New Baby Checklist For Mama

My due date is less than one week away! Ahh. It’s leap day to be exact! I really kind of hope she is born on leap day, y’all. I mean how fun is that?! And I’m not going to lie, I’m pretty nervous about the whole birth thing all over again. (Here is Max’s birth story.) And then I’m a mom of TWO? Oh my. So, this new baby checklist is really all of my mental notes about what I want to get accomplished, stock up on, and do before (or soon-ish after) baby girl is born. If I’m forgetting anything, help a prego out, and leave me a comment!

Psst… There are a few affiliate links in here 🙂

1. Set up a meal service: Or ask a good friend/family member to do it for you! I like mealbaby.com, and it is free and easy to use. Everyone wants to help, and in my opinion, food is one of the most helpful things people can do for you after you have a baby. Mamas hungry.

2. Stock up on some pantry and freezer basics: I love peanut butter and Amy’s frozen meals, both of which can live in the pantry/ freezer for a long time. Or if you’re good at making freezer meals, do that! With my almost 2 year old Maxwell in mind, I also want to make sure that I have some easy, healthy things to make for him on hand. I’m stocking up on seaweed, microwavable organic oatmeal pouches, frozen fruit (for smoothies), frozen peas, and corn tortillas (we use these to make pb&j’s)!

3. Make sure you have your essentials: Things like makeup, deodorant, favorite mascara, etc… You don’t want to run out of your favorite lip gloss and have to attempt to explain to someone else what kind and/or where to get it for you! My rule of thumb, if you can’t get it at Target, make sure you aren’t going to run out of it in the next few months or so! For me, these items include my fave natural deodorant, pressed mineral compact, and lip stick!

4. Amazon Prime is kind of amazing: This is great because if you do run out of something essential, diapers or even your fave pressed compact, there is a decent chance you can get it on Amazon! You can have it delivered to your house in 2 days! Or if you live in Austin, you can use Amazon Prime Now and get things delivered in two hours! (To see if you have this service in your zip, click here.) But, you still have to wait on it, so I really just like to go with #3: Make sure you have your essentials!

5. Schedule newborn pictures: They’re only tiny for a little bit, and I need that cuteness captured on film and hanging on every wall space in my home 🙂 Finding the perfect newborn photographer for your family takes a little time. If possible, it’s best to book a few months before you are due to make sure you can get on the photographers schedule at the right time. In my experience, most newborn photographers like to get pictures when baby is between 5-14 days old. If you’re in Austin, I highly recommend:

• Sarah Schiffman: She took most of the pictures for my book and is beyond patient with little ones! She also took my current favorite family photo, our Christmas card pic. AND she just recently took the sweetest candid maternity pictures of us!
• Jennifer Polson: She took Max’s newborn pictures. I love them.
• Laura Morsman: She photographed a fun lifestyle session in our house when Max was 6 months old and also did his 1st birthday pictures. Love these too.

I seriously might beg all 3 of them to come take pictures of my newborn? Is that ridiculous? Just say no 😉 And I love, love pictures. I mean look at my yawning squish?! How freakin’ cute is this picture? I’m so thankful I have newborn pictures with all 3 of us in them. (More of Maxwell’s newborn pictures.)

6. Set up an email address for your baby: If you know what your babies name is going to be you can even do this one early. We, of course, still have not decided on a name. It’s fun to start sending your little one emails and then, one day, hand the password off to him or her! I had family and friends write Max emails when he was born and for his first birthday.

7. (Cute?) Grandma undies and pads: Get some before you go into labor. You’ll need them for a good 6-8 weeks after baby is born. You’re welcome. Target has 5 pairs for $20. While you’re at Target, grab some pads. Some big ones and some little ones. You’ll need both for a few weeks/ months after you give birth.

8. Boob pads: If you’re planning on breastfeeding, these are a must. I really like these washable ones called Bamboobies.  But, it is also nice to have a box of disposable ones on hand too. Laundry is a lot of work after you give birth and having both on hand ensures you will always have what you need.

9. Get your car cleaned: Inside and out. Maybe it’s just me, but I like my car clean and it certainly isn’t happening after the baby is born!

10. White house greeting: I did not do this with Maxwell, but I think it is a fun memory for the baby book for sure! And all you have to do his either send a birth announcement to the White House or fill out this little form. Lots more deets on my friend, Chelsea’s blog, Two Twenty One.

11. Brush up on your newborn tips: Or maybe that’s just a reminder for myself! Things like the diaper line and how to get a free breast pump are super handy!

12. Haircut: This is another one of those things that is just so much harder to get done after the baby is born. If you need a hair cut or color, try and schedule it before the baby is born. While you’re at it, get a mani/ pedi too!

13. Hunt down and/or buy new nursing tanks: And while you’re on the nursing kick, make sure breast pump and parts are clean and ready to rock n’ roll. I have a few nursing tanks from Target that I liked with Maxwell, but I think I need one or two new, fresh ones! (Maybe this nursing tank or these are actually cute!)

14. Big brother gift from baby: I guess this is a thing? Baby sister brings big brother home a gift? Sounds cute, and I’m sure Maxwell would like that, but yea…  I have to remember to buy and wrap a gift?!

I know I’m forgetting something? What else? Oh yea, the nursery! That is still a work in progress!