Question

What do I need to do before my baby arrives?

Answer

This is a really exciting time but you may be feeling overwhelmed with all the tasks you need to complete before your little one makes their appearance. Below are some great hints and tips to help you prepare for you new arrival.

For the Baby:

  • Wash a selection of baby clothes in non-bio liquid to remove any chemical residue leftover from the manufacturing process. Simple vests and sleep suits are easiest in the early days
  • Learn how to fit the car seat and assemble the pram
  • Buy a couple of storage baskets to fill with nappies, wipes and spare outfits. Keep one upstairs and one downstairs, along with a changing mat, for on-the-spot nappy changes
  • Set up the crib, Moses basket or cot in your room. This is the safest place for your baby to sleep for the first six months
  • Consider fitting blackout curtains or blinds in your room to help your newborn distinguish between day and night

For you:

  • Devote a day to cooking. Prepare a batch of meals that are easy to reheat and eat, such as casseroles or bolognese sauce, and put them in the freezer
  • Buy and freeze some healthy ready meals for the days when there is no time to cook
  • Have your hair cut. It may be hard to find the time later on. Choose a low-maintenance style that is easy to care for
  • Get measured for nursing bras after 37 weeks to make sure they will fit properly after the birth
  • Make a list of essential phone numbers, for example your doctor's surgery and a breast feeding helpline, so you can get help easily with any postnatal concerns
  • Make sure your digital camera and video are fully charged and that you have spare batteries and tapes
  • Swap phone numbers and email addresses with your antenatal friends, and make a date for meeting up after the birth
  • Set up an online grocery shopping account to avoid traipsing around the supermarket with your newborn
  • Join a social networking site so you can share pictures and baby updates with all your friends at once rather than contacting them all separately (add reference to heinzbaby.co.uk)

Make the most of long lie-ins. And, if you are not too tired, find some time for you and your partner to go out together for an evening meal or to the cinema

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