During pregnancy, it is common for most women to experience a nesting phase. Before the baby arrives, it is important to spend time getting the home ready along with yourself. Before the baby arrives, every waking moment of your life will be about your baby. Once the baby is here, every second of your life will be consumed with loving your child and caring for their every need. If you aren’t prepared and ready before the baby comes, you will have a difficult time playing catch-up once they arrive. Here are ten things to do before the baby arrives so you aren’t stressed and frustrated once they are here.
Tip # 1 – Get their room ready
One of the most important things to do is to get their room ready. You need to have a place in your home for your little one. Make plans to clean and paint the room. You want it to look fresh and new for your baby. Spend time planning out how you want the room to look. Buy the right furniture like a crib and a changing table. Get all the little things you need that will turn an empty room into an inviting place for your little one.
Tip #2 – Clothes and the essentials
It helps to head to the store and get some of the essentials ready. Clothes, diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, shampoo, lotion, etc. are all things you are going to need. Make a list of everything you can think of that you will need and start picking them up one by one from the store. If you get a little here and there, it won’t seem like a huge, expensive bill.
Get yourself a pedicure before the big day.
Tip # 3 – Clean your home
Get your home ready for the new baby by cleaning it. Do one big deep clean so it’s out of your system and then you can do touch-ups throughout the rest of your pregnancy.
Tip # 4 – Pack your bag
It is important to pack your bag for the hospital a few weeks before the baby arrives. You definitely don’t want to be running around your room trying to find clothes for you and the baby when you start to go into labor.
Tip # 5 – Plans
Be sure to plan out your life for the next few months. There is no way to accurately predict when you will go into labor so make sure your work arrangements and home arrangements are taken care of. Do you have someone to watch your other kids? What about the pets? If you plan ahead, you won’t be making calls from the delivery room.
Tip # 6 – Relax
Getting ready for the baby can be overwhelming and stressful. Make some time to just relax. Go for a massage, have a pedicure, do some things that are relaxing.
Tip # 7 – Date
Just because your pregnant doesn’t mean you should let your dating life suffer. Head to the movies with your spouse, go out to dinner. Make plans to have nice romantic dates to help yourself feel sexy and desirable. It’s also a great way to let your spouse know you love and care for them.
Tip # 8 – Have fun
Your “fun” life isn’t over just because you are pregnant. Make plans to go out with your friends and have a good time! Having fun is important before you have the baby because it may be awhile until you can get out of the house again!
Tip # 9 – Get some sleep
Another important thing to do before the baby comes is to get some sleep. Who knows when your little one will be able to sleep through the night. It’s better to enjoy sleeping through the night right now while you still can!
Tip # 10 – Indulge
Before the baby comes, indulge in some of your favorite hobbies and pastimes. Now is the time to read that book or take that vacation. Do something you have always wanted to before the baby comes.
Parenting viewpoints from parents in the trenches, because parenting doesn’t come with a manual. In addition to