Five Weeks to go - what do we need to do?!

[babysaurus]

DH asked me last night what we really ought to be doing with only 5 weeks to go. We have been rushing to finish off the house (renovating) which has overshadowed things, but I am now wondering if there is much we need to have got sorted asap which we may have overlooked due to everything else.

We have masses of baby clothes, nappies, a moses basket, cot on the way, and buggy but any details / things that may prove invaluable will be helpful too (currently have pregnancy mush brain so need careful directing!)

Thanks in advance!

You are way ahead of me!

I have seven weeks to go, and have a few clothes, a towel, sling and a stuffed giraffe. I still need to move internationally, find a midwife, doula, hospital and buy essentials like nappies.
I hope I made you feel very organized! Ha ha!

My only suggestion is for you to start cooking and keep meals in the freezer. You will be grateful when you have no time to cook and can just throw something in the microwave!

I'm sure you will be fine!

sleep sleep sleep!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once the baby is born you are not going to want to cook for a while, simply because you can't be bothered, so I would cook some meals and put them in the freezer so its just a matter of heating them up :)

Stock up on biscuits for when visitors come round. Put meals in the freezer. Go out to dinner with your OH and cinema etc alongside sleeping at every opportunity! I've got 4 weeks to go and have done none if these things- but it makes me feel better that I do know what I should be doing!!!

I'm 38 weeks with DC2 and have been on maternity leave for the last 2 weeks. So far, I've done things like sort out & wash all of the clothes, toys, baby equipment that we had for DC1, collect & work out how to use the double buggy, stock up on nappies etc.
During the next couple of weeks I'm planning on batch cooking stuff for the freezer, making sure that all of my paperwork/filing is up to date and putting important dates (home insurance expiring; car needing MOT etc) in the diary, stocking up on non-perishables such as toothpaste, tinned tomatoes, washing powder etc, buying birthday cards & presents for all of the people whose birthdays come up in the 6-8 weeks after my due date & having a good sort out of the house. Basically, I want to be as on top of things as possible so that I only have to look after the DC and not have to worry about the fact that we've run out of toothpaste & I also need to buy a birthday present for X.

Need - check MN list
Want - maybe a pedicure, facial etc, haircut...you will find it hard to find time and then want to spend it doing these things
Clear cupboard space for goodies you will buy and get as presents. And buy lip balm for labour :) all that heavy breathing gives you dry lips
And wait....to hold baby

What milk says.

Sleep. sleep and then sleep some more. And when you're done sleeping, go back to bed.

And stock up on local takeaway menus. Its the only time we've ever really eaten takeaway food but was a godsend. Although, probably more sensible to do the batch cooking freezer foods as suggested above. Will definitely be doing that this time.

I would also consider getting a steriliser, bottles, formula etc even if you intend breastfeeding, just in case. I was washing & sterilising bottles at 4am with a 26 hr old screaming next to me because I was struggling to breastfeed. I managed to do it for 9mths after that, but it might be worth being a bit more prepared than me!!!

I would definitely get a hair cut (ideally low maintenance) as doing your hair becomes less of a priority with a newborn!!!

Car seat?? Not sure how true it is, but a lot of literature suggests you can't leave the hospital without one.

Have a car seat!
Don't have a stuffed giraffe!
Batch cooking it is then - and lots of it! As well as shopping for storecupboard things.
Already have bottles and steriliser, but won't get them out and sorted until closer to the time (will only get in the way otherwise.) Plan to breastfeed, but until it happens I have no idea how it will go so will have these on standby!
We do have to sort out the clothes we have into sizes, and then I can wash them (they are clean, but some have been stored for a while.)
Been sleeping loads anyway but am now brazenly going for a lie down whenever the urge takes me, no matter what I really ought to be doing! Shame sleep can't be banked, isn't it?!
Have been wondering about a haircut. Need one really but have been torn between spending on things like that and spending on house stuff to get it ready in time!

Also, go to the cinema, theatre, out for dinner etc. Being able to do these is somewhat limited for the first few months if you're breastfeeding & after that there's the fact that someone needs to be at home with DC if you don't take them out with you.

*murter

I am in a similar position with 4 weeks to go and feel I should be doing something to prepare all the time but don't quite know what it is. I've washed and sorted all the clothes into size order, bought nappies etc but there must be a whole load of things I need to do. Can't seem to sleep at all but that would be nice.

Completely disagree about need for formula bottles etc. It can seriously undermine you feeding. I always found that a crisis passed and seems better in the morning!

The best thing you can do is pop to your local BF group whilst pregnant. Join BF support pages which can also provide support.

Also do some lovely stuff with your partner.

I wish I had cooked some more meals too!

Lagoon I was in agony with sore nipples & not knowing how to get her latched on & that first night (at 4am when nobody is around to help) I needed my DD to have something anything so she would stop screaming & both of us had a minute to calm down. Less than an oz of formula later I felt confident to try again & as I said I fed her confidently & well until I had to stop for medical reasons when she was 9 months.

It didn't undermine my desire to breastfeed but it meant I could actually do it and not give up after that disastrous first night at home with my first baby. I am pregnant again & plan to breastfeed again but I would make sure that I don't make the same mistake again, & if that means havn

Sorry phone cut me off...

having a sterilised bottle & a carton of formula on stand-by then so be it. I think breastfeeding takes determination anyway & anything that helps you get through the first few hours or days is good.

Cinema, dinners out, nights out with partner and friends. Read a book. Rest a lot. Stock up on frozen food, don't forget to eat lots of healthy fresh food too (i recommend local organic fruit+veg box delivery,u can arrange a weekly delivery now). Finish any little thing (eg, clearing a cupboard, sorting clothes out etc) that'll make your life bit easier when baby comes, u really wont be bothered to do anything like that when he/she arrives. I totally recommend homeopathy for labour, and learning a few breathing+visualisation techniques too. I'm due in 3 weeks with dc2 and need to do all of this! Good luck, and keep grounded

P.S. I also agree with lagoon about bf'ing, and recommend bf'ing groups. Having formula bottles around might be too tempting if things get difficult. Sometimes they do (i was lucky it all went smoothly for 18mths) but patience, and perseverance, you'll be fine :)

chunkychicken- sorry to hear you were sore early on but great you carried on til 9mths. I glad having formula didnt undermine your attempts.

However for the majority it can and often one bottle leds to another once the tub of formula is open and well meaning ill informed relatives come visiting.

Its is hard to pacify a newborn though and I always found a hairdryer a good trick (hairdryer now broke though!)

No need to buy a tub. Buy the ready mixed formula cartons - just one - then the temptation is limited. I still think if its right for you, you'll do it whether you find it painful, have formula etc. For some people, not having the formula just means DH or well-meaning relative has to go shopping & mum & baby are miserable for longer...

Chunkychicken - we'll have agree to disagree on this one. Ive seen to many friends regret having formula/bottles in the house and being convinced into trying it and it being a slippery slope.