20 Things You Might Think You Need to Do Before Welcoming a Baby

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When I was pregnant with my first child, I was consumed with the idea of preparing for the little one. “I’ll make a list!” I proclaimed just weeks before my son’s arrival. Recently, I stumbled upon that list and realized just how naive I was back then. Here’s a look at my pre-baby checklist, which now feels a bit silly:

THINGS TO DO BEFORE BABY ARRIVES

1. Pack a hospital bag with snacks, makeup, music, books, and my laptop, because I’m sure I’ll be in labor for ages, just like the pregnancy books say.
2. Make an effort to “clear out” regularly so I won’t have to worry during labor.
3. Buy a stylish bikini and curate a relaxing playlist for a serene water birth.
4. Watch more birthing videos on YouTube (because knowledge is power, right?).
5. Wash all brand-new baby clothes in gentle detergent.
6. Use baby-safe detergent for our own clothes, too.
7. Clean the crib bedding with baby-friendly soap.
8. Call the midwife to see if I should wash the sofa covers and muslin cloths in baby-safe detergent.
9. Disinfect every surface in the house daily until the baby arrives – because cleanliness is next to godliness!
10. Dedicate time to pelvic floor exercises every day to compensate for the months I skipped.
11. Groom my overgrown bikini line to avoid any awkwardness during delivery.
12. Purchase books and DVDs to keep me entertained during maternity leave.
13. Ask my partner to promise not to peek during the birthing process.
14. Learn to bake – or at least try my hand at cookies.
15. Buy a cake recipe book.
16. Get a cake pan.
17. Re-read “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” (because I need a refresher).
18. Practice perineum massage (perhaps find a helpful video on YouTube?).
19. Enjoy a romantic dinner with my partner, since our dining out days might be numbered.
20. CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve completed your list! Now take it easy until the baby arrives!

Spoiler alert: I never made it to number 20. In fact, I barely got through number one.

“First babies are always late,” I was told. “You’ll probably deliver a couple of weeks past your due date.” They were wrong. I was blissfully enjoying a burger when my water broke. We rushed to pack some essentials and head to the hospital, and before I knew it, my son arrived with no time for snacks, playlists, or last-minute cleaning.

I had to take my newborn home to a house that was less than pristine, dressed in clothes that hadn’t been washed with baby-friendly soap. Talk about unprepared!

When I was pregnant the second time, I didn’t even attempt a to-do list. With one baby to care for and another one kicking me from the inside, I simply didn’t have the energy for that kind of planning.

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In summary, don’t get too caught up in the checklist mentality. A lot of the things you think you need to do might be less important than simply being present and ready for the beautiful chaos of parenthood.