12 Things That Need To Be Done When You're Having A Baby
Description
This article is from the General Pregnancy FAQ, by swnymph@FensEnde.com (Sabrina Cuddy) with numerous contributions by others.
12 Things That Need To Be Done When You're Having A Baby
I have one, but it's hysterically outdated. It suggests that at week
X you should stock up the freezer so your husband will have something
to eat while you're at the hospital! 8-)
Seriously, there isn't any "right" time to do things - except that
things tend to have their natural deadlines. If you are wondering
whether to have a certain test done, for instance, you have to make up
your mind before the time when the test is to be done. (Or by the
deadline for signing up - some hospitals and clinics like you to sign
up so-and-so many weeks ahead of time.) When the baby comes home, you
will need to have clothes and diapers. And so on.
I don't know about the daycare situation where you are, of course, but
if there are long waiting lists then you definitely should start
looking.
>After that, WHEN (or at least in what order) do I do the following:
>- move furniture to create a nursery
This depends. Are you just going to set up the furniture? If so, you
can do it as soon as you buy the furniture, or someone can do it for
you the day before the baby comes home. It really doesn't make a
difference. But if you want to put up new wallpaper, lay down new
flooring, etc., then you'll want to get started a few months before
your due date - so you don't have to rush, and you'll know it will be
done in time.
>- buy major baby items (crib, carseat, stroller, etc.)
>- buy baby clothes and minor items
There's absolutely no rush. If you see something you want at a good
price, pick it up. If i were you i would wait until after the
Christmas madness is over to shop, especially for the big items like
the car seat. You'll want to compare several brands, ask about the
features, and compare prices, all of which are easier to do when the
stores are relatively quiet and the clerks have some time to talk to
you.
>- choose names
The record among people i know is when the baby is four months old
8-). Seriously, this depends on where you live. In some places you
need to register the name a few days after the birth, in others you
can get a birth certificate without a name and name the child months
or even years later.
>- pack hospital bag
A few weeks before your due date, unless you're at risk for premature
labor or a worry-wart by nature ;-)
About the other things: you will have lots of little bits of time
available through your pregnancy, and you'll soon find that the
hormones are reminding you of everything that needs to be done! When
you get the urge to do something baby-related,listen to your body. If
you feel energetic, do something active; if you're tired, read a baby
care book or look for possible names.
I'm at home with the little guy, so childcare wasn't a priority for
us; neither was finding a pediatrician since we have a family GP (who
handled pre-natal care, too). So i can't help you with those
things. Nor with the legal stuff, since we still haven't officially
appointed a guardian (what do you do when you have two good
alternatives?).
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