How to Prepare for a New Baby

There's a good reason why you were given nine plus months to get ready: Not only does having a new baby mean decorating a nursery and buying equipment, it also means preparing for a new life to join yours seamlessly.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Stock the nursery and kitchen with baby-care basics including bottles, nipples, diapers and wipes, as well as a digital ear thermometer, nasal aspirator, baby nail clippers and diaper cream.
2. Organize that tiny, adorable wardrobe by size. Stackable, sliding plastic drawers are great for different sizes and types of clothes.
3. Ask friends with young children for recommendations on what to borrow versus what to buy. You'll be dropping some big bucks on your little bundle--strategic clothing and equipment loans can give significant financial relief. Decide what to buy and what to borrow. You might purchase a new camera or camcorder, a stroller or "baby's first year" album, but look out for friends and family who items their kids have grown out of. Borrow a car seat, a crib and clothing for newborns.
4. Get ready to rock and roll--with baby. If you didn't receive an infant carrier, stroller and car seat at the baby shower, now's the time to research different brands and pick up what you need.
5. Crawl around on the floor to see what needs baby proofing.
6. Get your financial and legal affairs in order. Budget for the baby, buy life insurance, develop a savings plan, make a will, and plan and save for college costs.
7. Arrange child care if you are going back to work. The right childcare situation takes time to find, and the good places often have waiting lists.
8. Set up a medical flexible spending account with your employer to use pretax dollars to cover child care and out-of-pocket medical expenses.
9. Make meals a few weeks ahead and freeze.

Tips & Warnings

• Involve siblings in the preparation process to foster good will toward the new sibling.
• If assembly is required with baby gear, do this well ahead of time. Babies are known for arriving ahead of schedule.
• Consider bringing in help (your mom, your mother-inlaw or a postpartum doula) for a few days after baby is born--especially if you have other children.
• Ask friends and family for recommendations and shop around for a nearby pediatrician whose services are covered by your insurance.
• Add the new baby to your medical plan. If both parents have insurance, choose the plan that offers the most comprehensive family coverage, and add the other parent's plan as secondary insurance.