15 things to do before your first baby arrives

You've got the due date, you've got the excitement, and you've probably got a to-do list that keeps growing every time you open Instagram. Take a breath. As a newborn photographer (and mum of two), I've chatted with hundreds of expectant parents in my Bradford studio, and the same worries come up again and again. Here's the list I wish someone had handed me the first time round.

The practical stuff

1. Pack your hospital bag by 36 weeksBabies rarely check the calendar – the NHS hospital bag checklist is a good place to start. Pack one bag for you, one for baby, and a small one for your partner (snacks, phone charger, a change of clothes). Keep it by the front door.
2. Fit and practise the car seatDon't let the first time you fit it be in the hospital car park in the rain. Do a dry run – the NHS guide to choosing a baby car seat explains what to look for, and GOV.UK sets out the legal rules. If you're unsure, many retailers will check the fit for you.
3. Batch-cook and fill the freezerFuture you, one-handed and running on three hours' sleep, will be so grateful for a shepherd's pie that only needs the oven turning on. Aim for 10–15 portions.
4. Wash the newborn clothesEverything for the first few weeks – vests, sleepsuits, hats, blankets – washed in a gentle, non-bio detergent and ready to go.
5. Set up a nappy station on each floor, and read up on safe sleepNappies, wipes, cream, a change of clothes and a muslin. Trust me, you won't want to go upstairs every time. The Lullaby Trust has clear, simple guidance on setting up a safe sleep space.
6. Sort the boring adminRegister with a nursery waiting list if you'll need one, check your maternity pay and leave dates on GOV.UK, and put the midwife and health visitor numbers somewhere easy to find.

The sanity-saving stuff

7. Write your "village" listWho can drop round a meal? Who'll walk the dog? Who's good at just sitting with you while you cry at an advert? Write the names down now, because you won't remember when you're in the thick of it.
8. Agree the visitor rulesTalk to your partner about how many visitors you want in the first two weeks, and how long they can stay. It's much easier to set the boundary now than at the front door.
9. Learn the basics of feeding, whichever way you goA short breastfeeding class, or a practice run sterilising and making up bottles, takes the panic out of that first night at home. The NHS breastfeeding pages are honest and reassuring about the first few days.
10. Have the "who does what" conversationNight feeds, nappies, cooking, laundry. It doesn't have to be a spreadsheet – just make sure you're not both assuming the other one has it covered.
11. Do something just for youA haircut, a massage, a long lunch with a friend, an afternoon in the bath with a book. Book it in like an appointment.

The things you'll be glad you did

12. Book your newborn photographer nowThis is the one people leave too late. Newborn sessions are best done in the first 5–14 days, when babies are sleepy and curly, and good photographers book up months ahead. I take a small number of due dates each month so I can fit you in around baby's actual arrival, not the other way round.
13. Book your maternity photos for around 30–34 weeksYour bump is beautifully round, you're still comfortable enough to enjoy it, and you'll have these images forever. (If you're reading this at 38 weeks – it's not too late, message me.)
14. Write a letter to your babyJust a page. How you feel right now, what you're hoping for, what's making you laugh. Pop it in the memory box – it'll mean the world to both of you one day.
15. Take the photos of your home as it is nowThe nursery before it's chaos, the quiet living room, the two of you on the sofa. Everything is about to change, in the best way, and you'll love looking back at the "before".

Heather x