Once your new baby has arrived, that’s where you reach action stations. Sleepless nights, that same tune going round and round in your head and a bucket load of nappies are things you should become accustomed to!
So, preparing correctly will have you counting your lucky stars when the time comes, so you can make the most of the rollercoaster that comes with caring for a newborn child. Now we may specialise in private gender scans, but we also know a thing or two about maternity and pregnancy! As a result, we have produced this blog on the best ways to prepare for the arrival of your baby…
Living arrangements
It is likely that your baby will spend its first 6 months or so sleeping (ha, what is sleep?) in the same room as you. But of course, as your baby grows up they will have to move into their own bedroom. It is important to consider this before they are born, as you may need to make some adjustments, or even upsize your property.
Before they are born, it is worth dedicating their future bedroom or a space in the home for all of the items you will need for when they arrive. Preparing early allows you to deal with the organised chaos in a way that will not be overwhelming and distressing.
Making a birth plan
Making a birth plan is a great way of ensuring a smooth labour process, one you will thank yourself for later! A flexible birth plan allows you to be in control of the kind of birth you would like, so be sure to note down what type of birth you’d prefer, your preferred kind of pain relief and other important preferences such as skin to skin contact.
While you do this, you could also start to pack some hospital essentials that will help get you through labour. As you probably well know, labour can take up to 18 hours for your firstborn, so it is important to take some items that will help the labour process. These can include the aforementioned birth plan, and items to make you feel as relaxed as possible during and after birth, as well as items to make the new-born warm and comfortable.
Prepare for home life with the newborn
Shortly before your baby is due to arrive, attempt to give your house one last clean. For the more strenuous tasks, enlist the help of your birth partner to make sure that your house is as tidy as possible before the avalanche of nappies and toys arrive!
Another way of preparing for home life is to practice cooking with a limited amount of time. After all, babies need to be breastfed up to 8-12 times a day during their first weeks, so trying to keep on top of your own food whilst this is a necessity can prove quite a tough task. Ready meals and prepped food will be your friends during those first few weeks!
Spend quality time with the family
When your baby arrives, they are guaranteed to take up most of your time and attention. So, before the fact, why not try and spend some precious time with your closest loved ones during the later stages of your pregnancy. Spare time will be at a premium as you care for your new baby, so some activities with your relatives or older children could go a long way.
It is a common worry for parents to feel like their older children will feel like they are being replaced by the arrival of a new baby. So making them know that they are still valued is a great way to cheer them up and give them peace of mind.
Get in touch
Are you in the early stages of your pregnancy and would like an early gender scan? If so, the team at Hello Baby can help today! We have been providing 3D baby scans for many years and are experts in the area. We can provide you with a fun and seamless service at this exciting time!
Contact us today by giving us a call on 01744 810999 or email us at reception@hellobaby4dscan.co.uk. You can also fill out our online enquiry form with any questions you may have and we will respond as soon as we can.
