10 Easy Ways To Prepare for Postpartum While You Are Still Pregnant


How to prepare for postpartum before your due date

There is probably not a time in a woman’s life that is so joyful and nerve-wracking at the same time than those weeks just before giving birth, except possibly those weeks just after giving birth!

Truly, those first weeks at home with your baby are sure to be full of magic as you enjoy your new bundle of joy, but they can also be stressful as the whole family tries to get into a routine and adjust to a new normal.

Fortunately, there are ways to prepare for postpartum while you are still pregnant, giving you more time to enjoy your new baby.

There is a lot to do during pregnancy before baby arrives, but what about after baby? This Postpartum Handbook is a powerhouse of information for everything you need to know about the 4th trimester. (no more overwhelm 100% guaranteed)

Nest and organize

You are likely already busily nesting and organizing (and re-organizing) everything in your house, but if you aren’t, it’s time to start. This pregnancy planner will help you!

Go ahead and get the nursery set up, baby clothes and blankets washed and put away, and set up any bassinets or sleepers that will be in other rooms of the house.

Using checklists and to. do lists like the ones found in the Oh Baby Pregnancy Planner can help with everything Nesting and Organizing.

Looking for a simple way to prepare for baby?: Read my Oh Baby Pregnancy Planner review here.

Deep clean

Scrub. Everything.

The only thing better than coming home with your baby in your arms is coming home with that baby and walking into a squeaky clean house.

There are few ways to prepare for your baby’s arrival that give as much satisfaction as a clean house.

Check out this article from the blog: Things to Deep Clean Before Baby Arrives

Know what to expect

Yes, newborns mostly just eat, sleep, cry, and poop—but do you know how often they are supposed to do each of those things?

Be sure to read up on what your baby should be doing during those first weeks home, as well as what to expect from your own body as it adjusts to post-partum life.

if you have no clue or need more help this brand new online Newborn Basics Class by Mommy Labor Nurse is PERFECT to help you with anything and everything about taking care of your brand new baby postpartum.

Get more info here.

Make pre-baby freezer meals

Trying to cook with a newborn on your hip is no easy feat, nevermind the fact you’re definitely going to want to be snuggled up with your infant and not cooking up elaborate meals.

Prep meals ahead. One easy way to do this is to double the recipe for meals you are already cooking, and just pop the extra portion into the freezer for later.

Alternately, you could gather up ingredients for several freezer meals and spend an afternoon preparing several at once.

(Bonus: ask friends and family to bring you meals to stock your freezer!)

Here’s some pre baby freezer meal recipes you can make before baby is born.

Make a postpartum care kit

Don’t come unprepared for the changes in your own body in the weeks after birth. Yes, you are focused on your baby, but you need to take care of yourself, too!

(After all, someone is depending on you now.)

Here are a few things one mom suggests as ways to prepare for postpartum while you are still pregnant:

  • Maxi pads
  • Cotton underwear
  • Acetaminophen
  • Nursing bras and pads
  • Peri bottle
  • Sitz bath
  • Witch hazel pads

This list isn’t exhaustive, but it’s a great starting place!

Recommended read: 425 old fashioned baby names for boys

Create a watchlist on Netflix

You’re going to be stuck to the couch, or the bed, or the chair, or… wherever… as you feed, comfort, and put your baby to sleep.

Having a Netflix playlist ready to go while you’re stuck in place will save your sanity in the weeks to come.

Here are some GREAT shows to binge:

  • Workin’ Moms
  • Jane the Virgin
  • The Let Down
  • The Ranch
  • Once Upon A Time
  • Ozark
  • Outer Banks

To name a few…

Put a breastfeeding station together

Gather your nursing pads, pillows, lanolin, burp cloths, and breast pump (if you’re using one) together to create a breastfeeding station.

If you don’t have a breast pump already did you know you can get one for FREE through your insurance company? Simply fill out this form here to qualify!

Also, include a water bottle and snacks for yourself to help keep your energy up!

Put together a diaper caddy

Sure, you’ve got that nice diaper station set up in the nursery, but you might be surprised to discover just how many places around the house you’ll be changing diapers.

Setting up a portable diaper caddy with all the essentials means you’ll be ready for action no matter where you’re at.

Ask for help in advance

Think about which tasks you’ll need help with once the baby comes, and make plans with friends and family willing to help you out.

Maybe you need someone to walk the dog while your partner is at work, or to help clean the house or prepare meals.

Now is the time to make requests and set expectations.

Stock up on household items

The last thing you want is to be home alone with the baby and suddenly realize you’re out of toilet paper.

Stocking up on all your household essentials beforehand means you won’t have to make an unexpected trip to the grocery store with an infant.

Once you complete the items on this list, you’ll be ready to bring home your bundle of joy—and who knows, all the work you put into completing these tasks may just be the thing to get labor going!

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