7 Tips to help you get ready for your little one's arrival
Use these last few weeks of pregnancy to prepare for your little one’s arrival. Being well organised now will make things easier for you and your family when your baby does put in an appearance.
Baby Basics
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Although your baby may sleep in your room for the first six months, you will probably want to keep most of the baby itemsin another room. This may be a nursery or in a bedroom he may eventually share with an older sibling. Babies have a disproportionate amount of ‘stuff ‘in comparison to their size, so you will need space to store things!
You may want to wash new baby clothes and bedding to remove any substances or dust that might irritate your newborn’s delicate skin. Always wash new baby clothes and bedding with non-bio washing products. Although normal non-biological detergents are fine, you may prefer to use a detergent that has been specially formulated to be gentle on a baby’s skin. Do make sure the clothes and bedding are thoroughly rinsed. You will need to pack the items you will want for your newborn in your ‘after the birth’ bag.
Buy nappies and baby toiletries now, and make sure that the cot or Moses basketis ready for your baby. If you are having your baby in a birth centre or hospital and plan to drive home you'll need a car seat suitable for your newborn. Make sure that both you and your partner know how to put your baby into the car seat and how the seat fits into the car.
Stock up
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It’s a good idea to stock up on non-perishable goods such as soups, healthy cereals, and tinned vegetables.
Now’s also the ideal time to prepare meals which can be frozen and used later. This will save you time and energy when your baby first arrives home.
Getting to the hospital
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If you are planning to have your baby in a maternity unit it’s worth having a few trial runs at different times of the day so that you don’t get caught out by the traffic.
Make sure you both know the quickest route to the hospital and keep the car filled up with fuel.
Put a list of emergency telephone numbers, including your partner’s mobile and a taxi firm that will take you to the hospital (check with them now) beside the house phone, or stuck to the fridge where everyone can see it.
Having a home birth
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Check with your midwife about any additional items that you may require for a home birth, such as protective covering for the bed or floor and large towel to wrap the baby in after the birth.
Childcare
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If you have other children you will have to make plans for childcare, both during the day and at night, as there is no way of telling what time your baby will arrive. If your little one is already at nursery or school, make sure that the teacher knows who they should expect to collect them when you are having your baby.
Don't forget your pets
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You'll need to have someone organised to come in and look after them if you are planning to have your baby in a birth centre or hospital.
If you are having your baby at home, you'll have enough to think about without worrying about your pets, so get some help.
A little bit of planning now will ensure that everything is ready for your baby, whenever he or she decides to arrive.
Make sure you're prepared for the birth of your new baby with our tips and advice from mum of two, Hollie and mum of three, Skye.
Packing your bags
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There's no telling when your baby will arrive- it could be anytime from up to a week or two before your due date to a week or two after it. Having your bags packed at 37 weeks will mean that you'll be ready whenever your baby does decide to put in an appearance.
This content is sponsored by Pampers®
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