Getting Ready for Baby: A Four-Week Countdown to Bring-Home Day
Getting Ready for Baby: A Four-Week Countdown to Bring-Home Day
The last month of pregnancy is a funny time. Half of you wants to sleep for a week. The other half wants to reorganise the linen cupboard at midnight and label the spice rack.
That's nesting, and it's real. So let's point all that energy somewhere useful.
I'm Chauntel, founder of MaternityBag. Here's the countdown I wish someone had handed me: one week at a time, with only the things that actually matter.
Four weeks to go: the big stuff
- Get the car seat fitted. Book a professional fitting, or at least practise it yourself a few times. You'll need it to take baby home.
- Set up baby's sleep space. A cot or bassinet that meets Australian safety standards, a firm, flat mattress and fitted sheets. Nothing else in the cot. Red Nose Australia has clear, free safe-sleep guidance.
- Wash baby's clothes and wraps. Start with a small pile of 0000 and 000 sizes. Babies grow fast, and people will gift you a mountain of clothes.
- Sort out leave and paperwork. Confirm your leave dates and check what you'll need for parental leave pay. Pop it all in one folder.
Three weeks to go: the hospital bag
- Pack your hospital bag and put it by the door. [When Should You Pack Your Hospital Bag?]
- Check what your hospital provides. [link: What Do Australian Hospitals Actually Give You After Birth?]
- Pack the partner's bag. Nah - they don't really need one - add some fresh undies and a set of clothes!
- Do a practice drive. Know where to park and which entrance to use after hours.
This is the step that takes the longest, and the one a pre-packed bag knocks off in one go. Our Jewel is our most popular bag. It's just for mum, it's a little bit special, and it fits in the overnight bag you already own. If you'd rather start with just the hospital essentials, Grace has you covered.
Two weeks to go: the home front
- Fill the freezer. Soups, curries, bolognese and anything you can eat with one hand. Future you will be very grateful at 7pm on day five.
- Stock the pantry. Snacks, cereal, long-life milk, toilet paper and nappies.
- Set up a feeding station. A comfy chair, a water bottle, snacks, phone charger, burp cloths and a lamp.
- Set up a nappy station. Nappies, wipes, barrier cream and a spare outfit, all within arm's reach.
- Buy your postpartum basics. Maternity pads, breast pads and comfy high-waisted undies.
One week to go: the bit everyone forgets
This is the stuff that doesn't make the Pinterest boards but makes the biggest difference.
- Who's looking after the pets? The dog still needs feeding if you're in hospital for two days.
- Who's looking after the kids? Have a plan A and a plan B, especially for the middle of the night. Second Baby? Packing When You've Got a Toddler at Home]
- Who's your first call? Save your hospital's number in both phones.
- What's your visitor plan? Decide now who visits in hospital and who waits until you're home. It's much easier to set boundaries before you're tired.
- Put a "help list" on the fridge. When people ask "what can I do?", point them to it. Bins out. Dog walk. Load of washing.
Then... rest
If you've ticked off most of this, stop. Put your feet up. Watch something silly. Eat the good biscuits.
The nursery doesn't need to be perfect. Your baby won't notice the wall decals. They'll notice you.
FAQs
When should I start preparing for a newborn? Start the big jobs, like the car seat and sleep space, around 32 to 36 weeks. Leave the last month for the smaller bits and rest.
What do I really need for a newborn? A safe place to sleep, a fitted car seat, clothes and wraps, nappies and feeding supplies. Most other things can wait.
How many newborn clothes do I need? Around six to eight everyday outfits in 0000 and 000 is plenty to start.
When should my hospital bag be packed? By 34 to 36 weeks, and kept by the door.