Preparing for Baby

As you are probably finding out, having a baby changes your life in a number of ways. The more you plan for your child’s arrival now, the more relaxed you can be once your bring baby home.

• Make childcare arrangements. If you are planning on going back to work after your baby, figure out who will care for you child while you are still pregnant. You won’t feel rushed trying to find someone in your last week of maternity leave and you will have the opportunity to break-in slowly by leaving the baby for a few hours here and there. By the time you head back to work, both you and the baby should feel comfortable with the caregiver.
• Schedule an appointment with a baby proofing company. They will point out household dangers you would probably miss. If you have a pool, get a fence installed now. Don’t wait until baby is crawling.
• Select and order birth announcements ahead of time. Most stationery stores will hold your order and then you can call them with the details after the baby arrives. Ask if you can have the envelopes ahead of time, so you can get all the addressing done. Explore making them yourself on a photo printing website or with materials from a scrapbook store.
• Check out resale and consignment stores for great deals. They usually only accept almost new merchandise and it is a fantastic way to save on those items you deem “non-essential”. It is also the perfect place to buy that extra high-chair or portable crib for grandma’s house.
• Start a college savings plan, look into securing a life insurance policy and be sure to create a will.
• You will quickly tire of take-out food. Stock-up for the first few weeks with a meal prep service. You can schedule an appointment, prepare a dozen meals in two hours, take them home and put them in the freezer…hearing “what’s for dinner?” won’t make you cringe.
• Prepare pets for the new arrival. Jealousy can lead to aggressive or unpleasing behavior. Find a professional who can show you how to best introduce your pets to the new baby. Learn more
• Have nesting fever? Clean out your closets. In the next year, you will collect so many baby items; you will welcome the extra space.
• Get your carpets cleaned. You and your baby will spend lots of time playing on the floor. Or better yet, schedule a full house cleaning and consider continuing a regular service once baby arrives.