How To Prepare For Your Newborn

Becoming parents is special. It is a time of great joy that you will never forget. It can also be a time when you feel most overwhelmed in your life.

At first, both moms and dads can feel stressed and exhausted and wonder how they will be able to meet all the challenges ahead. No one has all the answers, but we have a few things to help you start on this path as you prepare for your Baby’s arrival. One day at a time, just the fact you are looking for information means you will be awesome parents!

I won’t say it will be easy… but it will be rewarding.

Parenthood is most often not glamorous. Yes, you dress your little one up, go on excursions, visit family and friends, and it all looks wonderful. Well, most of the time, sometimes you might have a few disasters. Like when your Baby throws up on your aunt’s new carpet! Or little Robbie, let’s go a fountain of pee right after you take his diaper off and before you have a chance to put a new one on. But for the most part, you will react positively; everyone understands babies are unpredictable. Every parent has gone through embarrassing moments, and these happenings will only bring a chuckle. Your baby is the object of affection for everyone around you for moments on end.

Being a parent has its many joys and long, exhausting times you feel will never end. At such times, try and take a break. Often, you can find some motherly person who lives close by who will come and sit with your baby while you are taking a nap. Or they will read to your little one or play a game. Or give you and your partner a much-needed bit of couple time, even if it is only to have a walk around the block for ten minutes. This can be so helpful to you if your grandparents are not living close to you. Most people whose children are grown up welcome the occasional time with a baby or toddler. Suppose you knew how they reflect on their own memories and love to feel that warmth again.

If you worry about a caregiver coming into your home, you can install nannycams, and you will discover quickly if you need to be concerned. Little people are so precious.

I remember a wonderful older friend when my children were babies. Her grandchildren lived miles away and could only visit on occasion. Although she had plenty of friends and an active life in the community, she missed being with children. Like the old saying, “Children grow up so fast.” You look at them when they are thirty and wonder where all the years went.

I always wondered if I was taking advantage of my friend; I felt so guilty calling her to see if she was available, although she always asked me to call again soon. She was a godsend to me since I worked long and odd hours photographing weddings and events on weekends! On some weekends, when she agreed to help, I would drop my Baby at her home before the event and come back the next morning. We had coffee together and chatted, and then I went home with my little one. It was so great because I could do my job without worry.

Being a parent requires patience, hard work, and dedication. But it is one job that is a lifelong blessing. Go easy on yourself, take it one day at a time, and learn as you go.

Be willing to listen.

Be willing to listen to your family for advice. Your friends can also be of great support and encouragement. Even though every child is different, other parents can give you much-needed help with some things. For instance, what to do during the terrible twos. Temper tantrums, and more. Never be concerned if you don’t feel some advice is right for your child; you have the final say! No one knows your child better than you.

Preparation is the first law of happiness!

As with most things in life, if you are prepared, things will usually go smoothly, and you won’t have too many problems. Having your first Baby is wonderful, but it can also bring stresses to your marriage that you never thought of on your honeymoon. Here are some things you can do to work together as parents.

Examine how you solve problems together and come up with strategies that work for each other’s personality types. Try to figure these things out before you become pregnant. Often, people solve conflicts in ways similar to those of their parents. Some people hash everything out. Arguments can get heated. Still, others clam right up and don’t talk. Somewhere in the middle could be right. Develop an enhanced sense of humor. There are so many jokes about how women and men solve things differently. Understand the different communication styles and balance discussions.

Be understanding and kind. Things can feel more pointed when you are going through highly emotional times. You or your partner and family members can take offense at something that was never meant that way. Now that you know how each of you likes to solve problems, start planning and meet each other in the middle.

Nursery Preparation

You can go all out and get everything you think you might need for the nursery before you give birth. However, practically speaking, even if you have thought of everything, your Baby may have needs you didn’t anticipate. It sounds weird, but some specific kinds of things, like baby rockers and such, just don’t work for every little one. You may need to try something different. So, leave room in your budget to buy things as you need them. Remember that your friends may have things their babies have outgrown, which can help you save.

The Minimalist Nursery List

• Newborn Bedside Bassinet – Great to keep Baby close for night feedings. Often, Baby will sleep beside you in a bassinet at first. Never put yourself in a position that would allow you or your partner to roll over unconsciously on Baby. There are several bassinet models that are quite helpful.
• Diaper Bag with Changing Station – handy to take along wherever you go.
• Crib with a breathable and firm mattress. Fitted bedding.
• Comfortable Nursing Rocker with padded arms. (short legs help petite moms) There are also small rockers with no arms, traditionally called ‘nursing rockers.’
• Newborn Swaddle
• If you can, it also helps to have a couple of comfortable lounge chairs or a nursing rocker in your living room rather than just in the nursery.
• Footstool to go with Nursing Rocker (helps Mom to put one foot up while nursing)
• Nursing pillow to rest your Baby on while nursing (useful for breast or bottle feeding; Dads find this helpful, too)
• Night lights
• Sleep time music or white noise
• Musical Hanging Mobile for Crib with age-related dangles.
• Infant Play Gym – Stimulating Play from Infant Tummytime to Toddler Play Fort. It helps develop your Baby’s senses with activities to promote brain and motor skill development,
• Video Baby Monitor
• Humidifier -Air Purifier
• Changing Table with pad and storage for essential supplies
• Newborn Diapers – fold-over diapers for boys, plain for girls, soft and eco-friendly.
• Unscented baby wipes – Anti rash cream – vaseline – baby oil – Baby shampoo
• A Safe Baby Bathtub.
• Soft washcloths and hooded towels for drying Baby
• Distilled water and cotton balls are used to clean newborn babies’ eyes.
• Receiving blankets, snuggly swaddle.
• Burp cloths
• Breastfeeding supplies or formula and bottles
• Clothing for the first two months.
• Foldable stroller-type baby carriage
• Baby Carrier bassinet
• Baby Carrier with waist support for Mom and Dad to carry Baby
• Regulation Baby Car Seat

Ready Supplies for Mom’s Recovery.

• Nursing Pads
• Breast cream
• Breast pump and storage containers
• A Peri-care bottle
• Witch Hazel pads
• Sitz bath
• Heating pad and Ice Packs
• Pain relief spray
• Thick pads for a couple of weeks after giving birth
• Comfortable clothing
• Special foods for recovery and nursing. Bone soup broth that is frozen and ready to heat and serve.
• Healthy snacks.
• A list of things you want to eat to help you recover. Any allergies or dislikes should be listed if someone like grandma or auntie will be cooking for you.
• Get familiar with online grocery shopping and delivery
• Helpful books on looking after your Baby. Things Mom can do to help her recovery, like sleeping on her back with a pillow under her thighs and knees to support her lower back and possibly one under her feet also.

Things to do together before the Baby arrives

Once you have the Baby Nursery all ready, treat each other to some couple time.

• Go on a date. Go to a movie, go out to dinner, see a concert, walk on a beach, and hold hands.
• Travel someplace you have always wanted to visit
• Spend some time with friends and hang out.
• Get plenty of rest and relaxation.

What to take to the hospital for Baby

• Try to have your Hospital Bag packed near the start of your 3rd trimester. This has advantages in case you are given surprise baby showers, or you get very big and have a hard time moving around, or your Baby wants to meet you sooner than you think.
• An outfit for Baby to wear home. Pack two in case of an untimely burp-up. Or you decide on a different color outfit at the last moment.
• Onesie Sleepers
• Baby cozy hat
• Baby socks
• Cozy blanket
• 4 or 5 receiving blankets
• Swaddle.
• Newborn diapers, at least a dozen.
• Unscented baby wipes
• Soft, unscented Kleenex tissues
• Soft washcloths and a towel for drying.
• Diaper Bag to contain supplies
• Foldable stroller-type baby carriage pr Baby Carrier
• A baby car seat that meets all regulations

What to take to the hospital for the new Mom

• Several copies of your birth plan are needed so that your and your partner’s wishes are explained clearly.
• Old fashioned nightgown or a couple of long T-shirts
• Comfortable lounge clothing
• A bathrobe and slippers
• Toiletries
• Dry lip balm
• Cell phone with extra long cord for charging.
• An e-book to pass the time, just in case you have to wait. Choose something you find uplifting and prayerful. Access to listening to a podcast, calming music, or audible storybook. It helps to keep you calm.
• Healthy snacks and drinks for both Mom and Dad
• Extra pillow
• Bath towel and washcloth
• Snacks for Mom and Dad – Bear in mind that moms should not eat after labor starts; consult your physician.

What Dads should bring to the hospital

• Patience
• Calm
• Consideration
• Ability to listen and yet not become disturbed.
• Strong arms and calm demeanor. You are the rock!
• A supply of positive words or prayers to remember silently to keep yourself calm and focused.
• Realize you will have emotions. Thank goodness you will never forget this moment; Dads no longer have to wait out in the hall.
• Bring your best understanding and kind words.
• Plan to have a backup at work; focus on this.
• Communicate with close family and friends.
• Remember to get any paperwork from doctors and information to file for a birth certificate.
• Transportation to and from the hospital. Make sure you have a regulation car seat to carry your baby home.
• A supply of little thank you notes on hand. Your card will mean the world to your Doctor or a particular Nurse or Doula. Sending a small thank you card to people who bring gifts or food or help in some way will feel appreciated. Be ready to make a list so you can send cards later. So much is happening that you may find it hard to manage the time to send a thank you. They will understand. But that is why it means so much more when they are thanked. Enlist the help of a mom, grandma, or aunt to help you; they will feel pleased to be so included.
• Cook some foods ahead and put them in the freezer. Cooking ahead and even enlisting a family member to help is a smart idea.

Grandparent and Family Planning for the Arrival

• Communicate and Coordinate – Checklist for notifying grandparents. Who does what and when?
• Create a notification hub so Dad can update everyone on how things are going. And announce the happy arrival.
• Prepare addressed thank you cards for gifts. Just add the special thank you note before sending it.
• Give each other a special thoughtful thank you for bringing this beautiful Baby into the world. A handmade gift is priceless. A poem, a card with your thoughts, flowers, a promise of forever.
• Remember the wise saying, “God sends every baby with its own loaf of bread upon arrival.”
• Buy a Baby Record book – set up a particular file on your computer to save videos and photos.
• Guest Room for Grandmas and Grandpas when they stay overnight to help out

On the first day home from the hospital

There is almost no time for visitors to visit you in the hospital these days. You will be home before anyone can get there. Also, this is a unique time for moms and Dads. In the old days, a woman would stay in a hospital for a week, learn to bathe and care for her Baby, learn to nurse, and learn to deal with her own issues post-birth. These days, all this is carried out at home.

When you first come home from the hospital, you may or may not want visitors for the first week. This week is a crucial bonding time for you both and your baby. If you have another child, make sure the Baby brings them a gift! They might enjoy staying with grandma for a few days. Communicate your preferences ahead of time. Some cultures want space, while people in other cultures would be offended if no one visited the day you arrived home. Family and friends are usually delighted to do what is best for you; they need to be communicated to in a kind and considerate manner.

If you are nursing your Baby, understand that you may have a rough start for a few days, but that subsides.

The most significant consideration for meals is for Mom and Dad. Enlist a grandma to help with food. Purchase staple foods that store well so you can make foods in a pinch. Make a few things ahead and freeze them.

Remember, both parents can be exhausted. Sometimes babies cry, and that is ok; sometimes, it takes them a while to sleep through the night. Although I never could just let a baby cry. I would be out of bed at the slightest whimper during the night. But it is comforting to know that babies can cry for ten or fifteen minutes without hurting themselves. If there is colic and more crying, seek professional help.

The Joys of Parenting

Remember, as the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Looking after your Baby is a team effort that you and your partner, extended family, and friends will treasure forever. There will be difficult days, but it is all worth it. You will have happy stories and not-so-happy ones, but they will all be part of the larger fantastic world of being a parent.  

Memories of anything tough will vanish that first time your little one smiles at you.

Your heart will melt over and over again!