With Valentine's Day less than one month away, it occurred to me that that means our due date is less than two months away. Yep. 46 days (or less). I honestly don't know if I'm hoping for the day to hurry up and arrive or if I could stand to wait another several months. In some ways, I am terrified and want all the extra time I can have to work, tie up loose ends, finish the baby preparations and enjoy Trent being the center of attention for just a while longer. But on the other hand, I am just kind of ready for her to get here so we can jump right in and start establishing a routine/figuring out how things are going to work instead of just worrying/wondering/attempting to plan it out every day for the next 45 days. So with each passing day, we are both more excited and slightly more overwhelmed at baby girl's upcoming arrival!
As I said, there are still so many things that need to get done, one of which is possibly my favorite pre-baby ritual, if you will: The Great Pre-Baby Stock Up Shopping Trip! Aside from the freezer meals, which we still consider the most valuable thing we did before Trent, the stock-up was just about the greatest thing ever. In the first few weeks (okay, months) after Trent was born, I could barely get myself up and ready for a public appearance, much less myself, a newborn, a diaper bag, etc. It was beyond nice to have everything I could possibly want and need stashed away in the house to avoid errands and save hubs from daily "Can you stop on your way home for 'blank'?" trips. And let's be honest, asking him to stop for Tucks pads or an exact shade of concealer wasn't going to go well anyway...
So I dug out the list I had saved from last time, went on a coupon clipping rampage and begged the hubs to help me hit up Costco, Target and a few other stores for a stock up marathon! If you can't afford the time or expense of doing a full stock-up all at once, keep your list with you (or on your phone) and just grab one or two things each time you go to the grocery store for the last few months of your pregnancy..especially when something on your list happens to be on sale. Clipping coupons is great for the stock-up shopping, as there are always a ton of coupons floating around out there for toiletry items and paper/food storage goods which can get pretty pricey when buying them all at once.
Here is the list I went by last time with a few additions from lessons learned. I tend to go a bit overboard stocking up, but I know it is all stuff that we will use and/or will make life a million times easier which is a major priority for us with a newborn at home. This list doesn't include all the pantry and refrigerated goods/freezer meals or ALL of the newborn/postpartum essentials...this is just "buy ahead of time" stuff. Look out for the next post with freezer meal recipes and shopping list!
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For the Home
- Toilet Paper
- Kleenex
- Hand Sanitizer Pumps x a million
- Hand Soap
- Paper Towels
- Paper Napkins
- Paper Plates
- Ziploc/Freezer Bags
- Foil
- Plastic Wrap
- Slow Cooker Liners (for all those freezer meals!)
- Vinegar (to clean the sterilizer)
- Trash Bags
- Dishwasher Tablets
- Dish Soap
- Extra Baby Bottle Brush
- Laundry Detergent (the pods make life so much easier when you have to put hubs in charge of the laundry!
- Dreft
- Dryer Sheets
- Dog/Pet Food, Treats, Bags
- Dog/Pet Flea/Heartworm Medicine
- Cleaning supplies (counter spray, swiffer pads, windex, etc)
- Light Bulbs and Batteries (a chirping smoke alarm can make a postpartum momma do crazy things, trust me)
- Air Conditioner Filters
- Refrigerator Filters
Toiletries (don't forget one of all of hubs' stuff too!)
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
- Floss (I have an obsession...this may not be on your must-have list!)
- Razors/Razor Heads
- Shaving Cream
- Deodorant
- Lotion, Face Moisturizer
- Sunscreen (if needed)
- Shampoo/Conditioner
- Body Wash/Shower Gel
- Face Wash
- Breathe Right Strips (if your significant other has a snoring problem.... xoxo, Matt!)
- Earplugs (see above)
- One Extra of All Makeup Products (concealer, foundation, powder, mascara, eyeliner, sponges etc)
- Q-tips/Cotton Balls/Cotton Rounds
For the Pantry
- Coffee/K-Cups
- Sugar for Coffee
- Fiber Wafers
- Prune Juice
- Bottled Water
- Dry Goods (rice, pasta, pasta sauce, etc) for quick and easy meals/sides to go with your freezer meals
- Wine
- Wine
- Wine
For Mama (you can find more of my post-delivery mama must haves here)
- Tylenol/Motrin/Advil (whatever your doc says is safe for you and breastfeeding baby) for all those nasty postpartum headaches!
- Reusable ice packs (again with the damn headaches and of course the hot flashes/night sweats. Lovely.)
- Nursing Pads
- Nursing Gel Pads
- Lanolin
- Tucks pads
- Pads/Panty Liners
For Baby
- Saline
- Diapers in a few sizes
- Wipes x a million
- Diaper Genie Refills
- Lotion/Bath Supplies
Whew. And believe it or not, this is not even a complete list of everythingI want to have on hand...there are many more must-haves (a Keurig, some specific nursing bras, etc), but this is the buy-in-bulk/stock-up ahead of time shopping list. Stay tuned for more lists, a stock-up printable to throw in your purse, freezer meal recipes and more! Happy shopping, mommas!
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FAQs
You can determine how many wipes you'll need based on the age of your baby. Newborns generally have anywhere between 300 to 360 diaper changes per month, resulting in using 750 to 900 wipes per month on average. Infants have between 240 to 300 diaper changes per month, using between 600 and 750 wipes during that time.
What food to stock up on before a baby? ›
Kitchen and Food items to stockpile before giving birth
- Freezer meals (see my list of dairy-free freezer meals, and 40 easy freezer meals)
- Grains for sides: pasta, rice, quinoa, etc.
- Cooking oils: olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil.
- Vinegars: white, apple cider, rice.
- Baking supplies: sugar, flour, etc.
- Butter.
You can—and should—start buying things for your baby whenever you want. Some women choose to start shopping after the first trimester, but it's personal preference. As you get closer to the end of your first trimester, you'll likely have an ultrasound done to get your first look at how your baby is developing.
How many freezer meals to make before a baby? ›
If your maternity leave is short or you plan to eat out regularly, then 10-20 make-ahead freezer meals should do the trick. But if you have more time before the baby comes or if you plan on eating at home most of the time, then 30-50 freezer meals might be more suitable for your family.
How many diapers and wipes should I stock up on? ›
Note:
| DIAPER SIZE | WEIGHT | DAILY USE |
|---|
| Preemie | < 6 lbs. | As needed |
| Newborn | Up to 10 lbs. | 8–12 diapers per day |
| Size 1 | 8–14 lbs. | 8–10 diapers per day |
| Size 2 | 12–18 lbs. | 8–9 diapers per day |
4 more rowsMay 15, 2020
3. How many wipes do I need for a year?
| Age of Baby | Diaper Changes for One Year | Number of wet wipe packs (50 sheets/ pack) |
|---|
| Newborn (0 to 2 months) | 3,600 to 4,320 | 180 – 216 packs |
| Infant (2 to 12 months) | 2,880 to 3,600 | 144 – 196 packs |
| Toddler (12 months and over) | 2,160 to 2,880 | 108 – 144 packs |
30 Tasty Freezer Meals to Make Before Baby Arrives
- White Chicken Enchilada Casserole. Photo & Recipe: Six Sisters' Stuff. ...
- Non-Spicy Chili Freezer Meal. ...
- Minestrone Soup Freezer Meal. ...
- Black Bean Burgers. ...
- Easy Freezer Meal Stir-Fry. ...
- Homemade Hot Pockets. ...
- Easy Baked Ziti Freezer Meal. ...
- Pesto Chicken with Zoodles.
breast milk or first infant formula provide the energy and nutrients your baby needs until they're around 6 months old (with the exception of vitamin D in some cases) if you're breastfeeding, feeding only breast milk up to around 6 months of age will help protect your baby against illness and infections.
What is the most important food to stock up on? ›
Stock up on non-perishable items like canned goods, nuts and seeds, dried fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and protein sources like peanut butter, beans, and jerky. Prepare for any eventuality with a stockpile of water and non-alcoholic drinks.
Is 30 weeks too early to wash baby clothes? ›
You should definitely wash baby's clothes, blankets and other washable items that will come in contact with their skin. It's not necessary to do it before they're born, but it's a good idea to do it before they wear them.
Many expecting parents prefer to wait to buy baby stuff until they find out the gender of their baby. This generally happens between 18 and 21 weeks, but some people find out as early as 12 weeks. Of course, you don't need to know the gender of your baby to begin buying things for them.
How many months do you start buying baby clothes? ›
When should you start buying baby clothes? You should start buying baby clothes during your second trimester onwards. If you're planning on finding out your baby's gender, you may choose to wait until after your 20 week anomaly scan, but there's no reason not to buy basics like sleepsuits and vests before then.
Is it OK to freeze homemade baby food? ›
How long can you freeze homemade baby food? You can store baby food in the freezer for up to six months. I recommend storing in an airtight container with minimal air or headspace. For optimal taste, quality and nutrient retention, consume frozen baby food within 1-3 months.
What are the best freezer meals for after giving birth? ›
Some of the easiest meals to freeze are casseroles, soups, stews, muffins and breads, bulk proteins, burritos, or egg cups or quiche.
How many days does homemade baby food last? ›
How Long Should I Keep Homemade Baby Food?
| Homemade Baby Food | Refrigerator | Freezer* |
|---|
| Cooked fruits and vegetables | 2 days | 1 month |
| Cooked grains | 2 days | 1 month |
| Cooked beans | 2 days | 1 month |
| Cooked meat, poultry & fish | 1 day | 1 month |
1 more rowBaby Wipes
Unlike diapers, you can stock up on baby wipes as much as you can afford (space-wise or money-wise). In my case, my newborn used up to 40 wipes a day on average. To be on the safe side, though, buy the unscented ones. They are made for babies with sensitive skin.
How much wiping is enough? ›
Not to mention, wiping a lot can make you itchy and uncomfortable when you finish going to the toilet. Ideally, after a bowel movement should only use two to three times to wipe the toilet paper. If you're experiencing something that's bothering you, see your doctor if your symptoms persist.
How long can you stock on baby wipes? ›
Baby wipes can last weeks, months, or years depending on how you store them. If your wipes develop any sign of mold (sliminess, stench, black or gray dots), you may have to toss them after a couple of weeks or months of use.
When to start a diaper stockpile? ›
A baby can go through an average of 2,200 diapers in the first year. That's a lot of diaper changes. Your baby shower is a great time to start a diaper stockpile, if you have the space to store them.
