Things to Do Before Your Baby Arrives: 24 Tips to Help You Prepare

Preparing for a baby is an exciting time, but it can also feel overwhelming. If you’re wondering what to do when expecting a baby, we’ve gathered some important tips based on expert and parental advice to help you feel confident and ready. From setting up the nursery to packing your hospital bag, here’s a quick overview of what to focus on:

• Baby’s space. Set up a safe, cozy nursery or corner of your bedroom with essentials like a crib, changing area, and storage.  

• Health prep. Stay on top of prenatal appointments, create a birth plan, and pack your hospital bag early.  

• Shopping list. Stock up on diapers, baby clothes, feeding supplies, and blankets.  

• Childcare. Choose a healthcare provider and explore daycare or family support options.  

• Home & meals. Prep freezer meals, clean the house, and install the car seat.  

• Learn the basics. Take basic baby care or CPR classes to boost your confidence.  

This guide will walk you through each step in more detail, helping you feel calm and prepared for your baby's arrival. 

Baby Prep Checklist

Before your baby comes, use our handy checklist below to help you prepare during your pregnancy:

How to Prepare for Labor

When you’re expecting a baby, you might be wondering what to do to help you prepare for labor. Check out our master list so that you know how to prepare for birth.

1. Take a Childbirth Class

Whether you’re a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, it’s a good idea to take a childbirth class. Taking a class can support you with preparing for labor physically and emotionally—learn about breathing techniques, pain relief strategies, and how your body prepares for labor with practice contractions, known as Braxton Hicks. 

Furthermore, childbirth classes can help you understand what to anticipate in labor, how your healthcare provider will support you, and what happens after delivery, so take advantage of this resource!

You can register for free to access our online Childbirth Classes, which cover labor, delivery, and beyond.

2. Create a Birth Plan

For some, crafting a birth plan is essential to preparing for labor. Though childbirth can be unpredictable, and you may need to deviate from the plan, it helps to have a written record of your preferences and be sure to provide a copy to your partner, family, and healthcare provider. You’ll thank yourself later when everyone’s on the same page while you’re amid labor! 

3. Pack Your Hospital Bag

Although this is a relatively easy task, don’t put it off until the last minute! Only 5 percent of babies are actually born on their due date, so packing your hospital bag in advance may very well save the day! We have a handy hospital bag checklist you can use to make sure you don’t forget the essentials.

4. Talk With Your Birthing Partner

A birthing partner (or labor coach) might be a partner, parent, sibling, or friend. Not everyone chooses to have a birthing partner, but if you do, it's helpful to ensure you’re in sync and supported while preparing for labor and during labor.

5. Follow a Healthy, Balanced Diet

You’ve likely been paying attention to what you eat and following a healthy pregnancy diet. If not, now’s the time to start! Eating well helps keep you and your little one healthy, promotes steady growth, and supplies the energy you need for childbirth and parenthood—so it’s a crucial component when preparing for a baby. 

6. Try to Get Daily Exercise

In addition to eating well, exercising every day can help your body prepare for labor. Exercising while pregnant can help strengthen the muscles that you’ll use when giving birth. Experts recommend about 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.

7. Practice Relaxation Techniques

If you're taking a childbirth education class, you’ll likely learn several relaxation techniques that can help in preparing for labor. Prenatal yoga, meditation, and deep breathing have been known to reduce labor pains and can help you minimize those common anxieties and worries about giving birth and the big changes that lie ahead. 

8. Plan Your Birth Announcement

Once your new addition arrives, you may want to send out birth announcements. Whether you plan to post on social media or send out a card, you can prepare the basic announcement ahead of time and add details like time and date of birth and your baby’s name after delivery. 

9. Consider Hiring a Doula

A doula can be a valuable support person during labor, delivery, and even postpartum. They provide emotional, physical, and informational support, helping you feel more empowered and comfortable throughout the birthing experience. Whether you're planning a hospital birth, home birth, or something in between, researching and finding a doula early gives you time to connect and ensure they’re a good fit for your needs.

How to Prepare for a Newborn Baby

Once you’ve planned for labor and delivery, the next important step is preparing your home for your newborn. Knowing how to prepare for a baby can help you feel more confident and calm in those early days. From creating a checklist before your baby comes to gathering baby essentials and completing important household tasks, there’s plenty to consider. Things to do before your newborn arrives might include stocking up on diapers and clothes, prepping and freezing meals, and making sure your space is clean and organized. By focusing now on what to have ready before your baby comes, you’ll be able to spend more time bonding and resting once they’re here.

10. Get All Those Baby Essentials

How to prepare for your baby’s arrival also includes assembling those newborn baby essentials! Many parents wonder what to bring their baby home in and what the first week with a newborn will be like. These are very common questions, and gathering equipment and items like a car seat, diapers and wipes, baby clothes, and feeding supplies will help you feel prepared and put your mind at ease.

11. Prepare and Freeze Meals

Preparing for a baby often includes getting ready for the first few weeks as new parents, a time when you may not want to deal with shopping and cooking. One effective strategy is to prepare and freeze some meals for you and your family. Having a few ready-to-eat options that you can easily heat in the oven or microwave can make a significant difference.

12. Stock Up On Necessities

Wondering what to stock up on before bringing your baby home? Do a quick inventory of your household essentials and stock up where needed. Eliminate last-minute trips to the store by purchasing extras of necessities like toilet paper, medication, cleaning supplies, pet food, etc. 

13. Prepare Siblings

Bringing a tiny newborn home from the hospital means a big change for everyone in the family. If you have other children, they might also need a little preparation. Introducing your newborn to their siblings is a special moment that you’ll likely cherish forever. To help your older children adjust, preparing in advance—such as setting up the baby’s room and transitioning the older kids to different rooms well ahead of time, or allowing siblings to visit the baby in the hospital—can be very beneficial.

14. Prepare Pets

It’s not just the older siblings that need help preparing for a baby—your furry family members will also need to adjust! Establishing gates to keep dogs and cats out of certain rooms, along with gradually introducing your pets to the new arrival through gentle interactions, will help the first weeks at home with a newborn go more smoothly.

15. Babyproof Your Home

You might be wondering when to start preparing for your baby’s arrival—and when that preparation ends. When it comes to babyproofing your home, the process doesn't really end! It’s best to start babyproofing early when you have the energy and can move around easily (in other words, before that baby bump of yours gets too big). But as your baby grows and starts to crawl and walk, more babyproofing is needed. Get a start now and prepare for what you’ll need to do in the future.

16. Choose Your Baby’s Healthcare Provider

One of the most important tasks is selecting your baby’s healthcare provider. It’s essential to make this choice well in advance to avoid any last-minute stress. Your baby’s first official appointment will take place a few days after birth, during which the provider will offer valuable advice and answer any questions you may have. You’ll continue to see them through the first weeks and months of your little one’s life, such as your baby’s 1-month health check.

17. Make a Baby Feeding Plan

Whether you’re planning to breastfeed, formula-feed, or use a combination of both, creating a feeding plan helps you feel more prepared when baby arrives. Think about what supplies you might need—like bottles, a breast pump, or nursing pillows—and talk to your healthcare provider or a lactation consultant if you have questions. Your feeding preferences may evolve, but having a flexible plan can reduce stress during those early weeks.

Fun Things to Do Before Your Baby Arrives

Preparing for a newborn baby involves a lot of planning, and it starts long before labor and your baby's arrival. It's a great idea to focus on enjoyable activities and things to do before your baby comes. Taking time for fun can help you feel refreshed and ready to welcome your little one into the world.

18. Start a Baby Name List

Choosing your baby’s name is one of the most exciting parts of preparing for their arrival. Start a shortlist of names you love and keep a running list on your phone or in a notebook. Explore meanings, origins, and how each name sounds with your last name. Whether you want something classic, unique, or trendy, our wide range of baby name lists can help you narrow down your options and make the decision easier later on.

19. Take a Babymoon

Going on a babymoon has become more popular than ever before, and why not take this opportunity to travel before giving birth? Think of it as one last hurrah before your little one arrives. Of course, consult your healthcare provider about when it’s OK to travel and whether traveling while pregnant is right for you. If you don’t want to travel far, you can also do a staycation and do something special in your local area.

20. Pamper Yourself

All those pregnancy aches and pains can take a toll on your body, and it’s important to care for yourself. A pregnancy massage, pedicure, relaxing bath, or even a nap are great ways to pamper yourself. Consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.

21. Decorate the Nursery

Whether you’re having a dedicated nursery or a cozy nook in your bedroom, check out some nursery themes and, after settling on something you like, start decorating! Preparing the nursery might satisfy the urge to nest during pregnancy. Nesting is a fairly common phenomenon that can keep you occupied and distracted if you feel nervous. 

22. Find Your Parenting Community

Perhaps your friend group already consists of a bunch of parents, but if not, you could find a parenting group to lean on as you navigate those first weeks (and years)! You can find these communities online or in your town or city.

23. Have a Date Night

Before your baby arrives, consider having a date night with your partner. Your lives are about to get busy, and spending some quality time together can be enjoyable. Whether you choose to go to your favorite restaurant or have a cozy night in at home, this time together can be meaningful.

24. Attend Your Baby Shower

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with preparing for your baby’s arrival, remember that you don’t have to plan the baby shower and can simply enjoy being the guest of honor! Even if you help with the guest list or choose the venue, a close friend, family member, or loved one will do the bulk of the planning. Just relax and have fun.

The Bottom Line

If you’re wondering how to prepare for a baby, we hope our list helps you wrap your head around this task! Feel free to download our checklist at the top of our article, giving you an organized look at things to do before your baby arrives. And as you begin to get all those essentials in order, don’t forget to download the Pampers Rewards app. You’ll earn rewards on all your Pampers purchases, which you definitely deserve! 

^{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}