Am I leaving it too late preparing for the baby?

[Shellywelly1973]

Im due 28th January. I intend to organise the baby's stuff after Christmas. I've bought a few baby gros & my sister gave me clothes today.

Its dc6 but not much left from other dc. I've got a crib but need a mattress. Also have the bath. So- need to get a travel system, bedding, clothes & nappies. Not too much & I will probably order most of it online.

I've loads to do in the house & nowhere to store the babys stuff.

My sister was really shocked when I told her I would do the bulk of the baby stuff after Christmas. I will be 36 weeks. 2 of mine arrived at 37 weeks, 2 at 38 & the last dc at 40+2. Im hoping this one arrives around 40 weeks.

When did you get stuff ready?
Am I leaving it too late?

Don't worry I'm due on 30th January and apart from a ridiculous amount of clothes (very over-excited first time grandparents on both sides of the family) and the odd thing like baby bath we have none of the 'main' things. My mum is buying the pram as a gift and is getting us it after Christmas, and we still need to sort out a cot and car seat!

I wouldn't worry and you'll probably get some bargains after Christmas with the sales!

The mattress - I ordered mine off amazon as have been lent a crib by a friend and could choose next day delivery. Travel system could also be ordered on quick delivery.

Clothes/blankets/nappies can be sourced easily anyway as even supermarkets sell them.

It'll be fine

DC1, I was done by 33w ish. He arrived at 40+.

DC2, ready about 38w, 40+ again

DC3, erm, 39+ and 40+.

If baby hasn't actually arrived yet, and assuming you possess everything, just haven't got it down from the loft/out from under the stairs/through the washing machine, meh.

Not having a pram is not a bother in January, I would use it as an excuse to not have to leave the house in the snow

And with 24hr supermarkets, you can pretty much get anything at any time.

Ah, you don't have everything. Well, still meh. They can only wear one babygro at a time and I daresay you have plenty of laundry loads during a week.

Travel system? Just don't go out until it arrives.

My son was premature, so whilst I had some stuff bought, a lot of it was still in the boxes. Also the clothes, nappies and even the blankets were too big because he was so teeny. It was fine - my husband went to tescos the morning after the birth to get some smaller clothes, and to mothercare the day we came home to pick up the other stuff we needed (bottles and stuff because breast feeding wasn't working out). It focused the mind on what we needed rather than a load of crap you think you might like, although presumably after 5 children you know what you need anyway.

The only thing I will really need will be the car chair for school runs as will be doing the school run unless im actually giving birth!

Im not so mad after all!

DC2, 35w, early labour scare today and nothing is really ready although we do stuff left over from DS. I was planning doing it the beginning of next month around 37w so you're not mad.

The only problem you could have is if you went into labour Christmas eve/day when nothing is open. I'd maybe have enough clothes for hospital/ coming home, small pack of size 1 nappies and see if there is someone you could borrow a car seat off for baby to come home in. Apart from that I'd say yes you are fine to wait until January.

PartPixie I would only be 35:weeks on Christmas day. So if I went into labour the baby wouldn't't be coming home with me as she would be in Special Care.

I've told the baby she's not allowed out until 26th January!

I'm due on 5th Jan and we don't have a crib yet. Most other things are bought, or at least ordered. And we have a few hand-me-down sleepsuits and vests, but nothing much to speak of. My excuse for the clothes is that I have a scan in a couple of weeks to see if I'll need a c-section, and if I will, we'll buy some tiny baby sized stuff because it'll be early. Haven't even started packing any sort of bags yet, either.

Don't worry, OP! I'm sure after Christmas will be fine :)

Hi, I'm 37 weeks with dc7....very little organised yet! No pram, got car seat, collecting cot today but no mattress. We moved long distance last year so not knowing definitely if we'd have another dc I sold almost everything baby related!! I'd love it if baby decided to come a little early but I think it's unlikely, although most likely I'll have an induction at 39 weeks to ensure I'm at the hospital (very fast labours + cs history + blood thinners). I think getting things ready in the weeks after Xmas would be a good idea...def by 37weeks if 2 have arrived then!! Good luck!!

I think as long as you are happy at where you are then that's fine.

I am a planner and as my sister had hers at 34.5 weeks and someone on my NCT course had hers at 35.5 weeks I wanted to be ready earlier than I thought I would just in case (I am 33 weeks)
Most of my things are loans from family anyway so I haven't really had to buy much.

I think the first important thing is the car seat as they won't let you leave hospital without one, but depending on how early/late you are and how the baby is doing then you still have plenty of time.

They don't always keep you in if you are early though. The girl who had hers at 35.5 weeks was only kept in 2 days as the baby and her were both doing well and the hospital was happy for them to go home so you can't assume baby will be kept in nicu if they arrive before 37 weeks (my nephew was in nicu until 36.5 weeks so it really depends)