Getting yourself, your family and your home ready for the arrival of a new baby is a huge task. While it is common knowledge that raising children is an incredibly difficult job, many prospective parents forget to consider the immediate run-up to the day of the baby’s arrival. Little things such as what you need on the day of the birth and the finer details of setting up your home can often be left to the wayside when you become swept up in the excitement of your new baby.Here are a few tips to help you remember the essentials before your baby is born.
Get Your Home Ready
When you have a rough notion of when your new baby is due, it’s a good idea to start getting your home ready by creating a space where the baby can sleep and play. This might be in your own bedroom or a separate nursery, but either way, you will need to consider which furniture and essentials you will need, such as bedding and safety precautions. Putting protective covers over electricity sockets and child safety locks on cupboard doors as well as stair gates can help you feel more ready for the arrival of your new family member.
Prepare Existing Family Members
Telling your other family members about the upcoming birth can be both exciting and daunting. If you already have children, it can be especially tense anticipating their reaction to the news of a sibling. It’s important to be straightforward with your kids and involve them in preparing for the new baby, as this can help them feel included and not forgotten. Giving them responsibilities such as choosing the paint for the baby’s nursery or coming up with name ideas can get them excited about the baby rather than resentful.
Stock Up on Supplies
Although you will be able to buy plenty of essential items once your baby is born, it can help you feel more prepared to stock up on supplies before their arrival. Think about what you will need for the first few days and weeks, including food, equipment, clothing, hygiene items, and bedding. For example, Crane Baby’s quilted baby blankets are great for providing comfort and warmth when your baby needs it most.
Plan Your First Few Stages
It can be useful in the lead-up to the birth date to carefully think through the steps that must be taken. For example, do you have a plan for taking the baby home or inviting family members to visit?
Accept That Nothing Is Certain
While it is tempting to plan as much as you can for big life events such as the arrival of a new baby, it is also important to remember that you can’t predict the future, and there will always be various elements of preparation that you won’t be able to figure out in advance. Take it one step at a time and have patience with yourself.
