Preparing for a new addition to your family is one of the most exciting things ever. Finally, the baby that has been a part of you for almost nine months is now going to be in your arms, and it feels like you’ve been waiting for this moment forever. But planning for this moment, especially if you’re a first time parent, can be a pretty stressful task.
What do you even need when you’re about to have a baby, and what are you supposed to plan for? Whilst parenting doesn’t come with a manual (unfortunately), there are some things that you can do to make sure that you’re as prepared as possible for your new arrival, and we’ve noted them down here.
Preparing mentally
Having a baby for the first time is one of those things that you can’t properly prepare for mentally, but there are a few things that could help to make it easy as possible for you and your partner:
- Accept that you won’t always get it right: having a child is a constant learning curve, which means that sometimes, you’re going to make mistakes. If you want to prepare mentally for the your first few months with your baby, you need to make sure that you’re not being too hard on yourself. Every parent goes through this, and trust us, most people have no idea what’s going on either. Prepare to screw up sometimes, but just make sure that you learn from these things. Don’t beat yourself up, as it’s perfectly normal!
- Get ready to be tired: OK, so having a baby is one of the most rewarding things that you will ever experience. This child is the personification of the love between you and your partner (and if this isn’t the case, then your child is the personification of 9 months of love and care from you, which is pretty impressive). However, it’s also pretty difficult to be woken up at 2am, and then 4am, and then 6am, by your baby crying. You need to be ready for sleep deprivation, and you need to be patient. You can’t really practice this, but keep it in mind, anyway.
- You will need help: something that many new Mothers aren’t mentally prepared for is the fact that having a baby requires so much help from people around you. You may suffer with a range of issues, and sometimes, you just need a helping hand from your friends and family members. Mental preparation means remembering that this is OK. You can’t possibly be by your baby’s side 24/7, as it would send you absolutely crazy. Accept help when you need it, and don’t see it as a failing. You’re doing great, but you also need to sleep, you know?
- Plan: if you’re super stressed and you feel like you’re being thrown into the deep end, then make a plan, and read read read. Read the basics on how to do certain tasks, what your baby will need, and how you can do it. Plan out your finances, the jobs that you need to do, and how you’re going to relax and bond with your baby after the birth. Things don’t always go to plan, but having one anyway is always pretty useful, especially if you feel like you’re not quite ready mentally.
Preparing your home
So, you’ve been through the labor, you’ve finally got your beautiful child in your arms, and now you’re ready to take them back to the home that you’re going to share together. Your home needs a few things, to be as baby-friendly as possible:
- Redecorate a room for the baby: whilst your newborn is likely to sleep in a cot in your room for the first few months, it’s a good idea to get a room all decorated and kitted out for your baby before they arrive. Make sure that it’s easy to clean and not too cluttered, and that it is as light and airy as possible. You will need to invest in a cot or crib, a changing table, and perhaps a mobile to go above the cot, to help the baby to sleep well. Storage is key here, as you want to make sure that you have enough places to keep all of the wipes, diapers, and other necessities in handy drawers and cabinets. Without this, the room may be too cluttered. Making your home baby-proof is also a good idea.
- Purchase the necessary baby care items: when your baby arrives, you will need a few things in order to make sure that you can care for them properly. This includes sensitive baby shampoos, and lotions that won’t harm their delicate skin. Without this, skin peeling could occur, which you can find out more about by following this link. You will also need to have a baby bath, because washing your baby in the regular bath is not a very safe option, unless you’re bathing with them. On top of this, you will need a car seat, as this is the first thing that you’ll require when you leave the hospital. There are a lot of things to buy, so try to remember them all!
- Think about how you will feed your baby: although some mothers are insistent that they are going to breastfeed their babies, the truth is that it doesn’t always work out that way. Some new Mothers find it too painful, or too difficult, to persevere with, and as a result they have to move onto formula. Alternatively, you may have already decided that you’re going to bottle feed your baby. Whatever it is that you do, making sure that you have some formula and bottles at the ready, as well as a sterilizer, is a good idea. You can never be too prepared, and the likelihood is that you will use these things at some point, even if it is only because somebody else is feeding your baby.
Preparing for the hospital
Once you’ve prepared yourself mentally, and your home is all set, you just need to get ready to go to the hospital! There are a few things that you need to take with you, and a few things that you need to have planned out:
- Medical documents: if you have any documents that you need to take with you, such as your medical files, it’s important to put these in your hospital bag. This means that the doctors can find your identity easily, which could speed up all of the processes involved. If you have a birth plan, it’s also a good idea to put this with your documentation, too.
- Some comfortable clothing: the truth is that you may spend a few days on the hospital ward, although a few people (the lucky ones) have quick births, and sometimes go home in the 24 hours following their labors. Because of this, it’s a good idea to make sure that you have some maternity wear, like a dressing gown or a comfortable nightdress, so that you can walk around the ward, without having to put the clothes that you came in back on (jeans = not comfortable!).
- Some form of entertainment: another important point to note is that you can be waiting quite a long time between contractions. During this time, you can either get some much needed sleep in, grab something to eat, or keep yourself entertained some other way. You may want to bring something like an iPad to watch films on, or alternatively, some books and magazines.
- Sleeping aids: for some people, giving birth is a tiring process, and right after your delivery you’ll need to relax and recover a little. The best way to do this is to bring a sleeping mask, and some earplugs, and maybe the pillow that you’re most comfortable with. Ultimately, the most important thing is your comfort, so bring anything with you that you think could help you to relax, and possibly things that would help you to get to sleep.
- Items for post-birth: after the birth, you will probably want to have your cosmetics, some shampoo and conditioner, and some clothes for the journey home. Don’t underestimate the importance of having these things that make you feel like you’re refreshed and ready to leave the hospital (although somebody can bring them at a later date).
- Note: leaving your bag by the front door is a good idea if you’re expecting.
So, if you want to prepare for a new addition to your family, then make sure that you have gone through these simple things. Ultimately, birth (and Motherhood) is different for everybody, but there are some things that most Mothers need in order to have the most comfortable birth, and the best first few months with their newborns. Cherish the joys that being a first-time Mother will bring; despite its challenges, it really is like nothing else!
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