List of Things You Need to Plan for a Baby
Having a baby is a huge life change for anyone, but luckily you have nine months to get ready. There's a seemingly infinite amount things to do before baby arrives, but as long as you focus on preparing the basics, you'll have everything you need. So if you don't have time to knit booties right away, don't worry. Just make sure you've created a budget, consulted with your doctor, prepared a baby space and arranged for postpartum care.
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Nursery or Baby Space
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When your bring your baby home from the hospital, it's important to have a nursery or baby space ready. Even if you're only able to dedicate part of a room to your baby, make that area belong to her. Make it a habit of putting all your baby items there, so that you don't have to worry about searching for diapers when baby comes home. Before you purchase any baby furniture, be sure to look up the item's safety rating on a consumer website.
Medical Care
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Once you confirm that you're pregnant, it's important to organize medical care for yourself and your child. Depending on your desires, medical care may be limited to a doctor or may also include a midwife. Maintain a calendar to keep track of all your appointments and work with your medical providers to construct a birth plan. Also be sure to speak with your insurance company, so that you know exactly what kind of help it will be able to provide. If you lack insurance and are worried about your ability to afford medical care, contact your local Medicaid office to see if you qualify for help.
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Budget
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With all the expenses a baby brings, it's important to know exactly how much money you have to spend. Sit down with your partner, or a trusted family member, and work out a spending budget. Review the budget regularly to make any necessary adjustments. If it's clear you'll have trouble meeting your baby's expenses, consider buying supplies from consignment shops or signing up for government assistance programs like WIC (Women, Infants and Children).
Caretaking
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When you first come home from the hospital, you'll probably need help taking care of your baby. This is especially true if you have a C-section, which can take between four and six weeks to fully recover from. Arrange for your partner to take time off from work, a family member to stay with you or hire a doula. Doulas generally assist during labor, but postpartum doulas are also trained to offer support in the weeks following delivery.
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- Photo Credit newborn image by Valentin Mosichev from Fotolia.com
