10 Ways To Get Your Life In Order Before Your Baby Arrives
Nesting instinct! The overwhelming urge to organize your life before the birth of your child. This is one of the greatest gifts of pregnancy – an intense surge of focus and motivation that comes just as your body starts to slow down. Many expectant mothers channel their energy into cleaning grout with a brush or colour-coding spice racks, but there are more lasting and practical ways to prepare for your baby’s birth.
This is the best time to prepare yourself for success, whether you are just starting your third trimester or counting down the weeks (or days) until the end. This unique combination of mental clarity, physical freedom, and quiet time will never be repeated. Let’s make the most of it. Future You, the person who has been awake three nights in a row and can’t remember her last meal, will be extremely grateful.
Ten practical and sanity-saving ways to prepare for your baby’s arrival.
1. Pack Your Hospital Bag (Yes, Right Now)
This may seem like an obvious step, but many new mothers (and second-time mums) leave it a bit too late. Your hospital bag should already be ready and waiting by 36 weeks. Labour is not always polite. You’ll save yourself from late-night panic and forgetful packing during the contract by having everything ready to go.
Include these items in your list:
- Comfortable clothes: Think of soft, stretchy, and easy-to-breastfeed. Separates are better than dresses.
- Maternity Nightgown: You’ll thank yourself if you need a catheter or if you have to undergo unexpected procedures.
- Maternity Pads Regular pads will not do. The hospital has spares, but you will want to have your own.
- Phone Charger (with a Long Cord): The power sockets are not conveniently located near hospital beds.
- Snacks: Even if you don’t eat, your partner is grateful.
Pro tip: pack a bag for you and your partner, as well as a small bag with baby essentials, such a onesies, diapers, and a wrap.
2. Explore Childcare Options Even if You’re Not Sure
You might think it’s premature to begin thinking about childcare while your baby is still growing, but we assure you that this is not the case. Waitlists for good family daycare and childcare centres can be up to a year long in many places.
You can choose to come back to work in six months, one year, or even later. By registering early, you have options. By putting your name down early, you are not committing yourself to anything. You are simply keeping the door open. You can also compare philosophies and do centre tours (Montessori vs Reggio Emilia vs play-based?) It’s much easier to do centre tours and compare philosophies (Montessori, Reggio Emilia, play-based?) without a baby strapped to your chest.
Consider alternative options such as:
- Nannies and nanny shares
- Occasional Care
- Daycare for Families
- Get help from your relatives
It’s good to know the options, even if you won’t need childcare for some time.
3. Cook and Freeze Like Your Future Depends On It
It’s kind of true.
If you are feeding your baby all day and you’re running on fumes, you may end up eating a packet or ordering Uber Eats. Prepare a few dinners for the week in advance. Spend a few hours (or more) cooking in bulk and freezing the meals your family loves.
Ideal freezer meals include
- Pasta bakes
- Soups, stews
- Curries
- Slow-cooker meat shredded for sandwiches or tacos
- Muffins (and snacks) (yes, even frozen snacks!)
Pro tips:
- Label everything, as it will all look the same frozen.
- Divide the ingredients into two portions or serve them individually. It’s not always necessary to defrost the entire lasagne.
- Stock up also on pantry staples like pasta, rice and tinned tomatoes, beans, and tinned legumes.
4. Shop Online for Groceries and Save Money
You can now order groceries online if you have never done so before. You can save your shopping list, which makes future purchases incredibly quick – think of five-minute checkouts.
The delivery fee may seem like an unnecessary expense, but it is an investment for your mental health. No one wants to juggle a baby capsule with a shopping cart while trying to remember what they came in for.
Set up your system:
- Weekly order of staples: milk, bread, and fruit
- List of baby toiletries, including wipes, formula, and nappies
- Ingredients for your freezer meals
Check to see if any supermarkets near you offer click-and-collect or express delivery.
5. Learn a Little, but Keep it Light
You can find hundreds of books, courses, and videos on topics such as birth, breastfeeding, and newborn sleep. Choose a few that you find interesting and take the time to read them.
Some of the best options are:
- “The first six weeks” by midwife Cath
- “Baby Love ” by Robin Barker
- The Australian Breastfeeding Association offers online breastfeeding courses.
Think of 20-minute comedies or binge-able shows that don’t require full focus. Think of 20-minute comedies, or shows you can binge on that won’t take your full attention. Avoid anything too dark or emotionally draining (no, “Handmaid’s Tale” please).
6. If Applicable, Older Kids Can Get Help with the Lineup
You’ll be familiar with the juggling act that is life if you have children. Add a new baby to the mix, and it can quickly turn into chaos.
Talk to your family members, friends, and trusted babysitters now about the available help. Your mum could pick up your child once a week. A friend would be willing to host a Friday playdate?
Plan your day:
- Support a few mornings per week (even for just an hour).
- You can get emergency back-up care in case you have to attend an appointment.
- The loose calendar of activities and outings
If you have reinforcements available, you’ll be more confident in managing multiple children.
7. Declutter Like a Boss
Less stuff you own means less to clean, fewer worries about. This is especially important if you spend a lot of time at home.
Focus your decluttering on:
- Baby Gear: Review what you keep from older children. Singlets stained and toys broken? It’s time to move on.
- Kitchen: Make sure there is enough space to store bottles, sterilization equipment, or baby food preparation.
- Wardrobes – Make sure to have comfortable postpartum clothing. Box up anything too tight or not breastfeeding-friendly.
Deep clean your car seat and pram while you are at it. Once the baby is born, you won’t have time to fiddle with straps and old food crumbs.
8. Tackle Home Annoyances Now
Do you remember that door that never quite closes? You know that drawer or door that always sticks? Fix it. Fix it.
Walk through your house and write down any small tasks you can accomplish:
- Install blackout blinds for the nursery
- Replace dim light bulbs
- Repair leaky taps
- Create a comfortable feeding chair
Comfort is important: You’ll spend a lot of time in some rooms. Make them comfortable.
9. You Can Streamline Your Laundry (Yes, really)
The laundry doesn’t stop when a baby is born – in fact, it triples. It’s a constant, from spit up to blowouts and 3 am sheet changings.
Now is the right time to:
- Declutter your clothes (for everyone).
- Buy extra essentials (cot sheets, burp cloths, pyjamas)
- Create a “one-load a day” routine
This habit, even if you only throw a load in each night and hang it up in the morning, will help to make things feel less overwhelming. You’re not a dry cleaner, you are a new mother. So don’t iron unless it is necessary.
10. Accept Help, then Ask for More
Say yes if someone offers you help. Ask them to secure it. Let them do whatever they want.
Ways people can help:
- Creating a Meal Train (use websites such as MealTrain.com).
- Running errands
- Folding laundry as you chat
- Showering with the baby in a rocking position
This is not the right time to be self-sufficient. You’ll find that your family and friends are happy to help you.
Conclusion
Preparing for a new baby involves more than just buying a crib and packing diapers. You, your partner, and your family will all benefit from a smooth transition. These practical steps don’t just serve as convenience, but also protect your mental load in one of the most beautiful and intense transitions you will ever experience.
Take that nesting energy, and put it into action – with wisdom, love, and thoughtfulness. When the baby arrives, you will know that you have done all you can to ease the transition. You’re better prepared than you think.
Mama, breathe deeply. You can do it.
