Excited to receive a new member of the family? Of course, the excitement must come with a lot of responsibilities and changes here and there. Bringing your baby home from the hospital is not something to take lightly. The little one is quite demanding, and considering how delicate they can be, you have no say but to try as much as possible to make them comfortable.
You need to enjoy every bit of it. But with the new world of uncertainties, you should prepare early enough and make your transition to parenthood easier. Here is a simple guide on the top preparation tips to put in place as you welcome the newborn.
Consider the Baby’s Health
The first few weeks with your baby is going to be the most vulnerable. You’re going to be so scared, especially if it’s firstborn. This is because apart from being fragile, some babies are born with some medical conditions that doctors may not realize immediately. You need to monitor your baby closely and call the doctor if you notice anything unusual.
Apart from the diseases that the baby can be born to, you also need to keep your eyes open for any infections. Babies can easily pick up infections, especially from people who come to visit. Be careful about the people handling the baby and check for any signs of infections so that you can address them as soon as possible.
Babies Comfort
The comfort of your baby matters a lot, and these are things that you need to prepare even before delivery. You need to have a baby station in the house where it will spend most of its first weeks. Your baby will need diapers, rappers, burp rags, baby nightgowns, bottles and formula, breastfeeding essentials, cradle, extra sheets, etc.
Everything needs to be very comfortable and clean. Having all these items ready before you come home with the baby will also give you an easy time. Via this strong organization, it will make finding items easier.
Prepare the Furniture and Furnishings
You need to prepare good furniture and furnishings before your baby’s arrival. When choosing these, put a lot of emphasis on the safety and comfort of the little one. One of the things you must never miss is a baby crib. Because a crib is going to be a big investment, you need to take a lot of things into account when buying it.
You need the best baby crib in the market that will help your baby get enough sleep to aid healthy development. Apart from your own requirements, you also need to ensure that the crib you buy meets all the federal safety standards. The mattress and the sheets in the crib should also be of good quality.
Prepare for Friends and Family Visits
As the newest parents in town, there is no doubt you will want to keep the baby to yourselves. However, this is not going to be possible, and it is only a matter of days before you realized that the baby belongs to the entire community. Your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and everybody who knows you will want to come over to see the baby.
This is wonderful, but then they need to follow some rules. This is especially very important if you’re exhausted or still recovering from a C-section. You need to limit the number of people flocking in per day so that you can have enough time to recover. Also, ask your visitors to wash their hands before handling the baby since the newborn doesn’t have a strong immune system and can easily catch infections.
Have Time for Yourself
You want to be there for your baby all the time. However, you will soon get hit with the reality that this is not going to be possible. For the first few weeks, the baby is going to need a lot of your attention, but you also need time for yourself. You need time to eat, to sleep, take a shower, and just have some “me time.”
A baby monitor will be your helper in such times. A baby monitor will be there for your baby while you catch some sleep or carry out some chores. The best baby monitor has all the essential features, including detecting if the baby if about to cry. It will help you know when you need a diaper change, or it’s time for feeding.
Accept Help
Believe it or not, life isn’t going to be the same with a baby home. Even after you’re fully recovered and in perfect shape to go back to your normal chores, you’re still going to find it hard doing everything. Most of the time, you’re going to have some good friends and family members giving you occasional visits.
You should take advantage of their goodwill and allow them to help you do one or two things around the house. You can have them help with cooking, cleaning, and holding the baby while you take a break. It will also help to hire a nanny if you can afford it. Having someone helping around the house will help you stay in good shape and avoid stress.
Find a Pediatrician
Whether this is your first baby or the third one, you’re still going to need an expert opinion in several things. You need to have a pediatrician you can rely on whenever things get out of hand. He/she should be available 24/7 because you never know when you will need quick help. You should also schedule visits once in a while to have your baby checked.
One thing you need to understand before you welcome your baby home is to relax and take it easy. The baby may look fragile, but things aren’t as hard as they seem. Caring for your baby is not going to be a complicated experience, but fun. Apart from making changes here and there, you’re going to love the whole experience of watching your baby grow every day.