As soon as you get a positive line on your pregnancy test, you’ll no doubt be full of a mixture of excitement and nerves. Having a baby is a life changing experience, and both mums and dads will no doubt be overwhelmed by the amount of advice out there. However, it’s important to relax when you’re expecting a baby, and being prepared will give you peace of mind. Here are 10 tips that any parents can follow when they’re expecting a baby.
1. Make A Birth Plan
Whether you want an all-natural birth or will be having a planned caesarean, a birth plan helps you to feel more in control. Having an idea of what you would like while also being flexible is a good idea.
2. Try Not To Be Too Strict On Yourself
Many parents-to-be imagine that they’ll breastfeed exclusively, ban their children from TV, and ensure they get an all-organic diet. However, these things rarely work out as life with children is full of challenges from the very beginning.
3. Read Specific Advice For Men
A lot of articles about babies and children are specifically for women, so it’s worth looking up advice for expectant dads. These articles usually offer a different perspective, which will help Dad-to-be in both the amazing and difficult times ahead.
4. Sleep
You won’t get much time to rest in the next couple of years. Sleep while you can.
5. Stock Up The Freezer
Nobody wants to cook while caring for a newborn. Make some dishes and freeze them so you can eat properly in those early days. If friends offer help, then asking them for a shepherd’s pie or a lasagne is also a great idea.
6. Look Out For Bargains
Babies can be expensive, so start shopping early and get the best deals. All the big retailers like Next, Mamas & Papas and Very often have special offers available online. Discount codes are also a great way to save. These great Mothercare voucher codes will definitely help you keep the costs down for when the baby shows up.
7. De-Clutter
With lots of extra baby items around, and eventually an inquisitive toddler in the house, there’s no room for clutter. Take this opportunity to have a clear out and be ruthless!
8. Have A Long List Of Names
Don’t feel the need to settle on a name before your baby is born. Have a long list available, then once your baby arrives you’ll have lots of options. You may even decide to go for something completely different when you meet your new baby.
9. Go To Antenatal Classes
Whether it’s at your local hospital, or through a private group, antenatal classes are usually very helpful for getting you prepared for labour and those early days with the baby. It’s also a great way to meet other expectant couples too.
10. Get The House Ready For Visitors
Stock up on tea, coffee, and biscuits ready for the onslaught of guests who will arrive after your baby’s birth. You’ll no doubt have grandparents, aunts and uncles, plus many friends showing up on the early days.
Whether you’re excited by the thought of a new arrival, or feeling a bit of dread about the upcoming sleepless nights, preparation is key when you’re expecting a newborn. If you have the house sorted and have all the equipment you need, it makes life easier, and means you can relax and enjoy time with your new baby. Therefore it’s worth spending some time getting organised in the weeks leading up to the birth, so you have everything you need on the day and the coming months.
Discover more from Zena's Suitcase
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
This is a great list
My neice is expecting her first baby soon so will pass this to her
She’ll find it so beneficial
Thankyou
Thanks Margaret! I hope she finds it useful
Great tips I have to agree with all of them if makes life so much easier that way too.
Simple but essential tips for couples expecting a new born. As you say preparation in key! It’s always great to have some healthy meals in the freezer too for the first few weeks.
This is a great list especially getting the house ready for visitors. I also think it’s important for dads to look up things specifically for them so that’s a great tip x
Great tips and well worth reading through if you’re expecting. Thankfully 6 is enough so we are done lol
I really really love this plan especially looking up things for the man, we forget they’re in this too sometimes! I’ve learnt so much since birthing my babes and I think your list would benefit so many couples expecting their first. It’s a huge life change
Some great tips! Though I always think a birth plan should be re-titled something to reflect that births usually dont follow a plan – they are more of a best case scenario than a plan in my experience!!
What a brilliant list. I have to add to the one about names though. Don’t tell ANYONE about what you plan to call the baby until it’s settled. Otherwise everyone has an opinion.
Great tips – I’d add to devise a word to get rid of visitors and make sure you timetable them as it can get stressful
Great tips – my other half should have read these when our children were born and maybeI wouldn’t have left him!! He was shocking when our first two were born. Brilliant post hun,Kaz x