How To Prepare For The Baby’s Arrival? Tips You Should Apply
The birth of a child changes the lives of parents, siblings and even the pet. Find out how you can prepare for the baby’s arrival with these tips.
Preparing for the baby’s arrival involves much more than just buying a crib or changing table. Parents, siblings, and even the pet need to prepare emotionally for the changes to come.
The birth of a new member of the family is a moment of absolute happiness. However, that little being will come into your life to modify everything you knew. Next, we share with you some tips to prepare for the arrival of the baby on a practical level and also on an emotional level. Do not miss them!
Tips to prepare for the baby’s arrival
We have divided these tips into practical and emotional, to make it easier for you to orient yourself throughout the article.
First, we will talk about those things you have to do and buy before your child is born and, later, we will address the mental and emotional preparation necessary to face the changes that are coming.
What should you do and buy before the birth?
We know you have a thousand things on your mind. Pregnancy is a time for introspection, happiness and nerves. Surely, at times, you feel that you do not get to do everything you want and that stresses you out. Take a deep breath and relax. Nothing is more important than you and your baby.
Next, we present a small list of tasks that can help you make decisions and prioritize what you should do and buy.
1. Where will the baby sleep?
The first thing to ask yourself is where your child will sleep. The answer to this question is the starting point for knowing what to do and buy. Let’s see the options:
- Sleeping with the baby in the same room : if this is your decision, before you start decorating your child’s room, you should think about whether the crib will fit in your room and where and how you will place it.
- Co-sleeping : when opting for co-sleeping, you must make sure to practice it safely, as this article published in the journal Pediatrics Primary Care points out . Likewise, the Spanish Association of Pediatrics recommends using a sidecar-type crib in these cases.
- The baby sleeps in his room : in this case, you should have the room ready for the arrival of your little one.
2. Essential purchases for the little one
There is nothing more tempting than shopping for your baby. However, this can lead to buying unnecessary things at first.
We advise you to prepare a list of the essentials and stick to it to buy more. Of course, you can indulge yourself, but fundamental purchases include the following:
- The bassinet or cradle, if you plan to use it. You can always choose to use the crib from day one.
- The crib, either sidecar, nest or normal.
- The changing table.
- The bedding.
- A sleeping bag (or two).
- The bathtub.
- Towels (at least two).
- Diapers and wipes. We advise you not to buy too many of the first size, since babies grow very fast.
3. Baby carriage or carry?
Another of the great doubts of parents, and one that must be solved soon, is if you want to buy the baby stroller in any of the stores in your city. You should bear in mind that they are usually ordered at least 3 or 4 months before the expected delivery date.
Here it is important that you decide how you plan to go for a walk with the baby. A combination of a wrap and stroller can be interesting, as it allows you more room for maneuver.
Also, although at the moment more scientific evidence is needed in this regard, there are quite a few people who point out that carrying provides important benefits, both for the mother and the baby.
4. Baby’s clothes
When preparing for the arrival of the baby, we find ourselves with this big headache: how much clothes do we need to buy? As with diapers, the ideal is not to overdo the first sizes for two reasons:
- Babies grow very fast and are likely to change in size in a matter of weeks.
- People who give away clothes tend to opt for the first sizes.
The most practical way to manage the situation is to talk to those people who you know will give you a gift to coordinate with them what you need and in what size. Calculate that your child will need:
- 10 bodies .
- 5 pairs of socks.
- 10 t-shirts and pants.
- 10 pajamas.
- 5/6 bags or jerseys .
- 2 hats for the early stages.
5. The bag for the hospital
Don’t wait until the last minute to pack your bag for the hospital. Prepare it in time so that you don’t forget anything important, such as the mobile charger, clothes for your child and for you, diapers and everything you need for your stay in the hospital.
6. House ready for the baby’s arrival
When your due date approaches, your home needs to be ready. This means having a well-stocked pantry, a neat and clean house, and a plan of action, that is, knowing who will take care of the older sibling or the pet while you are away, if necessary.
Prepare for the arrival of the baby on an emotional level
The birth of your child will turn your life upside down. The first days will be exciting and exhausting at the same time, and this you have to contemplate already from your pregnancy.
Being a mother or father is not easy; is facing an unknown world, even when you already have another child. Each baby is a different world, with its own needs and expectations, just like each parent.
If you have another child, it is important to prepare him for the changes to come. It is not easy to become an older son. You should talk to him, read stories about it and, above all, have a lot of patience during the first months.
Show him how much you love him, because he may feel displaced by the arrival of his baby brother.
The same could happen with the pet that has had your undivided attention for so many years. Pets are a bit like children and they also need our patience and understanding to adapt to the new situation.
In short, do not minimize the changes. Be aware that your life and that of your entire home is about to change. Prepare for the unexpected, embrace your new life and don’t let a bad night prevent you from enjoying this wonderful moment that you are living.
As you can see, preparing for the baby’s arrival is much more than shopping. You must be aware that the changes will be fundamental and that you will not be able to control everything. Despite the fear that this can generate, there is nothing more beautiful in the world!
