"Having your first child can be an exciting time. Have you been asked ALL the pregnancy-related questions yet, from “How are you feeling?” to “Are you finding out the gender?” It’s normal if all of the questions are coming at you. However, you may have your own questions like, “How do you prepare for a new baby, exactly?” If that’s you, you’re definitely not the only one.
Maddie Martindale (@maddieemartindale), an expecting mom, decided to take this question to TikTok for some seasoned mom advice. Martindale is due with her first baby this year and asked moms what to do when it comes to baby prep. In her video, she asks, “Moms! What is the one thing you wish you did to prepare during pregnancy before your first baby was born?!” Her video has over 300K views and hundreds of comments from experienced moms sharing what wished they would have done to prepare for a new baby. Rather than having to make a list herself, Martindale’s simple question gives all the expecting moms all the advice they may need. As a now mom-of-two, this is something I wish I had when I was pregnant. I read all the comments—from relationship advice to postpartum recovery—here is some of the best advice to prepare for a new baby that is actually helpful!
Prepping Your Home for Baby
If you haven’t already heard of nesting parties, they’re pretty helpful in getting your home ready for a new baby. Friends and family come over to put together everything you received from your baby registry. Other helpful tasks include putting all your laundry away, deep cleaning the house, and more. Here is what other moms recommend when it comes to prepping your home for a new baby:
“Hire someone, even if it’s a family member or friend, to come deep clean your house while you’re gone having the baby. The feeling of coming home to a spotless clean house was amazing!”—@LifewithSierra
“Prep an area in the house (I had a rocking chair in our room) that has a table with phone charger, burp clothes, vitamins for you, snacks, [etc.] so you don’t have to keep getting up or asking for things!”—@astab2416
“Also rolling carts filled with supplies for the rooms you’ll be in most ❤️❤️❤️.”—@caro_linestan
“I wish I relaxed more instead of cleaning and getting everything ready 🥺.”—@heathercenters
“Honestly sounds dumb but download all the apps for all the gadgets and do a test run, like for example, if you have a Hatch [sound machine] get the app and preset three different settings on it!”—@eminarov
Meal Prepping for Postpartum
According to the moms in Martindale’s TikTok post, it’s highly recommended to make frozen meals ahead of time. I agree with this one. It takes the load off of having to figure out what to cook, and we can’t forget all the time it takes to clean up. Other moms shared how frozen meals, meal-time, and meal trains worked for them during this new transition of life:
“Stock up on paper bowls + plates + cups (including coffee/hot cups) and plastic utensils! Less dishes!”—@sammie6strings
“During my last trimester we made double dinners. So we ate our portion and then froze a portion. By the time we delivered, we had a stocked freezer with meals we just had to heat and eat for months!”—@lesliefisher6
“We meal prepped and had our freezer totally stocked. Did breakfast sandwiches and lactation cookies too! Lifesaver 🙏🏼.”—@katelarsltz
“Get your family to set up meal trains or have friends/family over before [your baby] arrives to cook a lot and freeze meals for later!”—@sophietanner95
Self-Care and Mental Health
The transition of becoming a new mom can be difficult to navigate, but seasoned moms don’t want you to feel alone in how to mentally be prepared for a new baby. Advice like getting simple things to make you feel like “yourself” and knowing when to seek help can be important for your mental health. This time is so important to focus on your baby, but don’t forget about you, too. Here is some of the advice shared for self-care and mental health as a new mom:
“Went to therapy—heal your inner wounds before they all surface when you’re looking at the love of your life for the first time. Heal them so they don’t have to watch you heal them. Heal them so you can be present for all of their firsts, not lost in them.”—@billygoat13
“Get yourself some special treats, lotion, candle, body wash, clothes, makeup, etc., makes you feel slightly more human whilst in the postpartum trenches!! ❤️ Go easy on yourself.”—@jessieclarke8
“Don’t stress over things you can’t control. Remember you are doing your best. Remember when things are wild to remember the good for that day. ‘This too shall pass’ you will always be a good mom.”—@kat88826
“Take care of yourself. A water bottle with straw, plenty of snacks, and meal prep. I wish I had done that more!”—@user5751870363133
“Don’t compare baby to anyone else’s baby. Don’t compare your life to anyone else’s. Sleep when you can. Reach out to others if you need help. Your independence will be gone but it doesn’t last forever.”—@kboomer7
Relationship Advice
If you have a significant other, the term “teamwork” takes on a whole new meaning with parenthood, and other moms have taken note. Talking with your partner about how you both want to be prepared for a new baby may be important on how to work through this phase together. Here’s what other moms had to say about preparing your relationship for a new baby:
“Take every second in with your partner, do your favorite things. Spend extra one-on-one time with your animals, their world changes too. They’ll miss you. And meal prep! Warming up dinner is easier!”—@_lizjenkins_
“Talk with your partner about sleep schedules, workout schedules, and the importance of uninterrupted self care FOR THE BOTH OF YOU.”—@blondemelonnn
“Make sure you and your partner are on the same page about chores expectations, baby care, and visitors, including in-laws. Spend extra time with them, ENJOY all the time you get to only worry about you!”—@saradriggers0
“Spend so much time with your partner because, in those first few weeks after baby is home, you are 100% in the roommate phase.”—@trinityrroux
“Be as intentional as you can be about enjoying your last months as a childfree family! I’m three weeks postpartum and our new dynamic is so fun. But I’ll always miss when it was just us.”—@lacutty
“Best advice I was ever given: its you and your partner against the baby. Work together as much as you can. Me and my husband text each other times the baby was fed, diaper changes, and naps.”—@gothiclilwitch666
“Talk with your partner about how much is going to change and not for one second does it mean you don’t love them. Love looks different with a new baby in the house. It’s beautiful but it’s different.”—@kail_uhh
Breastfeeding, Formula Feeding or Pumping
There is more than one way to feed your baby. Whatever avenue you choose will work for you and your family. Moms shared pro tips and tricks to get you through feedings:
“Have formula ready, just incase—don’t wait until 2 a.m. like me”—@lindsayflemeze
“Get a Kobo [e-reader] and download [the Libby app] for library books and fill your nursing cart with one-handed snacks. Made late-night wakes so much easier. She would nurse and I would eat snacks and read.”—@lindsloe
“[Set up] a pumping/nursing station. Took me a while to figure out I should have multiples of stuff and keep it by bed in a little cart. Game changer.”—@kkathleenh
“If you are considering breastfeeding, set up a prenatal consultation with a lactation [consultant] if possible, or at least figure [out] your flange size before baby comes.”—@caviggs
“Breastfeeding is taking more of a physical/mental toll on me than I prepared for. I wish I would’ve had more knowledge and used a lactation consultant to prepare myself!”—@casv1818
Preparing for a Potential C-Section
It is helpful to know what to expect before and during your delivery, but it can be a little overwhelming. One mom and TikTok user, @KardashianJennerTea, said, “I’m terrified I might need [a c-section] and could use some positivity.” She then asked for any words of encouragement, and the moms delivered:
“Mentally prepare for a possible emergency c-section ☹️. My brain went into full on panic mode when I needed one because I really thought I would never need one.”—@boringmonica
“It’s terrifying, especially if bunch of medical experts come into the room telling you need c-section like right now. Ask your midwife to communicate with you and if they suggest something to speed up labor.”—@Zazks0
“Really explore all the ways your baby could be delivered and how it could emotionally affect you to avoid postpartum depression ❤️.”—@morganraymcleod
“Labor is so unpredictable I didn’t expect to need a c-section but baby’s heart rate was dropping, so mentally preparing that there’s always a possibility [that your] ‘labor plan’ doesn’t go to plan!”—@chelseypainterr
“Learn how to push effectively. [With] or without [an] epidural.”—@jasminedreamz
Whether you have a c-section or vaginal delivery, recovering after birth isn’t always easy. There are a few things you can do to help the recovery process. Moms shared things that helped them during this time:
“Maybe this was just me, but I prepped so much for the baby that I literally did not prepare for postpartum, physically or emotionally. I was blindsided by how much I needed to take care of myself.”—@tanishacalhoun2
“PELVIC FLOOR SPECIALIST!!!!!! Please, your future self will thank you!!”—@aubreecoffman
“Don’t feel pressured to entertain and welcome guests into your house too soon.”—@user9860685105508
“BEDSIDE CART! I had a c-section and couldn’t get in and out of bed (too tall) so I slept on the couch. I rolled my cart around the house wherever I needed it. Diapers, clothes, snacks, burp rags, etc.”—@earlybird726
“Buy really loose-fitted and easy to pull-your-boobs-out type of clothes, preferably dresses or singlets.”—@clearangelt
Advice for Friends and Family
When it comes to offering help, moms don’t want you to turn it down. But that also means knowing when to have boundaries. Plus, they shared other ways friends and family can help you out! Read what other moms said when it comes to friends and family:
“Write out your favorite easy take-out/ drive thru/ coffee orders and share with husband/ have on-hand for friends/family when you need dinner but don’t have energy for decisions!”—@megandeffner
“I wish I had accepted the offers for help more! I was like ‘no, my husband and I got this’ meanwhile my cousin and his wife who were also due accepted the village coming in on day one and blossomed for it.”—@styledbymom
“Make sure you discuss boundaries for when baby comes and don’t let others make you feel guilty. This is your chance at motherhood and people should respect and honor your wishes!!”—@breadickey
Final Thoughts on How to Prepare for a New Baby
Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences can look different for every mom. Martindale shared that there are “so many experiences” and “we can all learn from each other.” I love to see when moms are supporting other moms. Not everyone has a “village,” but we can support each other in other ways just like this.
Patty Schepel, Editorial Assistant
As the editorial assistant, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathons—she ran one 16 weeks pregnant—traveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.