One helpful strategy is making and freezing some meals for you and your family. Getting ready for a baby can include preparing for those first few weeks as new parents when you’d rather not worry about shopping and cooking. These are very common questions, and gathering equipment and items like a car seat, diapers, baby clothes, and feeding supplies will help you feel prepared and put your mind at ease. How to prepare for your baby’s arrival also includes assembling those newborn baby essentials! Many parents wonder what to bring their baby home in and what that first week will be like with a newborn.

These can range from stocking up on baby essentials to getting some chores done in advance (like shopping for household staples or preparing and freezing meals), so you can focus on baby care and rest. What to prepare for your baby and how to get ready for their arrival can include numerous tasks. The next step in the process is preparing your home. Whether you plan to post on social media or send out a card, you can prepare the basic announcement ahead of time and add details like time and date of birth and your baby’s name after delivery. Once your new addition arrives, you may want to send out birth announcements. Prenatal yoga, meditation, and deep breathing have been known to reduce labor pains and can help you minimize those common anxieties and worries about giving birth and the big changes that lie ahead. If you're taking a childbirth education class, you’ll likely learn several relaxation techniques that can help in preparing for labor.

Experts recommended about 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. Exercising while pregnant can help strengthen the muscles that you’ll use when giving birth. In addition to eating well, exercising every day can help your body prepare for labor. If not, now’s the time to start! Eating well helps keep you and your little one healthy, promotes steady growth, and supplies the energy you need for childbirth and motherhood-so it’s a crucial component of how to prepare for a baby. It's likely that you’ve been paying attention to what you eat and following a healthy pregnancy diet. Not everyone chooses to have a birthing partner, but if you do, it helps to make sure you’re in sync and supported while preparing for labor and during labor. Talk With Your Birthing PartnerĪ birthing partner (or labor coach) might be your partner, but a parent, sibling, or friend could also take on this role. Pack Your Hospital BagĪlthough this is a relatively easy task, don’t put it off until the last minute! Only 5 percent of babies are actually born on their due date, so packing your hospital bag in advance may very well save the day! We have a handy hospital bag checklist you can use to make sure you don’t forget the essentials. You’ll thank yourself later when everyone’s on the same page while you’re amid labor! 3. Though childbirth can be unpredictable, and you may need to deviate from the plan, it helps to have a written record of your preferences and best to provide a copy to your partner, family, and healthcare provider. Create a Birth Planįor some, crafting a birth plan is essential to preparing for labor. Taking a class can support you with preparing for labor physically and emotionally-learn about breathing techniques, pain relief strategies, and how your body prepares for labor with practice contractions, known as Braxton Hicks.įurther, childbirth classes can help you understand what to anticipate in labor, how your healthcare provider will support you, and what happens after delivery, so take advantage of this resource! 2. Whether you’re a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, it’s a good idea to take a childbirth class. Check out our master list so that you know how to prepare for birth. When you’re preparing for your baby, much of your timeline and many tasks will focus on getting ready for labor and birth. Read on for our top recommendations of what to do before your little one arrives! How to Prepare for Labor Are you wondering how to prepare for a baby? If you’re an expectant parent, this question might be on your mind day and night! But preparing for a baby isn’t just about getting your home in order-it also means preparing for labor and making a list of fun things to do before having a baby, which can support the end of your pregnancy journey.

Hospital baby checklist