To-Do Checklist: What You Need Before the Baby Comes

The last few weeks before your baby is born are hectic, but you'll be much busier once the baby's here. So here's a list of all the things you should buy, do and organize before the happy day.

1. REST! I know this sounds silly when you're sick of pregnancy and you can't wait to meet the little one. Also when you're pregnant, it's hard to get comfortable while sleeping (especially those last few weeks). That said, try to rest. Do nothing for a few days. Lie down on the couch and read magazines. Go to the movies. Eat at nice restaurants. These tips are for both expecting mothers and fathers. When the baby arrives, it will be months before you can rest. TRUST ME (I have a 14-month old and I have yet to rest!).

2. MAKE FOOD AND FREEZE IT. Going to the supermarket will be an ordeal once the baby comes, so stock up. Buy all your staples, especially things that don't spoil. Make lasagna, casseroles, or whatever else will be nice to have for those first few days that the baby's home. Even if you have help, this will be great to have. We didn't do this and ate tuna fish sandwiches and cereal after my mom went home, other than take out. It would have been nice to have nice meals in the freezer.

3. LIST OF MUST-HAVES FOR BABY:

1. Baby Bargains book by Denise and Alan Fields: This book is an absolute must! You must buy it right away, if you haven't already done so. There's tons of good advice on buying baby furniture, clothes and lots more. I read the whole thing and marked it all up. I found it very helpful.

2. The Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr Karp. This book allowed us to sleep. We bought it when our baby was 6 weeks old. There are lots of ideas on this book to soothe a baby. I wish we had had it from the beginning. Run to buy it now! It also comes in DVD, in case you buy it after the baby comes and you're too burned to actually read something.

3. Car Seat: We bought a Graco SnugRide car seat, and when our little one outgrew that, we bought a Britax Roundabout. We were very happy with both our car seats. The Graco is great because you can lift the baby with the car seat out of the car without waking him / her. This is great for restaurants and other public places when the baby is very small. The Britax is top-rated and really comfortable once the baby outgrows the SnugRide.

4. Bassinet: We bought the Arms Reach Mini Co-Sleeper. It is a wonderful to have the baby sleeping next to you, so you don't need to get up to feed him/her. I recommend this with no reservations. You can see more info on their website: http://www.armsreach.com/.

5. Glider: It's very useful to have if you plan to breastfeed. The rocking motions put the baby to sleep and also it's very comfortable to sit there. We bought a Shermag glider and were really happy with it.

6. Changing Table: It makes life much easier, especially when they're very small. I know many people think they are not necessary, but we used ours a lot.

7. Dresser/ Armoire: You need a piece of furniture to store the baby's clothes. We used a cheap armoire from IKEA that allowed us to hang some clothes and put others in drawers. I worked well.

8. Baby Carrier, Wrap or Sling: You need something to carry the baby in when you don't want a stroller. There are many options. We loved the Baby Bjorn.

9. Breast Pump: You will probably need this, even if you stay at home. A Medela Pump-In-Style pump is expensive (over $200) but totally worthwhile.

10. Diaper Pail: We got a Diaper Champ and loved it. You need it, especially after the baby starts eating solid foods and you don't want to place the dirty diaper in the regular garbage. You need it!

11. Blankets for Swaddling: We loved the AMB (Amazing Miracle Blanket). See this website for more info: http://www.miracleblanket.com/ We loved loved loved these blankets! Our baby finally slept through the night once we bought these. I can't recommend them enough.

12. Diapers: Buy two packages of newborn diapers and one package of size 1. Our son was over eight pounds and used the newborn size for a few weeks. We used Pampers Swaddlers but Huggies Supreme are also great.

13. Wipes: Buy a couple of tubs of wipes.

14. Diaper Rash Cream: Get a couple of tubes. We liked the Desitin Creamy and Boudreaux Butt Paste best.

15. Toiletries: Get some baby shampoo and wash. We experimented and liked many brands. I like Johnson's shampoo, and Huggies wash best. You can also buy a nail clipper for babies, but I found that it was easier to trim little nails with a regular nail clipper. You don't need to buy a bulb to suction little noses (you need this when your baby has a cold) because they usually give you this at the hospital when your baby is born.

16. Baby Tub: Any is fine.

17. Baby Towels and Washcloths: You need 2-3 towels and about 5 washcloths.

18. Diaper Bag: You need a bag to carry all the baby's things. Buy something in neutral colors that's easy to carry. We had several, but preferred (and still prefer) a black bag from Baby Style that does not look like a diaper bag (I think it was called the Undiaper bag).

19. Stroller: I could write a whole article about this item alone. What stroller you need depends on your needs (where you live, how much you'll use it, etc). Read the Baby Bargains book recommended above for advice on how to select a stroller. We ended up buying a Snap N' Go at first, which the Baby Bargains book recommended. The Snap N' Go is a frame on which to snap your car seat on. It's a great way to transport infants when they are very small. So I totally recommend you go that route for the first couple of months (the Snap N' Go is very cheap, about $50 when we bought it a year and a half ago). Now we use a Peg Perego Pliko, which we love.

20. Clothes: You need to buy about 7 onesies (long -sleeved if it's winter, otherwise short-sleeved), 7 footed sleepers, lots of newborn socks (they get lost very easily, so buy 10 pairs or more), 3 rompers (one-piece outfits for going out). If it's winter you also need bunting, which is a warm outfit that covers the whole baby from head to toe. We had a summer baby, and he used onesies in the house and rompers if out for the first 6 weeks. He did not wear any pants or hats (except a sun hat, which is useful). The sleepers are very helpful, even in summer, because it's not safe to cover babies with blankets while they sleep, so sleepers keep them nice and warm. I suggest you buy all of the above in newborn and 0-3 month size. Also get a few pieces in 3-6 months to have around. You can buy whatever else you need later.

21. Bouncy Seat and Swing: We used both, the former for the baby to sit on while we had dinner and the latter to help the baby sleep.

22. YOU DO NOT NEED A CRIB YET. The bassinet will be good for months. You can buy the crib, crib mattress and crib sheets later. We bought it before the baby came and ended up not using it until the baby was 9 months old. We asked around and many people had had the same experience. Buy it now of you want, but it's likely you won't need it for a while.