Guide to Preparing for Your Newborn Baby
Published on December 2, 2020 at 9:35:26 PM PST December 2, 2020 at 9:35:26 PM PSTnd, December 2, 2020 at 9:35:26 PM PST
waiting for the baby
For new parents, the wait of nine months for your firstborn child may seem like a century away. The eagerness we feel when anticipating the arrival of a newborn can be overwhelming, particularly when we lack the support we all deserve. You will find that once you begin reading into what new parents might need to prepare for a child the few months before you are due suddenly seems too short and utterly stressful. It is therefore important to find a trusted few who are willing to share the journey with you and provide you with the support that you require.
In this brief period of time, you will likely be bombarded with multiple sources - baby books, internet articles, and even the advice of friends and family - that you will require several items to effectively prepare for when the baby arrives. at first, you think that some of the advice you hear and receive is irrelevant, but here is the truth: babies are a lot of work and require many things to thrive and grow. but as new parents, there’s an important question to ask: what does my baby actually need, and what can be delayed?
what can i do to prepare?
This is where doing proper research and being invested in learning about newborns come in. Understandably, you may feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information available online and offline. It would help to first compartmentalise and take things step by step. efore your baby arrives, set aside some time each day to do some budgeting and in-depth research. Setting aside a budget before diving in head first to make purchases will help you form a better idea of what you truly require.
From here, you can start to list down and prioritise the items that you may need from the get-go for hygiene or safety, as opposed to items that can be delayed. For example, you may hear stories from experienced parents who will tell you that you will need a pushchair and car seat - one is non-negotiable for the safety of babies when driving, and the other can be substituted with a baby carrier. Beyond these, planning for a baby nursery in your home can be tricky especially when you don’t yet know the assigned gender of your baby.
If you are still unsure on what might need or not, store staff have been trained to address your concerns. Especially at Mothercare, our staff will be able to offer you guidance on the necessary items for your babies, with your budget in mind. We provide a wide range of baby nursery furniture, baby clothing, and other accessories, with different designs, colours and price ranges, all for you to pick and choose from.
some dos and don'ts to help prepare for your baby
Don't feel you need to buy everything in one go – you can buy items as and when you need them – for example, if you choose to use a moses basket, a cot is only needed when your baby grows too big for the basket.
Don’t paint your baby nursery in a ‘gender-specific’ hue if you don't yet know the sex of your baby. Paint your nursery in neutral colours and buy furniture and accessories only after your baby arrives. If you want it all furnished just in time for bringing your baby home, mothercare carries a wide range of unisex nursery collections suitable for both girls and boys.
Do ask your mummy friends about which baby equipment they found really useful, but remember what works for one mum may not work for another. Take their advice with a grain of salt and follow your instincts!
Don’t accept a second-hand mattress or second-hand car seat, though you'll no doubt be offered lots of baby equipment from friends whose children have grown older. Alwaysbuy a new mattress for a new baby because an old mattress will not have retained the firmness needed to support a newborn. The same goes for car seats; if you don't know the history of the car seat and whether or not it has damage not visible to the naked eye, you should always buy a brand new one for each child, suitable for their height and weight.
Do make sure that the paint you use to decorate your baby's nursery is non-toxic and the room has been fully aired before your baby sleeps there.
Do read up on breastfeeding before you begin. Breastfeeding is wonderful (and free!) but it is tricky to master at first. Ask your midwife if your antenatal class runs a breastfeeding workshop you can attend before the birth. Ask other mums who breastfed their children for their top tips before you get started – this can really help you get the hang of it quicker and safer.
Don’t do anything too strenuous in the first few weeks after you give birth. You need time to recover and spend time with your baby. Try to limit visitors in the first few days as well, otherwise you'll easily feel overwhelmed with people wanting to meet your baby. you’d want to prioritise getting to know your baby, before anyone else.