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Mental Preparation

Friends and family will tell you, but they cannot overstate the fact that, at least for the first few weeks, your life will no longer be your own. Your sleeping, showering, eating, coming and going will all suddenly be affected by the littlest member of the household. If you mentally prepare yourself to spend every waking moment tending to your little one, you will avoid the disappointment that comes when you realize that you have little or no time or energy to work, scrapbook, clean, read or any of the other things you thought you would catch up on while you’re home with baby.

Teamwork

Conversations with your spouse become more important when you get the good news of a new arrival. Expectations are everything. You cannot preempt every disagreement, but discussing your expectations ahead of time may uncover some differing opinions that can be negotiated before you are sleep deprived or overwhelmed.

Do you expect hubby to sleep at the hospital with you and your little one? Do you expect him to take time off from work? How much?

How long do you expect to stay home with baby? Will you go back to work after six weeks? Three months? Six months? Never? Will it be problematic if you change your mind and decide to stay home longer or go back to work sooner?

What are your views on breastfeeding? How important is it? How long do you expect to breastfeed?

Do you plan to put baby on a strict schedule or adapt to baby’s natural urges? How will you share the responsibilities of getting up in the night to feed, change or comfort baby?

Stock Up

When you come home from the hospital, you will be healing from the birth, learning how to care for your new baby and adjusting to your roles in the new family. The last thing you want to worry about is running to the store at the last minute.

Nursery Basics: Diapers, alcohol, cotton swabs, rash ointment, etc. If you’re not sure whether you will need something, better to be overly prepared than under prepared.

Meals: Purchase several frozen meals or ask friends and relatives to bring meals for the first couple weeks. Also be sure your kitchen is well stocked with all the staples.

Be Flexible

What is it they say about best laid plans? The picture you have developed in your head about what life will be like may change when baby arrives. Purchase a handy resource, a book or two with thorough information about caring for babies (preferably organized for easy scanning by topic and balanced with information from differing viewpoints.) Then expect the unexpected. The more flexible you and your spouse plan to be and the more able you are to adjust to unforeseen situations, then the more likely you will enjoy your first days and months with the wondrous new being you’ve created together.