It is almost time to meet baby. As the due date nears, parents often begin to scramble to prepare for baby’s arrival. Today’s market offers a wide variety of options, some necessary, others not as much. Personal preferences and the family’s financial position will help parents decide which items will work best for them. The following suggestions are intended to serve as a guideline to help intended parents with some needed areas.
Typically people talk about all the newest gadgets when preparing for a baby. However, the most important thing to find is a pediatrician. Most pediatricians have scheduled meeting times for expecting parents. These appointments are a great time to ask questions, learn if the pediatrician’s philosophy and approach to medicine matches yours and share any relevant medical history. It is also helpful to choose a pediatrician close to home. Babies tend to visit the doctor often during the early months.
Babies sleep… a lot! Unfortunately, they’re more likely to sleep during the day and need parental attendance during the night. The intended parents will need to plan. Some parents opt to set the crib in the baby’s nursery and have the child begin sleeping in his/her own room day one. Other parents choose a bassinet they can set right next to their bed. There is even a co-sleeper parents can nestle in the middle of their own bed for the ultimate in closeness. Whatever your decision, be sure to do plenty of research and consult with your pediatrician to hear what they recommend for you.
Newborn onesies are deliciously adorable and available everywhere. However, key distinctions in design make some better than others. The absolute best onesies have zippers and hand covers/protectors. Unfortunately, these are not always the easiest to find. Baby hands need to be covered. Mitts are available, but they rarely stay on. Because onesies are more commonly sold with standard sleeves, parents should also invest in some newborn undershirts with hand covers. Baby can wear one under the onesie to ensure those little fingers will stay covered. Also, zippers are convenient, and snaps can be frustrating. Think about yourself and how you function half-asleep. Diaper changes in the middle of the night will happen a lot. Realizing you have incorrectly snapped the onesie and need to do it again is rarely fun.
They are all bulky and cumbersome, yet you will be lugging yours everywhere the first months. Try to find an infant car seat with high safety ratings and a comfortable carry bar; such ones do exist. Another recommendation is to plan ahead of time how many cars the baby will travel in. This will help you decide how many bases to buy for the car seat. While parents choose to have their own infant car seat for each car, if the bases do not match, you may think twice about your decision.
Other considerations include: diapers, bottles, a bottle sanitizing method, and toiletries. As mentioned earlier, it all comes down to the intended parents’ preferences, wants and needs. Take the time to find the items you think will work best for you.
*Please note: This is a general synopsis. You should speak with your healthcare provider for more information and details about your individual process.