Your Preparing for Baby Checklist

Few women who've done it would say that giving birth is easy. But preparing the way helps. Here are some last-minute tips to get ready for your big day.

David Hamsley

1 of 13

Install the Car Seat

The one absolutely essential piece of baby gear is your car seat. Most hospitals won't let baby leave unless you've got one. If you're driving your own car, go ahead and put the seat in now, so you have plenty of time to make sure it's installed correctly. If you'll be taking a taxi, practice installing it in a car once or twice to familiarize yourself with the seat.

Our Favorite Car Seats for Babies & Toddlers

What do you think of this story? Tell Us.

1 of 13

Related Videos

Packing The Bag

What will you need to pack for your hospital stay ...

Baby's First Week

Baby's First Week: Essential Care Tips on Tricky S...

Bringing Baby Home

Dr. Georgia Witkin holds a round table discussion ...

Parents Are Talking

Comments (2)

eveningsdove1 wrote:

LOL I thought you were going elsewhere with that. Most hospitals have the parents bring the car seat up and put baby in when they go out, so don't hook it in . But in regards to sharkgirlloveschewbacca's post...LOL if they got into an accident with the car seat... I would be a bit more worried about the people IN the car... perhaps even the pregnant mommy. But that's alright. It's a good reason too.

12/20/2011 02:48:29 PM Report Abuse

sharkgirlloveschewbacca wrote:

Uh, DON'T put the carseat in before you go into labor! Practice in the meantime but install it when you are going home. If you install it too early, and get into an accident, then you just lost a carseat! Logic people!

1/10/2011 10:57:29 AM Report Abuse