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To do Lists for Overwhelmed Expectant Parents
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aguptakagan
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| I just started my fourth month and am finally feeling like a normal human being again, and because of that, I'm starting to worry about all that we have to do in the next six months. When we were planning our wedding, I found a lot of really helpful to do lists all over the web that let me plan everything that we needed to do over a year to get ready. I can't seem to find similar lists for baby-planning. Does anyone have any lists that they used? We're feeling pretty overwhelmed by everything from what we need to buy to nannies to who knows what else that we're not even thinking of yet, so would love some sort of list to get us in order. |
Anonymous
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Hit the local book store and you will find books and pregnancy calendars that will have this information. Just like weddings these 'lists' can be helpful but also lend to excessive items and expenses that are not really necessary.
In reality, assuming you will have a traditional shower, you will need to register at some point but again you really have plenty of time. I put DH in the position of 'equipment research' - he loved the book Baby Bargains as they gave pretty good advice on what you needed to spend extra money on to equal quality and ease and where you did not. So six months is really a long period of time. For many reasons, I did not register or buy anything until I was past 28 weeks and we still had plenty of time. Some things such as cribs and glider chairs do take a few weeks to come in but if you don't want or feel you'll need those right away, most other things can wait. Also, if you are going to keep the baby in your room for a time after birth, you can wait on the nursery set-up also. Some want this all done well ahead of schedule. Since my three pregnancies have all ended in bed rest I have learned not to stress over all this. It can be a lot of fun going and browsing through different baby stores with DH, mom and others. IMHO just enjoy the process and don't stress over what gets done and what doesn't healthier for you and the baby anyhow. |
Anonymous
| I had been wondering the same thing as the OP, actually. I thought for sure there would be a list somewhere telling that by week X you should have accomplished such & such. I did flip through an organizer/journal at Borders a couple weeks ago, but as the previous poster mentioned, it had so many nitpicky & obsessive seeming (to me) to-do's that it freaked me out a little. If you have friends who have been through it recently, they might be your best source. |
Anonymous
| If you sign up/register at babycenter.com, they will send you weekly emails detailing how your baby is growing and telling you what you should be doing to prepare. I can't remember many specifics, but even if you don't use their advice I thought it was fun getting the emails and learning about the baby. |
Anonymous
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Buy "Baby Bargains". Read it, then relax. Really - go to movies, go out to dinner, paint the nursery. Breathe some more. Relax. It will all be ok. Just remember that most of the baby articles and books are geared towards the first year - and that will go by so quickly. what your baby needs is you, sleep, food, and that's about it. Don't worry about having the right diaper bag, stroller, crib, co-sleeper, carrier, whatever. You will wing it, figure out what works for you. trust me, you will be a pro in no time. Just remember, the books never had "your baby".
I have three, and I remember feeling so overwhelmed when I was expecting my first (8 years ago). All the things that I thought were so important, just didn't matter all that much when my DD was born. All I did was hold her, feed her, and try to sleep. I stressed over the stroller (peg perego), the diapers (cloth), the carrier (baby bjorn), EVERYTHING. But what I remember, is her sleeping face, her first smile, her first step. Did she care what kind of stroller she rode in? Of course not. You get the idea. It is such a special time. Please try to relax and realize that you will do fine. |
Anonymous
Looks like you've hit the babymoon - you've got your glow, you feel like you're on top of the world, you've gotta cute little bump to show off (but you haven't reached boat status yet  ), and you've got nursery themes dancing in your head.
How fun! I loved this part of my pregnancy too. Plus, we told our family and friends at this point. Looks like you got some great advice. We were sorta laid back with baby things, but I definitely started keeping my eye out for sales on furniture and the all the must-haves. That is another point, there are must-haves (car seat), things-that-make-your-life-easier (gliders), and junk (wipe warmers - IMO). Perhaps make a list of those things and register for them, buy them, or at least keep an eye out for bargains, coupons, or sales. In your free time, scroll Consumer Reports or online reviews for items like strollers. No specific time line really. There was one post about "when do I install the car seat" which, to me, was like duh, before you and the baby are discharged - it was sorta obvious and I am not sure why that was even posted. I guess there isn't much of a timeline because people sorta scoot along at different paces. For weddings, like you mentioned, you rely of vendors - like the florist - and you need to give them time to get their portion done. With a baby, everything is up to you and DH to get things done - you aren't relying on others like you do for wedding planning. have fun, don't stress, and congrats. |
Anonymous
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I think the key is ti find that "to do" list, and then scratch of the things you really don't need to do.
A stroller, a car seat, a few changes of clothes, something for the kid to sleep in, a box of diapers and wipes and you really are done. The rest is icing. |
Anonymous
| Here's a tip: Instead of just going to Babies R Us to register, do most of it online. That way you can read the reviews people write about products...if you go into the store you'll be overwhelmed with products and no idea what people really think of them. Once you figure out what you want online you can go into the store and look at them. |
Anonymous
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I know you had mentioned when planning for a wedding all the wedding magazines told you what to do on week X before the wedding, etc., but preparing for a baby is much different and like comparing apples to oranges.
A wedding day is one day to plan, a baby goes from infancy to adult so that is 18 years. So, it is much different and harder to put together an exact timeline if that what you are seeking. Plus, different parents move at different paces. Plus, where do you draw the line - should you shop for a bathtub, a high chair, a pack and play, a sippy cups, (and other toddlerish items) or just focus on the infant items? Either way, enjoy |
escrappy05@yahoo.com
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| Hi! Don't sweat the small stuff. Freaking out so early on is not going to help your pregnancy or your relationship with your partner. Lists are good as long as they don't control your life. Enjoying this new part of your life should be the focus. Not what bottles to buy. i am a little over a week from giving birth and we just bought our baby carriage. We have a crib, clothes, will get diapers and bottle this week and that's all they really need the first few weeks, months. Good luck! |