Seeking Pregnancy Checklist Website

Updated on April 14, 2008
S.P. asks from Chicago, IL
50 answers

I am wondering if anyone knows of a pregnancy/prepare for baby checklist website that has been useful to them in getting ready for baby? I loved using the checklists for weddings at theknot.com, and am really hoping there is something out there like that for babies. It would be so helpful to get an idea of how much needs to be taken care of before baby arrives. Thanks for sharing!

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H.K.

answers from Chicago on

I really liked BabyCenter.com. They even have emails that go out weekly - although I preferred the weekly email from AmericanBaby.com because it compared the size of the baby to the size of real objects so I got a better idea of the growing little person inside of me!

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R.B.

answers from Chicago on

Congrats! "What to expect when you're expecting" is an excellent book. Also, the books continue as the children get older("What to Expect the First Year", "What To Expect the Toddler Years" and so on..Have Fun:)

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A.G.

answers from Chicago on

Definitely www.babycenter.com . I am 34 weeks with my second and love the weekly email updates. They tell you what you should expect each week, how the baby's growing, what to prepare for and all sorts of great things. Even though I received these emails with my first, you can't possibly remember everything so right now it's a welcome refresher for things I had forgotten about.

Good luck!

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J.R.

answers from Chicago on

I second the recommendation of babycenter.com! It also has some cool information on the development of your baby, which is always exciting.

I would definitely also second the advice about asking moms here what products they did and did not like. I hated my diaper genie too!! Diapers STINK! and i found it easier to just throw them in a jewel/grocery bag throughout the day and put them in the nightly trash to go outside.

There are so many products marketed that are just a waste of hard earned money... some of us moms could give you lots of advice on items that worked for us, and what we liked about them so that you could make your own informed decisions.

babiesrus also does have a checklist, but i have to say... you probably won't need half the stuff on it.

You might want to poll the moms too on what they brought to the hospital for their labor and what they should have just left at home.

Congrats on your first baby!! I have 4 and I'm done now, but I have such fond memories of my pregnancies. Hope you are able to enjoy yours too :)

~J.~

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T.K.

answers from Chicago on

I am 32 weeks along with my first little bundle of joy and have found many websites that are extremely helpful. Babycenter.com is great, as has already been mentioned. I especially love their weekly e-mail updates! If you haven't signed up on that website yet, I would recommend that you do so. Parents.com is also a valuable resource. It has lists for what to pack for the hospital, what to register for and much, much more. I can get lost for hours on that website! If you are just looking for a bare necessities list, the best one I've found is on consumerreports.org (search for newborn necessities). You can also see some of their reviews of different products and which products they think are just not necessary. Congratulations and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!

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J.B.

answers from Chicago on

pregnancyweekly.com and babycenter.com were my favorites! They even continue sending stuff about the development of your baby after they are born! Congrats!

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T.A.

answers from Chicago on

Congrats S.!! I have a 21mo. old & I'm 11 wks. along w/ #2. I used Babycenter.com too. I also bought the book "what to expect when you're expecting." It was very helpful & answered a lot of my questions. I also highly recommend "the pregnancy journal, a day-to-day guide to a healthy & happy pregnancy" by A. Christine Harris, Ph.D. It's great, ane tells you what is happening to your baby every day before he is born, & it gives you healthy eating tips. It is very, very valuable, I'm using it for my 2nd. Here are a few pointers off the top of my head:

1. Some cribs are too wide to accept any mobiles. If you want a mobile, make sure it will fit on your crib b/4 you buy it.
2. Hospitals rent breast pumps, and this may be cheaper than buying one. If you buy one, buy a good one (& not hand pump!). If you can borrow one from a friend, that's even better!!!
3. Don't get a diaper warmer, bottle warmer, or drying rack for bottles. They're all useless.
4. Definitely take a mom friend w/ you to register. We did & it saved a lot of time!!!!
5. Take a lamaze class, & if no one tells you, know that labor contractions can feel like really bad menstrual cramps (no one told me this so I wasn't sure that I was in labor!).
6. If you're going to breastfeed, keep a breastfeeding journal. It was a lifesaver for us!!!
7. You really don't need to register for a million receiving blankets (we have too many blankets that we never used!!).

Ok, I'll stop now. Good luck!

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A.M.

answers from Chicago on

I'm a big list fan. Babycenter.com has everything I ever wanted to know for my single & twin pregnancies - including tons of checklists. Just enter "baby checklist" or "checklist" in the search box and you'll get more checklists (from basic preparation to childproofing to first aid supplies/medicine to packing & travel) than you've ever thought of on your own :) I still use the site now for a reference as they all grow up. I entered my due dates and got pregnancy tracking info...and they're still tracking my kids ages and giving me appropriate information for each one to this day. I love the site and have been using it for over 6 years. Enjoy your pregnancy, but don't get so caught up in gadgets and lists that you forget to enjoy your little person :)

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S.L.

answers from Champaign on

I found a lot of good information on Babyzone.com. It would send me information every week about what I could be experiencing - as was as checklist for what you need for the baby when it comes, questions your might have, etc. I also found a lot of help with what to expect when your expecting..they also have a checklist for what items you need to have. Congratulations & enjoy.

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M.G.

answers from Chicago on

I know it's not on the internet, but BabiesRUS has a great check list for registering. I'm sure they will give you the sheet! I had twins and that is what I went from....hope that helps

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A.C.

answers from Chicago on

Susuan,
Congrats!!! If you have a Babies R US by you I would recommend them for all things needed in the home. And I got a really check list from a vendor thing I got at the doctors office. And a book called what to expect when your expecting is awesome. If you have more questions on essentials pleease feel free to ask or write back. Only a mom of a 6 week old now!
A.

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J.M.

answers from Chicago on

Congrats S.! If you're planning on registering, I would highly recommend bringing a mom-friend along. I did this when I was expecting my first and had a list of recommended things (from various sources like Babies R Us and Babycenter.) My friend had 2 kids with a 3rd on the way (and is actually delivering her 4th this afternoon!!) was a tremendous help. She would say, You need two of those, skip that, it's worthless, this is a nice luxury to have, etc. I found she was right on about 99 percent of it!! It made things go by quickly and was quite fun.

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A.N.

answers from Chicago on

Wow, you've gotten a lot of feedback!
I used the checklists on www.newparent.com. There was a 'baby checklist' and a 'mom and baby's bag checklist' that I found helpful (for baby #3!)
Good luck & enjoy each day that miracle grows inside of you!!

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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

Congrats! I hope pregnancy is going well, I loved being pregnant. As for the checklist, not sure of any good websites off hand but one thing you should try and prepare in advance is pick a girl/boy birth announcement out in advance so you save time later (after the baby is born) from having to pick one. I also had my birth announcement labels all typed up in advance so I knew who I was sending announcements to. It made it easier when the baby was born to be organized. I also bought all my thank you notes in advance so I was ready when people gave me gifts for the baby, I had the note all ready to send out, just had to write it out. Be sure to have a coming home outfit for the baby. Consider buying preemie and newborn sizes. My son was 6 lbs 11 oz when born and none of the newborn stuff fit him. My husband had to run and get a preemie outfit for him before our son came home from the hospital.
Hope these tips help you. I know that the night I started having contractions, I was so organized and prepared for labor that it made everything stress free and an easy delievery just because I knew I was "ready" to go, organized and prepared.
Best of Luck!

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J.G.

answers from Chicago on

Check out www.babycenter.com!! I think you'll love it!

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S.M.

answers from Chicago on

Babies R Us has a great one that they give when you go to register.

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L.A.

answers from Chicago on

Hi, S....congratulations. It's not a website, but I found the book, Baby Bargains, extremely helpful. It is a well-organized, exhaustive list of all categories of baby products. They do a great job of reviewing items and telling expectant parents what they do/do not need. Also, they give a "best of" in each category: expensive, middle-of-the-road, bargain. Good luck!

One list to stay away from: Babies-R-US - they suggest way too many things you and your baby just don't need. I would get the minimum and then add things as you go along. For example, we didn't assume our baby needed a bouncer and a swing and an exersaucer until the baby was born. Actually, we ended up with all of them, as gifts, but my example is that those things aren't mandatory and you might want to see what your baby likes/prefers. Some kids don't like bouncy seats while others love them.

L.,
Chicago

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J.F.

answers from Chicago on

just remember all those sites are well and good but there is alot to be said for common sense and advise from older mom's. One of the checklists I had woth my first daughter said all you needed was 3 or 4 little onesies. The truth was that only lasted one day. Thankfully I had been given more than that for my babyshower and I had common sense. Watch out for those lists and fill them in or pare them down as you will. Also, alot of the sites that are sponsered by retailers will tell you you need everything they sell.

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L.N.

answers from Chicago on

babycenter.com is a website I liked for all three of my pregnancies. It will also send you a weekly email update of how your baby is growing and show you pictures of each month's development -- even after the baby is born.

Congratulations!!

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W.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

With all 3 of my pregnancies I was a member of ivillage. They have "expecting clubs" for each different month where all mommies due in the same month as you can post questions or whatever. It was a lot of fun and I learned many times that what I was going through was normal. Here is the link to the expecting clubs, just choose the month you are due and join. Good luck and congrats!

http://parenting.ivillage.com/messageboards

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J.J.

answers from Chicago on

Try pregnancyweekly.com

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K.S.

answers from Chicago on

The "What to expect" website has a couple of checklists that I used. Also a great countdown website is baby-gaga.com They send you a weekly email on your pregnancy..with a little added humor! Congrats on your little one!!

L.L.

answers from Chicago on

I agree BabiesRUs has a good one. :)

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A.P.

answers from Chicago on

pregnancyweekly.com is great. get a babyinabag right away. your baby will sleep great! congrats and good luck ;-)
ps: if not breastfeeding, try giving baby cold formula-it works for us. she can't handle warm formula and this way all of the bubbles are gone after a few hours in the fridge! we never have gas pain problems...ever!

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R.M.

answers from Chicago on

First, sleep as much as you can NOW!! Try the website that goes along with the book series, what to expect while your expecting...
www.whattoexpect.com
Congrats and Good Luck and take TONS of newborn pictures! As you've probably been told, they change SO quickly and grow so fast, you'll be happy to have those first moments captured forever.
Oh btw, I'm not sure about this one for pregnancy/baby list but try chartjungle.com, they have some useful charts!

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L.A.

answers from Chicago on

www.babycenter.com

Good Luck!

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M.O.

answers from Chicago on

I know we found Babycenter.com very helpful. Not only did they have great info, they also send you developmental e-mails each month to let you know what the fetus/newborn is doing growthwise, developmentally, etc. My father-in-law signed up for this to know what his new grandchild could do!

Also, make sure you sign up for Enfamil, Carnation and Similac offers on their websites once your baby is born. You never know what formula you might use, they send free samples and coupons. VERY useful for trading online with other moms...once you know what formula you like, you trade your other coupons for ones you need. Yahoo has great groups for this.

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E.B.

answers from Chicago on

I haven't read the rest of the responses, but I would say the first thing to put on your checklist is get as much sleep now as you can :) Then, buy "Baby Bargains." It's like Consumer Reports for baby gear and it was really helpful for me when I was registering for shower gifts with our first baby. Check out babycenter.com as well. Good luck and congrats!

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T.K.

answers from Chicago on

You could also ask some mothers on here of the things they needed and did not need. I for one really wanted a diaper geanie, this has been the worst thing I ever had Diapers stink. Good luck and congrats!

**addition** when we went to the tour of the hospital it was recommended that you don't wear a nice and fancy gown at all while you are there, she said it will get messy and why would you want to mess something new and pretty up, let them do the laundry. This was true.

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H.E.

answers from Chicago on

I think babiesrus.com used to have one but I haven't been there in while!

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A.D.

answers from Chicago on

Im not sure of a website but, the book What to expect when your expecting is awesome, it walks you through month to month and there are all other kinds of great things they talk about in the book also! Congrats on baby and hope this helps some.

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D.P.

answers from Chicago on

S.-

One website that was a lifesaver when I was pregnant with my first was www.babycenter.com. They do have sections that give you lists of what to prepare for baby, checklists for what to bring to the hospital, etc. Another website I visited A LOT was www.ivillage.com. Hope this helps...congrats! : )

-D.

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M.S.

answers from Chicago on

Congratulations on your pregnancy and new little blessing! I recommend the mother of all registries- Babies R' Us!

http://www.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=2964381

Beware ALL the stuff you really don't need and won't use. LOL

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H.G.

answers from Chicago on

www.babycenter.com
www.babyzone.com

Both of these sites (particularly the first one) were WONDERFUL during my pregnancy.

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L.W.

answers from Chicago on

Do you know about www.thenestbaby.com? You could probably find a checklist on there too. If you used the messageboards on The Knot, The Nest Baby has them also. Great advice and support for moms and moms-to-be.

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J.A.

answers from Chicago on

Babies'r Us is decent, some stuff isn't necessary, they just want you to buy more stuff. The book, "What to Expect When Your Expecting" is good and the "Baby Bargains" book fills you in on what really is important, such as features and brands when selecting things for the layette and room. I believe it gets updated every 2-3 years with new product info. Both of these helped me. As far as websites, www.americanbaby.com is good as well as www.parentsmagazine.com too. Good luck!

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M.

answers from Chicago on

AmericanBaby.com is a great free site that has all kinds for things. Checklists, daily growth emails. I loved having it when I was pregnant with my first. I used it into her first year too. Good Luck!

M.

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K.M.

answers from Chicago on

Congratulations!
Be careful with the lists. I found there was a lot of unnecessary stuff on them. I brought way too much to the hospital that I didn't even end up using.
The best thing to do is just get the necessities and have them ready for baby at home. After the baby shower you can see what you need. Don't open/set up all your gifts from the shower unless you know FOR SURE you will use a particular item. I bought a mobile for my daughter and it was a big waste of money. I also found that she had too many toys and too many clothes. Keep tags on stuff that you get as gifts and use as needed. That way you can return stuff for a bigger size later. I also agree with the others for bringing a mom with you to register.
Anyway, babycenter.com was the best. Make sure you subscribe to get the weekly emails that tell you what your baby is doing and how he/she is growing inside you. It was so neat.

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T.J.

answers from Chicago on

I used storknet.com and babycenter.com- both were really good. Have fun and enjoy every little change you go through- it's wonderful.

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D.B.

answers from Decatur on

I liked babycenter.com

Congratulations!!!!! And good luck!!!

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M.K.

answers from Chicago on

The nest baby was definitely a wonderful resource for me. There are all types of lists, recommendations, etc. and they have a Board for expectant mothers, babies 0-6 months etc so you can ask all the questions you want of moms going through the same thing or moms who just went through it.

My recommendation: sleepers with ZIPPERS! snaps are a pain in the middle of the night!

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K.M.

answers from Chicago on

American Baby is a great resource. try that web site - you may probablly really like it. i used it alot for my first child - which was 2 years ago. and i used it again for my second who was born in janurary. i found it very helpful.

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A.K.

answers from Chicago on

Babycenter.com is awesome! It tells you everything you need to know with weekly updates before and after you have the baby. I'm not sure if they have a "checklist" but they have everything else! It will even tell you when your due date is. Good Luck!

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V.L.

answers from Chicago on

babycenter.com is great even after your baby is born
Good luck!

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J.C.

answers from Chicago on

Hi...first congrats on having your first little one. I am also expecting my first little one in a few weeks. I don't think I have seen a true "getting ready for baby" checklist, like a checklist for planning a wedding, for example on knot.com. But if you go to Babycenter.com or Ivillage.com, both have topics on pregnancy and you check your week-by-week progress throughout your pregnancy. It will tell you what is going on with you and your baby, and sometimes tell you what is a good thing to start doing at that time. You also may want to ask your OB about a checklist...maybe he/she has one or the hospital you plan on delivery at has one. I know too that you can also ask you dr. for a "what to pack in your labor bag" when that time gets closer...or even the websites above will have that list.

Hope this is helpful. Remember your friends who have had kids and your OB are two great resources!! Good luck!!

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A.O.

answers from Chicago on

I too love checklists. I don't know what I would do with out them. In addition to the great sites listed in the other comments, I recommend "The Essential Pregnancy Organizer: 40 weeks +". I brought this with me to all my doctor appointments, used it to interview doctors, dulas, and care givers. Another helpful feature was the checklist for what should be done each month. I still use it at my 15 month old twins doctor appointments (although I'm just about out of room). Here is the site, you can also find it at Amazon and I'm sure other stores. www.essentialorganizers.com
Congratulations and Good Luck!

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