26
Nov
Preparing your home for your newborn and getting baby equipment is one of the most exciting moments you’ve been waiting for.
Parenting doesn’t come with an instruction manual, so you’re probably excited and wondering how best to prepare for baby’s arrival. The nine months of pregnancy give you enough time and an opportunity to plan carefully and prepare yourself for the biggest role of your life: being a mother. There are a few things you will absolutely need for the arrival of your little one, especially if this is your first child. Planning ahead is always a good idea because it allows you to relax and enjoy your pregnancy as your due date approaches. Here are some useful tips to help you prepare for a new baby and avoid last-minute panic!
First of all, you need to think about the essentials like a car seat and stroller and ensure that you get everything you will need when your baby actually arrives. Baby essentials like clothing, diapers, changing equipment, nursery furniture, shampoo, a baby bath, baby wipes, and blankets, should all be readily available. However, before purchasing baby equipment, do a little research. Even though certain supplies are a must-have, others are purely optional.
Having a child is one of the biggest life-changing events that can happen to a woman. However, along with all the changes that come with welcoming a new baby, finances play a big part in the preparation. You need to start planning your finances as early as possible, so sit down and sort your budget to figure out how much disposable cash you’ll have each month. Planning ahead for all the essentials such as clothing, diapers, and baby gear, can help ease your financial burden.
Whether you’re planning on returning to work once your little one is born or you’re a self-employed mother, it’s important to know all about maternity leave and pay. Depending on where you live or where you work, you will get several weeks of maternity leave during which you’re paid part or all of your usual paycheck. If your husband is also thinking of sharing some of your leave, now is the right time to figure out where his company stands on this. Nowadays, many progressive companies offer new dads paid time off (ranging from a few days to a few weeks).
Childcare decisions can be difficult. Find out more about your options and all of their advantages and disadvantages. Decide whether you would want to stay at home and take care of your child or go back to work. If you want to return to work, you should start thinking about childcare as early as your second trimester. Think about hiring a professional nanny, or accept the offer of free babysitting from your mother or mother-in-law.
Babies have a habit of arriving before the estimated due date, so it’s wise to have your hospital bag packed a few weeks before your due date. It’s also a good idea to ask your hospital what they provide for mothers and babies, so you can take those items off your list. Here are the must-haves you need to pack in your hospital bag for labour:
– Insurance info and your birth plan (if you have one)
– Comfortable clothes (an old nightdress for labour, a dressing gown, and slippers)
– Warm socks
– Extra undies
– Maternity bras and nursing pads
– Lip balm
– Hairbrush
– Toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo) and a towel
– Snacks
– Cell phone and charger
– Going-home outfit for your baby
