending on the type of pet, a bunch of treats. We have a 75-lb lab and I'm planning on buying a bunch of his favorite bigger treats (bully sticks, marrow bones, raw hides, etc) that can entertain him for a while. That way, if we're having a rough time with the baby or he's being really fussy, I can hand the pup a marrow bone which will keep him occupied and VERY happy for at least an hour. Hopefully that will keep his stress level and frustration with the new being in the house to a minimum.

sbmp10 · February 2011

yesthisiskim:

Then, my other essentials I want to make sure we have at home so we aren't making trips to the drug store, etc the first week are:

-Colace and Miralax

-Ibuprofen

-Lanolin

-Nursing pads

-Super thick maxi pads (and I will also buy a box of the kind w/ the ice packs in them that you get at the hospital so DH doesn't have to run out and get them the day after we get home from the hospital...if I don't use them this time I'm sure I will have a friend having a baby soon that I can give them to)

-Breast pump with everything already sanitized and ready to go

-Boxes of oatmeal bars and lots of easy to grab snacks for me while nursing...I forgot to eat during those first couple weeks w/ DS1, and I think it adversely affected my milk supply on top of everything else.... a nice giant cup to fill with water to drink while nursing is also essential

-Gel soothies for sore nipples, in the fridge, ready to go

-Already printed address labels so that once I order the birth announcements I don't have to do anything but put them on the envelopes and mail

-A blowup donut thing to sit on as needed for long rides in the car during the first couple weeks (we took at 6 hour road trip when DS1 was 2 weeks old and it was a lifesaver)

Ok, that's all I can think of right now : ). I will edit if I think of anything else : ).

This list and I would add

Night lights depending on how big your house is 2-6. It is horrible to have to turn lights on in the middle of the night. I put one in our bedroom, babies bedroom, bathroom, and living room.

A squirt bottle. For me this was a life saver. The sink hose attachment that they gave me at the hospital didn't reach from my sink to the toilet so I just filled the bottle with water when I used the toliet.

SColgan20 · February 2011

Okay, you guys just freaked me out, so I just made a $135 run to Target-yikes!

Here is what I got to pack...
1) overnight pads-36
2) regulard pads-36
3) breast pads-60
4) creme for my boobies (breast feeding)
5) more prental meds including DHA
6) 3 nursing tank tops
7) chapstick
8) boy cut underware-6 of them (size L-Preprego I was a S)

I'm sure I will need more stuff...but, that's the start!

runner4546 · February 2011

Great thread!

I'm also mentally preparing Netflix shoes to watch in the Ipad for those long midnight nursing sessions...might as well be entertained!

And I plan on taking a bunch of this stuff from the hospital - last time they told me to clear out the cart b/c they can't reuse most of the stuff since it's been 'contaminated' - so I took home their giant pads, wipes, etc.

Want a personalized experience?

What are you doing to prepare for after baby?

Re: What are you doing to prepare for after baby?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards