There are a lot of important and exciting decisions that come with preparing for the arrival of a new baby. Don’t feel overwhelmed; all new parents go through this, and with some planning it should be a magical time. Choosing a pediatrician you can trust will help give you the peace of mind that you’ve made the right choice for you and your baby’s health. Read on to learn more about some things you should do to prepare for the birth of a baby.
Preparing For The Baby: Tips
- Get the baby gear ready: Before the baby is born, you should have certain things already ready and tested to ensure that you know how to use them and that they work properly. Remember; less is more, and having quality essentials that you know work well is better than an overwhelming glut of supplies. Key essentials include a properly-installed car seat and a safe place for the baby to sleep like a bassinet or crib. Changing tables and an infant swing should be assembled ahead of time to reduce stress when the baby comes. Having clothes and necessary items prepared will save you a lot of time and give you peace of mind.
- Stock up on household essentials: As the days tick down to the delivery date, make sure that your house is well-stocked with everyday essentials like toilet paper, paper towels, safe cleaning products, and personal care products. The last thing you need to worry about with a sleeping newborn is running out of toilet paper.
- Make plans for your pets: If you have any furry family members, stock up on their care items and have arrangements for someone to take care of them while you’re in the hospital. If you’re concerned about your pet having adjustment issues with the newborn, consider working with a pet care professional to ensure that everyone can safely coexist.
- Fill prescriptions: If you or someone in the family requires regular medications or know you will need them in the future, get the prescriptions filled before the babies come so they’re on hand and you don’t forget. Shortly before your delivery dae, inventory your medicine cabinet and stock up on over-the-counter medications. Also, if you’re on any medications you may need to arrange for a friend or family member to pick them up while you’re home with the baby.
- Staying up to date on preventative care: You need to be in the best shape to take care of your baby. Not everything is necessarily pregnancy oriented; if you need new contacts or glasses, or if you need to get some dental work done, take care of it before there’s a newborn to worry about.
- Preparing for the hospital or birthing center: You should get ready for your hospital stay as the due date approaches. This includes choosing a hospital, knowing the best way to get there, and having suitcases packed on hand if you need to leave in a hurry.
Contact Us Today
Taking care of yourself is the most important thing at the end of the day when you’re having a baby. Staying healthy and being prepared will give you peace of mind so that when the baby does come your stress is minimized.Sunlife Pediatric Network is dedicated to helping children stay healthy. Call Sunlife Pediatric Network to schedule an appointment for your child today.