Get Ready For Your New Baby - Holly Jolly Holidays

There are many things expectant parents need to do to get ready for bringing home a new baby. Planning ahead and having everything you need will help to make the transition of adding this new little person to the household much easier. Expectant mothers should take advantage of the “nesting” phase during later pregnancy to complete projects around the house and to make other preparations for the new baby.

Baby-ProofBefore Baby Arrives

Before you even have the baby, use this time to make sure your home is baby-proof. Once the baby is here, you’ll be very busy and before you know it, the little one will be mobile and in full exploration mode. This is why you should already have safety measures in place, such as plugs for electrical outlets, safety gates for stairways, latches for cabinet doors, and padding for any sharp corners baby might come into contact with. Put all toxic or poisonous products on high shelves, safe from baby’s exploration.

Buy Necessary Baby Items

One thing you will need in order to bring your new baby home is an infant’s rear-facing car seat. Practice placing the car seat in your vehicle and make sure you know how everything works before using it the first time with the baby actually in it. Also, have necessary baby supplies ready and on hand such as diapers, wipes, powder, onesies, breast pump (if breastfeeding), bottles, formula, bassinet, and sleepers.

Choose A Pediatrician

A pediatrician will be seeing your baby during your hospital stay, so you will need to choose one ahead of time. Check to see which doctors are within your insurance plan (if applicable), and check out the physician profiles offered online by many hospitals. Make sure to ask friends and family members with children who live near you which doctors they might recommend or avoid to help you in making an informed decision.

Prepare Other Family Members For The New Arrival

If you have other children, or even a dog or cat who is part of the family, take the time to help them prepare for the new arrival. For pets, let them see you planning for the baby and spend a little extra time with them. For children, talk to them about the new baby and assure them your love for them will never lessen because there is another child in the family. Allow them to participate in setting up the baby’s room, and let them pick out a few items for their new little brother or sister. Making them feel included will help to alleviate feelings of jealousy.

Plan Ahead

The last month of pregnancy is the perfect time to prepare your bag to take to the hospital. Make sure to include everything you need for both yourself and the baby. Get the bag packed a few weeks before your due date, in case the little one decides to arrive early. After the new baby is home, life as you’ve known it will cease to exist. Make the time now to stock up on wholesome foods for easy meals, or to prepare casseroles and soups that can be frozen and used for quick dinners after the baby is born. If bottle or breastfeeding, make sure to purchase and prepare all supplies so they can be used right away. Also, it is important to plan ahead for extra help. Ask a relative or friend to stop by here and there those first weeks so that you can get a well deserved nap from time to time.

Read Up And Take Advantage Of Your Last Baby Free Days

During your pregnancy, take advantage of the many childbirth and parenting books out there to learn everything you need and want to know about the childbirth and newborn experience. The more you know, the less unexpected surprises there will be , and you’ll be better able to deal with the sleepless days and nights ahead. Before the baby is born, treat yourself to special time with your spouse or friends, perhaps some quality time with older children, or catch up on your favorite books, movies, or television series. Once the baby is here, there will be little time for mom to enjoy her favorite hobbies and activities for awhile.