Preparing for baby

Having a new baby alone is a very big day that needs a lot of attention and planning. To ensure everything isn’t piled up on your to-do list the day you come home from the hospital, here are some things you can do in advance to prepare for your new baby.

Have the nursery ready: Make sure you paint the nursery in advance with environmentally safe paint. Paints that are Non-VOC (volatile organic compound) will reduce exposure to fumes and help avoid contact with chemicals.

Find a childcare facility near you: After you have your baby, you may start to think about when you should go back to work and how you should plan the process. It’s important to get a head start and find a daycare your trust and feel comfortable with before the chaos of caring for a baby sets in.

Make meals in advance: Life will be so hectic once you come home from the hospital, and you and your partner will be so tired that the last thing you will want to do is cook. At the same time, it’s important to feed yourself healthy meals after having a child. Before you are due, you and your partner should make meals in advance to freeze and save to make the first week of caring for the new baby a little easier.

Prepare toddlers: Before the baby arrives, make sure to sit any new siblings down to have a conversation about the new baby. Your child has watched you grow and the idea of a new baby can be complex for him or her, so it’s best to prepare your toddler steps at a time. This way, when the baby arrives your toddler is excited but also prepared for what to expect.

Prepare pets: Before mom heads home, have a member of the family take something the baby has worn for the pet to smell. This will get the animal familiar with the baby’s scent before he or she comes home.

Electric plugs: Make sure to cover any unused electrical plugs. As your baby learns to crawl around, they will want to stick their fingers everywhere! You can purchase many varieties of electrical covers at your local home improvement store. Any covers from simple plastic inserts, to complete covers that go over the outlets can get the job done.

Baby gates and guard rails: As your baby learns to crawl, it’ll be very important to put guardrails on the entryways to the stairs as well as make sure the carpet is secure. Stairs can be dangerous at any age, and even a parent tripping could be a potential hazard.

Childproof kocks: As frustrating as they may be to install around your house and deal with on a daily basis, without these locks, your baby could get into dangerous areas such as the cleaning supply cabinet or medicine supply cabinet. While childproofing the house, it may also be beneficial to cover up any hard surfaces or sharp corners your baby could bump into.

Post all emergency phone numbers: Make sure to have all doctors and emergency numbers (like poison control) near the phone so if you (or a sitter) find yourself in an emergency, you save yourself the minutes it would take to find a phone number.

By taking some of these plans in mind, you can cut down on the many worries that may fill your mind once your baby is born. Taking everything one step at a time will help you try to keep your mind at ease.