How To Prepare For A New Born Baby
New Parent’s Edition
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Becoming parents, specially for first timers, can be both exhilarating and tiring at the same time. Whether you are soon-to-be first time parents or already a part of the club, you are required to check all items on the itinerary of must-haves long before the baby’s arrival. What does this entail?. Well, nobody can teach you to be parents. It all comes with experience and examples in front of you. There is nothing like right or wrong parenting.
Soon-to-be parents are all worked up during the nesting period preparing for the arrival of their precious one. It’s essential to be “baby ready” before the due date. As a mom of a 3 year old, I can confidently vouch for it. Listed below are some of my personal tips on how to prepare for the newborn baby.
- Make an Itinerary:
First things first, making an itinerary involves listing down all items that you will purchase like clothing, diapers, crib, washcloth, diaper pail etc., and keep ready before hand. Making a list will not only give you a clear picture of what is to be purchased, thrifted, or re-used but will also give you a confident start, and make you feel organized in the process of getting ready to welcome the baby. Also, list down all the places from where you will be making your purchases.
2. Hospital Tour:
Taking a tour of the hospital where you will be delivering is a wise decision. This will make you familiar with the hospital premises, policies, available labor resources, staff behavior, and insurance accepted. The criteria to select the hospital could be based on it’s distance from your house, whether your OBGYN is affiliated or not to deliver at the selected hospital and recommendations from family and friends.
3. Diaper Caddy:
Purchasing and organizing a caddy to store all diaper essentials will save you time and effort. After all, since you will be recovering from birth, it’s advisable to keep things easily accessible without having to search the entire house. You can store diapers, wet wipes, wash cloths, diaper rash cream, extra pair of outfits, and any other items which you think is important while changing the baby.
4. Postpartum Essentials:
Preparing for postpartum is equally essential for all mom’s. This would mean purchasing certain indispensable items like nursing pillow, postpartum tummy band, maxi pads / adult diapers, peri bottle, witch hazel, stool softeners, Dermoplast spray etc.
5. Breast Feeding Essentials:
You will need to invest in certain items related to BF as well. These include breast pump, nipple shield (if needed), nipple cream (for soreness), 3–4 feeding bottles, lactation cookies. Whether or not there is a need to supplement with Formula, keeping some samples at home might save the day.
6.Hospital Bag:
Keeping the hospital bag ready at least 3 weeks before the due date, will help avoid any last minute rush and panic. You will need to pack 4–5 pair of clothes for the baby (depending on the month and weather), a few pair of maternity outfits for yourself and some pair of clothing for your partner. Apart from this, you will other need bare minimum things like toiletries, mobile charger, swaddles etc. Also, your hospital will provide newborn supplies including ready to drink formula bottle and a postpartum kit including mesh undies, pads, peri bottle.
7. Cleaning the House:
Vacuuming and tiding up the house before you bring newborn home, will give a sense of satisfaction, fulfilment, and increase your joy in welcoming the newborn to their abode.
8. Freezer Meals:
Preparing large batches of freezer meals in advance can prove to be a life savior while you recover and adjust to being a new mom. You can refer to cook books, YouTube videos or ask friends for some good recipes.
9. Nursery:
Deciding on the nursery décor, purchasing crib, changing table, mattress, nursing chair, etc., before hand will make you feel ready to welcome the baby. After all, you will have a designated place for the baby to sleep, change and feed.
10. Car Seat:
An infant car seat should be carefully installed at least 2 weeks in advance. You could refer to the instructions manual or a user guide available on the brand’s website. Making sure that the seat is appropriately fixed before leaving for delivery is of prime importance since you will be carrying the baby in the seat while leaving the hospital which is a mandate.
Well, you can’t prepare enough for the arrival of newborn. You can only ensure that you have got everything in place and that it’s functional. Remember, at the end of the day all your child needs is your love and affection to be healthy. So, enjoy your moment as new parents and make cherishing memories.
