what to stock in your fridge before baby

What to Stock in Your Freezer Before Baby Arrives

• Proteins. Breastfeeding moms say that high-protein snacks and meals are all-important in those first months when your...
• Baked Goods. In addition to protein-rich meals, you’re going to want snacks throughout the day. Muffins and quick breads...
• Soups and Casseroles. Soups and casseroles are great dishes to stock up on...

Full Answer

Should I stock up on household items before baby comes?

Stockpiling items before the baby comes will save you time in the newborn stage. You’ll have the convenience of having all your items at home, right when you need it. Here are a few things to consider as you stock up on household items:

What should I buy before my baby comes?

Your best bet is to buy rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones. That way, a quick recharge can be all you need to get the item running again. Better yet, see if many of these items include an adapter so you don’t have to rely on batteries. Stockpiling items before the baby comes will save you time in the newborn stage.

What postpartum supplies do I need for my Baby?

As much as your baby needs you, don’t forget postpartum items you’ll also need. Many hospitals equip you with these items to help with your recovery. Still, it might be a good idea to stock up on items like perineal spray, pads and a squirt bottle.

How to prepare the household for baby’s birth?

We wash and organize baby clothes, stock up on diapers and decorate the nursery in time for his arrival. But as plentiful as his needs may be during this time, so are the rest of the family’s. From feeding ourselves to daily tasks, you also need to prepare the household ahead of time. Take household items.

What should I stock up on for new baby?

Newborn Baby Must-HavesDiapers : Pampers Swaddlers Diapers.Scratch-Proof Mittens : Grow by Gerber Baby Organic Mittens (4-Pack)Onesies : Gerber Baby Onesies.Healing Ointment : Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment Skin Protectant.Burp Cloths : Burt's Bees Baby Burp Cloths.More items...•

When should you start using stocking on baby?

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.

Should you stock up on formula before baby is born?

Experts at the American Academy of Pediatrics say that parents should keep 2-4 weeks of formula on hand at any given time.

What should I do before my due date?

Preparing for Baby: 10 Things to Do Before You Give BirthPrepare All the Baby Gear. ... Make and Freeze Meals. ... Stock Up on Household Essentials. ... Make Provisions for Your Furry Family Members. ... Fill Prescriptions. ... Make Sure You are Up to Date on Preventative Care. ... Get a Jump Start on Baby Proofing. ... Take Some Time for Yourself.More items...

How do I start stockpiling my baby?

Baby Essentials to StockpileDiapers. If you are using disposable diapers, your baby will go through tons of these. ... Wipes. Wipes are another item you will use everyday all day. ... Diaper Cream. A baby goes through a lot of diaper cream. ... Pads. ... Toiletries. ... Paper Products. ... Household Disposable Products. ... Freezer Meals.More items...•

What to do if you run out of formula in the middle of the night?

Who to call for help if you run out of formula:Call your doctor or your baby's doctor. Your OBGYN or your baby's healthcare provider may have formula samples on hand they can offer you to hold you over until you are able to get more. ... WIC. ... SNAP. ... Food banks. ... Breast milk banks.

How long will the baby formula shortage last?

"On May 16, the FDA and Abbott reached an agreement to restart production at the company's Michigan facility, which should help ease the shortage. However, it can take six to eight weeks after the start of production until the newly-produced formula appears in stores," says Dr. Swanson.

What is the cheapest way to buy baby formula?

Here are six big ways to pay less:Shop at mass merchandisers. Formula sold by mass merchandisers, such as Wal-Mart, Costco, and Sam's Club, cost 16 percent less than formula sold in supermarkets, according to a USDA report. ... Join the club. ... Buy online. ... Prefer powder, if possible. ... Buy big. ... Consider a store brand.

What foods make labor easier?

Here's a list of some foods that are purported to get labor going:Pineapple. There's nothing quite as sweet as fresh pineapple. ... Dates. The fruit of the date palm tree, dates are very nutritious. ... Spicy food. ... Prego pizza. ... Maternity salad. ... The “Inducer” pizza. ... Eggplant. ... Cupcakes.More items...•

What should I do the last week before my baby comes?

What To Do the Week Before Baby ArrivesSLEEP. ... SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH LOVED ONES. ... GET YOUR HAIR AND NAILS DONE. ... FINALIZE YOUR BIRTH PLAN. ... GET ANY LAST-MINUTE BABY ITEMS. ... SUBSTANTIATE YOUR WORK LEAVE. ... INSTALL YOUR BABY'S CAR SEAT. ... READ OR WATCH ALL THE THINGS.

What should you not do at the end of pregnancy?

What to avoid:strenuous exercise or strength training that could cause an injury to your stomach.alcohol.caffeine (no more than one cup of coffee or tea per day)smoking.illegal drugs.raw fish or smoked seafood.shark, swordfish, mackerel, or white snapper fish (they have high levels of mercury)raw sprouts.More items...

What to stock up on before baby arrives?

One of the most important things to stock up on before baby arrives is toilet paper. It might seem like an insignificant item… until you RUN OUT! Definitely, a stockpile must.

How to stock up on freezer meals?

Here are a few ideas to help you stock up on freezer meal: Meal prep by chopping all recipe ingredients together and putting them on Ziplock bags in your freezer. Don’t forget to label the bags with the date and recipe name. When ready to eat, simply throw them in your pressure cooker or slow cooker, and voila!

What to do with a newborn after labor?

Freezer Meals. Cooking meals will be hard to do with a newborn and as you recover from labor. One of the best things you can do to help prepare you for the first few weeks postpartum is to stock up on freezer meals.

What is the pre-labor stockpile plan?

Although not a household item per se, groceries are a crucial part of your “pre-labor stockpile plan”. There are a series of non-perishable food items you can stock up on that have a long shelf life. In addition, you can also opt for foods that you can freeze in bulk.

What to buy ahead of time?

Here is a list of groceries that you can buy ahead of time: 1 Cereal 2 Oatmeal 3 Tuna 4 Crackers 5 Pasta 6 Tomato and marinara sauce 7 Frozen Veggies 8 Frozen fruits (for smoothies) 9 Meat (freeze it) 10 Grab-and-Go snacks (e.g. granola bars, protein, bars) 11 Almond milk (usually lasts months in the fridge- unopened)

What to do with baby sniffles?

Whether you have the sniffles or use it to clean the baby’s gentle skin, opt for a tissue paper. Keeping a tissue box in your breastfeeding station is also a great idea. God knows things can get messy. I can never have enough tissue paper. I always keep an open box around the house for easy access.

How long can you freeze meat?

Most foods freeze well, in fact some of the most common foods (poultry, meat, veggies) can last a few months in the freezer. You can plan to batch cook a few days/weeks before your due date and freeze them in meal-size portions. Easy recipes to batch cook are casseroles, lasagna, stews, poultry, veggies, and soups.

What to stockpile before baby arrives?

When you stockpile before baby comes, be sure to check the price per diaper and other items. Typically buying the giant size or biggest pack is the cheapest per item or ounce.

What to stockpile after having a baby?

Postpartum Essentials to Stockpile Before Baby Comes. After having a baby there are items you will need and use as you heal. Hospitals provide lots of items that you could use your first few weeks home. These may include pain spray, squirt bottles, creams, ice pack pads, and more.

What are some good snacks to eat when multitasking?

For example, pretzels, granola bars, snack crackers, string cheese, nuts and dried fruit like raisins are all great snacks.

What to eat with a newborn?

For example, dry cereal, oatmeal, canned soups and fruits, microwave noodles with a jar of pasta sauce, are all pretty quick and easy to eat with a newborn. 10. Healthy Snacks. Sometimes preparing a meal and actually sitting down and eating a meal is difficult to do with a newborn baby.

What to use for baby skin?

In addition, stock up on laundry detergent, dryer sheets or any other laundry items you use. Baby skin is generally sensitive so start with a free and clear detergent for your baby. You do not need to get the expensive brand – any free and clear detergent will do.

What pads do you need after giving birth?

There are different types of pads you will need after you have a baby. The first type of pad you will need are feminine pads. You likely will be bleeding for days after giving birth while you heal.

What is a non perishable food?

Non Perishable foods. Non perishable foods are cheap and easy to stockpile before baby comes. They also have a long shelf life so you do not have to worry about using them right away and expiring. Get foods that are ready to eat or require a small amount of prep.

What to stock up on for postpartum recovery?

Still, it might be a good idea to stock up on items like perineal spray, pads and a squirt bottle. These will be your lifesaver when you come home. 7.

What to stock up on for a quick meal?

Stock up on disposable items like: Large and small paper plates. Bowls. Cups (or better yet, use a water bottle for the day) Forks, knives and spoons. Napkins. 3. Kitchen staples. You won’t be spending too much time cooking, but you’ll need a few kitchen staples to throw together a quick meal or snack.

What to consider when stocking up on household items?

Here are a few things to consider as you stock up on household items: Make sure you don’t already have plenty of the item: As tempting as it is to stockpile everything, take an inventory of what you already have.

What to use for regular cleaning?

Stock up on items you use for regular cleaning like: Sponges. Multi-purpose cleaning spray ( Mrs. Meyers is my favorite) Rags or paper towels. Cleaning powder. Dishwasher soap. Laundry detergent (including baby detergent like Dreft) Sanitizing wipes. Trash bags of all sizes.

How to prepare for a baby?

From feeding ourselves to daily tasks, you also need to prepare the household ahead of time. Take household items. Before the baby, you likely follow a weekly routine of going to the grocery to stock up on toiletries and food. The pantry remains full, and the inconvenience of items running low isn’t a big deal.

Is it healthier to prepare freezer meals in advance?

Pre -made freezer meals: A healthier and less expensive option is to prepare freezer meals in advance. A list of favorite local take-out or delivery restaurants: Treat yourselves to restaurant meals you can quickly pick up or have delivered to your home. 5. Toiletries.

Is it okay to clean at the newborn stage?

The newborn stage isn’t the time to spend cleaning , but you’ll still need to take care of daily tasks you can’t ignore. Easy tasks that don’t take too long but would be impossible to leave unattended. Other times, it’s not the daily tasks, but the buildup of mess you need to clean.

What to do with a new baby?

Toiletries (Soap, Shampoo, Dry Shampoo ;), Body Wash, etc.) Even with a new baby you’ll need to find time to squeeze in a shower and not having your toiletry essentials can be a drag. Make sure you buy a few extras and throw them in the cabinet for later.

Can you wash plates as a new mom?

As a new mom, washing plates (or even emptying the dishwasher!) is a chore you probably don’t feel like doing. Grab a few extra disposable plates and utensils for when you want to make clean-up super easy.

Should I stock up on baby formula?

If you don’t plan to breastfeed, stocking up on baby formula is a good idea. Keep in mind that some baby’s may have a sensitive tummy so you might have to try a few different kinds first!

Can you skip stocking up on pads?

You DON’T want to skip stocking up on pads and other postpartum must haves for your recovery. I recommend preparing a postpartum basket like this one so you’re totally ready to go postpartum!

What to use for a newborn baby?

1. Toilet Paper. 2. Antibacterial Wipes. While I don’t use these all the time, they’re nice to have handy to wipe down countertops, door knobs, cell phones etc. Heavy traffic and germ areas need more attention when you have a newborn baby building an immune system. 3. Lactation Supplies.

What is the best way to wash newborn clothes?

Plastic Baggies. Plastic baggies are perfect for leftovers, or freezer meals. 7. Laundry Detergent Newborns have sensitive skin, so it is recommended newborns clothes are washed in a special laundry detergent, like Dreft. Stock up on baby detergent and regular detergent for your family.

How long after delivery does Libby have a baby shower?

In fact, I didn’t even have my baby shower until 38 weeks. Now that Libby is a toddler, a quick run to the store takes three times as a long. With a new baby the first few months after delivery feel much like a “fourth trimester.”. The inconsistency of sleep makes it hard to focus on much else other than taking care of your children.

How to stock your fridge with healthy snacks

Eggs. Eggs are one thing I always try to buy organic and pasture-raised, which means that the chickens were allowed to roam around in a pasture and eat food that’s actually good for them. The result is that the eggs taste way better with deep yellow yolks. It really makes a huge difference.

My must-have condiments

Homemade salad dressing and pesto. I love to have a good homemade salad dressing (like this to-die-for peanut dressing ) and pesto or chimichurri ready to go in the fridge—they keep for a couple of weeks at least and make dinner prep so much easier. Usually, I blend them up in the blender and then pour them into a mason jar.

In the vegetable drawer

Vegetables really are the backbone of our meals, so my veggie drawer is always loaded up with all kinds of variety and goodness. I try to prewash my veggies when I get home from the grocery store or farmer’s market as an advance prep step, but I admit, it doesn’t always happen.

Leftovers on the bottom

This bottom drawer is where I keep our leftovers—it’s nice to have them contained, because, let’s be honest, they’re usually not very pretty to look at. It’s a good idea to keep anything that could leak or drip on the very bottom of your fridge so that it doesn’t contaminate foods on the higher shelves.

How to soothe a baby when washing dishes?

For dishes: Strap your baby into a bouncy seat nearby while you load and unload the dishwasher. Or wear him in a carrier—some infants prefer motion, so he may find it soothing. For your "helper:" If you have an older child, keep a spray bottle on hand for him filled with water or a mild soap-and-water combo.

How to keep a baby safe at home?

1. Give your house a “safety exam.” Having a baby at home who can crawl into the kitchen and open cabinets full of toxic chemicals might seem like a lifetime away, but any parent will tell you it’s not. Babies become mobile practically overnight, and it’s easier to prepare now than when you’re sleep-deprived later. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, cleaning products (including laundry and dishwasher pods) and medication should always be stored out of sight and out of reach in securely locked cabinets. Use magnetic locks on cabinets that are not out of reach, says Darla DeMorrow, owner of HeartWork Organizing and author of Organizing Your Home with SORT and SUCCEED: “They work well on nearly every type, are easy to install, and don’t pinch your fingers.”

How to clean a fridge when it's empty?

So when your fridge is nearly empty (ideally before you go food shopping), give it a good cleaning. Work from top to bottom, and take everything out, tossing expired or unidentifiable food, says DeMorrow. Then wipe down the shelves with a warm sponge, scrubbing especially sticky spots with diluted white vinegar.

What is the best way to clean a newborn?

Once your newborn arrives, you might wonder why you bother to dress her, due to all the mess she so easily produces! Spit-up, formula, baby food, poop, and urine are all best treated with an enzymatic stain cleaner, which is formulated to break down stain and soil molecules.

How to organize your home for a baby?

RELATED: How to Organize Your Home for Baby. If you have firearms in your home, remove ammunition and lock it away in a place separate from the gun. Store those keys in a different area from where you keep your household keys. Finally, check or install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors . 2.

Can you carry a baby down stairs?

As much as you can, avoid toting your baby up and down stairs with other things. A 2012 study found that about 25 percent of injuries among babies younger than 1 occurred when they were being carried up or down a staircase. For dishes: Strap your baby into a bouncy seat nearby while you load and unload the dishwasher.

Can a baby be on liquid diet?

Make room in your fridge. Your baby may be on an all-liquid diet now, but you’ll still need to allocate some real estate to breast milk and formula, plus all those delicious casseroles that friends and family will bring over when they come to meet your mini me.