Welcoming a new child into the family is a marvelous combination of emotions. You’re excited, joyful, fearful, and maybe a bit anxious. What will your baby’s personality be like? How will a little one change the dynamics of your family? What will you be like as a parent? While you’re planning for your baby to make their entrance into this great, big world, it’s a good idea to plan some things in advance to make things go as smoothly as possible. Here are some tips.
Keep communication open.
You and your partner should discuss the birth plan, expectations you have after the baby arrives, daycare options, and everything in between. The more you communicate with each other, the easier the transition will be. Making sure you are both on the same page can help minimize stress and reduce conflicts during a time that is already full of emotions, adjustment, and change.
Determine your options for birthing.
The idea of giving birth can be very overwhelming for parents – especially for expecting mothers. Even though many parents plan for the best scenarios, sometimes things change. This can be one of the scariest and most unknown parts of welcoming a new baby. Think about taking a birth class, research the various stages of labor, and find out what options you have on pain management. Maybe you will choose a water birth, a natural birth, or a c-section will be required. Come up with a ‘loose’ birth plan that has some flexibility built into it. Sometimes things change based on what your baby needs.
Consider extra help.
Do you and your partner plan on going back to work after the baby is born? Maybe only one of you will go back, but you still need an extra hand around the house. Research your options for childcare well in advance. Hiring a NCS or nanny is one of the best decisions you can make. A compassionate and attentive NCS or nanny helps provide one-on-one care in the familiarity of your own home. It does take time to find the right person that fits with your family. Start the processing of interviewing and hiring well ahead of time, so you can be sure you find someone that you feel comfortable with that aligns with your exact needs and preferences. Hiring a NCS or nanny gives you the extra time you need to stay on top of things around the house, and it also gives you time to recuperate as a parent from the pregnancy and birthing process. Not to mention, it gives you the chance to introduce another person into the family that will love and care for your child throughout their life – this is a special gift that you can give your baby.
Bringing a sweet new baby into your family is an exciting thing, and planning for the changes that will happen once you bring your baby home can help things go as effortlessly as possible!