Pregnant?? A check list of things people don’t always think to prep before baby
So you’re due in the 8 weeks or so and trying to get all your ducks in a row. Things most people know they need to get ready
Car seat in the car
Bags packed (DM or email us for our packing list)
Birth plan written out and printed
Child care and pet care if you have other dependents in the house
Freezer meals for postpartum
Postpartum supplies for birth recovery
Pick a pediatrician
Take classes: childbirth, newborn care, feeding, cpr/first aid
And these are all important things that you do need to do, but here’s our list of tasks we see people forget to do prenatally that are really important.
Have a day of packing check list. There are times that you may not be home to finish packing or your labor is going quickly and your partner/family member will be responsible for finishing packing. Have a written list of what needs to be in your bags and where it is. Check off things as they get added
Pick an IBCLC for lactation support (call your insurance to find out your coverage) and contact them right as baby is born to schedule an appointment for day 4 postpartum. Their schedules fill up quickly and it’s better to be proactive about support vs waiting till there’s an issue
Pack your diaper bag!! Baby will need to go to the pediatrician 24-72hrs after you arrive home and you’ll need a diaper bag ready to go with essentials for you and baby (see our diaper bag blog post).
Order your breast pump and sanitize all the parts ahead of time. Hopefully feeding is going smoothly and you don’t have to pump right away, but sometimes you’ll need to pump ASAP and it’s stressful if you’re not setup and ready to go at home
If you know you want professional postpartum support plan and hire ahead of time. Last minute availability is harder to coordinate and it can be your ideal schedule may not be available if it’s not booked in advance
Have a household check list! If you’re responsible for specific tasks in your home you likely won’t be doing them immediately postpartum. Make a list of what needs done and when so the mental load of it can be passed off before baby is here
If you’ll have visitors in your home postpartum make a list of things they can do without asking you so they can be helpful without asking a ton of questions (make sure the dog always has water, load and unload the dishwasher) but also have a list of things they can’t do (rearrange your kitchen for example)
Need more help with postpartum planning?? Reach out, we offer postpartum planning consults.