Having a baby is an exciting time, but when you near the last few weeks, the urgency to prepare for your new arrival is of the utmost importance. Don’t be stressed out (it’s not good for the baby!) – use our handy guide to keep your head clear on what you can do these last few weeks to properly prepare.
Hopefully by now you have had an ultrasound and are already prepared for your new arrival based on the gender scan provided. Utilize the tips below in keeping yourself, your spouse and your surroundings ready for your impending new addition.
- Clean the house and your refrigerator
Clean your home and refrigerator out in order to provide a germ-free environment for your baby. You may not have a lot of free time for the few weeks of your baby’s life, so it’s best to clean everything before the baby arrives. Clean out your refrigerator so you have room to stock much needed items.
- Cover the bed with protective sheets (rubber, if needed)
You never know when your water is going to break, so it’s a good idea to protect your bed with rubber sheets so you don’t make a mess that will be tough to clean with a newborn around.
- Make a list of relatives to notify once the baby arrives
Write down a list of people who want to be in the know when it comes time for your baby’s arrival. This ensures that no one is left out when the time comes.
- Prepare to breastfeed
Hopefully you have already done the research needed in the basics of breastfeeding, but if you haven’t, it’s a good time to refresh yourself. Talk to those who have nursed their newborns and read up on related articles as much as you can.
- Assemble your baby’s items
There’s no time like the present to assemble your baby’s crib or pushchair. Take the hassle out of the situation by getting these items fully together before your new arrival. You’ll thank yourself later.
- Delegate home tasks to helpful friends and family members
When you arrive back home, the chances are high that you will arrive to a plethora of helpful friends and family members. Delegate tasks to free up your time to spend with your baby because we all know the importance of time spent bonding with our newborns.
- Pack your overnight bag for the birth
Get your overnight bag together for the impending arrival of your baby. Pack up at least one outfit, necessary toiletries, a comfortable robe, snacks for you or your spouse and something to keep you busy. Card games and crossword puzzles are good ways to spend the early hours of the birthing process.
- Put the car seat in the car
You can’t leave the hospital without a car seat, so get it installed now so that you’re sure that all safety requirements are met. You don’t want to be rushed at the last minute when the time to have the baby is upon you.
- Stock the house with easily prepared food items and other necessities
Time is precious when it comes to the first few weeks of your baby’s life, so good preparation now can go a long way. Stock the house with items that are easily prepared and other necessities, like toiletries, cleaning items and various necessities.
- Prepare meals ahead of time
When you prepare ready-to-eat meals ahead of time, you are creating more time that can be spent bonding with your baby. The first few weeks of your baby’s life can prove to be taxing, so make the process easier by freezing already prepared meals to have when you’re too exhausted to cook.
- Take a deep breath and relax.
Having a baby is an exciting time in your life, so take the time needed to have a deep breath and enjoy the experience to its fullest. Don’t allow yourself to get stressed out and enjoy your last few weeks of your pregnancy. Before you know it, your bundle of joy will be here, so take some time for yourself. Get good rest while you can!
- Charge your cameras
Be sure to have your cameras ready with fresh batteries and a memory card for each if you want to capture these precious moments. The birthing process is a time that seems fleeting when it’s over, so you want to be prepared to snap pictures of your baby’s first few minutes of life.
- Select your baby’s coming home outfit
Pick out an outfit that is designated for your baby’s first day going home. Selecting a cute outfit is fun and also makes for great pictures. Wash the baby’s home going outfit in a gentle detergent and be sure to include in your hospital bag.
The last few weeks of pregnancy are a time for preparation and reflection. If you have not had an ultrasound in Melbourne, you can book an appointment with Baby to Be and schedule your 3d baby scan today. These ultrasound images show a three dimensional view of your baby’s face and body. Using 4d ultrasound scans, we can provide you with a movie containing your baby’s movements on a special DVD that you’ll treasure forever.
Expecting parents don’t have to wait until the later stages of pregnancy to learn the gender of their new arrival. With our early gender scan, we can tell you the sex of your baby at as early as 17 weeks.
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