Here’s a guide that will help you prepare well for the baby’s arrival in a few weeks. It is a must-read for first-time parents-to-be.
So, how has your baby’s preparation been going? For mothers-to-be, we know it is a challenging time, but what keeps butterflies in your tummy is the small preps you have been doing for the baby. After all, there is going to be an addition to the family that will stand as the most precious and valuable, and yes, of course, permanent!
So, there’s every good reason for you to finally gear up and start pre-arrival preparations so that the initial phases of parenthood can become a little smoother. You must be wondering how it will streamline everything and make it easy for you to execute Here it is!
It is because you don’t have a real idea of what temperaments parenthood can give you. And, if you do not consider those little things now, there’s definitely a large sum of regret coming later.
Don’t want to think “wish we could just prepare this beforehand?” So, read the guide and if you haven’t started, take it as a sign and start today!
Baby preparations should start once you enter the third trimester and the due date is just two or three months away. You can start before too, however, this is the time when it should necessarily happen.
Now let’s talk about real things that you must do!
Things to Do Before Baby’s Arrival
Clothing
You must adorn the baby’s nursery with clothes before the arrival. It is a true fact that you would have to change the baby’s clothes frequently because of hygiene issues. Especially as the baby grows and starts to move, hygiene becomes a great concern. There are many other reasons why you need to prepare clothing essentials beforehand.
In Indian tradition, oil massage is given to the baby to make the bones and muscles stronger. Further, when the baby starts to eat, you know the mess he’ll create. There are many other reasons why you need to buy and keep ample clothes beforehand. So, how should you shop?
Try and buy a different set of clothes as per the changing weather because the baby is going to be hypersensitive. To start you can buy:
- 5-6 infant t-shirts
- 6-8 onesies (short-sleeved)
- 5-6 onesies (long-sleeved)
- 5-8 pajama set
- 5-8 pairs of socks
- 5-7 stretch pants (cotton)
- 5-6 sweaters and hoodies
- 2-3 knit caps
Initially try and buy more cotton clothes as they won’t irritate the baby’s body as polyester might do!
Feeding Essentials
A Newborn’s feeding essentials stocking is another important thing to consider. It’s always appreciated to consult with your pediatrician and carve out an optimal nutrition plan for the baby beforehand.
The most important decisions you might have to consider include the usage of formulas that revolve around breastfeeding. If you want to choose a formula, you have to make it important that it is 100% comfortable with ingredients included in most pre-packaged brands.
On the other hand, if you are planning an extended period of breastfeeding, you would have to carve out a plan for the baby’s bottle transition.
As you proceed to make the food list for the baby, you might want to consider the items given below:
- 7-8 burp cloths
- Nursing pillows
- 4-6 bottles with newborn nipples
- Bottlebrush
- Insulated bottle holder for the diaper bag
- Bra nursing pads
- Lanolin nipple cream
- Milk storage bags or bottles
Diapers
How can you forget about diapers? They are the most important ones to make it to the preparation list. The reason why this is the last one in the list is because we want you to read this!
No. A few packets of diapers wouldn’t do, you have to buy in bulk. However, another important thing is to ensure you have the right sizes available.
Here are a few items that must make it to the diapers package on the list:
- 3 or more changing table pads
- Some simple grasping toys for distraction
- Diaper rash ointment
- Plastic wipes holder
- 2-4 packages of newborn or size 1 diaper
- Washable diaper bag
- Thermos for warm water
- Baby wipes
- 13-19 cloth diaper covers
- 24-50 pre-fold cloth diapers and covers
To start, begin with stocking up on these items and once you onboard the journey, you would definitely find more to add. But yes, before we touch the end, let’s remind you to pack all your consultation papers in your delivery bag so that you can eliminate all chances of trouble at such a crucial hour.
It’s like starting a new journey in life for which you must pack well, after all, it is the most beautiful and challenging one.
Happy parenting!
