In a relatively brief timeframe, your little one will be birthed into the world as a helpless infant, and he or she will be dependent on you for sustenance and love. Setting up before the baby shows up is a great approach to ensure everything is ready.
Let’s take a look at what you should do to prepare for your baby
When your third trimester begins, things start to ramp up! Your labor could begin at any time now, so it's ideal to get all your essentials together when you're around 35 weeks. Set up all the things you'll need for labor and for after the birth, if the baby comes early.
What Should You Buy Before Baby Arrives?
Shopping for what you need for your baby can be overwhelming! There is so much that is marketed as “must haves”. The list can seem exceptionally long and confounding. Remember you don’t need much! Let’s go through the essentials!
Feeding
For breastfeeding your baby, you need a breast pump, nursing pillow, nursing bras for yourself, and bibs and burp cloths for the baby.
For formula feeding, you need to buy formula, bottles, and a bottle and nipple cleaning brush.
Diapering
You are going to need to load up on those diapers, in addition to a ton of wipes and diaper cream. It would help if you also had a changing mat for diaper changing time.
Travel Gear
Before you welcome your newborn into the world, you should ensure you can go home with them securely. That's why you must have a car seat. Stroller is also great to have so you can start getting out for a 10-15 minute walk!
Sleeping Essentials
You need a safe place for your baby to sleep, so invest in a good crib and crib mattress or a bassinet for the early months.
Clothing
Infant clothes ought to be simplistic and comfortable. Think about ease of access for the many diaper changes! You're only going to need basics such as onesies, pajamas, kimono tees, and socks. There is no need to pile up clothes; the baby gains weight fast in the early months and you can always buy more as the baby grows.
Bathing Essentials
A few things you'll need for bathing your infant are a comfortable baby bather, baby shampoo and wash, and after-shower baby moisturizer.
Health Products
The well-being items you need for an infant, include saline nose drops, nasal aspiration (AKA snot sucker) , humidifier and a thermometer.
Preparing the House for Baby
The most important thing in preparing the house for the baby is deep cleaning. Also, it would be best to make it a habit to leave your shoes at the front entryway.
Give your house a "safety test." Infants become mobile practically overnight. Cleaning items and medications should consistently be put away far out and far off in safely bolted cupboards. Cabinets that are in reach with cleaning supplies or medications should be locked.
Prepare Hospital Bag
You should pack all essentials for your baby in your hospital go-bag as well as certain things you'll require on your way home. Once again, your newborn is going to come when they're ready, regardless of whether you are or not. So, to avoid unnecessary last-minute stress, try to gather your gear sooner rather than later.
Find a Good Lactation Consultant
It would help if you started looking up for a lactation expert during your pregnancy. Inquire if the hospital where you will deliver the baby has one. Another alternative is to go to the International Lactation Consultant Association's site, which has a search function that permits you to locate an expert in your vicinity. You can also seek advice from an experienced friend.
Find a Certified Pediatrician
As a new parent, it's essential to find a pediatrician with whom you feel great and comfortable. If your baby turns out to be sick, you need to have a decent working relationship with a specialist you trust and regard and who will be there to help you.
Get Prepared for the Baby Mentally & Emotionally
Having a newborn is like a roller coaster of emotions. The following are a few ways guardians can plan emotionally and physically for a newborn:
Be prepared for sleepless nights
Research and learn about care for your newborn baby
Ready yourself for unexpected things that can happen to you or your baby
Let go of the “perfect” delivery or postpartum image in your head
Learn about what physical and mental changes can occur to you postpartum
Be mentally prepared for a change in your relationship with your partner
Make sure to have your close friends, and family members lined up for your support
Get Prepared for the Baby Financially
You must know if you or your partner are qualified for paid maternity/paternity leave
You must review how much of your labor and delivery costs are covered by health insurance
Open a savings account for your baby; this will help you in future
Remember to alter your present monthly budget plan for recurring baby costs, like diapers, wipes, formula, and childcare
Wrapping Up
When you are set up inside and out for your new child's arrival, you have the chance to truly appreciate bonding as a new family and absorb each newborn moment with the minimum measure of interruptions possible!
Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy things as you go. You got this!
MaternalWell text support is available for general questions. Contact our maternal specialist ( lactation counselors, physical therapists, mental health counselor) for a private telehealth consult either for a specific issue or to be proactive!
