Baby On The Way?

If you have a baby on the way, you need to be extremely prepared. It isn’t a catwalk, as most parents know. We run through 9 tips that will make the birthing and handling of a newborn a smoother experience. So, read ahead. I also have a list of the essential list of baby stuff that you need. 

Get An Army Ready

You are about to have a lot on your shoulders. That is why handling everything alone is not a good move. Many new mums have a team of people behind them to provide support. They can be anyone, including family and friends. So, gather around people that can help you.

Come up with a schedule. If certain people are helping you on specific days, you’ll be more organised, which would help you get through daily tasks easily.

At the end of the day, you shouldn’t hesitate to ask your loved ones for help as they would want the best for you.

Find Your Happy Place

Having people help you is important. It certainly takes a lot of stress off your shoulders. However, dealing with a newborn is still very difficult. Most of the time, you’ll barely get any sleep. And if you do have plans, they can immediately be squashed if your baby starts kicking up a fuss. Try to figure out what relaxes you so that you’ll be less anxious. This should be done months before your little one arrives. This way, you’ll be fully prepared with your happy space if you feel like you’re going crazy.

Have The Nursery Ready

The nursery should be ready the moment you get home. Hopefully, you’ve done this on time, finding the perfect crib, mattress, sheets, and decor. This is important as if the nursery isn’t comfortable, the baby will be up all night.

What’s more, the room should also be organised in a way that would make your life easier. So, think about installing a changing table in a spot that’s easy to reach. Moreover, you should have chairs in there so that you can comfortably nurse your child. If you want to go the extra mile, get a dehumidifier installed as well.

Think About Stocking Up

Staying stocked up on food would come in handy when your little one finally arrives. As a result, you won’t be wasting time preparing meals while tending to an infant. You could have somebody come to cook for you. However, you might not want to do this as you can survive off pre-cooked meals, like canned foods and takeout. This way, you don’t need to inconvenience someone else.

Of course, groceries don’t only include food. Although you may have friends and family helping you with the cleaning and laundry, you’ll need to stock up on cleaning products and so on. Otherwise, they won’t be able to carry out certain tasks for you.

Sterilise The Home

Babies have rather low immunity. They’re not exposed to the outside world yet, so the slightest infections can wreak havoc on their immune systems. Therefore, you should ensure that your home is spotless and clean. You need to thoroughly sterilise every space. This can be hard work, so don’t be afraid to ask your loved ones for help. In terms of what you can use, avoid anything too rough or pungent. Mixing vinegar with water would do the trick.

Have A Baby Bag

One of the most important things you’ll have to do is to prepare a baby bag. Although the doctor might have given you a due date, the birthing process is unpredictable. Your little one may pop out a few days early, or later than anticipated. That’s why having a bag ready is a must. This would include blankets, pillows, cash, and insurance documents. The earliest you have the bag ready, the better, as you won’t be scrambling around trying to get everything ready, and ultimately leaving out important items.

Keep Your Pets Away

While on the topic of keeping your home clean, keep your pets as far away from your little one as possible. We all know how unhygienic some pets are, especially dogs. They could bring mud and other dirt into your home, which could affect your child. What’s more, their fur may irritate your little one’s skin. You need to come up with an arrangement to keep them at bay when your baby gets home. This can be difficult, but you could hand their care over to a loved one for some time.

Do You Have A Doctor?

You need to have a doctor on call. They’ll be able to check up on your little on when things aren’t going that great. Although this is helpful, you need to make sure the best doctor is tending to your child. So, don’t be afraid to look around.

You can also speak to parents who’ve just had a baby and ask them about their doctor as this would help you find someone worth your time. You should do this long before your child arrives as it will give you time to find someone reputed.

Home Births

You only need a baby bag if you’re planning on delivering in a hospital. However, not all parents want this. Instead, many want their child to be delivered at home. If this is you, speak to your midwife and ensure you have everything you need for the birth. You’ll also need to decide if you’re going for something like a waterbirth.

All in all, there is a multitude of things you should do when preparing for your little one’s arrival. Considering the points we went through, they all make life easier. Hence, make a note of who can help you when things get difficult, and look for relaxation techniques to use when dealing with your baby.

Of course, you can also help your little one feel more comfortable, like getting them the perfect crib, and keeping the home germ-free so they won’t get sick. If you consider these points, you will have a much easier time looking after your newborn and being stress-free in the process.