Introduction
The second trimester is a good time to start getting your home and yourself ready for your baby’s arrival.
On this page, you’ll find questions to ask yourself as you think ahead about the kind of birth experience that you want. You’ll also find a list of baby supplies and things to think about before buying them.
Planning ahead
- Storing your baby’s cord blood
- Circumcision
- Parental leave
In this Section:
Prenatal classes
Now is the time to book your prenatal class!
Visit ahs.ca/prenatal to find a list of the classes available in your area.
Storing your baby’s cord blood
Some parents may choose to store blood from their baby’s umbilical cord. The cord blood is full of cells called stem cells. These cells have an important role in helping the immune system fight disease. Stem cells can help children who have weak immune systems and can also be used to treat certain diseases, like leukemia or other health conditions.
Talk with your health care provider at the beginning of your second trimester if you want to collect and store cord blood, as birth centres do not routinely collect cord blood for storage. There is likely a cost involved if you want to store your cord blood.
To learn more about cord blood, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca – Should I Bank My Baby’s Umbilical Cord Blood?
Circumcision
Circumcision is when the foreskin (a fold of skin that covers and protects the rounded tip of the penis) of the penis is removed. Circumcision is not routinely recommended for all newborn males, but there may be benefits for some. Your baby must be stable and healthy to be circumcised. It may be done at your health care provider’s office or at your birth centre. There is a cost involved. You may decide to circumcise your baby for personal, religious or cultural reasons. You’ll need to make a decision based on your own values, while also knowing the benefits and risks.
To learn more about circumcision, talk with your health care provider, or visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca – Circumcision.
Parental leave
If you’re employed, check your company’s policy on parental leave. To learn more about employment standards in Alberta call toll-free at 1-877-427-3731 or visit Government of Alberta – Maternity and Parental Leave.
To learn more about the federal employment insurance parental benefits call toll-free at 1-800-206-7218 (TTY: 1-800-529-3742), or visit Government of Canada – Employment Insurance Benefits and Leave.
Your birth wishes
It’s a good idea to think ahead and talk about the kind of birth experience you want with your labour support person. This will also help you work together with your health care providers.
Think about the things you want and do not want to be a part of your baby’s birth and first few hours. You may want to write these down for yourself (download our fillable PDF), and also talk about them with your health care provider. If you do not want to write your birth wishes down, you can talk with the health care providers at your birth centre when you’re admitted.
By talking with your health care provider at your prenatal appointments, you can make sure that your wishes fit with the birth centre’s policies and make sure that what you’re hoping for is possible. When you go to the birth centre, take your birth wishes with you. Show them to the health care providers so you can talk about them together.
Keep in mind that every birth is different and the birth of your baby may not turn out exactly as you’d hoped. Try to be flexible in case things change. Sometimes plans change for medical reasons or sometimes you may change your mind and want something else—remember that the goal is a safe birth for both you and your baby. Your health care providers will discuss any changes in plans for medical reasons with you as they happen.
For information to help you make your birth wishes see Labour and Birth and Breastfeeding.
Things to think about for your birth wishes
- Who will be your labour support person?
- Who else do you want to have with you during labour or as a backup?
- What positions would you like to try during labour? It helps to have a few positions in mind.
- In what position would you like to give birth?
- What are your thoughts on handling labour pain? What’s your first choice on handling labour pain? What’s your second choice?
- Will you be breastfeeding immediately after your baby is born?
- Who do you want to cut the umbilical cord?
- What traditions from your community, if any, would you like to follow?
- Would you, your baby and your labour support person like a few minutes alone right after the birth, if possible?
Baby supplies
- Things to think about
- Clothing
- Cloth and disposable diapers
- Bathing and body care supplies
- Cribs, cradles and bassinets
- Playpens
- Car seats
- Other supplies
- Breastfeeding bras
In this Section:
Things to think about
Babies do not need many supplies (download our supply checklist for newborns). They grow quickly and move through developmental stages quickly, so think about buying only a few things at first, then buy more as you need them.
Here are some things to think about before buying supplies:
- Do you know anyone who just had a baby? Would they give, lend or sell you supplies?
- If you use second-hand items, like cribs or toys, sanitize them with a solution of 2 ml (½ tsp) of household bleach in 1 L (4 cups) of water before using them. For stuffed toys, add them to your laundry.
- If you buy new or use second-hand clothes or bedding, wash them before using.
- Watch for sales. Baby items go on sale at least once a season. You may not want to buy too many clothes too far ahead—babies grow at different rates and it can be hard to predict the clothing sizes you’ll need for each season of the year.
Older equipment may not meet today’s safety regulations. Find safety information and learn more about shopping for second-hand supplies.
Baby walkers are not safe
Do not use baby walkers—they’re not safe and have been banned in Canada since 2004.
Clothing
When buying clothing, look for clothes:
- That you can machine wash and dry
- That are easy to put on and take off—front openings are better than back openings
- Without buttons, drawstrings, ties or other decorative items sewn on—they are not safe as they can cause choking
- That are nylon or polyester—they do not catch fire as easily as cotton and cotton-blend fabrics. If you choose cotton and cotton-blend, make sure the sleepwear fits well, as loose clothing is more likely to catch fire.
How many of each item do you need for your baby? (download our Supply Checklist for a Newborn)
- 3–8 snap-front undershirts
- 3–8 sleepers
- 2 sweaters
- 3–8 bibs
- 1 toque and sunhat for outdoors, depending on the season
- 6 receiving blankets
- 1 pair booties or socks
- 1 one-piece snowsuit with legs for the winter months
- 2–4 fitted crib sheets
- 3–4 lightweight blankets that can be tucked firmly under all 3 sides of the mattress
Baby clothes
Do not put clothes on your baby that are too big—they can ride up around your baby’s neck and can choke or smother your baby.
Cloth and disposable diapers
You’ll need to decide if you want to use cloth or disposable diapers—each has its pros and cons. You may even decide to use both. When deciding which kind of diapers to use, think about the cost, convenience and what works for your family. Your newborn will use at least 10 diapers a day.
Cloth diapers
- come in many styles
- are fastened with pins, Velcro® or snaps
- are reusable—need to be washed in very hot water or on a sanitation cycle
- may be rented from a diaper service, made or bought
- may need to be covered with plastic pants (diaper covers)
Disposable diapers
- come in many styles
- may be fastened by sticky tabs
- are not reusable and may not be biodegradable
- need to be bought
- do not need plastic pants to cover the diaper
Bathing and body care supplies
Here are some basic bathing and body care supplies you’ll need:
- mild, unscented soap and shampoo
- soft brush
- towels and washcloths
- emery board—not nail clippers
- plastic baby bathtub
Cribs, cradles and bassinets
Babies spend a lot of time sleeping. The safest place for them to sleep is on their back on a firm, flat, uncluttered surface. This will help reduce their risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and prevent other sleep-related injuries and death.
It’s safest to have your newborn sleep in your room with you in their own crib, cradle or bassinet (room-sharing) for at least the first 6 months. Learn more about cribs, cradles and bassinets.
Playpens
Playpens are for supervised play, and not meant for unsupervised sleep. They do not have the same safety standards as cribs, cradles or bassinets. Learn more about playpens.
Standards and recalls
To learn more about crib, cradle, bassinet and playpen standards and recalls, visit the Government of Canada – Cribs, cradles and bassinets.
Car seats
You’ll need a car seat to bring your baby home from the birth centre. If your baby will be travelling in a car, van or truck, they must be in a car seat—it’s the law. It’s also the only safe way for your baby to travel in a vehicle. You can buy the car seat early and practice putting it in your car.
Your child is safest in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight or height limit of the rear-facing seat recommended by the manufacturer. Always refer to the car seat user manual for the maximum weight and height limits of your child’s particular car seat, and to your vehicle manual for installation instructions. Some car seats are designed for rear-facing use up to 18 kg (40 lbs) or more. Rear-facing car seats that have higher weight and height limits are preferred and will keep your child safer.
To learn more about rear-facing car seats and to find the Infant seat: How to keep your child safe in the car and Rear-facing seat: How to keep your child safe in the car printable resources, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca:
For translated car seat information, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca – Car Seats and Child Passenger Safety Translated Resources
Winter clothing and car seats
Dress your child so they are snug in the harness. Use thin, warm layers like fleece or a light snowsuit. You can add a blanket over top of the harness.
Buying a new car seat from a Canadian store is the safest choice for your baby. If you buy or borrow a used car seat, make sure:
- it’s not past its expiry date
- it comes with instructions and has a sticker with the model number and date of manufacture
- you know the history of the seat. Do not buy or use a car seat if it was in a motor vehicle collision.
- it’s in good condition with no worn, loose or broken parts
Register your new car seat with the manufacturer after buying it. If you have an older car seat, contact the manufacturer to check for recalls or replace lost instructions. Car seats made prior to January 1, 2012 should not be used because they may not meet today’s safety standards.
To learn more about car seats and recalls, call Transport Canada toll-free at 1-800-333-0510. To learn more about buying car seats and recalls, visit:
- Government of Canada – Car Seat Safety
- MyHealth.Alberta.ca – Tips for Buying a Car Seat or Booster Seat
Other supplies
There are a few other supplies you may find handy:
- breastfeeding bras—buy them a month or less before your baby’s due date to make sure they fit
- cotton breast pads
- laundry hamper
- diaper pail with lid
- digital thermometer—for use under the arm. An ear thermometer is only for children over 2 years of age.
- cloth baby carrier, sling or a stroller that meets today’s safety standards
Learn more about baby and child carriers.
For information on strollers, visit Government of Canada – Stroller and Carriage Safety.
Breast pumps
You do not need to buy or rent a breast pump before you’ve had your baby. You may find that expressing your milk by hand works well for you. If you need a breast pump after your baby is born, talk to your health care provider.
Breastfeeding bras
Many parents may want to wear a nursing bra while breastfeeding, as their breasts are larger and they may feel more comfortable with extra support. Others prefer not to wear a bra at all. This is a personal choice, based on your comfort. If you choose to buy a nursing bra:
- Wait until a month or less before your baby’s due date to buy your nursing bra. If you buy it too early, it may not fit you when you need it.
- Shop where you can get help with measurement and selection. It’s hard to properly fit a bra yourself.
- Buy bras that fit comfortably on the last or second-last hook. This allows for a smaller fit after birth when your rib cage size returns to normal.
- The cup size should let you add breast pads without becoming too tight. A bra that’s too tight can decrease your breastmilk supply.
- Seams should not press into your breast. Pressure can lead to blocked ducts. Do not wear underwire bras.
- Different bras have different features. Bras that are 100% cotton will breathe better but may shrink when washed. Bras with spandex may offer more stretch when breasts are full, but may not offer enough support for some parents with larger breasts.
“You have so many questions when you’re pregnant and it’s so nice to talk to other women. My best support came from my baby group. It just was so nice to have people to talk to who were feeling the same things I was feeling and the same pains and wasn’t sick of listening to me talk about the topics that were crucial to me at that point. You need someone in your life who understands you in this important time.”
~Trish, expectant mom