32 weeks - too soon to set up crib and pram?

[Giraffle]

Hi all!

So I’m nearly 32 weeks and I’m wondering when everyone set up things like their crib and pram? I really want to set it up now as I have this gut feeling my boy will be early (I’m scheduled a c-section for 39 weeks but just have a feeling I’ll go into labour before then!) I have dropped already and I’m very uncomfortable. So I’m just wanting to be prepared but people have said it’s too soon in case of dust getting in the fabrics so not sure now if I should wait a bit longer? Or just cover them with a sheet or something until he’s here?

When did you all set up fabric items? (Crib, pram, car seat ect?)

Also did anyone go into labour early and if so what are the signs? He’s definitely dropped, I’m feeling nauseous again and I have definitely gone into nesting mode as I cannot stop cleaning I just feel like everything needs to be cleaned even at midnight some nights 🙈 I’m a FTM so I’m not sure if this is normal at this stage or my body is getting ready for labour 😳

Yes, far too early.
Just because you have a feeling you will come early, doesn’t mean you will. You could have 7 more weeks- you don’t need to be looking at a crib and tripping over a peak for 7 weeks.
That said, there’s no rush to set up a peak. I could barely walk for several days after DS1- there’s no way I was going out for a walk!
Enjoy the last few weeks of a tidy house!

Pram not peak

If you want to set it up, do it? I'm 24 weeks, nursery is half way decorated, pram is neatly folded under the stairs, car seat ready to go ( though not in car yet). If it helps make you feel less stressed by having it ready, go for it 👍

Totally up to you. If you're excited and want to crack on, go for it and enjoy it. However, it may get in the way. Do you have lots of space? If it's excitement and wanting to keep busy, have you packed your hospital bag? Could try that.

All sounds pretty normal. Both mine were head down at 30 weeks and didn't come til due date. I know they are words you dont want to hear. I wouldn't set up anything like bedding because of dust. By all means get the pram put and cover with a sheet. Enjoy these last few weeks of rest and nesting. Baby will be here before you now it.

I refused to even have anything except what I needed for hospital in the house until after the baby was born.
I'm superstitious and wouldn't ever have it in the house, let alone set it up. (When my baby was born he was unwell and had to stay in hospital for 12 says. It was hard enough walking out the hospital with an empty car seat. So walking in the house with everything set up would have been even harder).
So I'd never do anything until the baby was born and oaky.

If you want to do it now, then I think you should. I decorated both DSs room about 30 weeks. It meant I could go in there and sit whilst getting excited about what was coming our way. It's also been the only time the nursery looked nice and tidy! Once baby gets here, you end up with stuff everywhere - mine never looked tidy!

I'd set them up and cover with a sheet as you suggested. I'm not that far along yet but I don't want to leave things too late to be made, my husband isn't the best with ikea type instructions so I'll be doing it while I still have the energy/mobility!

Well I didn't and ds arrived at 32 weeks and we didn't even have the room decorated let alone anything else!

You do what you feel happy with

I don't believe in putting anything up until their born. I won't even have it in the house (5 babies)
My mums always come round and set everything up the day we're coming home. Pram, cot and car seat go to her house or mil until babies here.

I am 32 weeks and 3 days and set our pram up at the weekend (to check it was there and worked) it is now in the nursery folded and ready to use.

The nursery is done too- with the crib set up (although baby won't go in there for 6 months) next to me crib is also in there set up ready for DH to move it into our room on the day we come home.

I like to be organised and prepared and make sure things are working before using them! The only thing we haven't tested is the 3 way isofix base which DH will put in the car a week or so before due date ready to clip the car seat in!

Do whatever you like- there is no right or wrong! FYI, all my friends had everything set up way before me too!

Do it if you like. But maybe cover with a sheet or something? The only thing I would worry about would be the dust. I got mine ready and my hospital bag at 32 weeks. Had Brixton hicks from 16 weeks and was so large. Head down from 28 weeks. Didn’t have baby until 42 weeks 🤣 none of the clothes in my hospital bag fitted me!!

I'm 30+5 weeks and we've been doing it all gradually and with pram last weekend.

The last thing I want is to be sorting it out when it's really hot nearer due date so we've sorted the nursery and cot etc.

If I'm organised I'm way more likely to be chilled out nearer the time and I'm sure this is why I'm still managing to sleep so well.

My friend had hers 3 weeks before due date recently so I'd rather just be prepared.

It's not getting in the way as it's all in the nursery.

Should add that while we have cot etc up, we've left plastic on mattress etc.

I'm only 22 weeks and have already started getting things out of the loft.
My plan was to check what we had, how things work, clean it all and then once the new nursery is decorated it will go in the cupboard until required.
I don't want to leave myself too much to do right at the end as that's when I'll want to have a rest so knowing that it's there and ready to go (but stored out of the way) will help my mind rest.

I'll be getting things ready over the summer holidays when I'll be 26-32 weeks because I really don't think I'll fancy doing much when I'm back at school from 32-38 weeks. I was just planning to pop some sheets over anything I need to keep dust free :)

I had the nursery set up from about 30 weeks and am glad about it because I am far too tired to have done it any later on.

The pram we brought in and set up at 36 weeks so the dog could get used to seeing it in the house and moving about - I don't want baby related items to be a shock to him.

The crib we haven't yet up but only takes 5 mins so have it in the house out the way, ready for when it is needed.

I'd say set things up when feels right for you and not when others say is too early or late. Yes you'll have to look at them for a while, but you'll be using them eventually.

Oh and car seat has been in the car since 34 weeks as I had a false alarm where we thought I was going in to labour, and did not want to chance not having it in there after that. Again, yes you have to look at it for a while, but I'd rather be prepared than flap with the car seat. Hospital bags are also in the boot.

We've had pram, cot and baby bouncer set up since around week 35-36. We have a slightly nervous and very curious dog so wanted to get her used to them all being in the house. She totally ignores it all now so it's worked. The cot is good to go and I've just laid a blanket over the bed sheet so it doesn't get too grubby. Will then just wash the blanket. The rest of it will just get a once over bashing to get any dust off. We don't have a car but will have a car seat for the trip home in a taxi.

Totally personal thing. I’m 32 weeks too and have bought the pram but haven’t set it up or anything. Haven’t bought the crib or furnished a nursery, but I have started packing a hospital bag. But you should do whatever makes you feel happy, relaxed and prepared!

If you've got the energy to do it now then I think you should! There is no harm in being well prepared! Im 26 weeks and the nursery is completely finished and I'm so glad I've done it all already as I now have no energy at all. Best to be prepared!!

Just curious - everyone here who is setting up a nursery, will your baby be sleeping in there straight away? If not how do you imagine it being used?

Im 24 weeks and will be collecting a pram from my sister this weekend. I know there is no hurry but she doesnt live close and also works long hours so it makes sense to get it sooner rather than later. Also have a car seat and bouncy chair from her sitting in our spare room along with a few baby clothes. Not sure when we will set up the cradle, it will be a squeeze in our room so probably just when the baby arrives.

I'm 36+3 weeks and we have the crib built and in the nursery ready to be moved into our room when the baby arrives.

Prams can be quite big, if you don't have somewhere to store it I'd leave it in the box for now - they don't generally take too long to set up anyway so if the baby arrived early and it wasn't set up, its not a huge deal. We have set ours up but I wish we hadn't as its just taking up space!

The car seat I wouldn't set up now as I think if you have even a small accident they might recommend replacing it so I wouldn't have it in the car before it was needed. Car seats don't need any setting up anyway, so maybe just check you know how to get it in/out of the car, then put it back in its box. You can then just put it in the car when its needed.

I'm 34 weeks. Cot is set up. Nursery half decorated. Pram is still in its box at my mums house.

Thank you all for your replies it’s been good to read through. Everyone is so different so I think I’m just going to go ahead and set things up as space isn’t an issue as we have set places for everything and for me I think I’ll be much calmer knowing it’s all ready to go :)