What should i prepare for my newborn baby

Older toddlers or preschoolers enjoy the pretend play, and when they see you diapering or feeding the new baby later, it seems familiar. Some hospitals have sibling classes, where older kids can learn about babies — why they cry, how to keep them safe, and why they sleep so much.

As your due date approaches, make sure you've lined up someone to care for your children during the birth and afterward. You'll also want to prepare your pets for a new baby. Local trainers may offer classes, or you can turn to books, articles, or videos for tips on getting your pet used to the new baby.

Be sure to consider whether you'll need to make arrangements with a pet sitter or a dog walker for when you're in the hospital giving birth. Extra help is essential for surviving those first few weeks with a newborn. You don't have to try to do it all yourself — asking for newborn help when it's needed is one of the most important and valuable things a new mom can do.

If you're lucky enough to have a relative who can help you, consider having a sit-down before the baby arrives to discuss specifics. Grandma may to want swoop in and take care of that cute bundle of joy, but it's more important for the parents to figure out baby care together.

Family can help by doing laundry, shopping, cooking, and other errands. Of course, not all potential helpers will be open to this. But many genuinely want to help you in the best way possible and will appreciate hearing exactly what you need. You can also hire help, such as a postpartum doula , a night nanny, or a cleaning service. Long before those first contractions hit, you'll want to prepare for labor by putting a firm plan in place about who to call, where to go, and when to leave.

Your healthcare provider should give you a clear set of guidelines on what to do when you go into labor , including when to call your doctor's office and when to head for the hospital or birth center or when to call the midwife if you're planning a home birth.

Decide who will accompany you, and have a few back-ups just in case. Plan the route you'll take ahead of time, including where to park and which entrance to use when it's time to check yourself in. You can get a handle on these logistics by taking an in-person or virtual tour of your hospital or birth center.

During a hospital tour, you'll learn about basic policies and see the labor rooms and nursery if there is one. If you can, register ahead of time to get the paperwork out of the way. That way when labor rolls around, you'll be able to bypass the bureaucracy and breeze right in. Deciding who will attend the birth of your baby is a very personal decision — and note that it's also one that's dependent on your hospital's current policies for guests and visitors.

Amid the COVID pandemic, many hospitals and birth centers have changed their visitation policies, so be sure to check in with them on the latest. Some moms like a full room, including their partner, a doula , and other friends and family to witness the birth and provide support.

Others prefer as few people present as possible. Check with your hospital or birthing center, then give some thought to what you want, so that there are no misunderstandings, unwelcome observers, or offended grandparents.

It can also be helpful to designate a "family spokesperson" ahead of time — that is, someone who can send emails and make phone calls or spread the news on social networking sites to let everyone know when your baby arrives. Finally, remember that labor can be exhausting, and visitors popping by unannounced during your recovery may not make for the most restful experience.

Check your storage limits on your phone to ensure you have enough room for lots and lots and LOTS of new videos and photos! Set-up as many of your existing monthly bills on auto-pay as you can — the less you have to remember, the better.

If you plan on sending out a Birth Announcement, get your addresses organized now. Make it super easy for yourself by creating a Word document with a label template — simply copy and paste your addresses, then you can print them onto sticky labels, ready to peel off onto your envelopes once they arrive. You are going to do amazing!

We wish you a short and easy labor, and of course, the safe arrival of your sweet baby. Pinterest Facebook Twitter. The early months of motherhood can be surprisingly challenging and even isolating at times, so having a community to get advice and ask questions can be extremely powerful. There are a lot of apps targeted to new moms, but the one we always recommend is Peanut. Peanut is an app that provides a safe space for mamas, mamas-to-be, and those trying to conceive, to build friendships, ask questions, and find support.

We love that you get the chance to meet other women in your area who are at a similar life stage think dating app, but for finding new mom friends! There are groups for everything, from pregnancy to breastfeeding, the app is a great way to connect with women like you.

Now is the perfect time to download Peanut and set it up on your device so you can start meeting moms with similar due dates, and jumping into the community to ask all those pressing questions. Changing Station: We always suggest using a regular dresser with a changing table topper so it can transition as your baby grows.

Keep a caddy with diapers, wipes, rash cream, hand sanitizer, etc. Video Baby Monitor: While these may cost a little more than your standard non-video monitor, the investment is completely worthwhile, and it will save you from having to get-up out of bed many-a-night to check on your child.

Set it up and do a test run to make sure it works. And as they grow, it helps them sleep-in later especially in summer months when it gets light early! If you plan on doing cloth diapers, have a variety of sizes and styles to try. Footie PJs: Try and resist all the cute newborn outfits you want to buy — trust us, your baby will live in onesies and footed pajamas. We highly suggest getting ones with a zipper. Swaddle Blankets: Soft and stretchy are best.

We love those by Copper Pearl. Put Away Clothes: Wash all of those itty-bitty clothes in fact, anything that will touch their skin — blankets, sleep sacks, etc. Set-up the Rest of Your House Too! Nursing Supplies Too: Same goes for your nursing supplies. Prepare for Postpartum We tend to spend a lot of time learning all about labor and how to take care of a newborn, but we often forget to research what to expect during our postpartum recovery.

Stock Up on Household Products Grab extras of your household essentials like paper towel, toilet paper, laundry detergent, dish soap, hand soap, etc. Prep for After-Baby Guests Will your mom or other family members be coming to stay with you to help after the baby is born? You might also want to take an infant CPR class.

Ask your doctor or do an online search for classes near you. Patching holes in the wall and replacing lightbulbs? Who has time for that with a newborn!

Get all those home repairs and minor renovations done before baby arrives. Airtasker is a great place to get competitive quotes for any job you need done.

If you plan on having any painting done, remember to do your research on safer, Low VOC paints in order to protect you, your growing baby and the rest of your family. Here is a great resource for non-toxic paint vendors. Options include daycare centers, home daycares, nannies and care provided by family members. For a more in-depth look at what you may like to include on your registry list and to view starter lists, visit The Tot Registry. To help support you on your breastfeeding journey, we have worked with a registered Lactation Consultant to provide detailed information about breastfeeding tips, nursing holds, mastitis, and more as well as select essential nursing products to help you deal with everything from leaking breasts to the insatiable thirst that comes from producing milk.

Enjoy the peace of mind that comes from the fact this seat has been tested for over 10, chemicals and VOCs known to pollute indoor and comes up updated flame-retardant fabric, while the Nuna Tavo Next stroller is a fantastic lightweight stroller that provides comfort, safety and style. While some people prefer a more traditional style baby carrier, many love the closeness a wrap provides.

Safe sleeping is the most important factor when choosing nursery and sleep gear. Home Pregnancy Labour and birth Planning your baby's birth. Preparing for baby: 16 ways to get ready for your baby's arrival photos January, It's nearly time to meet your baby!

Check out our tips on how to get ready for the newest member of your family. If you haven't already, it's a good idea to prepare some notes that tell your midwife what kind of birth you'd like. Write down the type of pain relief you want, whether you'd like delayed cord clamping , and how important it is for you to have skin-to-skin straight after the birth. Your birth plan needs to be flexible, in case your preferences or circumstances change on the day.

But it can still be a useful guide for you, your birth partner , and the team caring for you. It's important to make sure that you and your partner are on the same page before your baby arrives. Don't assume that your partner understands what their role should be during labour and birth , or about how you'll divide chores between you in your new life as a family. Our guides for birth partners and new dads may help. Whether it's your own parents, friends with children, or the supportive parents in our BabyCentre community , those who've been there have the best tips on life with a baby.

There's no such thing as a silly question when it comes to pregnancy and parenting. So take every opportunity to learn from others' experiences. Shutterstock Custom. If you already have a child, spend a little extra time with them now, before you have a newborn to keep you busy. Some parents worry about their older child feeling displaced by a new baby.

Discover how to prepare your one year old , two year old or three year old for a new sibling, and how to help them bond after the birth. The first few weeks with a baby can be overwhelming. If you're lucky enough to have friends or relatives who are willing to help out, it's worth having a chat about specifics before the birth.

For example, will you need them more in the first few weeks, or after your partner's paternity leave has finished? If you're considering using paid help, such as a cleaner, or a babysitter for your older child, you could organise this in advance. Discover how other new parents get the help they need.