Second Time Moms - what's your pre baby to-do list?

mmmmkay · January 2018

I've basically done nothing and I'm beginning to realize that i have like 3 months left so i better do SOMETHING to prepare for the second baby.

so far I've got:
-figure out the stroller situation so i'm not stuck in the house with two kids
-find someone to take care of baby #1 while i'm in the hospital (no family in the area)
-register new baby at pediatrician
-find preschool for kid #1 and shared nanny for kid #2.
-maybe get diapers?
-wash stuff?
-figure out where #2 is gonna sleep in our 2 bedroom small house.
-maybe pack for the hospital? i don't remember what i brought last time. I don't think i packed then either. and pack for #1 to maybe stay somewhere else
-snuggle #1 within an inch of her life
-remember what labor is like? or maybe just wing it.

what am i forgetting? how are you getting prepared?

(also, sorry if this is against the rules, i totally don't get what warrants it's own post vs just responding to something else)

(if you've already gone through this - please chime in with your advice!!)

whatabout2ndbreakfast · January 2018

My list looks a lot like yours!
- Get stroller
- Plan for DS for the hospital
- Pack a bag for the hospital - I am definitely packing snacks and a post-labor soda this time. I remember STARVING in the hospital after labor. Do we have a hospital bag thread yet??
- Decorate baby's alcove (we also have a 2 bedroom @mmmmkay !): I saw some really sweet sheep decals on etsy that I've had my eye on. Also need to get some sheets and set up a changing station
- FMLA paperwork for work!
- Dig baby stuff out of the attic - what did I even save?? No idea!
- Plan and prepare freezer meals. I didn't do this last time and I need to.

Ugh I know I'm forgetting things.

kmalls · January 2018

I’m a TTM and already have a lot of the basics (ie: double stroller, crib, newborn clothes, toys everyyyyywhere, etc), so I guess just prepare lots of freezer meals? And I don’t really do that until the last two weeks of pregnancy so there’s still a lot of time. Those really do come in super handy and we’ve found that crockpot meals are fantastic. I usually go through Pinterest for freezer stews and take the time to prepare them well so all we have to do is thaw the night before (in the fridge) and dump them in the crock pot the next morning. So easy.

Another great meal idea is lasagna: I make two or three ahead of time and then wrap each serving individually before freezing. That way I can have a serving for lunch or a quick dinner without having to thaw out the entire thing.

OH! And we’ve for sure decided to hire a mother’s helper once DH goes back to work after paternity leave, so I need to get on that.

mmmmkay · January 2018

@peppersmith22
where is your alcove? in your bedroom? or somewhere else?

yes freezer food is key! last time our friends kept us well stocked but i bet we get less special treatment the second time around!

mountainsmama · January 2018

For some reason I thought we were 4 months away from April, and yesterday I realized I am actually 3 months from my due date. What the hell brain? It is also hitting my that I've done nothing whatsoever to prepare. My list includes:

-MOVE (not until the end of Feb, waah)
-Get DD situated in a toddler bed so I can steal the crib for the nursery
-Set up nursery, buy another dresser
-Find and wash all the teeny clothes / clean the baby toys
-Buy some little diapers
-Buy a double stroller
-Figure out glider situation - right now we still rock DD every night in "her" chair. I love that chair for nursing though. Do I put it in the nursery and find something else for DD's room? Buying another seems dumb.
-Hospital tour / bag
-Establish a plan for DD when in labor
-Freezer meals
-Work out leave with HR
-Figure out transitioning my work while on leave (ugh stressful)
-Find my hypnobabies tapes and start doing those every day

Most of these things can't happen until March, which is what stresses me out the most. I simultaneously want to speed up time and slow things the f down.

irenejean · January 2018

My list is similar to yours too!

- Figure out who is going to watch DS while I'm in labor
- Get diapers
- Get clothes (the new baby is a girl and completely opposite season from DS, also, I gave away all of DS' clothes)
- Get pads (always infiniti pads as discussed in another thread, don't want to be scrambling to get some after LO is born)
- Pack bag
- Set up the crib in our bedroom. LO is going to eventually share a room with DS, but she will be in our room at first.
- Buy some items (we want a second baby monitor, I want a new activity gym/playmat, pacifiers, etc)
- Find and clean DS' baby items that we will reuse (bottles, bibs/burp cloths)
- Get rid of the baby items we won't re-use.
- Install infant car seat
- Freezer meals!!!
- Cleaning/organizing around the house. We moved into our house last Summer and I'd like to get those last few boxes unpacked and those last few areas around the house organized.

And if there's time, I'd really like to paint DS' room. In our old house it was gray, but when we moved we didn't paint it. I'd like for it to be gray again and it seems like we're more likely to get this done before the baby comes rather than after.

I'm already overwhelmed just thinking about this

rmmorris · January 2018

I swear I was just googling to do before baby lists!

-Pre-Register at Hospital/with Insurance
-Register new baby with pediatrician
-Get new breast pump
-Set up baby gear/install car seat
-Pack hospital bag
-Research and then buy/make things to make the postpartum period more comfortable

I completely underestimated the toll labor/delivery would take on me physically. I had literally nothing and we had to stop at cvs on the way home from the hospital so I could buy lanolin and maxi pads. I was sooo naive and was shocked when I went from being super comfortable and active at the end of my pregnancy to feeling like I was hit by a truck. This time I want to be over prepared and make all of the padcicles and whatever other crazy things make that time a little less awful.

whatabout2ndbreakfast · January 2018

@mmmmkay We have a big landing at the top of the stairs and the crib, glider, and one bookshelf fit there. If the crib hadn't fit, DS2 would be sleeping in our room.

@mountainsmama I also have to figure out who's getting my work before I go on leave... my boss told me to come up with a plan but my coworkers are overloaded

Not sure what I'm going to do.

mountainsmama · January 2018

@irenejean @rmmorris you both reminded me of more things, like get a new pump / pump stuff, get another monitor, and install a carseat! I'm afraid we would totally go to the hospital with our convertible toddler seat in the car, hah. This thread is helpful!

ekendall09 · January 2018

These are good reminders!!!

So far:
-put walls up in nursery, paint, refinish floors
-buy crib/mattress
-refinish dresser
-buy carseat (get adapter attachment for stroller I already have)
-buy some clothes basics (I have nothing from DD)
-dipers
-buy a swing
-pre-register with hospital for insurance
-DD will be covered for care either by her dad or our friends thankfully (need to deliver our extra car seat to those friends)
-definitely prep a few meals (@kmalls if you have a sure fire lasagna pass it along! that was my absolute fav thing people brought me after delivery)
-order new breast pump (30 days out from delivery from insurance)
-buy postpartum necessities (motrin, gel pads, granny panties, pads, etc)

oh boy, looks like my next three months are planned out.

whatabout2ndbreakfast · January 2018

You guys are reminding me of so many things that I forgot!

ladythrice · January 2018

Hmm, I came into this thread thinking, "I don't have a 'to-do' list... and I don't need one!"

Then I finished reading...

Here's my to-do list

:

Start the hypnobabies program I bought.........
Hospital registration interview
FMLA paperwork/leave finalized for work... Get DH to start working on his FMLA paperwork
Wash and fold newborn clothes... buy some new newborn girl stuff cuz I love it all and it's my LAST BABY
Get a take home outfit
Pack for hospital (we waited until the last minute with DD1... we'll probably do the same for this time... /sigh)
Freezer meals (thanks for the reminder @kmalls!)
Buy post-partum necessities (good call @ekendall09) (Colace, ibuprophen, pads, and tucks pads for me--also move bottle warmer into bathroom to heat up my peri bottle!)

ngolimento · January 2018

Good thread idea!

I don't want to be obnoxious, but I've honestly already taken care of prepping for the most part. I already transitioned my toddler out of the crib, rearranged the nursery, got the newborn clothes out and ready, and bought new bottles and monitor (I wanted a video monitor since they will share the nursery and I don't want my toddler sticking toys in the baby's ears or something), arranged for the daycare to eventually take DD2, and arranged for DD1 to be watched while at hospital.

Items left to do:

*Pack hospital bags

*Talk to HR about maternity leave (though I remember them not caring about it being reported until it a really starts)

*pre-register with hospital (going to be done on Mon).

mcb2016 · January 2018

I have so much to do. I'm almost in denial this new baby is coming. I'm happy to see this list so I can make a list and get started on this stuff.

bchalm · January 2018

OMG I haven't even made a lis and am so freaking out now. Tomorrow I am going through this thread again and making a plan. @mountainsmama I also keep thinking 4 months. Pregnancy brain makes math hard!

sjn00 · January 2018

A lot of cleaning out and organizing closets. I did my hall closet today, which houses most my DD1 toys, boards games, and school stuff. Next is her closet but I am waiting for a piece of furnature to come in in a couple weeks. Then my closet. I need to get out all the baby clothes from DD1 and seperate them into size and start washing the newborn-0-3 month stuff and put those away. Wash the baby towels, burp cloths, and blankets. Re wash the car seat cover, set up the pack n play, and bassinet. Get a few bottles in case breast feeding doesnt work out, clean out my breast pump stuff and make sure i dont need to replace any parts. I bought two small dressers for the girls that will be here in April that need to be built so I can put clothes away. I still need to order a few items like a rocking chair, bathtub, etc. And I am slowly going around the house and deep cleaning each room so I wont have to worry about it much once she is here. Bleh, soooo much to do, but so much of "this has to wait or im gonna have to do it again in a month or 2" Currently just trying to do a bunch of organizing and moving things around to fit her in.

Puddlewonderful · January 2018

sjn00 said:

A lot of cleaning out and organizing closets. I did my hall closet today, which houses most my DD1 toys, boards games, and school stuff. Next is her closet but I am waiting for a piece of furnature to come in in a couple weeks. Then my closet. I need to get out all the baby clothes from DD1 and seperate them into size and start washing the newborn-0-3 month stuff and put those away. Wash the baby towels, burp cloths, and blankets. Re wash the car seat cover, set up the pack n play, and bassinet. Get a few bottles in case breast feeding doesnt work out, clean out my breast pump stuff and make sure i dont need to replace any parts. I bought two small dressers for the girls that will be here in April that need to be built so I can put clothes away. I still need to order a few items like a rocking chair, bathtub, etc. And I am slowly going around the house and deep cleaning each room so I wont have to worry about it much once she is here. Bleh, soooo much to do, but so much of "this has to wait or im gonna have to do it again in a month or 2" Currently just trying to do a bunch of organizing and moving things around to fit her in.

Are you super mom?!? Lol. your goals are all my goals too except I’ve resigned myself that none of it (other than nursery and laundry) will get done until maybe like week 10 of maternity leave

petethecat · January 2018

-replace carpet in nursery (and DD's room) and paint
-get blackout curtains, crib, dresser, glider, and lamps
-get out all DD's old clothes and separate and wash them
-wash infant car seat cover, bouncer cover, mamaroo cover, play gym, and other soft infant toys
-set up the nursery
-set up bookshelves in DD's room and the nursery
-get an extra bouncer, new swaddle blankets, new baby bath and spout cover, double stroller, and a new carrier (Tula)
-get with insurance about getting a new breast pump
-preregister with our hospital
-new paint in our bedroom and bathroom
-deep clean the house
-get MH on board with hiring a cleaning person for after baby and then do it

Basically everything...

sapphires-and-diamonds · January 2018

Thank goodness I'm not the only one! I was having a minor panic attack the other day because I've done absolutely nothing yet. My list is basically the same as all of yours. We have a friend who paints by trade and is stopping over this evening to check out the nursery and give us a quote. Then I guess we have to actually clean out and move everything that is currently in there. Maybe once we do that and the ball is rolling I will have more motivation to check off other things on the gigantic list.

sjn00 · January 2018

Puddlewonderful said:m

sjn00 said:

A lot of cleaning out and organizing closets. I did my hall closet today, which houses most my DD1 toys, boards games, and school stuff. Next is her closet but I am waiting for a piece of furnature to come in in a couple weeks. Then my closet. I need to get out all the baby clothes from DD1 and seperate them into size and start washing the newborn-0-3 month stuff and put those away. Wash the baby towels, burp cloths, and blankets. Re wash the car seat cover, set up the pack n play, and bassinet. Get a few bottles in case breast feeding doesnt work out, clean out my breast pump stuff and make sure i dont need to replace any parts. I bought two small dressers for the girls that will be here in April that need to be built so I can put clothes away. I still need to order a few items like a rocking chair, bathtub, etc. And I am slowly going around the house and deep cleaning each room so I wont have to worry about it much once she is here. Bleh, soooo much to do, but so much of "this has to wait or im gonna have to do it again in a month or 2" Currently just trying to do a bunch of organizing and moving things around to fit her in.

Are you super mom?!? Lol. your goals are all my goals too except I’ve resigned myself that none of it (other than nursery and laundry) will get done until maybe like week 10 of maternity leave

Lol, definitely not. A bit OCD yes. So things for me just have to get done or I obsess over them and cant relax until they are. Problem is sciatica and tail bone pain, so pushing through that as much as I can has been a really big challenge in allowing me to get done what I want to when i want to.

okayrunner · January 2018

This inspired me to create a list. Now I’m feeling stressed about how much I actually have on it!

angiek1 · January 2018

My list:

Prepping food: My second was MSPI so I'll be prepping a lot of meals and snacks b/c I plan to go MSPI in mid March and then test to see if he is going to have it as well. I just started my MSPI meal board on Pinterest and re-reading what is okay and not okay to eat.
Get new born necessities ready like washing pacifiers, bottles, breast pump pieces, etc.
Stocking up on diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream and lanolin
Installing video baby camera
Setting up cradle for our lower level
Cleaning off stroller (it's been collecting dust)
Get work ready to transition by 3/10 (just in case he is an early bird)
Get girls "Gift from baby brother"
Select photographer for new born session and select window for shoot (most like to do within first 10 days of birth)
Get dog groomed and hair cut

kmalls · January 2018

@angiek1 getting the newborn photographer set up is such a good point! I know around here they require MONTHS of notice (so they don’t overbook) so if anyone is hoping for a professional shoot, it’s a good idea to get on someone’s calendar right now!

angiek1 · January 2018

@kmalls it blows my mind how far in advance you have to book for a newborn shoot.

ladythrice · January 2018

On the topic of newborn shoots... Our family photographer is also pregnant. She's due April 29th, two weeks after me. It's the third kid for both of us and both our previous two were born on their due dates... So we're praying these third kiddos follow in the steps of their siblings so she can do our newborn shoot

. If she goes early, or I go late, she's got us a referral to the photographer she uses for her family shoots and she knows she's on call is our photog can't do it. It's a little stressful!

ngolimento · January 2018

@ladythrice ask your maternity center/hospital if they bring in a newborn photographer. The one I deliver in has a lady come in and do a photo shoot automatically. Of course you have to pay out your ears for the photos, but it is a good backup plan!

lindsye · January 2018

I don’t know if other STM+ do this, but after my first baby i’ve started buying a few cute, loose-fitting items a couple sizes up to wear post-partum. I usually gain about 30-35 pounds, and while I have (fortunately) been able to lose it every time, it takes some time to get back into your old clothes. And I’ve wanted to wear something other than super baggy sweats, etc when I start feeling better and want to get out and about, so having a few things ready to go has been good for my postpartum mental state.

mmmmkay · January 2018

great idea linsye. I remember feeling so ugg after because nothing fit right. and i had nothing i could really breastfeed in. i have ab it more now but i might get a couple things just to make me feel human.

ekendall09 · January 2018

@lindsye so much yes to that! I was so happy I had a pregnancy breakdown and went out and splurged at lululemon the week before I was due last time around, all that stuff was soooo much more comfortable postpartum because I totally sized up. I'm sure i'll do the same at a couple stores this time around.

riversdoctor · January 2018

Baby-specific: get my 0-6 month girl clothes back from my cousin and wash them.
-get rock n play back from cousin
-figure out where baby’s clothes will “live” (due to safety concerns the kids don’t have dressers in their room. We have 2 dressers and a closet with their clothes in the guest room but they’re packed full right now!!
-maybe buy a swing?
-maybe buy a new crib mattress. Kids still use ours if they wake up in the middle of the night and want to sleep with us, but they also have pillow beds they could use.
-locate bottles and strip cloth diapers
Non-baby specific - PURGE TOYS and clothes after the Christmas flux
-put away Xmas decor (its down just needs to go into bins in garage)
-take each kid on a date night alone. (One night mommy and dd, daddy and ds, one night mommy and ds, daddy and dd)

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