What to do to Prepare for Baby: What to Pack, What to Freeze, What to do Before Delivery
(Closed) **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!)
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:
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 recommend 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 the 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.
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! (Now closed)
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.
They have so many cute items. I like this one: Aqua Floral Nursing/Delivery Robe.
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!
The gray crochet trim, so hard to choose!
Super cute robe! Congrats on your soon to be new baby!
Thanks so much Melissa!
Love the white rose robe, so cute!
I love the Burgandy floral Plus size robe.
I love the Pink Crochet Trim Delivery/Nursing Maternity Robe
I like the Black Solid Robe.
The mint tribal printed robe!
Coral striped for my wife
I love the Mocha Floral Lace Trim Robe!
I liked the blue abstract robe
white rose robe
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! 🙂
You’re welcome and good luck! Any day and our babies will be here! I still haven’t packed my bags yet either! But I have my list ready. 🙂
I like the Black Floral Long Maxi Robe, but I would give this to my daughter in a dorm if I won.
The links for pink blush on pinterest and instagram didnt work for me :/
Thanks for letting me know! I fixed it! 🙂
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! 🙂
I like the Blue Damask Delivery/Nursing Maternity Robe best!
Love the Black Floral Long Maxi Robe
I really love the Olive Green Printed Delivery/Nursing Maternity Robe
Coral stripe. It’s so cute!
I love the Navy Blue Floral Delivery/Nursing Maternity Robe
Thank You
navy blue bamboo robe!!
I like the Navy Lace Trim robe
I love the Mocha Floral Lace Trim Delivery/Nursing Maternity Robe, it is gorgeous!
I love the Coral Striped Lace Trim Robe! 🙂
I like the black solid robe.
Thanks for the chance to win. Navy lace trim robe is what one I liked.
I like the White Little Roses Delivery/Nursing Maternity Robe
Omg I am 7 months pregnant, I love the aqua lace robe! So pretty!
I like the navy bamboo robe.
The navy floral robe is my favorite.
I love the Blue Damask Delivery/Nursing Maternity Robe.
I like the beige bamboo robe. They have quite a few others that I would love to get!
White Roses Robe.
I also like the Grey Crochet Trim Delivery/Nursing Robe.
I like the Lavender Solid
I like the light pink robe.
I like the Royal Blue Solid Robe
I’ve never seen so many cute robes! My favorite is the pink robe with lace trim!
Black Floral Delivery/Nursing Maternity Robe great robe I think thanks
I love the Cream Bohemian robe. It was hard to choose one!
I love the black floral robe. So cute!
Royal blue robe
Light pink robe
black formal robe is my favorite
I am in love with the Black Floral Delivery/Nursing Long Maxi Maternity Robe! So gorgeous!
I really like the navy blue rose robe.
I like the Navy Blue Floral Delivery/Nursing Maternity Robe the most. I love floral prints.
They are all so cute! My favorite would probably be the Ivory Daisy Robe ♥
I love the mocha floral lace trim robe.
I like the mint lace trim robe
I like the Black Floral Delivery/Nursing Long Maxi Maternity Robe.
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.
I love the blue with stripes and lace trim!! Seriously in love
I like the Blue Damask Robe.
I love the white roses robe!
Cream paisley for me! but it was hard to choose… they are all just so adorable!!
I liked the solid black robe.
I like the Beige Bamboo Robe. Rafflecopter: Shakeia Rieux
I like the Navy Fuchsia Abstract Tribal Robe! Pretty!
I LOVE THE NAVY LACE TRIM ROBE.
Blue Striped Lace Trim Robe
I would love to have the Black Solid robe!