This particular post is to share some of the things we did to prepare for baby’s homecoming. Please enjoy this post and take away what might be useful or helpful in preparing for baby’s much anticipated happy homecoming :o)
Pre-cook meals for at least a week after bringing baby home
As you get closer to your delivery date, I recommend preparing and cooking simple meals that you can have readily available to heat up when you come home. Here are some ideas:
- Slow cooked meals
- If you don’t have a slow cooker , get one and quick!
- Cook 1 or 2 different slow cooked meals and pack it in tupper ware in the fridge a day or two before heading to the hospital!
- If you don’t have a slow cooker , get one and quick!
- Quick and easy chicken soup or stew
- Easy Casserole
- Meat loaf
- Sandwiches – sliced bread, cheese, salami, roast beef, tuna
- Snacks – fruit, chips, granola, veggies, yogurt, popcorn
- Beverages – water, juice, milk
Grocery curbside or home delivery service
Does your local grocery store offer grocery curbside or home delivery service? If yes, take advantage of it. Signing up for this service is user friendly and SUPER easy. I used this curbside service when I became extremely uncomfortable in the last few weeks of my pregnancy. As a bonus note: We used the home delivery option frequently for the first 3 months after bringing baby home. If you are eligible for home delivery, use this service.
Baby bottle shopping and sterilizing (if you choose to bottle feed, or mix feed)
At the beginning of my last trimester – I began my search for baby bottles, because it was my intent to mix feed (breastfeeding with supplemental bottle feeding). Despite being inundated with so many different brands, and types of bottles, I chose the following bottles:
- Playtex Baby Ventaire Anti Colic Baby Bottle, BPA Free, 9 Ounce – 5 Pack
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- I purchased 2 sets of 5, or a total of 10
- 4 packages of slow flow nipples for newborns
- These bottle are great for preventing acid reflux and there is no air in these bottles…ever!
- Easy to clean, every part of the bottle can be unscrewed and removed for cleaning.
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- Baby water:
- I purchased a Britta Water Purifier with water filters to mix with baby’s milk formula. * This water purifier is costly at first but it will save you money over time.
To clean bottles I chose:
- HaloVa Bottle & Tube Brush Cleaning Set, Baby Bottle & Tube Brushes 360 Degree Rotating, Soft Safe Baby Bottle Nipple Straws Cleaner Kit, Non-toxic Nylon and Sponge Bristles.
Since our baby went through lots of bottles, it made sense to purchase her own small dish rack:
- Camco 43517 White Sink Kit with Dish Drainer, Dish Pan and Sink Mat
- This small dish rack does not take too much space on our kitchen counter. It sits alongside of our “normal size” dish rack
- It helps to keep baby’s bottles separate from other kitchen dishes
- Easy locating and organizing for routine bottle feeding.
- The dish pan (plastic basin) serves as a collection box for baby dirty dishes and bottles
Baby laundry and bed making
A day or two before your scheduled delivery date, wash and dry baby’s clothes and bedding. When you get home from the hospital, you won’t want to do laundry or have physical strength to assemble baby’s crib together.
For baby’s bed, we chose:
- Portable play yard bassinet changing table combo
- Dream On Me 3″ Playard Mattress
- Mattress fitted sheet, get 3 or 4 as you may have to wash these throughout the week frequently!!
- Detergent for baby’s laundry:
- Dreft is recommended for babies but I chose to use: All Detergent: clean and clear since it has No fragrances. No dyes. No irritating residue.
- I did not use Fabric softener – due to its potent fragrance
Pack an overnight bag and prepare baby’s car seat
Most labor and delivery departments are usually stocked with necessary items for momma and baby. For my hospital stay, I only brought a few of my favorite knee high socks. You will most likely wear a hospital gown until you are ready to discharge, keep reading =:O)!!
Pack a bag for discharge day:
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- Mommy comfortable clothing and footwear
- Baby
- Newborn pajamas with mitten cuffs gowns
- Baby blanket
- Newborn beanies, socks and mittens 0-3 months
- For your partner
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- A comfortable pillow
- Neck Pillow
- Extra blanket
- A change of clothes (ie t shirt, pajama pants underwear and socks)
- Travel size toothpaste, toothbrush
- Snacks!
- Pack the camera, extra memory card
- Phone chargers
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Install baby car seat base and read car seat manual for proper installations
As you get closer to your due date somewhere around 35 to 36 pregnant weeks is a premium time before a scheduled c-section or induction, or like in my case an emergency c-section ( baby made her red carpet debut 3 weeks early prior to my scheduled induction, we tried to convince to stay in her “womb” but she decided to vacate earlier than expected… true story!) install the baby carseat base or/ and carseat. READ the manual together and follow installation instructions because it could get frustrating if you don’t! While waiting for baby to arrive, place a large thick towel or blanket baby carseat base or/ and carseat to keep it clean and dust free!
Prepare a portable diaper basket (yes, I said, basket)
Set up a diaper basket, use a plastic tub or medium laundry basket with handles. Stock it with:
- Diapers
- Baby wipes
- Diaper changing mat
- Hand sanitizer
- Spit up towels
- 3 pajamas
- 3 onsies
- Mittens
- Socks
- Receiving blankets
- an extra beanie
This sounds like a overly prepared stuffed basket, but it does help to have everything in one place always close by, and easily carried from room to room. This box is especially helpful if you are still experiencing lots of post C-section pain and have difficulty getting up and down! My husband found this basket as a useful source for everything he needed.
Enlist someone to pet sit for you!
Enlist a trusted friend, family to care for your beloved animal for at least 2 or 3 days. Have an adequate food supply and snacks on hand. Provide helpful instructions and information:
- Feeding and snacks schedule
- Potty schedules
- Particular verbal commands (Take a break, Go Potty, Sit, Stay, Go home, etc)
- Dog leash and harness readily available for walks
Don’t forget to purchase food and necessary medicine to save yourself a trip to the vet after baby arrives!
Clean house and laundry
DONT TRY TO BE A SUPER HUMAN! Do SIMPLE house cleaning, NOT CRAZY cleaning.
- Tidy up common areas such as kitchen, living room, bathroom and bedroom
- Wash and dry basic laundry necessities such as towels, house clothes, undergarments, socks, and bedding
- Call on your friends and family for help – Do not attempt to do this alone!
Bringing baby home post delivery is a happy celebration and also a time for healing and resting. I hope this list of things can be something that you can take from to shape, mold or use in preparing for your new baby.
Minimizing chaos during my day
YouTube Channel, Everyday Isla
Minimize Chaos – Online Grocery Shopping
Minimizing Chaos – Staying focused
Minimizing Chaos – Weeknight teamwork
Minimizing chaos – Taking a day to prepare for the next week
Coffee with Isla 