Time to start prepping for baby’s time to come!

You and your family are getting ready to bring the baby home. But a lot happens just after birth. It’s easier to get some important items ahead of time. Here’s a checklist of items you might consider getting ahead of time. The best time would be during your nesting period. Some Moms can get the urge to clean and organize everything around them.

Labor and delivery

What is labor? It is the process of childbirth, starting with squeezing and relaxing the uterus and ending with the birth of the baby. If you’re like a lot of pregnant moms, you might be wondering how you’ll know your body is getting ready for birth.

Bringing Baby Home

Look out for these 10 signs:

  • Baby “drops”
  • Cervix widens
  • Cramps and greater back pain
  • Loose-feeling joints
  • Loose Poop
  • Weight gain stops
  • Tired and “nesting instinct”
  • Vaginal discharge changes color and consistency
  • Stronger, more frequent cramps
  • Water breaks

Additional information

Pregnancy + App
Want to see beautiful, interactive images for every week of pregnancy? Join more than 40 million users who already use this Pregnancy App to follow their pregnancy week by week. Download the Pregnancy ‪+‬ app iPhones & Android
My Birth Matters
A video by the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative

New Mom Explains C-Sections

Nicole, a new mom, discusses some of the concerns she has about C-sections. She decides to educate herself to learn how she can avoid a C-section unless it’s absolutely necessary. Learn more at mybirthmatters.org #MyBirthMatters

Sign Up Now!

Health Plan of San Joaquin is here for you, if you are a member of HPSJ, you can sign up for our Me + Baby Program today!

Enroll your baby
in Medi-Cal

Get help from Health Plan of San Joaquin so you can get your gift card for a postpartum visit

Advice Nurse Line

You may have questions during pregnancy or after birth. You can call the Advice Nurse Line 24/7 at 800.655.8294

Going through this checklist will help you prepare for baby

Baby Clothes

  • 4 shirts
  • 4 gowns/onesies
  • Hat
  • Socks/booties

Bath Time

  • Newborn bathtub
  • Baby nail clippers

Items for mom

  • Nipple cream/gel for breastfeeding support
  • Maxi pads and ice packs
  • Water bottle and some fruit
  • A breast pump (covered HPSJ benefit)

Bedding and Furniture

  • Crib/bassinet
  • Swaddle blankets

Travel Home

  • Blanket for car/stroller
  • Backpack
  • Stroller

Other Items

  • Burp cloths
  • Newborn diapers
  • Baby thermometer

Getting a Car Seat

Buying the right car seat can be a big decision.

Bringing Baby Home

There are classes that can help you:

  • Learn how to use a car seat correctly
  • Learn when to switch car seats
  • Find the right car seat for your child

If you are in need of a car seat, contact your county’s Child Passenger Safety Program at:

Information

You can clean your baby’s gums with gauze or a soft wet washcloth during bath time. You can wrap it around your finger and rub it gently over the gums. Learn more about fluoride here.

Posted on April 26th, 2016 and last modified on October 21st, 2024.

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