Parenthood is one of the best things that you can experience. From the moment that you hold your baby’s little hand with yours, you know that you will do everything for your little one. So while you’re waiting for your baby’s arrival, you want to be prepared and start planning everything.
It can be exciting and overwhelming, but it doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to push through this pressure. Below are some things that can help you prepare for the arrival of your baby.
How Can Moms Prepare for the Arrival of Their Baby
For expecting moms, don’t be afraid to discuss your maternity leave with your employer. This way, both of you can find a way on how to handle your work when you are gone. At the same time, talk to your mom or other friends who had a baby about what to expect.
According to CuteLittleDarling.com, manual breast pumps can help moms feed their babies breast milk even if they are away. This is because breast pumps allow you to pump in advance and create a stash for your little one. At the same time, if you have difficulty in expressing milk, the pump can help you with milk let-down. But besides buying a breast pump and other baby paraphernalia, are there ways where moms can prepare for the arrival of their baby?
As soon as you found out that you’re pregnant, your doctor might recommend you to take prenatal supplements and vitamins. It’s important that you get check-ups regularly to make sure that your baby is growing healthily. Usually, around the second month, you’ll be able to get an ultrasound so that you and your family can verify your baby’s due date.
As you go through the months and enter the second trimester, your doctor might also recommend you to get a screening for different abnormalities. It is also around this time where you want to take classes about childbirth and infant care to further help you prepare for your labor and caring for your little one. And speaking of which, talk to your partner about your ideal birth experience, such as the use of pain medications.
You can also start touring the hospital with your partner, so you have an idea where to park and where the labor and delivery rooms are. At the same time, talk to your family and friends if there is a pediatrician that they can recommend. But of course, consider other factors like the closeness of his/her clinic to your home and schedules of availability.
At 8 months, pack your hospital bag so your partner can easily reach for it on the due date. To give you an idea, the bag can simply have a change of clothes, an outfit for your newborn, a slipper, and a music player or book to keep you comfortable in the hospital.
Things to Buy for Your Newborn
There are a lot of factors to consider to know which baby must-haves are truly essential to have. It’s best to be always one step ahead, but you should also know that some items can be bought later on. The good news is below are the things that should make up your baby gear. You can always expand them, but if you just want a master list of must-haves, you’re good to go with these items:
- Car seat, stroller, and baby carrier
- Diaper bag
- Bibs and burp cloths
- Breast pump and breast milk storage
- Formula
- Bottles with nipples and bottle carrier
- Breast pads, nursing bras, and nursing pillow
- Lotion for your nipples
- Diaper cream
- Cloth and disposable diapers
- Washcloths and disposable baby wipes
- Diaper pail
- Nightgowns, undershirts, pants, hats, socks, mittens, and jackets
- Baby-safe laundry detergent
- Blankets
- Infant tub and changing table
- Baby cleanser
- Baby hairbrush and nail clippers
- Bulb syringe, baby thermometer, eyedropper, medicine spoon, and baby medications
- Hooded towels
- Crib, mattress, mattress covers, crib sheets, and sleep sack
- Toys and pacifiers
How to Babyproof the House
The next step in preparing for your baby’s arrival is babyproofing your house. You already have a car seat set up to make your car safe for your little one, so your home should be as safe and comfortable as well.
Let’s start first by checking your baby nursery and the paraphernalia inside. Everything that you’ll need when changing diapers should be easy to reach in the changing table. At the same time, you should already set up and check the bassinet for its safety. Do not also forget to have cabinets so you can neatly keep other baby items in the nursery.
For the baby proofing itself, start by checking the hazardous areas around the house. Create barriers on your stairs, pool, and fireplace, as well as locking the bathrooms and kitchens. Your baby might not be crawling or walking yet, but there’s no harm in already putting safety gates in these areas.
Besides the areas we mentioned, the furniture and appliances in your home can also pose risks to your baby. These include corded, electronic, and flammable items, as well as those that can break and shatter. Your baby might also be sensitive for certain plants and pets, as well as other potential allergens, so it’s best that they are inaccessible or far from the nursery. And remember that children are curious little ones, so anything that can cause a choking or poisoning hazard should be removed from the house.
Preparing the Family for the Arrival of a New Baby
Lastly, make sure that everyone in the family is also prepared for the arrival of your newest and youngest member. Don’t be afraid to reach out to them because they’ll be your support system in raising your little one. This way, you don’t overwhelm and exhaust yourself when caring for your newborn.
If you have older kids, expect that they may have a difficult time accepting their new sibling. As noted on CuteLittleDarling, The new routine and the fact that they have to share mom and dad can make them feel less welcoming of their sibling.
Because of this, talk to your kids in advance about the new routines and how you still love them even if their baby sister or baby brother is home. Talk to them about the wonderful things that they can experience with their baby sibling and that you are not forgetting them. Make time for them and make sure that they are not ignored if there are visitors at home.
Your parents are also surely excited for the arrival of your baby. Allow them to spend time with your child because it can help them bond closer and even strengthen your own relationship with them.
What about your pets? Before your baby arrives, make sure your vet has examined your pets for any infections and parasites. At the same time, your baby might be allergic to their fur.
Another common fear of parents is how their pet will react to the baby. You can personally assess your pet’s temperament, so if you have doubts, create a new routine that is safe for your pet and your baby.
Otherwise, allow your pet to take their time to get to know your baby. Introduce an item with your baby’s scent first so that your pet can be familiar with the smell. Just like your kids, they can get jealous if they feel like you no longer give them attention. Avoid giving off negative energy when interacting with your pets so that you’re reassuring them that you still love them even if there is a new baby.