Getting Ready For Baby: What New Moms Can Do to Prepare
By Alan Cassidy
Having a baby is one of the most exciting and rewarding times in a woman’s life. It can also be one of the most hectic, as a new baby needs lots of love and attention. Taking steps to prepare for baby’s arrival will help make those first few weeks a wonderful, low-stress experience:
Having a nursery set up will be a big step in having the home prepared for the new arrival. All of the baby’s clothes and linens should be washed before the baby uses them. Stock the nursery up on common supplies that will constantly be needed like wipes, lotions, baby powder, receiving blankets and onesies.
Have a hospital bag packed and ready to go. Some definite things a new mom will want to take are a nightgown or two; a going home outfit for baby and herself; deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste, any other toiletries they may need. Be sure to pack any medications mom may already be taking. Some other things to consider are a birth plan, if there is one; shampoo and conditioner, and/or soap from home– especially if mom has any allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients.
Make arrangements for a ride to the hospital since a mother in labor shouldn’t be driving herself to the hospital. If there is not a scheduled delivery, a baby will come whenever he/she feels ready. Having a plan with your partner, family or friend will help ease the nerves that come with the impending arrival. Have the car seat installed and checked by the local fire or police department prior to bringing baby home; many hospitals won’t let a baby leave the hospital without an approved rear facing infant car seat installed properly.
When thinking about post-delivery, there are decisions that need to be made. For feeding a newborn, there is the choice between breastfeeding and formula. The choice generally comes down to preference but if choosing breastfeeding, consider taking a breastfeeding class to learn the finer points. If expecting a son, there is the choice of circumcision. Speak to a doctor about how the facility performs the procedure and the benefits of it to help decide whether or not to proceed. Another optional choice is cord blood banking. This is a decision that could potentially have an impact your family’s future health; talk to your doctor about how cord blood is being used in medical treatments today.
Lastly, an expecting mother should take advantage of the ‘nesting’ urges and do some last minutes prep steps. Prepare meals ahead of time to put in the freezer to save for quick meals, clean and disinfect the house and take as many naps as possible!
This article was written by Alan Cassidy, an infant and children’s health advocate and active writer within the blogging community covering maternity and childbirth. Connect with him on Twitter @ACassidy22