Help me get my head in the right place for baby

[Joelle345]

My first baby is due in just a fortnight. (ELCS). I run my own business and have been working hard to wrap everything up so I can stop working, but it has been hard to finally stop as there are many responsibilities I have needed to get done fir the business to keep going. Alongside that I am feeling as if there is loads still to do to prepare for the baby. I haven't washed the baby clothes yet, or packed my hospital bag, I wanted to do more reading from my NCT materials about breast feeding, and also about sleep, and I wanted to practice tying my wrap sling(!). I also wanted to do a deep clean of my house before I go into hospital. DP has been v supportive and done loads of jobs / chores, and he is feeling happy and excited about the baby, and doesn't share the sense of overwhelm which I have in my head.

Most of all I feel like until all these things are done I won't be able to sit down and actually relax and get some headspace and think about the baby. Time is running out and I need to mentally prepare myself and feel like I'm not ready at all. Both practically but also emotionally. I know I need to slow down and stop but it feels like all the time I haven't done things I can't.

Does anyone know what this is like? How do you get your head in the right place before baby arrives?

O.k.

Lists are good for getting the mind to relax.

Two sheets of paper - work / baby. Jot everything you can think of on the correct sheet. Put a big star next to the "must do" items. Leave the "would be nice to do" items without a star.

(Fwiw I'd class laundering baby clothes as nice not essential)

Ask dp what of the list he can help with.

Start separate threads on here- breastfeeding tips / sleep tips. Then you can forget about it for two days and come back and read all the helpful tips others who've been through it have shared. The baby won't have read the books so you will likely both just learn it all together when they arrive.

Thank you that's a good idea about asking on here, and writing the lists x

I actually felt like the first few weeks when my son came I had loads of time to read up on things... Particularly if you breastfeed it's a huge amount of sitting watching TV. Your DH can easily get some loads of washing in. The babies just live in baby grows.

I would prioritise getting your hospital bag sorted.

In the hospital get lots of breastfeeding support and ask about what resources are available.

Can DH take responsibility for cleaning the house, you are heavily pregnant and still working!