Now that you’re in your third trimester, things are starting to get real (as if they weren’t before). That means there’s no time to waste. Your baby will be here before you know it.
Before you hold your new baby in your arms, there are still some things to do. You want to be as prepared as possible for when your baby decides to make his entry into the world.
As you think about your baby’s birth, here is a third-trimester checklist to help get you going in the right direction.
In this article
Pack at least 1/2 your hospital bag
When you go into labor, you’re not going to have time to start packing your bag. You can’t count on your partner either because hopefully, they’ll be helping you!
Having half your bag packed on your own can give you confidence that you’ll have what you need. You can always throw a couple of things in it before you go into labor, but having the majority ready to go is a great idea.
Some things you’ll want to put in your bag include:
- Comfy pajamas for you
- Going home outfit for the baby
- Comfy socks/slippers
- Phone charger with a long cord (you never know where the outlet will be in the hospital room)
- Flip flops for the shower
- Toiletry bag
Think about the things you’ll need for a couple of nights away from home. Anything that will make you feel more comfortable is always a plus.
Stock up on diapers and formula
You’re not going to believe how many diapers you’re going to go through until you’re in the trenches. Look for sales and stock up while you can. You also want to get more than just the newborn size or size 1. Your baby is going to grow fast and you’ll want to have diapers that are going to last.
Also, if people ask what you need for the baby, don’t hesitate to say diapers… and plenty of them!
View in gallery
Schedule a car seat installation or check
Installing a car seat for the first time can be a little tricky. You can try to do it yourself, but many people don’t trust themselves to get it in right.
This is why police departments offer free car seat installation or will check to make sure you installed it correctly yourself. This way you can have peace of mind that it was done right and that your baby will be safe.
Sterilize bottles and pacifiers
This is a good time to sterilize all bottles and pacifiers. You have the time to do it now, so get ahead and get it done. This will save you precious time when your baby arrives. This should definitely be on your third-trimester checklist. You’ll thank yourself later!
Wash clothes and blankets
Here’s another thing that you’ll want to have on your third-trimester checklist. Washing baby clothes and blankets with gentle detergent will assure that all of your items are ready to go once your baby arrives.
You can do a few loads at a time. This will give you time to also organize your baby items the way you want them.
Wash onesies, bibs, socks, and blankets. These are the big things you’ll need when your baby arrives.
Don’t waste time washing fancy outfits because those first few weeks you’re not going to need much in the way of clothing. Newborns sleep, eat, and poop a lot! They don’t need much during that time.
View in gallery
Get All of Your Beauty Treatments Done
During your third trimester, you’ll want to get some “me time” in. Once your baby arrives, there won’t be much me-time to go around. Get your haircut, nails done, and any other beauty treatments that you may not have time for once your baby is here.
This is not to say that you’re never going to get your hair or nails done once the baby arrives. It’s recognizing that finding time to carve out for yourself may be a bit challenging in the weeks ahead.
Pack Your Diaper Bag
Having your diaper bag packed should be part of your third-trimester checklist because you’ll want to be as prepared as possible once the baby gets here. Stock your diaper bag with diapers, wipes, a change of baby clothes, pacifiers, and anything else you think you might need.
Set Up a Baby Monitor
Setting up the baby monitor isn’t hard, but it can take some time because you want to be sure it’s at the right angle. Don’t put the monitor inside the crib. Rather, put it in a place that will give you a clear, unobstructed view of your baby.
If your monitor has a cord, be sure the cord is at least 3 feet away from the crib to prevent a strangulation hazard.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Inform Boss of Last Day
Depending on the type of job you have, you’ll want to inform your boss of when you’re expected last day of work will be before you have the baby. While things can change, it’s good to have an idea of where to start from.
This will give your boss time to prepare for when you’re going to be away on maternity leave. It will also give you time to prepare things at work while you’re away.
Decide on Childcare
It’s generally not the best idea to wait until your baby is born to decide on childcare. If you’re going to send your baby to a daycare center, many places have a waiting list.
It’s important to look around and decide who will be taking care of your baby. This will give you time to find a place that you’re comfortable with and one that suits your needs.
If a family member is going to be taking care of the baby, you want to set up a schedule and figure out if they’re going to watch the baby at your house or their house.
You may also want to start buying extra sets of supplies so that they are all ready to go once they begin watching the baby.
If you’re planning on staying home with your baby, talk to your partner about budgeting and any other topics that need to be addressed before the baby is born.
Some women also opt to work from home if they can and have someone come in to watch the baby while they work. These are all options that need to be discussed before the baby gets here. You want to be as prepared as possible so that you can concentrate on the baby when he arrives.
View in gallery
The Bottom Line
When it comes to a third-trimester checklist, you want to complete as many tasks as you can without stressing yourself out. It’s all about being prepared so you’re not running around when the baby gets here.
By doing things like packing your hospital bag, setting up the car seat, and washing some baby clothes, you’re saving time that will be spent cuddling your newborn.
