Ready or Not, Here I Come!

Parents and baby are soon to meet face to face for the first time ever. How exciting, life-changing and challenging! The most important things to do to prepare for your baby’s arrival come naturally – holding, cuddling, loving, smiling…welcoming this little one to life here on Earth. No problem, right? You can probably barely stand waiting another second! Undoubtedly you will want to be prepared so that your most important jobs and joys take center stage. But where do you start?

Many women go through a stage called “nesting” when preparing for a new baby. This may involve learning new homemaking skills such as cooking, scrapbooking, decorating, cleaning, organizing, or sewing. It’s natural to want to bring a baby home to a place that feels nice, comfortable and safe. Don’t break the bank or worry too much about chandeliers for the nursery since your baby will need a few years to appreciate them, but making some simple improvements in skill or environment may be order, and making a quilt or knitting a baby blanket may be the perfect way to pass the time as you look forward to your baby’s arrival. Decide what is most important to you.

Are you going to breastfeed? If so, you may consider learning some tips and tricks in this area. Nurses, midwives and doulas can be helpful in this area as well, and some new mothers find it comes more naturally for them and their babies than others.

Are you going to want family and/or friends around right away, or wait a while to have some time as your own family unit? Discuss this as a couple, or with those who are your support group, and make a plan that feels right for you.

The basic items you’ll need if coming home from a hospital or birthing center after delivery are a car seat, a blanket, some diapers, and newborn wardrobe options with a couple of different sizes (you will want to pick up some laundry detergent that is safe for infants and wash all of those cute clothes beforehand that have been given to you or purchased).

Do you have a plan for meals? It’s important for mom to be eating well (Dads too since they are often in on a lot of the action and tired too!), especially if she’s breastfeeding. Maybe freezing a few things up ahead of time and making sure you have some paper plates and utensils on hand would be helpful so you don’t have to worry too much about dishes piling up for a little while. If people offer to bring you a meal they might consider bringing it in a container that need not be cleaned or returned.

Where will your baby sleep for the first little while? There are several options – in a small crib that adjoins to your bed, a basinet, a full-sized crib, or perhaps in your bed with you. This will be a choice you make up ahead of time, but your baby will probably have a vote to cast too, and you can adjust as necessary.