Preparing for a new baby can be exhilarating and exciting, but it can also be scary and nerve-wracking, too. The amount of information and advice out there for expecting moms can quickly leave you feeling overwhelmed.
Here are five things you can do to prepare your heart and home for your precious addition, from the childcare experts at St. Tammany Health System’s Parenting Center.
Declutter. Bringing a baby into your home means not only a new person but additional furniture, clothing, infant equipment and toys. Decluttering ahead of time makes room for the new items entering your home. It also makes cleaning and finding items during the chaotic weeks after delivery simpler.
Clear your calendar. Try to keep the weeks after your delivery free of expectations and appointments. Attempt to schedule dentist and other non-obstetric appointments for before your due date or move them to later in the year. Don’t commit to completing work assignments or performing job duties while on maternity leave.
Prepare food. New mommies and daddies must not forget to take care of themselves, too! Simple things like food preparation and planning can be difficult in those first few weeks after a baby is born. Fill your freezer with healthy frozen meals that can be thawed and reheated. Casseroles, soups, breakfast burritos and lactation cookies can all be frozen and will be helpful post-delivery.
Create a list. Well-intentioned family and friends want to help but often don’t know how. Give them permission to help you by creating a list of things they can do while they are in your home. Would you like laundry assistance? Help cleaning your bathtub? Bottle washing? All you need to do ask! Having a list available keeps you from having to think on the spot and also encourages your loved ones to jump in to help with other things besides just holding the baby.
Nurture your relationship. Don’t forget your partner! The weeks leading up to delivery can go agonizingly slow. This is a great time to connect with your partner without any distractions. Planning a “BabyMoon” to an exotic occasion is wonderful but isn’t a must. Take walks, go to a movie together, and spend extra time talking and dreaming about the weeks to come. This is a special time for the two of you!
Juli Chastain, a mother of twins, holds a master’s degree in counseling. She has served on the education staff at The Parenting Center since June 2019.