Having a baby is a huge transition in life and comes with a lot of things you need to do beforehand. There are so many preparations and scenarios you need to prepare for. It is also a wonderful time and something you will want to remember forever. There is so much to do that it can feel overwhelming but you will have so much help and support from loved ones so be sure to let them help too.

 

Setting Up The Nursery

 

We frequently spend more time worrying about the nursery's design and furnishings than making sure it's stocked with the essentials to make your life (and your baby's) simpler! At least 6 weeks ahead of your due date, try to get everything set up and ready to go. Babies have a habit of surprising us when we least expect it, so don't wait until the end to do this or rely on your relatives and friends to do it for you while you're in the hospital!

 

It's a good idea to acquire a cot and cot bedding as early as possible. While you won't need it straight away, you don't want to deal with the hassle of scheduling a delivery while you have a baby at home. A rocking chair is another excellent addition to the nursery. You'll be spending a lot of time on this chair during your parenthood, so make sure it's pleasant! While you're feeding your baby, set up a side table to put things like burp towels within reaching distance. A changing station is a fantastic feature that will make changing diapers much easier. You can use a conventional dresser with a change table top to convert your baby's room as he or she develops. Make sure you have nappies, wipes, rash cream and change of clothes always stocked close by to the changing station for any issue that arises.

 

Setting Up The Rest Of Your House

 

Make sure the rest of your house is amended as needed but also clean. Be sure to check areas for mould and dust as it can affect your baby. They are brand new to the world so things like that can really affect them. Tackle a room at a time to make it easier and make sure you get family and your partner to help so you don’t overwork yourself. Making sure your home is a clean and safe place to live is essential. It may be a bit early as they won’t be crawling around but you can also look at some babyproofing by covering plug sockets, adding bumpers to corners and making sure there are no wires that can be easily reached. 

 

Do a big shop beforehand for household items. Extra paper towels, toilet paper, laundry detergent, dish soap, hand soap, and other household staples should be on hand. Stock up on hand sanitiser as well — everyone will want to hold that freshly born baby, so it's a good idea to have some on hand in your common areas. Examine all of your over-the-counter medicine to make sure you have enough headache relievers, cough/cold treatments, bandaids, and other items. Check with your doctor about getting an additional month's supply of any prescriptions so you don't have to hurry to the drugstore.

 

Carefully clean your carpets and rugs. This is something that many expectant mothers neglect since they don't understand how much time they (and their babies) will spend on the floor. From tummy time to diaper changes to playing on an activity mat, these low-key activities will bring you up close and personal with your carpet and rugs. So have them professionally cleaned or rent a heavy-duty carpet cleaning machine from your local hardware shop before the baby arrives.

 

Get Things You Will Need As A New Mum

 

Being a new mum will also mean you will need things for yourself. You will want loose-fitting and comfortable clothes for the first couple of weeks as you may be sore if you end up having a C section and can still be tender and tired. You want to be as comfortable as possible while navigating motherhood. You will also want some comfortable and practical nursing bras for when you are feeding your baby. There are so many out there so look at the best nursing bras reviewed so you can see first-hand from other moms what is the most practical and comfortable one out there to suit you. Get yourself some treats too, you will deserve it!