KeaBabies Tips: Preparing For Baby’s Arrival

Preparing for your baby’s arrival can seem like a daunting task. How do you arrange your entire life to prepare for a new life to enter it? Preparing for the arrival of a new baby doesn’t have to be stressful and overwhelming. As long as you make a plan, divide and conquer, and work on tasks slowly throughout the pregnancy, you’ll be sure to be ready for your baby to arrive!

Here are the top eight places you’ll want to get in order before baby arrives:

1. Prepare the nursery

You’ll want to make sure the nursery is all set up before baby arrives – you want to have a comfortable space to come home to! Be sure to wash some of the baby’s clothes, in a few sizes because some babies are born bigger than others. Wash any swaddle blankets, crib bedding, and bath towels. Get all furniture assembled and placed (the crib, changing table, dresser, glider/rocker, etc). Hang decorations and organize baby’s things on shelves or inboxes.

Stock up on diapers and wipes! You don’t want to have to run out to the store once the baby comes home. Be sure to buy a few different sizes, as all babies are different weights at birth! You can always return unopened boxes of diapers to the store if you need to exchange them later.

A few KeaBabies products you’ll want to have on hand are the KeaBabies Digital Thermometer, the KeaBabies Baby Nasal Aspirator, and the KeaBabies Baby Hooded Towel. All new parents should have a thermometer and aspirator on hand for when the baby doesn’t feel well! It’s important to take extra precautions with newborns, as they are more susceptible to serious illness. The KeaBabies Hooded Towel is ultra-soft and plush, perfect for bathing your new baby!

2. Prepare your car

When it comes closer to the baby’s arrival, it’s important to make sure your car is ready. Make sure you have enough gas and your car isn’t due for any maintenance. Hospitals won’t allow you to leave with your baby unless a car seat is properly installed in the car, so practice installing the car seat ahead of time. You may want to avoid leaving the actual seat in the car before the baby arrives – if you get in a car accident, the seat is no longer safe and needs to be replaced. Just make sure someone knows how to install the car seat when the time comes! If you have any questions about proper car seat installation, many hospitals and fire stations have assistance available.

If you plan on babywearing, keep a KeaBabies Baby Wrap Carrier in your car! It is small and portable, comes in a drawstring bag, and is perfect for running errands or going shopping with a new baby.

3. Prepare your hospital bag

Towards the end of your pregnancy, you’ll want to pack a bag to take to the hospital. Be sure to have your bag packed somewhere between 30-35 weeks, just in case the baby decides to make an early arrival! You can use a backpack, a suitcase, a duffel bag, or the KeaBabies Diaper Backpack! Here’s a quick checklist of what to pack in your hospital bag.

• KeaBabies Swaddle Blanket
• KeaBabies Nursing Cover
• KeaBabies Nursing Breast Pads
• Coming home outfit for baby
• Camera and charger
• Phone and charger
• Robe or nursing clothes
• Snacks
• Toiletries

4. Prepare your birth plan

Have a plan in place. Many parents even choose to write down their birth plan. Do you want pain medication? Do you want an epidural? Do you need to schedule a C-section? Who do you want in the room during labor? What about during delivery? Are you interested in cord blood banking or delayed cord clamping? Do you want immediate skin-to-skin time with your new baby? These are all questions you’ll want to consider before giving birth.

5. Prepare for parenthood

One of the best ways to prepare for your baby’s arrival is to seek advice from experienced parents. Talk to your parents, join a local mom’s group, or find a new parents group at your hospital or clinic. Getting advice from seasoned parents can ease any fears and anxieties about the baby’s upcoming arrival.

If you want a great place to ask questions, check out the KeaBabies Love group on Facebook! The group is a supportive community of parents who are interested in learning more about all things parenting, breastfeeding, babywearing, and more!

6. Prepare your older children

If you have older children, be sure to spend some quality time with them before the baby arrives. Adding a new sibling to the family can be exciting, but also difficult, for older children. No matter the age difference between older siblings and a new baby, be sure to plan some fun, quality one-on-one outings before the baby is born. Make older children feel needed and special. Talk, read books, or watch videos about what it will be like to have a baby in the house.

 7. Prepare the house

Whether you do it yourself or hire a service, make sure the house is clean before the baby comes! You definitely will not have time or energy to clean once the baby arrives. Enlist help if you need it!

8. Prepare your refrigerator

One of the best ways to set yourself up for success with a new baby is to prepare some freezer meals ahead of time! There are plenty of ideas and templates online. Some great meals to prepare in advance are breakfast burritos, mini pizzas, and casseroles. Stock up on snacks and easy-to-grab foods. Microwavable meals and smoothie ingredients are good to have on hand. If you plan on breastfeeding, be sure to have plenty of snacks and drinks ready to go – you will be hungry as you burn extra calories while nursing your baby!

Follow these tips for preparing for baby’s arrival, and you’ll be sure to ease any anxieties and stress you may have about the baby coming home! KeaBabies has a wonderful line of quality products to fit your lifestyle and help make baby’s entrance into the world safe and comfortable!