Organized Before Delivery: Get Ready step by step!

Getting Organized before delivery will put your nesting heart at ease. Find out the TOP things to organize before your baby comes!

Organized before delivery means many things to many people. Deep cleaning might be on your list, as well as other ideas.

Deep Cleaning before baby?

A lot of you might think this is on my list, but it is NOT.  At least not for mom.  Sure, clean what seems like it “needs” to be done (and depending on how hard you nest, a lot of things might “need” to be done) — but I encourage dads to help out a LOT with whatever you think needs done in this area.

Reason:  Depending on your cleansers and the areas you want to be cleaned, it may just not be good for you.  Plus, I think you’ll do better at organizing the nursery as dad gets that tub clean!

Also, this post is more about ORGANIZING stuff, vs cleaning it.  Maybe I’ll do a post about deep cleaning before delivery soon!  If you’re looking for awesome Organization Tips don’t miss my Organized Home Course.

But, if you’re looking to clean, my friend Carly has a good post on how to get motivated to clean during pregnancy!

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Ok, my REAL list starts here — and don’t feel like you have to make your own list — download my free printable right now:

If you think labor will be soon, don’t miss my When will I go into labor? quiz.

Getting Organized Before Delivery

Pack your labor bag

While I basically ignored this step with all of my kids, it is an important one.

I ended up rushing around trying to grab a few things when the day finally came.

I have a whole post about what to pack in your hospital bag, so I won’t say much here, but the three things you NEED are this (although I LOVE this since you’re not tied to the wall), this (that is my favorite of all time) and this (unless you have a pixie cut).

Be sure to let your partner know where those things are (I recommend a specific outside pocket for those three things — I’ve seen things get ugly when the husband can’t find them. 🙂

Prep dinners before baby

I think one of the smartest things you can do beforehand is prep a bunch of dinners. In fact, some of the smartest baby showers I’ve seen involve making meals for the mom-to-be to freeze.

You can make casseroles in tin foil pans and freeze those, or Ziploc freezer meals are a great option as well (I love MyFreezEasy for that — she has SO many great ideas!).

Yes, I would still have people bring you meals after you have the baby.  But having a few meals in your freezer to quickly get ready afterward will be a HUGE help.

You might think you could just run out and grab some food — but after a new baby, running out and grabbing something, takes on a whole new meaning.

Plus, think of ways to add veggies into those meals, so you’re keeping nutrition up (even though you’re tired enough to just eat doughnuts all day).

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Prep childcare for when you deliver

We have never lived by grandparents when we had a baby and had older children that needed taking care of.  I would strongly recommend that at about 20 weeks you start feeling out who you might be able to leave your older children with.

Some Options:

1.  Grandma, if she is close by is clearly the best option.
2.  Grandma flies in — but you can’t always count on this if you go early, etc — and grandma being there is NOT a reason to get induced.
3.  A neighbor.  Someone who lives close that can sleep on your couch if you need to leave in the middle of the night.
4.  Friends.  With our last baby we had NO family around.  I was pretty nervous about it but friends came through like champions.  Felt very lucky.
5.  Family.  We used my brother (and 2 months later he used us) when we had our middle one.  Always nice! 🙂
6. Daycare — maybe you’ll be lucky enough to have your baby while your little one is already at their regularly scheduled programming.

It is nice to have your kids around people they know and trust while you are gone.  Kids often get a lot of anxiety knowing their mom is in the “hospital” — the hospital can often take on “terrors” of its own (especially if a family member/friend died at one).

Sidenote:  If your hospital offers a sibling class I am a big fan of them.  I think it just helps ease anxiety if kids realize that the L&D part of the hospital is special where only good things happen.  It gives them a way to visualize where you are and what is going on and know they can come to visit you there.  I do NOT recommend children be present at delivery.  If you want them there, you need a separate adult (beyond your partner) to be in charge of them.

Another sidenote: If you need to move big brother/sister to a new bed, don’t miss my post on the best kids mattress.

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Get your baby NEEDS lined up

One of my most popular posts of all time is my Baby Needs post.  I would recommend having a few things ESPECIALLY ready from about 30 weeks on (you never know)

1.  Carseat (I love this one — if you’re looking for something cheaper, I always used these)
2.  1 Pack of newborn diapers — I always used these,
3.  A few newborn outfits/onsies — these kind are my favorite
4.  Burp cloth (or even just bar towels — whatever, to clean up any spit-up) — love these, super absorbent
5.  Receiving blankets — these kind are all the rage right now
6.  Bottles (I recommend everyone have at least one bottle, even if you plan to exclusively breastfeed, and I would also horde any free formula you get, just in case) — this is the brand I used.
7. Somewhere for the baby to sleep.  In the beginning, this can be VERY Simple, I always ask around to see if anyone has a crib or bassinette I could use.  BUT, I also think this one looks SO smart!  You should NOT be planning on the baby sleeping with you due to it’s SIDS risk.

I think that’s it.

Buy any baby wants

You only have this newborn once — and alot of things are SUPER handy, but really need to be available right when you come home.

5 things I find to be super helpful:

1.  Swing — these come in all shapes and sizes, we use this one at work (LOVE IT), but I’d think about the footprint you can let it take up and your budget and then buy one.
2.  Owlet Monitor — hundreds of my readers LOVE This thing — because it gives them peace of mind.  You can get it here, and you can read my full review here:  Owlet Monitors.
3.  Video Monitor — while it’s nice to have peace of mind, it’s also nice to peek in.  There are SO many, I’d be sure to pick one that fits your budget, but will also get reception.  Often you can see them on your smartphone anymore (which would be awesome)
4. Crib — my babies always slept better in their cribs, and while the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends kids stay in your room for the first 6 months, they can certainly nap in their own room.  Just get one that seems sturdy.  That thing will see some action before it’s done. 🙂
5. Co-sleeper — as I said the AAP recommends babies stay in your room for the first 6 months and I am LOVING all the stuff I am seeing on the market right now.  So many cool co-sleepers on the market anymore!

I made a full list of some awesome freebies for new moms that you can shop right here.  Be sure to use code CURLS333 to get the discount prices!

After care (padcicles) for after baby

Get some pads for after delivery.  I recommend a pack of depends for right when you get home, to avoid leaks.  A lot of ladies love this underwear too.  Bleeding is bad, but then having to get the stain out and wash it just adds on to the agony. 🙂

I also recommend a pack of just regular period pads.  You should expect to bleed 2-4 weeks (it will likely get longer with each pregnancy).  As a reminder you can’t use menstrual cups or tampons for post-baby bleeding.

If you’re planning on a vaginal delivery, you might want to make-up some padcicles.  But, if time is an issue, I just kept my tucks in the fridge and was pretty happy to stick those on my stitches too.

 

Call your insurance before baby delivery

Double check with your insurance that all your ducks are in a row.  Some hospital stays need to be pre-approved.  Also, check with your insurance to see how they cover a breast pump (that was part of Obamacare, but who knows if it will still be covered later).

The reality is that you’ll never be organized ENOUGH to have a baby.  You truly just can’t organize it out or be entirely prepared for what’s about to happen.  But, these steps are going to give you a good head start:

Be sure to check out all of my other delivery prep posts out too:

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