The [baby]bear necessities

Who knows if I’ll ever get the apartment up to snuff before Baby #3 arrives, or before he/she goes off to university for that matter, but one thing is for sure: organized closets or no organized closets the baby will need a few things. I don’t think it’s kosher to put sleeping babies in dresser drawers anymore.

So I’m thinking as we roll around to 30 weeks and all the recent stories of exciting and speedy baby arrivals bring D Day to mind for me I should put some mental energy (and eventually mostly J’s physical contributions) into a list of what needs to be acquired/assembled/decided on/washed and generally readied for our little one.

After consulting thebump.com, parents.com and thebabycenter.com I’ve combined their lists into one that I think reflects where we’re at preparing for a third child (though only second pregnancy which is a constant source of confusion when anyone is trying to  describe the situation) in a small home.

I left on a couple items we have already done because they were pretty important and if you’re using this list as any kind of guide or inspiration I would want you to know these should be on your list, but this really applies to second go-round.

Third Trimester To-Do List (primarily taken from this list on Parents.com)

1. Get gestational diabetes test and blood work done
2. Decide on birth class we want to take and get ‘er done
3. Attend appointment at the Best Birth Clinic
4. Decide if we’ll have a doula and start that relationship
5. Buy or borrow missing essential newborn items
6. Wash and set out clothing and supplies for the first few days
7. Write a birth plan
8. Pre-register at the hospital
9. Stock the medicine cabinet with baby medicines
10. Pack our hospital bags
11. Make childcare arrangements for the twins
12. Stock the freezer
13. Put together furniture (bassinet, swing, bouncy chair)
14. Test out installing the car seat (and if we’re lucky it will fit between the other two in the backseat)
15. Prepare paperwork that will need to be filled out and sent away after (insurance, government, etc.)

Baby Essentials We’re Missing (not exhaustive because we have so much and only need to replace what wore out or we gave away, but I used this list and this list as references)

1. Nursing supplies
2. Bibs
3. Newborn disposables whilel we get into the cloth groove with a tiny one again
4. Another wet bag
5. Baby bathtub
6. Plain white undershirt-type onesies
7. Baby wash cloths
8. The bassinet we’re borrowing
9. A few straggling items still out on loan to friends

And finally our hospital bags…

My Hospital Bag (referenced this list)

1. MSP card
2. Birth plan
3. Slippers and warm socks
4. Pajamas if I don’t want to rock the hospital gowns again
5. Robe
6. Nursing bras and supplies
7. Lip balm (sounds weird but I did agree that the hospital was dry)
8. Toiletries
9. Headband and ponytail holders
10. Cellphone charger (will have to throw this in last minute)
11. Going home clothes for me
12. My favourite Jolly Jumper nursing cushion that I currently sleep with/ use to get comfy
13. iPhone loaded with music, etc. I want during labour and headphones
14. Earplugs (not likely I’ll need them but in case something doesn’t go as planned and I end up there longer like last time I’ll need them)

J’s Hospital Bag

1. Cash and snacks
2. Change of clothes
3. Reading material
4. Phone, charger and headphones
5. Bottled water
6. Earplugs (so he can get some shuteye if it comes to that)

Baby’s Hospital Bag

1. Coming home outfit
2. Extra warm blankets/car seat cover
3. Socks, hats
4. Car seat (not technically in the bag but pretty critical)

So experienced moms/dads/labour coaches… what am I missing? What am I bringing that you never took out of your bag?

I know each person is different and what made you feel prepared or comfortable might be different that someone else – for example I might bring something I am 95% I won’t need but packing it makes me feel more prepared and so I do it for that factor alone – but I welcome your input.

I’ve done the hospital thing before but I wasn’t in labour and it was a c-section so some of what I ended up needing and not needing had to do with my unique experience. I also ended up staying 5 nights in hospital so for me, my bag ended up being quite insufficient in some areas (clothes, toiletries, my own pillow) so J made runs home and attempted to follow my instructions for finding everything I wanted.

So hit me, what have I not thought about? Was there something you forgot to do for your second, or third, baby because you forgot how the newborn phase goes? Ladies, ask your husbands and report back to me: what were they glad they had/wished they had while at the hospital with you?