You’re six months pregnant, and your new baby is coming soon! The excitement is building, and you are ready for your little angel to arrive.
Having a checklist and being prepared for your little one is one of the best things you can do to help reduce stress and have a much easier time after giving birth.
Here is a list of items to have:
Nursing supplies
Bibs
Burp Cloths
Breast Pump
Milk Storage Containers - We love these glass ones.
Nursing Pillow
Nursing Bra
Breast Pads
Sore nipple cream - This is our favorite.
Formula feeding supplies
Bibs
Burp Cloths
Bottle Brush
Good Formula - Check out our shopping guide for our recommended brands.
Bottle Carrier
Glass Bottles and silicone nipples - We love these.
Diapers
Disposable - These are great.
Cloth - Fitted ones mean fewer leaks!
Don’t forget velcro or pins to hold them in place.
Fragrance-free wipes - These are great.
Changing Pad
Washable covers for the changing pad.
Diaper rash ointment - This one is great.
Changing Table
Diaper Bag
Clothing
Fragrance-free Laundry detergent - This one is great.
Hangers for baby’s closet
Bedtime and Baby’s Room
Crib
With mobile, if desired
Mattress
Mattress Covers
Cribsheets
Blankets
Night Light
Toys
Playpen
Rocker
Baby Health Needs
Mucus syringe to remove nasal mucus. These are great.
Baby thermometer
Medicine spoon and syringe
Medication for fever and pain
Baby Monitor
Car Seat
Stroller
Baby Carrier
Here is a checklist of things you should have that you may need after giving birth:
A big pot of frozen delicious soup
Chocolate
Lots of your favorite snacks!
Pain Reliever
Gauze Pads
Washcloths
Ice Packs
Frozen Witch Hazel Pads
Donut Pillow
Maternity Pads
Chux Pads
Overnight Pads
These may seem like long lists, but remember, you do not have to get it all at once. Just a little at a time. Don't stress yourself out thinking you need to have it all done in one day. Take a deep breath and do it at your own pace. Even if you don't have everything perfect when the baby comes, it will still be ok.
Google Keep and Google Tasks are great free apps to help keep your to-do lists and shopping lists organized and accessible from any device.
One thing that doesn’t get talked about enough when preparing for your new baby is the importance of having a healthy gut and vaginal microbiome. When you give birth, the baby is coated in bacteria that will help set their foundation of health for their entire life. This is one of the greatest gifts that a mother gives their new child!
Here are some simple ways to support a healthy microbiome:
Eat lots of Lacto-fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, and kefir.
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
Whole grains like oatmeal, buckwheat, and quinoa are great sources of prebiotics.
Beans and legumes are great for the microbiome.
If they make you feel gassy, don’t force yourself to eat them.
Drink lots of water.
Eat foods rich in zinc. Zinc helps to support a healthy gut lining.
Grass-Fed Red Meat
Pastured Pork
Grass-fed Organ Meats
Make sure to get enough protein. The amino acids in protein help to support a healthy gut lining.
Avoid refined foods and sugars.
Avoid artificial sweeteners.
Work outside in the garden and get some fresh air and sunshine.
Take IGY. IGY helps to support your body’s natural microbiome. Think of your microbiome as a garden. In order for the plants (probiotics) to flourish, the garden needs to be well taken care of. Taking probiotics without working on the microbiome is the same as opening a bag of seeds, dumping them on the ground, and calling that a garden. Improving the microbiome leads to real, lasting changes to your health. Check out this paper and the video below to find out more about how IGY works.
12. Take a probiotic that contains good bacteria that help to support a healthy vaginal microbiome. Always talk to your midwife or doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements.
13. Eat good prebiotics. Ethically sourced Cacao is our favorite.
We hope that this article gave you some valuable information and helps give you some tools to have less stress when your little muffin arrives. Don’t forget to see the rest of our pregnancy center for more great information on everything from postpartum support to choosing a good prenatal vitamin!