Getting ready to welcome your new baby? Are you terrified and excited at the same time? You can plan and plan, but nothing can fully prepare you to welcome home your new baby. Here are 10 things to do before the new baby arrives:
# 1 - Get some rest
You are going to need all the rest you can get before the new baby comes because you aren't going to get a lot once they are there. It will take your new baby several weeks to learn how to get their days and nights organized so you'd better be prepared to get up every 2-3 hours to feed the baby. Being well rested will help you prepare for the baby and it will keep you sane!
# 2 - Exercise
One of the best ways to prepare for a baby is to exercise. You need to have your body in good physical shape in order to deal with labor and delivery. Being in good shape will also help you recover faster after you have the baby.
# 3 - Eat right
Not only do you need to exercise and catch up on your sleep, you need to eat right. Your growing baby depends on the food you offer them to properly nourish their body. Not only will it help them develop and grow strong, eating right allows you to have more energy and to be in top health when the baby arrives.
# 4 - Maternity leave
If you are planning on working after the baby comes, you need to talk to your employer before you have the baby and get your maternity leave in order. Find out how much leave you can get and if you can extend it without pay if you need to. Get projects and other things organized and easy to find when you do leave, your employer will greatly appreciate it.
# 5 - Nesting
You will go through a nesting phase. Get ready to clean and organize your home. You will have a strong desire to get the baby's room ready to. Don't try to put off the nesting phase, be sure to answer your inner desire to nest. Get this out of your system early on so you aren't doing it when you are 39 weeks pregnant.
# 6 - Pack your bag
Going along with nesting, you also need to pack your bag for the hospital. Get it ready now because you never know when your new baby will decide to come. Along with packing your bag, take care of some other things like grocery shopping for a month and preparing other things. Being organized is going to pay off once the baby comes.
# 7 - Baby friendly environment
Going along with nesting, you need to turn your home into a baby friendly environment. Remove all of the hazards from your home and be sure to baby proof. You also need to consider some things like hypoallergenic laundry detergent. You want to make your home as clean and as safe as possible for your new baby.
# 8 - Last minute details
Who is going to check your mail, feed the pets, or watch your other children? Take care of all of those last minute details now so you are ready when the baby arrives.
# 9 - Have fun
Don't spend all of your time worrying about the new baby. Make some time to have fun. Go out with your friends and enjoy yourself. Spend a romantic evening with your spouse. Do things to still feel like yourself.
#10 - Relax
One of the best things you can do is to relax. Head to the spa and have a nice massage. Nothing feels as great as a pedicure on your swollen feet when you are in your third trimester. Take some time to just relax and enjoy life while you think about the new challenges ahead.
Beverly Frank is a work-at-home writer and mom to two young kids. Visit http://www.surfnetparents.com for more parenting ideas.
