Preparing for a New Baby in Richmond, VA: A Local Guide

Whether you’re a seasoned pro with a clan of little ones at home or a first-timer counting down the days, preparing for a new baby can feel like a lot.

Being a mom myself, I’ve learned there are things that really do make those first few weeks easier and plenty of things you probably don’t need to stress about.

Here are some of my favorite ways to prepare while you’re still pregnant, plus a few local resources I’ve found along the way.

1. Set Up a Nursery That Actually Works for You

Let’s chat nurseries.

Before worrying about a theme or what it looks like, start with functionality. You need somewhere safe for baby to sleep, a place for diaper changes, and a comfortable spot for those late-night feedings.

Then make it yours. If you love an ocean theme, go for it. If you’d rather choose a few colors you love and call it a day, that works too.

And if you don’t plan to have a nursery until your baby is older, that’s okay too. You can always come back to it later.

A few local baby shops to check out:

• 1Z 2Z 3Z Baby & Toddler Boutique — Located on Libbie Avenue in Richmond’s Near West End, with baby clothing, toys, books, gifts and nursery items.
• Clover — Located in Carytown, with secondhand children’s and maternity clothing plus baby goods, toys and gifts.
• Milby’s Just Kids — Located at Stony Point Shopping Center in Richmond, with children’s clothing, baby gifts and special-occasion outfits.

2. Organize Baby Clothes and Diapers Before Baby Arrives

Baby clothes get out of control fast.

Sort everything by size before your due date and keep the newborn and 0–3 month clothes where you can actually reach them. Put the larger sizes away until you need them.

The same goes for diapers. Clear bins, drawers or baskets work perfectly.

One of my favorite ideas is keeping a small diaper stash in the rooms where you spend the most time. There is nothing fun about realizing all the diapers are upstairs when you’re already holding a baby who needs one.

Local parenting groups can also be great places for recommendations, hand-me-downs and baby supplies.

• Ask Midlothian Moms — A Midlothian-based Facebook community for local recommendations, questions and resources.
• RVA Moms — A Richmond parenting community for advice, events and family recommendations.
• Capital Diaper Bank — A local resource providing diapers and baby supplies to families who need them.

3. Make Some Food Before the Baby Comes

You’ve got enough on your plate once a newborn arrives. Pun completely intended.

If you have the energy during pregnancy, make a few meals you can throw in the freezer and heat up later. Lasagna, burritos, quiche, chicken stew, soup, chili and stuffed peppers are all easy options.

But if you’re looking at your third-trimester belly thinking, “There’s no way I’m cooking up a storm right now,” don’t.

There are several local meal-prep options:

• Clean Eatz — Located in Midlothian, with prepared meals and grab-and-go options.
• MealPrep RVA — Located in Richmond’s West End, with fully cooked portioned meals for pickup or delivery.
• WellFed RVA — Located in the West End, with prepared meals available for pickup or home delivery.
• The Green Kitchen — Located at Stony Point Fashion Park, with chef-prepared meals for individuals and families.

You can also put restaurant delivery or meal-service gift cards on your baby registry. That might end up being a whole lot more useful than another tiny outfit.

4. Make a Plan for Help After Baby Arrives

One thing people don’t talk about enough is how much help you may actually want once you’re home.

Think about it before the baby arrives. Who could bring dinner? Walk the dog? Take an older child somewhere for a few hours? Fold laundry? Hold the baby while you shower?

You may also want help from a postpartum doula or nighttime newborn care provider.

• Richmond Birth & Baby — Offers pregnancy, birth and postpartum support for families in Richmond.
• Joyful Beginnings — Provides postpartum and newborn support for local families.

You don’t have to hire anyone. It’s just much easier to know your options before you’re exhausted and searching at 2 AM.

5. Pack Your Hospital or Birth Center Bag

You really don’t need to pack half your house.

Bring comfortable clothes, toiletries, medications, a charger, snacks, lip balm, baby’s going-home outfit and anything specific your hospital or birth center recommends.

And please install the car seat before you go into labor.

If you’re planning a home birth, your midwife will usually give you a separate list of supplies to have ready.

The point isn’t to have the perfect hospital bag. It’s just to have the things that will make you comfortable without making your partner haul three suitcases through the parking garage.

6. Find a Few Easy Places to Go With Your Baby

At some point, you’re probably going to want to get out of the house. You don’t need to plan an entire day either. Sometimes a coffee and a 30-minute stroller walk are plenty.

A few places to keep in mind:

• Maymont — Located in Richmond, with gardens, walking paths and animal areas.
• Taylor Farm Park — Located in Henrico, with paved paths, playgrounds and seasonal water play.
• PARK365 — Located in Richmond, with an inclusive playground and accessible play areas.
• Pony Pasture — Located along the James River in Richmond, with river views and walking trails.
• Pocahontas State Park — Located in Chesterfield, with trails, picnic areas and lots of open space.
• Mid-Lothian Mines Park — Located in Midlothian, with wooded trails and historic mining ruins.
• Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden — Located in Henrico, with stroller-friendly gardens and family areas.
• Huguenot Park — Located in North Chesterfield, with wooded trails, picnic areas and playgrounds.
• Wishing Well Park — Located in Midlothian, with walking paths and nature-inspired play areas.
• Art Factory — Located in Midlothian, with indoor play, coffee and activities for young children.
• Busy Bee Play City — Located in Ashland, with indoor imaginative play for younger kids.
• Sunshine Play Cafe — Located in Richmond, with indoor play designed for babies and young children.
• Toddling Around — Located in Chester, with indoor play geared toward babies and toddlers.
• Kids Empire — Located in Glen Allen, with a large indoor playground and separate toddler area.

7. Find Other Local Moms

Motherhood is easier when you have people you can text who understand why you’re talking about diapers at 7 AM.

There are plenty of parenting groups, library programs, classes and online communities where you can meet other moms.

• The West End Mom — Focused on Richmond’s West End, with local family activities, events and recommendations.
• Ask Midlothian Moms — Based around Midlothian, with local questions, recommendations and resources.
• RVA Moms — A Richmond-based community for parenting advice, events and family recommendations.
• Local libraries — Chesterfield, Henrico and Richmond libraries offer baby story times and other free programs for young families.

You don’t need a huge circle. Finding one or two people in the same stage of life can be enough.

8. Think About Your Pets Before You Bring Baby Home

If you have a dog or other pet, think ahead about how your routine is going to change.

Where will your pet sleep? Who will handle walks while you’re recovering? Where can your pet go when they want a break from the noise?

Take introductions slowly and always supervise your pet around your newborn.

If you’re worried about how your dog may react, talk with your veterinarian or a trainer before the baby comes rather than waiting until everyone is already adjusting.

9. Book Your Birth or Newborn Photographer

No surprise that I’m going to add this to the list, right?

If you know you want birth photography, don’t wait until you’re close to your due date. Birth photographers can only take a limited number of births because we have to stay available when our clients go into labor.

Newborn photography is also easier to plan while you’re pregnant. We use your due date as a placeholder and schedule your actual session once your baby arrives.

I hired photographers for both of my own daughters’ births, so I’m not telling you to do something I wouldn’t do myself.

If you’re considering birth photography, you can learn more about my Richmond birth photography coverage, pricing and what happens when you go into labor.

And if you’re planning photos after your baby arrives, you can also check out my Richmond newborn photography sessions.