13 Things to Do Before Baby Arrives—as Recommended by Experts and Real Moms
There are tons of important to-dos floating around every expectant mom’s brain. While it’s impossible to prepare for everything to come, it’s our nature to want to set ourselves up for success. The good news/bad news is—at this moment—you have more free time than you’ll have in the next two decades!
All experienced moms will tell you there are things they wish they’d known to do before baby’s arrival. Fortunately, with some planning (and a little support), we’ll help you get ahead of the game so you can walk into parenthood with a solid foundation. Below, we asked experts and real moms to share their suggestions for ways to prepare for baby’s big arrival.
The first go around, I did all the things. I took classes, I read books, I researched gear, I babyproofed, I set up spreadsheets and made contact lists—I had the luxury of time to do everything I could to prepare my body, mind and home for the arrival of baby. With my second and third, things were a bit more hectic and I embraced a ‘wing it’ mentality—but I was no longer a newbie so I know what to prioritize and streamline. My best advice: Do what you can and enjoy the quiet before the (amazing!) storm.
You’ll need to prepare your house for your new addition. This may mean decluttering, nesting or setting up “baby-care stations” stocked with the essentials throughout your home. Dominique E.F., mom of one in Chestertown, Maryland, shares advice she received when she was expecting: “Have a place in basically every room in the house to set the baby down. Keep the stroller with the bassinet in the entry. Put a playpen in the kitchen. Swing in the living room. Bouncer in the dining room. You get the idea. This was the best advice I received, to be honest.” And don’t forget about some less discussed but vital safety precautions, like ensuring your home has working fire and carbon monoxide detectors on every level and especially near your bedroom and baby’s nursery.
Going to your regular prenatal visits with your healthcare provider helps set you and baby up for success. At each appointment, they’ll ensure baby is growing well, monitor for any risks and issues and answer any and all questions you have. In fact, your provider can be a great resource to you throughout your journey.
Parenthood has a way of multiplying our responsibilities. If you have a partner, discuss the division of labor. “Talk about who’s going to handle household tasks after baby comes—anything from meal prep to laundry to night feedings. Anything you can think of related to managing a home,” advises Alex P., mom of two in Huntington Beach, California. Then, keep the lines of communication open as time goes on and responsibilities evolve.
Your body has a big job to do in pregnancy and childbirth. Anna McMaster, PT, a physical therapist specializing in postpartum recovery, suggests strengthening your glutes and deep core muscles (in pregnancy-friendly ways) to support your body in pregnancy and postpartum. “Seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist should be on every pregnant person’s to-do list—even if you’re feeling great,” she says. “They’ll create a customized plan for your pregnancy, help you prepare for delivery (whether vaginal or C-section) and set you up for postpartum success.” What’s more, studies have found that exercising at least three times a week during pregnancy can help shorten labor times by approximately an hour. Not to mention, that the strength and endurance you build during pregnancy will help you have more stamina as a new parent. You’ll be better equipped to handle all of baby’s gear—including car seats and strollers—as well as chase after them once they’re in their toddler years.
If you plan to enroll baby into a daycare program or hire a nanny, the best time to start looking is, well, now! In competitive areas, expect waitlists and steep price tags. Kristin Revere, CED, a certified birth, postpartum and infant care doula and the founder of Gold Coast Doulas in Grand Rapids, Michigan, recommends looking into childcare options early in pregnancy: “I tell my doula clients to begin interviewing nannies or to get on waitlists for childcare centers. We’re in a childcare shortage, and this isn’t a task to hold off on.”
Having a baby is a massive life shift, and preparing ahead of time with mental health support is essential. If you’re experiencing anxiety, depression or stress in your pregnancy, Bridget Jones, PsyD, a clinical psychologist in Dayton, Ohio, advises seeking out a perinatal mental health therapist to support you in this transition. “It can also be helpful to have a therapist lined up for your postpartum experience, in case it gets difficult at times,” she says. Along with lining up a therapist, add healthy stress-management techniques to your life, like regular exercise and meditation. The reality is that once baby arrives on the scene, your priorities may shift and your workload (i.e. the laundry and dishes) will increase. It’s important to plan for how you’ll take care of your mental health as you work through the transition.
After you’ve gotten all the essentials for baby, like strollers, car seats, and crib sheets, it’s time for the next step—preparation. Wash all cloth items in gentle detergent, and be sure to familiarize yourself with your new baby gear before the big day. “Make sure you can easily open and fold the stroller and install and secure the car seat,” advises Meghan D., mom of two in Chicago. “It’s not only a safety issue, but you’ll be carrying that heavy car seat, and the last thing you want is to be stumped by a stroller with your newborn in tow.”
It’s useful to create a family financial plan before baby’s arrival. This can include getting acquainted with your health insurance pre-delivery, starting a 529 plan for baby and plotting out the first year’s expenses. “It can be helpful to sit down with your partner to determine where you stand today, how much money you’ll need and what you are willing to compromise on when it comes to baby-related expenses,” says Setu Shah, founder and CEO of Financial Doula.
With all the planning that goes into pregnancy and labor, it’s easy to forget about those first few weeks and months with baby. But the truth is you’ll be more sleep-deprived than ever with a new baby in tow. Doing tasks and creating systems ahead of time will do wonders for accommodating your post-baby brain fog. This can look like baking and freezing casseroles or automating as many to-dos as possible. “Do you have recurring delivery orders for all of your essentials? Vitamins, diapers, wipes, grocery staples? Have you enrolled in auto-pay for your utilities, rent/mortgage or other bills? If not, now is the time,” says Alex P., mom of two in Huntington Beach, California.
Making a birth plan can help you feel more confident going into the big day. “As an ob-gyn, I believe birth plans are useful for thinking about and articulating your wishes and preferences about pain medicine, birthing positions or medical interventions,” says Amy Roskin, MD, a Florida-based ob-gyn with over 20 years of experience. A good first lesson in the flexibility required in parenthood: expect that your birth plan might change a bit on the day of. Mentally preparing for that possibility can help level expectations.
Sometimes, family and friends can “help” in ways that aren’t actually helpful. Clearly stating your boundaries and expectations ahead of time can help you get the support you need. “This could be anything from limiting visitors to requesting that visitors and family are healthy before a visit,” says Revere. “There’s no need to have uncomfortable conversations when you should be focused on recovery and bonding with baby.” And don’t be afraid to ask for what you need.
Finding a pediatrician you like and trust can help your pre-baby confidence and make a huge difference in your life. “You can and should try to meet with the docs on your shortlist prior to baby’s arrival so you can feel comfortable with your choice and cross that off your to-do list,” says Roskin. Reviews and gut checks are helpful here too. The good news about this task is it’s easily changeable if you decide your pediatrician isn’t a match down the road.
For some pregnant people, attending all of the childbirth and parenting classes will help them feel empowered and prepared. For others, it’s too overwhelming. Revere says you should seek knowledge and prepare in ways that work best for you. “That could be taking a comprehensive childbirth class like HypnoBirthing or Lamaze… It could be enrolling in a hospital class,” she says. “For other parents, education may be reading birth books, listening to podcasts or watching videos. Some of my clients do all the things and others wing it.”
If you’d like to give breastfeeding a try, preparing for the ups and downs can help boost your chances of success. Though it may be natural, breastfeeding is far from intuitive, and it can take some time for both you and baby to get the hang of things. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) notes that along with getting important gear, like nursing bras and breast pumps, it can also be helpful to take a breastfeeding class or have a lactation consultant lined up. They can help you learn how to get a a proper latch or hand express milk. Plus. They can also help you determine if you might be at risk for anything that could make nursing baby an even greater challenge. “I hired a consultant and she was great. She boosted my confidence, showed me that the babies were getting enough and helped me figure out pumping,” says hinghambride, a community forum member on The Bump. “It was a two-hour visit… It was wonderful to have an expert focus on me and my babies for that much time.”
If you’ve got older kids, you’ll want to get them ready for baby’s arrival too! Grab some dolls and role play some of the things they may see you doing, like changing diapers and bottle-feeding. Additionally, you’ll want to ensure you have care lined up for children (and pets!) when it’s go time.
Experts and moms will tell you that it’s better to have your hospital bag packed sooner rather than later. “At 32 weeks, I’d have at least an overnight bag ready,” suggests dulcinea03, a community forum member on The Bump. “By that point, I’d been to L&D twice, so while I didn’t have a full hospital bag, I had a smaller bag that I just left in the car.”
You’ll want to include essentials like your ID, your insurance card, baby’s gear and extra clothes, as well as items that may make you more comfortable, like a robe, pillow and any favorite toiletries. (Check out our full checklist of what to pack in your hospital bag.)
Planning for a new baby can feel overwhelming, but reading this list means you’re doing great already. You care a lot about giving motherhood your all—and you haven’t even met your little one yet! Do your best to prepare your house, body, mind and relationships for baby’s arrival, but understand that much of parenting is a learning curve. And after all of your doing and prepping, make sure to kick your feet up and enjoy some rest time before baby comes, too. You deserve it!
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
Bridget Jones, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist in Dayton, Ohio. She earned her master’s degree and doctorate in psychology from Loyola University of Maryland and completed her residency at MetroHealth Medical Center.
Anna McMaster, PT, DPT, PRPC, is a licensed physical therapist and founder of Amie, a digital platform for personalized postpartum recovery. She earned her degrees from UC San Diego and University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.
Kristin Revere, MM, CED, NCS, is a certified birth, postpartum, and infant care doula and founder of Gold Coast Doulas in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and her master’s from Aquinas College.
Amy Roskin, MD, is an ob-gyn with over 20 years of experience and chief medical officer of Seven Starling, a maternal health platform. She earned her medical degree from New York University.
Setu Shah, is the founder and CEO of Financial Doula, a coaching and education platform dedicated to helping first-time, expecting parents financially prepare for the first year of parenthood and beyond. She earned her bachelor’s degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her master’s from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.
Real Parents: Dominique E.F., mom of one in Chestertown, Maryland
- Alex P., mom of two in Huntington Beach, California
- Meghan D., mom of two in Chicago
- hinghambride
- dulcinea03
Learn how we ensure the accuracy of our content through our editorial and medical review process.
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