Love to be in the Kitchen

What to do to Prepare for Baby

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What to do to Prepare for Baby: What to Pack, What to Freeze, What to do Before Delivery  

**Plus enter to win a Delivery/Nursing Robe from Pink Blush Maternity! (It works great as a regular robe too for those of you not pregnant/nursing. Scroll down to the bottom of the post to enter!)

What to do to Prepare For Baby

I’m 38 weeks pregnant now! I am getting so excited for my baby boy to be born but feeling not quite ready yet! The nesting phase has been in full force these past couple of weeks and I’ve been working on my list of things to pack for the hospital, foods to freeze and other things that I hope to accomplish before baby is born. I’m not an expert but with baby #4 almost here I have learned a lot over the years.

Below you will find some helpful tips to help you feel prepared for your baby’s arrival!

What to Pack for the Hospital

 What to Pack for the Hospital:

There are so many lists out there but I honestly think they include way too many items. I feel that you don’t need too many things at the hospital just the essentials. Plus the hospital does provide a lot of items. Here is my list of what I find essential to pack. Let me know if you think I’m missing something important!

  • Phone/Camera
  • Phone Charger
  • Drivers License/Insurance Card
  • Flip Flops/Slippers
  • Delivery/Nursing Robe
  • Nursing Essentials: Nursing bra, Nursing Pads, Nipple Cream, Nursing Cover
  • Lip Balm
  • Toiletries & Makeup (Brush, hair ties, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, deodorant etc…)
  • Shower Essentials
  • Comfortable loose clothes to come home in
  • Going home outfit for baby 
  • Swaddle Blanket/Baby Blanket
  • Carseat

The hospital typically provides some other items you may find essential like socks, ear plugs, an eye mask, mesh underwear, big pads, plenty of snacks etc. You can always call them beforehand to see what they provide.)

 What to Freeze/Prepare:

First I have to say I am not crazy into freezing meals. I actually prefer to make a quick dinner or quick slow cooker recipe but there are some things I like to freeze as well as things I am preparing ahead of time before baby comes. Here are a few of my favorites:

Foods to Freeze:

Cooked meat like chicken and ground beef. This can make for a really quick dinner! Freeze in smaller portions and season with salt and pepper. Other seasonings can be added later.

Dinners- There are SO many ideas you can find on Pinterest for freezer meals. A few of my personal favorites are Beef Stroganoff Casserole, Burritos and Creamy Chicken Taquitos.)

Pancakes (Usually Sweet Potato or Carrot Pancakes, my daughter especially loves these so it’s quick to warm up in the morning.)

Muffins (Wrap up individually and pull out of the freezer to thaw.)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (How to freeze here.) (I love being able to quickly bake some up to take to those who help me out with meals etc. after baby is born as a thank you.)

Foods to Prepare:

 Healthy Snacks- My favorite are my No Bake Monster Cookie Energy Bites (note I add shredded coconut instead of M&M’s when I make it just for me.)

Here are some more of my favorite snacks.

You can also stock up at the grocery store with healthy snacks like yogurt, trail mix etc.

What to Do Before Delivery:

Pack Hospital Bag- See above.

Freeze Meals/Prepare Snacks- See above.

Get Your House in Order- Don’t do too much and ask for help but it’s so nice to have a tidy clean house to bring your new baby home to and welcome visitors.

Install Car Seat

Pre-register at Hospital

Choose a Pediatrician

Prepare the Nursery for Baby- You don’t have to do it all right now and many things can wait like decorating the nursery but some important things to have ready are where your baby is going to sleep and have plenty of diapers and wipes.

Organize/Buy Clothes for Baby- Make sure you have enough for the first month or two at least. There will always be time to buy more when needed.

Do Something for Yourself- You’ve worked hard these last 9 months growing a baby and you deserve so much! I highly recomend getting a manicure and pedicure. As well as whatever else will make you feel pampered and happy.

Rest and Relax! Take it easy and don’t worry about preparing everything. Just have the essentials ready for you and baby. There will always be time after baby is born to do or get more of what you need to and hopefully you’ll have family and friends to help you out.

Pink Blush Robe

How cute is this robe from Pink Blush? (I got the Fuchsia Lace Trim Robe.) They call it the nursing/delivery robe but it totally works as a regular robe if  you aren’t pregnant! It is perfect for nursing though because the robes they have at the hospital have SO many buttons and you need to nurse your baby often so this makes it so much easier. Plus it’s super cute and fashionable! Check out all the pretty colors and patterns they have here.

You all probably know from my last Pink Blush giveaway post how much I love Pink Blush! They have the cutest maternity clothes and free shipping! So it makes it so easy to look cute when pregnant! I also LOVE that they often have great sales including my favorite sale of an additional 50% off clearance. I have bought a few things since my last post featuring Pink Blush and they are all so cute! Their maternity dresses are my favorite and I own 2 now and love that I can wear them when I’m not pregnant too! Almost all their clothes work as maternity clothes and regular clothes. Pretty awesome!

Giveaway!

I’m so excited to team up with Pink Blush for one of you to win a Nursing/Delivery Robe!  To enter visit Pink Blush and let me know what robe you like best then fill out the rafflecopter below!

(Note the winner can’t have won a Pink Blush gift card in the previous 3 months. Winner will be e-mailed and have 24 hours to respond.)

Disclaimer: I was given this product in exchange for my honest opinion.

Pink Blush Robe Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Comments

  2. I am 32 weeks 🙂 I love the solid black robe best. So cute. I definitely need to get going on my planning lol. CONGRATS on being almost ready for baby!

    Reply

  14. I love the Black Crochet Robe! Thanks so much for the giveaway and congrats!! I’m almost 37 weeks along with baby #3 and have been procrastinating when it comes to getting everything ready for the hospital. I guess I should probably get on that! 🙂

    Reply

  17. Navy floral or Black solid or black floral maxi. But seriously I love so many of them it was hard to narrow it down even to those three! 🙂

    Reply

  52. I like the navy bamboo robe best because it is solid colored with long sleeves and I think it is a little longer than the others they have.

    Reply

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