im 30 weeks pregnant, i have a few questions about preparing for the baby...?

Question

1. When should i have everything set up??
2. When should i have everything? (baby shower is 4 weeks away)
3. is it true that you wash everything in special detergant before baby is born? Why?
4. When should i have hospital bags ready?
5. Did you make it to your due date? if not how early was your baby?
6. is there anything else that you think is important that a new mommy should know?

Answer 1

1. When should i have everything set up?? Get everything set up now...in the next few weeks you'll start getting tired and be too big to do much of anything. Nesting will kick in and you'll clean like crazy...I cooked! I made 3 different kinds of stew and spaghetti sauce from scratch and froze it all. Now, 3 weeks post partum, we have more then enough to eat and I don't have to cook!

2. When should i have everything? (baby shower is 4 weeks away) You'll never have everything! You'll think you have more than enough and you'll still need more! Make sure you have the basics...diapers, whipes, onesies, blankets

3. is it true that you wash everything in special detergant before baby is born? Why? We used Baby ALL. Baby's skin has never touched anything before and regular detergents are just too harsh.

4. When should i have hospital bags ready? I'd say after your shower. I had mine ready to go by 35 weeks!

5. Did you make it to your due date? if not how early was your baby? I made it to my date and was sent to be induced that day because baby had low fluid. After 48 hours of failed induction, i was sent home still pregnant! Baby's fluid was OK, not emergent....I was induced again a week later and had her via c-section 9 days late!

6. is there anything else that you think is important that a new mommy should know? I'm a new mommy too...my daughter is 3 weeks old today. The only advice I can give is ask for help when you need it. You will be tired! You will be scared! You will worry about everything!

The love you will feel for this little one is unreal! It just can't be explained and it's instant! I will never forget that moment....the moment I held her and couldn't believe how much I loved her!

CONGRATULATIONS & GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 2

1. Have nursery set up as soon as you can - best before your shower so you can organize gifts
2. After baby shower, then buy the rest of what you need. There's always a chance you'll have to enchange things since some people don't even look at the registry and you wind up with doubles.
3. Yes you should wash your baby's clothes before putting them on the baby (the blankets too!). Dreft is the best baby detergent.
4. Hospital bag should already be prepared (you never know if you may be early).
5. My daughter was born a week early, so I did not make my due date.
6. As a new Mommy, you should accept all the help anyone offers. The first few weeks after birth can be rough. And don't worry about getting things right when your baby comes - everything falls into place, you will be a great mom :)

Answer 3

Have everything ready, including the hospital bags, by about 35 weeks. It starts to get harder to move around after that and you never know when the baby might come! I washed everything with Dreft, but you can use any detergent that doesn't have added softeners or fragrance. That is just a precaution in case your baby has any allergies. I didn't make it to my due date for either of my two. My first was 3 weeks early and the second was a week early. Both healthy! Get a good book on baby's first year - you will have it open constantly! I overreacted to everything at first.

Pediatricians are very understanding with new parents, so don't ever be afraid to call them, even if you think it's a stupid question. Once, I thought I was overreacting because my 2 month old seemed out of sorts and quieter than normal - I felt foolish calling the doctor since I didn't have anything specific to tell them. She ended up in the hospital that afternoon for a virus that I wasn't even aware of! Thank goodness I called!

You'll be great, just remember that it's a big adjustment and it gets easier.

Answer 4

There are no rules saying when things need to be done and what needs to be done, but here is my opinion....
1. I would definatle reccomend having everything set up before you go into labor because after you have the baby you wont have the time or energy to do it then. I would say by 36 weeks because after then you could go into labor at any time because 37 weeks is considered full term.
2. I would say that you should have teh basics before you give birth but for a lot of things you should wait until after the baby is born. My husband and I thought we had everything and then since she has been born we have been to the store about 20 times buying stuff for her and returning things that she doesnt use and trading it for something she will. Bottles were a challenge too. So if you plan on bottle feeding you should wait for that.
3. Not really. You should wash everything before she wears it at least at first. You never where that stuff has been. You should use a mild detergent as to avoid allergies or a rash.
4. I would say you should have it packed around 36 weeks
5. I made it exactly to my due date. I ws induced because I had a leg condition that required it and ended up with a c-section.
6. The most important things I think a new mom should know are this: It is an adventure!! Everything changes, so be prepared.And lastly, trust your instincts. Every baby is different and only you know whats best for your baby. There are guidelines that everyone follows but they are just that, guidelines. Mama knows best! I wish you luck with your little one

Answer 5

1) I was so anxious I had all my stuff set up very early but I would say have the room set up around 30-33 weeks. You don't know if they're going to come early.
2) I had my baby shower when I was 37 weeks and what I still needed we went and bought that week so we were prepared at 37 weeks.
3) You're supposed to wash all the baby's clothes in baby detergent incase they have sensitive skin but it's very expensive so I just used regular unscented laundry detergent and it worked out great.
4) You should have your hospital bag ready about 32-34 weeks to be safe. You don't have to pack a huge bag since the hospitals provide everything for the baby.(I packed a huge bag and didnt use anything) I would bring a change of clothes for you and the baby to go home in, toiletries so you can take a shower, a night gown to sleep in if you choose to (I thought it was easier just to stay in the hospital gown), an extra pillow and snacks.

5) My water broke 2 weeks early so I was 38 weeks.

6) Definately take the epidural. I was only in labor for 8 hours but if I had to feel everything for that 8 hours I don't know if I could have handled it. That way you can just rest and let the time fly by and then have the baby when you're ready.

Answer 6

HA!
Unfortunately, no matter when you THINK the baby is going to be born... the baby has a different calendar on the inside..

I had 2 scheduled C-sections.. and didn't make either one of them.. my first daughter came 1 week early, and my second daughter came 5 weeks early.
I actually had to stop at Walmart on the way to the hospital to buy an infant car seat to bring her home in, because I thought I had more time!

I'd say set up by 33 weeks.. at least get the crib ready.. it'll be nicer to get used to looking at it.. Hospital bags you can pack in 2 minutes, if you need to (that's what I did).. you won't need anything except your toothbrush anyways.. and worst case scenario, your husband/boyfriend/mom/friend can bring you what you need.

Just remember.. half of that stuff you get at the baby shower.. you don't REALLY NEED, anyways..
As long as you have some clothes, and diapers, and powder, .. and some bottles.. you can pretty much get through the rest of it..

I washed everything in Dreft, just because it was "recommended".. but I know they have so many other detergents now.. like "All Free" or "Tide Free" or whatever.. that have no dyes, and are gentler.. You'll know very soon if the baby has sensitive skin, or not..

I think the most important thing to tell you is that you should just relax and ENJOY these last few weeks with no kid... because you'll never get these quiet days back again.. and when you do.. you'll be sad, and miss the sounds of little voices and you won't enjoy yourself...

Your life will never be the same.. but it'll be better :-)

Good luck to you!!

Answer 7

1. I would say by the time you start going to the dr. once a week. That is usually about week 36.
2. You will never have everything before the baby is born. I had to send people out to get things I didn't even know I needed.
3. Wash everything in Dreft. You never know if your child is going to be allergic to something. It is very mild and doesn't usually cause allergic reactions. After the baby is here you can try to wash something in your normal detergent like a blanket and see if the baby reacts badly to it. If not then they should be ok on regular detergent.
4. I would say have the bag mostly packed by week 36-37. It is better to be early than late.
5. No. I didn't have the room finished or a bag packed. My husband had to do it while I was at the hospital. It was horrible. He brought me the worst outfit to come home in. I have pictures of me in one of his old flannel shirts holding my daugher. I said something I can breastfeed in, that is what I got. I was 1 1/2 weeks early.
6. Buy maxipads for yourself. You will not want to use the hospital pads when you get home. You will want ones that are either heavy or overnite. Also lots of diapers. Babies use approx 10-12 a day. Get enough that you don't have to leave the house for 2 weeks if necessary. Don't get a baby wipe warmer. My husband did and they dry them out. Oh also you may want to buy one premie outfit and keep the tags on it with the receipt. Get a cute one. If your baby is 8 pounds or under then have your mom, husband, dad, sister, someone go home and wash it. Alot of babies cannot wear 0-3 months clothes well if they are little. I had 6 and 7 pound babies. For the hospital pic., it was nice having an outfit that looked nice on them.
Good Luck!

Answer 8

First of all, CONGRATS! You are about to begin a very special journey. I am a first time mom (my daughter is 8 months old). We had everything set up and ready about 4 weeks ahead of time, just in case. My shower was also 4 weeks before the baby was due. I did wash everything in special baby detergent. I washed it because I thought the clothes and stuff were layered with dust and other particles from being in stores. I used baby detergent just in case my baby had sensitive skin. I'm so glad I did because she does have very sensitive skin, I still use the baby detergent. I would say, buy one container of the baby detergent, after you use it up, try your regular detergent on the baby's clothes and see how it handles it. I did make it to my due date and beyond, I was 5 days late. I hated it at the time, but looking back I'm thankful for the extra rest I was able to get before the baby was born. As for being a new mommy...don't feel bad about asking questions, not knowing what to do, or calling your dr. for advice. Enjoy every minute you have with the baby because (I know you know this) but the time will fly! Best of luck!

Answer 9

The earlier you have everything set up, the better, so you won't be worried about it. But you just need some basic stuff right away...somewhere for the baby to sleep, diapers, wipes, sleepers, blankets, bottles & formula if you're not breastfeeding, the basics. And the most important thing, a car seat, they won't let you leave the hospital without it. Also, have some meals prepared ahead of time, stick them in the freezer, most stuff will last for at least a few weeks. You're going to be very sore and tired for the first couple of weeks so you won't feel like going out.
You'll want to use Dreft for about the first 12-18 months to wash all the baby's clothes & bedding in because it is fragrance & dye free. Baby's skin is very sensitive.
You can have your hospital bags packed any time too. Don't bother taking gowns and panties...use the hospital's. Giving birth is very messy and you'll ruin anything you take with you. Take an old robe you don't care about, and take some heavy socks, hospitals floors are cold even in the middle of July. Also, take clothes to wear home, knit pants or sweats with an elastic waistband or drawstring that fit you when you were about 6 months pregnant (unfortunately) and a loose top would be the most comfortable.
They say first time moms tend to go past their due date, but don't count on it. I was two days past, but I was also in labor for 33 hours....
This may sound odd, but try to relax and enjoy this experience.

Answer 10

1. I think it's a good idea to have the major items set up at least 4 weeks before your due date - you never know when you might go into labor. It can't hurt to start early.
2. 34 weeks into pregnancy sounds like a good time for a shower. If you were to have the baby earlier, the only things that are absolute necessities would be a car seat and at least one outfit that is warm enough to bring the baby home in. You could pick up (or have someone pick up for you) diapers and wipes and a few receiving blankets and onsies.
3. Yes, you should wash the clothes before your baby wears them because babies have very sensitive skin and the clothes may have chemicals or other irritants in them. Most people recommend a special baby detergent or at least a detergent that doesn't have scents or dyes because those could leave a residue that could irritate your baby's skin.
4. I would recommend 4 weeks before your due date. Again, it can't hurt to pack them early.
5. My baby was one week late.
6. Try to get plenty of rest at the end of your pregnancy so you'll be well-rested when you go into labor. Also, don't worry too much about things you need. It's hard to predict what you'll need, and not that big of a deal to go out and buy something when you figure out you need it.