preparing for newborn guide featured image

The Ultimate Checklist for First-Time Moms: Preparing for Your Newborn's Arrival

Preparing for the arrival of a newborn can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience for first-time moms. As you embark on this beautiful journey, it's essential to plan and organize to ensure a smooth transition for both you and your baby. 

 

When to prepare for a newborn

The ideal time to start preparing for your newborn is during the second trimester third trimesters of your pregnancy, or 4-6 months before your delivery date. In the second trimester, you’re more likely to feel better from having less symptoms of your early pregnancy (e.g. morning sickness). But in the third trimester, moms experience nesting, which urges them to stay home more to get the house ready for their little one.

 

How to prepare for a newborn

1. Create a birth plan

One of the most important parts of preparing for a newborn is creating a detailed birthing plan. It’s a document that highlights your preferences for labor and delivery, like the location (the hospital or a birthing centre), delivery options (natural or C-section), delivery room preferences, a backup plan if the unexpected happens, pain management, and more. 

While creating a birth plan, discuss your preferences with a healthcare provider. Usually, the hospital will try to follow it as best as they can, so it’s important to keep your plan simple and easy to read. Secondly, include important information like your name, medical history, and your delivery date. Don’t come up with a birthing plan that’s too long and complicated to read, especially if they’re on a time crunch. 

 

@celestedrummond Icon birth planner, I found this super simple and easy to make this is a great option for expecting mums 🙌🏼 birthplanner.me - free to create and download 🩷🩷 #birthplanner #birthplan #mybirthplan #pregnancyjourney #expectingmum #mumsoftiktokaustralia #pregnant ♬ Dream Away - Ramol

 

2. Set up the baby registry

Besides a birth plan, the baby registry is another huge part of preparing for your newborn. The baby registry is basically a wishlist of all the baby essentials you’d love to receive as a gift from family and friends during your baby shower (more on this later). 

Also read: A BabbleRoo Baby Registry Guide for New Parents


When do I create a baby registry?

You create your baby registry between 12-20 weeks. This gives you enough time to research, plan, and choose which baby items you want for your baby shower. However, some moms recommend creating a baby registry earlier to give your baby shower guests more time to go shopping to pick the perfect gift for you. 


Where do I create a baby registry?

There are a few sites to craft your perfect baby wishlist: Amazon, Babylist, Target, and MyRegistry


What do I add to my baby registry? 

There are many things you can add to your baby registry list. Here are some of the things you typically receive during your baby shower:

  • Baby sleeping bags
  • Baby booties
  • Baby diapers
  • Crib bedding 
  • A nursery sound machine
  • Baby bottles
  • Diaper bag organizers
  • Baby car seat
  • Baby bibs 
  • Baby toys

How do I create a baby registry?

Before creating your baby registry list, there are a few things you need to consider: The size of your home, and figuring out what you need instead of what you want. 

  • The size of your home: Is your home too big or too small for certain baby items?
  • Lifestyle: Where do you live? How do you want to raise your baby?
  • Your needs vs wants: The items do you really want vs the items you need. 

Although creating a baby registry may sound like a daunting task to approach, you can start small by creating a general list and dividing them into separate categories.


On that note… 

While it may sound tempting to add more items, don’t add too many items to your baby registry. It can be overwhelming for your registry viewers. Focus on the items you’ll need once your baby arrives, and if you still have items you want, just save them under a private wishlist for later.  

 

@anastasiia.ji Fan is my favorite😄 #babyregistry #babyregistrymusthaves #momtok #firsttimemom #ftm #stayathomemom #momlife #newmom #momtok ♬ Love You So - The King Khan & BBQ Show

3. Go shopping for your essentials

Can I buy the items on my baby registry on my own?

There are a few blogs talking about this, but we think it's okay to buy a few things for your newborn. Your baby registry can be your mini shopping list, and if there are any items that you already bought before your baby shower, you can remove them or mark them as "purchased".

Some of the newborn essentials that you can buy for your baby are:

  • Quintessential baby gear: Baby stroller, baby bouncer, and the baby car seat
  • A good diaper backpack
  • Bottle sterilizer
  • Nursing essentials: Breast pumps, nursing bras, nipple pads, and more 
  • A few sets of bibs and clothes for my baby (I received a few more sets at my baby shower!)
  • Baby bedding sets
  • More household essentials: Tissues and toilet paper, medication, cleaning supplies, and food ingredients that were running low

 

@positravelty Final prep before baby arrives! #asmrsounds #organizewithme #babyitems #momtobe ♬ original sound - Kelly & Kody

 

A diaper backpack is convenient, versatile, and spacious. They can store a lot of items on your outing, and luckily for you, we've got some for you to choose from! Our diaper bags also come with lots of pockets, a pacifier pocket, stroller clips or a luggage strap, and water-resistant material. 

If you’re looking for a diaper backpack or are interested in getting one, read on to find out how to choose one and where to get them yourself!

How to choose a diaper backpack

To choose a high-quality diaper backpack, consider these factors:

  • Storage: How big is the diaper backpack, and how much it can store? How many compartments or pockets are there?
  • Comfort: Does the diaper backpack have padded straps for ease of carrying? Is it comfortable to carry on your shoulders for long periods?
  • Durability: Is the diaper backpack made with high-quality materials and features? How long it can it last?
  • Style: Does it suit your personal taste and lifestyle?
  • Reviews: What do other parents think about the backpacks from a certain brand?
  • Price: Does the diaper bag fit your budget?

 

Where to buy a diaper backpack

You can get a diaper backpack from baby stores, department stores, or online retailers.

 

@mackenzie.tipton Thank you @babblerooofficial for this awesome diaper bag! 🤩 #baby #babytok #babylove #babygirl #momma #momtok #sahm #sahmsoftiktok #9monthsold #9months #sahmlife #love #babyoutfit #babyoutfits #ootd #babyootd #babyhaul #diaperbag #babbleroo #babbleroodiaperbag ♬ original sound - Mackenzie Tipton

 

4. Set up the nursery

This is probably one of the best parts of preparing for a newborn for many moms! As you're  planning the nursery, you can check out Pinterest for inspiration and then come up with a general shopping list for the essentials: 

 

  • The baby crib
  • Crib bedding
  • Crib mattress
  • Nursery wallpaper
  • Changing table
  • Storage baskets
  • Nursery rocking chair 
  • Nursery dresser
  • Nursery decor

Shopping aside, there are some things to do to set up a safe and calming nursery. Here are some tips for first-time moms:

  1. Keep the nursery layout simple: Stick to lighter colors and shades that promote a more serene environment and don’t add too many decorations.
  2. Secure the furniture in place: Make sure the crib, cabinet or wardrobe, and changing table are secured in place. 
  3. Take out unnecessary items in the crib: Don’t add toys to the crib or install any hanging mobiles above the crib. These will overstimulate your baby when they need to sleep. 
  4. Stick to fitted crib sheets: Loose bedsheets can post a suffocation and SIDS risk to infants. Stick to fitted crib sheets that fit your baby’s crib. 
  5. Get blackout curtains for the nursery: Blackout curtains ensure that there’s no light entering the nursery while your baby sleeps or naps.  

5. Get your home ready for your baby

Before your newborn arrives, it’s important to prepare your home for your baby. Let me break it down into two parts: baby-proofing and stocking up on essentials. 

How do I baby-proof my home?

Infant safety is important and your home must be baby-proofed beforehand. Here are some baby safety tips for your newborn:

  1. Cover electrical outlets
  2. Add padding to sharp or rounded corners 
  3. Secure furniture to the walls and floors
  4. Store sharp objects, tools, medication, and batteries away
  5. Remove small and loose objects from every room
  6. Install baby safety gates and locks 
  7. Install smoke detectors
  8. Unplug appliances and stash the cords
  9. Keep firematches out of sight
  10. Prepare a family first aid kit

6. Attend parenting classes

Before your newborn arrives, attend parenting classes. These classes can provide a lot of valuable information on childbirth, breastfeeding and newborn. While there are physical classes you can attend for a more hands-on experience, some moms may prefer attending online classes

7. Host a baby shower 

Now, this is where the fun begins! While you’re pregnant, you need to host a baby shower. The best time to do this is four to six weeks before your due date, but if you want, you can do it a little earlier. 

Like your nursery, you can plan it yourself by creating a mood board on Pinterest. You can come up with the theme, the activities, and the guests list, and more. 


8. Take care of yourself

During your pregnancy, take care of yourself. Your body is going through a lot of changes at this time, and it's important to treat your body properly. Stretch and do light pregnancy exercises, and take your pre-natals everyday. You can meal prep to make sure you're nourishing you and your baby properly, and create a weekly self-care routine to pamper yourself.

 

@prenatalnutritionist Self-care = something that brings you joy ❤️ what do you choose?? #selfcaresunday #pregnancyjourney #healthypregnancy #pregnancyfoods #pregnancymeals #prenatalnutrition ♬ its called self care - LOLO🪩🫶🏼

 


9. Prepare your family for your newborn

Besides preparing your home, your body, and yourself, you also need to prepare your kids for the arrival of a newborn. 

For the first-time moms out there, these were some of the things you can do:

  1. Be patient: For some parents, your kid will be moody or upset. They might be vocal about how they don't want a little brother (or sister), or how they don't want to be an older sibling. When this happens, be patient. You can slowly introduce the idea of sibling dynamics to them through photos, books, movies, and more. 
  2. Spend more time with them: Throughout your pregnancy, spend more time with them. For example, read a book together each night before bed, or take them out on more mom-and-son dates. Putting the focus on them helps feed your child’s ego and make them feel less jealous of a future sibling taking up the attention. 
  3. Get them involved: Another way to prepare your child for their sibling is to get them involved. Take your child with you when you're shopping for new baby gear or baby clothes, or let them paint the wall of the nursery with you 
 
@pedsdoctalk Preparing your older child for your growing family takes patience, practice, and the ability to manage expectations. After all, everyone has a right to their feelings, even toddlers. When we first told Ryaan about "baby" he was taking it okay, then one day my husband mentioned updating our family photo on a wall in his room and he lost it: "NO BABY! Only mommy, daddy, Ryaan!" That's when we knew we had to keep practicing. Role-playing with Ryaan, showing excitement about the baby, and a few other techniques that I share on my YouTube video. When it comes to role-playing, it's important to avoid pressuring your child and instead aim to make it fun and stop if it feels forced. Keep the prep natural to your daily routine. In my latest YouTube (PedsDocTalk TV) video, I go over prepping your toddler, including how to tell them and ways they can help you once the baby arrives. Check it out to hear all the tips and don't forget to subscribe to stay up to date! 💖 #expectingmom #expectingmoms #toddlers #newsiblingsoon #newsiblingtips #newsiblingregression #newsiblingsoon ♬ original sound - Dr. Mona

  

10. Pack your hospital bag

In your 36th and 37th week of pregnancy, it’s time to pack your hospital bag essentials. You must have your bag ready before your delivery date, just in case you go into labor earlier than expected, or if you need to head to the hospital ahead.

Your hospital bag should include essentials for you and your baby, like comfortable clothes, toiletries, baby gear, and important documents. 

For mama:

  • 2-3 comfortable sets of clothes
  • Toiletries: Toothpaste, toothbrush, bathroom slippers
  • Bathrobe
  • Adult diapers
  • Charging cords 
  • Nipple cream
  • Comfortable pillows
  • A bottle of water

For baby:

  • Car seat
  • Baby bottles 
  • Baby clothes and blankets

 

@glenxda What was something you took to the hospital that you were happy you did? I’d rather be prepared😅 #hospitalbag #hospitalbagessentials #baby #foryoupage #fyp #foryou #pregnant #thirdtrimester #pregnanttiktok #hospitalbagmusthaves #ftm ♬ Miss You - Oliver Tree & Robin Schulz

 

 

Preparing for a newborn requires careful planning and organization. By following this guide and packing the essentials in your diaper bag, you'll be well-equipped to welcome your little one into the world with confidence and ease.

Back to blog