No other experience can replicate the joy of having a baby.
Yes, the pain of childbirth and the exhaustion that any parent feels afterward are inevitable. But holding your precious little one in your arms makes it all worth it.
After receiving a positive pregnancy test, you might feel super excited about planning your baby shower and spreading the word. But apart from that, you need to do a few things first to prepare for your newborn’s arrival.
In this post, we listed some of the most important things you have to do before your baby arrives. Read on and learn more about them.
Shop for Newborn Items
Most chores are tedious. But when it comes to setting up the nursery and purchasing your baby’s stuff? They’re arguably some of the most fun items on a new parent’s to-do list.
Some things you’ll need to buy for your newborn include:
- Diapers
- Baby wipes
- Newborn clothes
- Sturdy crib or bassinet
- Infant safety seat for the car
- Nursing pads and bras
- Breast pump
- Baby bottles
- Baby formula (if you’re formula feeding)
Choose the Right Doctor
While you’re expecting, you have to start looking for an Ob-Gyn or a midwife as well as a pediatrician. To have peace of mind once your baby arrives, you should take plenty of time choosing the right healthcare providers.
You also need to consider several factors when picking them out, such as how close they are to your home, your insurance coverage, and how you prefer your birth experience to be.
Get All the Help You Can Get
The period before and after childbirth can be incredibly stressful. So during this time, it’s essential to have extra help.
Besides finding a relative willing to help you out, you might want to consider taking a childbirth class, hiring a doula, joining communities of moms or dads, and reading books about child care.
Prepare Your Older Kids and Pets
Having someone (other than your partner) to help you out with your newborn is especially important when you have other kids or pets. During and after the birth, you’ll need that person to look after them.
But before your new baby’s arrival, you have to let your children know what to expect. You can explain to them why babies cry and sleep so much and what to do (and what not to do) around them.
And if you have pets, you can take them to a trainer to prepare them for a newborn. You can also read books and articles about getting your furry companions used to a baby.
Stock Up on Food and Other Essentials
Being a parent to a newborn can make you forget about your basic needs. That’s why it’s important to get your home ready for one.
This can involve preparing healthy ready-to-eat meals and buying weeks’ worth of household essentials, like personal care items and toilet paper.
Create a Birth Plan
Going into labor is no easy feat. But to make it less stressful, you should come up with a birth plan.
By having a birth plan in place, you’ll have an easier time figuring out the quickest route to the hospital, the best time to go, things to pack in your hospital bag, your list of visitors, and your emergency contact.
Be Sure to Treat Yourself
After all the stress of pre-childbirth preparation, it’s always a good idea to find time for yourself. Once your newborn arrives, you’ll definitely miss your me-time.
It doesn’t have to be a romantic getaway with your partner. Do the things you enjoy, make the most of relaxation time before the baby comes, and be sure to take care of your emotional health too.
Westmount at Three Fountains Apartments in San Antonio, TX