If you’re currently pregnant, the thought of having a new baby in your home is unbelievably exciting but also daunting. There is an awful lot you need to get ready for your new arrival and the more prepared you can be, the better. Yet when you’re looking to bring a new child into your house, where do you even begin? You’ll need everything from a changing station to a place for the baby to sleep, as well as getting ready emotionally for all the changes a baby brings. In this article we take a look at some of the top tips for how to prepare for a new baby to make it as smooth as possible.
Photo by Isaac Taylor from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-covering-infant-with-swaddling-blanket-1557255/
Ensure you go to all of your health appointments
Prior to your baby being born, it might feel like you’re being inundated with health appointments. They will be checking out for your health and the baby’s health too so you want to make sure you attend all of these. Baby brain can make it hard to keep on top of all the dates, so make a note in your diary and inform your partner or family member when you need to go so they can remind you should they need to! If you can’t make an appointment, cancel as early as possible so you can reschedule within the right time frame for your health plan.
Read up on all aspects of baby care
From bathing a newborn to practicing safe sleep, the world of a new baby can be a mind-boggling one. This is why we recommend you read up on all aspects of baby care before they arrive. Once they’re here you’re not going to have much chance to sit down with a book, so by being prepared and knowing a bit of what you’re in for can be a real help. It also gives you time to purchase any extra items you might need such as a baby bath, a mobile to hang over the crib or other items that might have missed your initial list.
Decide what method of birth you want to opt for
One of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make before your baby is born is exactly how they’re going to make their entrance to the world. While things might end up out of your control it’s best to be knowledgeable about all the different options and think about the right plan for you. You might choose to have a cesarean, or perhaps you will want a natural birth. There might be a certain medication you want such as gas and air or an epidural. Do you want to give birth at home? In a birthing center or a hospital? Do you want a water birth? These are all things for you to consider and make note of.
Have your hospital bag packed early
Your hospital bag is another really vital thing that you don’t want to forget to do, or leave until the last minute. You need to be switched on and ensure it contains everything you need both for you and for your little one. Some people pack a hospital bag for Mum and a hospital bag for baby to ensure you don’t forget anything. You’re going to want to bring clothes for both of you, diapers, baby wipes, chargers for your electronic devices, and more. You might want to bring some snacks, a cozy jumper, and something you can put on during and after the birth that’s comfortable and easy to remove, particularly if you’re going to breastfeed. Add in your birth plan notes and anything else you think might help with the labor.
Decide where your baby is going to sleep
Your baby tends to be in with you for the first few months of their life and the sleeping arrangement is up to you. Some people choose a moses basket, others a bassinet, and others a full crib. You might get your nursery set up right away or choose to do this when the baby is old enough to move into their own room. The main thing to keep in mind is that the baby is comfortable, safe and follows the rules for safe sleep. It can be a good idea to read up on the best safe sleep practices before you give birth so you know things such as the ideal temperature for your little one to sleep in and what they should be clothed in when they’re going to bed. A white noise machine and dim light can help keep the environment calm and relaxing for your baby.
Stock up on baby items in a few different sizes
Try and avoid just purchasing one size clothes for your baby as these could very well be too small or too big when they’re born. Avoid this from happening by buying a few different sizes of clothes that they can wear. It’s a good idea to get babygrows with zips on them which are handy for those late night feeds! Remember things such as mittens, socks, and hats are important for keeping babies warm and keep in mind the time of year as well as the temperatures when deciding what to dress them in. Babies can’t regulate their temperature so you want to ensure they’re at a comfortable level.
Prepare some meals ahead of time to put in the freezer
Don’t underestimate how busy you’ll be when your new baby is here and also how much you’ll appreciate a hot meal! You don’t want to be living out of take out boxes, but you also won’t have much time to slave over a cooker either. By preparing and batch cooking meals ahead of time you can relax knowing you just need to heat up healthy and nutritious food when required. Because, let’s face it, you’re going to be preoccupied with other things and if you’re breastfeeding for example, it’s much harder to get up and cook when you need to!
Baby-proof your house
While your little one won’t be crawling for a good while yet, it’s best to get your home as safe as possible as early as you can. There are things you can do for them when they’re tiny such as filling in any draughts from windows and doors and ensuring it’s fire compliant. You then need to check what is dangerous for babies such as small stones or ornaments they can get to, furniture that could possibly be pulled down on top of them and any chemicals they could reach, such as those under the sink.
Welcoming a new life into this world can be scary but with the right preparation and support it doesn’t need to be as daunting as it might feel. There are many aspects to looking after a new baby and you want to ensure you’re ready. As they say, the nights are long but the years are fast so try and cherish all the moments with your little one – even when they’re waking up through the night! Take plenty of photos and videos that you can look back on and try to keep note of their milestones as they reach them! This will be a wonderful thing to sit down and read through when they’re older and you’ll be glad you have it! What are some top tips you have for preparing for a new baby? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you.