1st time mom questions

Okay ladies, I know there is plenty of experience out there.  I am a very big planner...so I have until April to get a few things crossed off my list and wanted to see the "when" you did everything questions....any insight would be helpful:
1) When did you start looking into breast feeding classes?  How far in advance did you have to book the class?
2) When did you do a walkthrough of the hospital that you expect to deliever at?
3) Daycare...when did you tour?  How far in advance did you make the decisions on the where to go?

Anything I am missing????

Thanks in advance-Stacey

I didn't do any breastfeeding classes or birthing classes.  I did successfully breastfeed for almost 6 months.  I think it is a personal preference.

I did my walk through when I was like 4 months along.  Don't get too pregnant and uncomfortable before you go, it isn't fun walking or standing around with a large baby belly.  Some women do two visits, because you may forget some things the first time around.  So, give yourself plenty of time.

Luckily, I didn't have to worry about day care.  My cousin watches Libby.  Sorry I can't help you there.

Thanks, I am 24 weeks now,  sounds like it's def not to early....going for my monthly check up today, so going to find out how to schedule one....thanks again!

Stacey- I am a frist time Mom to be as well..but just wanted to say that I started calling Daycares the last few weeks and all the at-home type that I wanted to send my little one to don't have any openings even in August, so calling ahead is good. I am touring two that I found at the end of January. I also am signed up for lamaze- which covers breastfeeding, labor and delivery for March- I signed up last month.

In my area they do a walk through of the hosptial in the 7th or 8th month...

So this is the info for my area (Maine)...hope it helps a little

Day care is on the top of my list...husband thinks I may be over reacting to calling now...but I want to have some choices, so thanks for the advice!  Stacey

1. Never took breastfeeding class, couldn't breastfeed because of my implants.

2. Never did a walk through, had friends/family who had babies at the hospital I use and my mom works there so there was no need.

3. I only called one daycare and its the one I still use now. It is a home daycare and I called in December 2007, she said she would have a baby opening for June 08 so I signed the contract in Feb 08. I had Nylah April 4th, 2008 and she started daycare June 23rd. My daycare provider also held a spot for DD#2 the whole time I was pregnant and then my maternity leave too. Now they both go and we love her. So its not too early, believe me my provider says people are always calling for newborn spots, its hard to get them because most states say home daycare can only have 2 under age 2.

Hope this helps

I suggest taking the breastfeeding class early in your 3rd trimester.   I think I was about 28 weeks when I took mine.  I didn't want to be very pregnant and try to sit through a class in an uncomfortable chair

I think I was about 34-35 weeks pregnant when we went on a tour of the hospital.

I started calling daycares early in my second trimester.  Some have long waiting lists.   I think I started touring early in the 3rd trimester (There wasn't a long waiting list).   I think I had her enrollled in daycare by December and she wasn't due until the end of Feb.    As it turned out my Aunt keeps her and we didn't need day care, but it was big concern of mine to make sure we had a place for her to go before she was born.  

Amy

Daycare... start looking now so you can decide what kind you want (in-home vs center) and get on the infant wait list.  You really don't want to be shut out of your top choice because you waited too long.  Having quality care that you trust is going to make going back to work a LOT easier.  Also, once you've narrowed it down, you can do a few drop ins at unannounced times to see how things "really" work.  Good luck!
-Donna