First time mommy...help!

[angeleyez1016]

I am 18 weeks pregnant and this is my first baby. I feel like I should being doing so much to prepare and learn about what I needed to do or have before the baby comes. I don't have a clue where to start or what to do. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know...blogs, articles,  books anything!  Thank you.

[douglasmom2015]

Talk to your doctor I'm a ftm they have helped me a lot and gave me parenting books, breastfeeding books, and depending on where you get your prenatal care from they have classes you can take teaching you everything. I had a midwife now I just have a doctor. I liked midwife better

[Lee86lee]

See if ur hospital offer parenting classes they are tremendous help. I had my son at 21 and I went and it was very informative. Now I'm 29 pregnant with my second child. It feels like I'm starting over but I know what to do now.

[Leabellallee]

My advice would be to learn to swaddle, learn the car seat swaddle, practice adjusting your car seat straps, putting car seat in & out of the stroller & car, master the stroller fold, do a run through of putting on a diaper, try on your infant carrier and play around with adjusting, and other little things like that. It might seem silly practicing with a stuffed animal or adjusting an empty car seat, but it will feel like you know what you're doing when you swaddle that baby in its car seat & load her in the car while the nurses look over your shoulder.

[angeleyez1016]

Thank you so much!  That helps alot! :)

[TeganJ]

I'm a ftm as well and I felt the same way. As the weeks have progressed I've definitely started to become more at ease. I signed up for a 4 week (1 day a week) birth and baby preparedness class at my hospital, I start it this week.

[starresky]

Congrats to you... Let me start off by saying breath it's no need to worry, enjoy this journey you have embarked on... What to expect when expecting is a really good book to read as you go thru the different stages of your pregnancy... As far as what to get, you need a bed and should decide between a crib or pack n play... To me they both have great benefits... If you decide on a crib I would recommend getting a converter crib so the baby grows up with the bed and you don't have to keep buying a new bed as they grow older... If you decide on a pack n play those are also great because a lot of them come with changing tables and a little bassinet that sits on top so it will be easier to get to baby as they are so small... Some people get both... When you get a car seat I would suggest the car seat baby stroller combo... It's saved you money and it helps a lot just taking the car seat and snapping it into place with the stroller... Make sure you get plenty of diapers if you are planning to use them... Sizes 1 and up should do... You won't need to many newborn diapers only cause baby grows so fast... That just a few of my suggestion, good luck and congrats again...