How to Prepare When You’re Expecting Your First Baby {AD{ – Mummascribbles

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Finding out you are pregnant can cause a mixed bag of emotions. Happiness, joy, shock, worry and even guilt, are among the ones that may come out. These feelings can happen even if you were planning to have a baby but can be a lot more confusing if you are not. Despite how you are feeling, you do need to get on with the practicalities of having a newborn. There’s a lot to consider, not least your growing stomach as the reality dawns, so preparing makes the transition to parenting a lot easier. To help you out, here are a few ideas to get you started:

Start Saving

Babies cost money. As soon as you discover you are expecting a bundle of joy, all you do is start buying things, so it makes sense to start saving sooner rather than later. Start cutting back on the things you can easily cut back on, like having nights in instead of nights out (chances are you’ll be too knackered anyway). Take a look at your bank statement and find other areas where you can save. If you and your partner both save as much as you possibly can, things will be a lot easier in terms of finances. You will also have trained yourself on how to live without certain things, which is another financial bonus – especially when you have to stop working for nine months or indefinitely.

Stock Up

Some things will be a once-only buy, and others will be continual. So, if you can, start stocking up. Clothes, nappies, baby wipes, nappy bags, cotton wool, nappy rash creams, washing powder, etc., are all the types of things that will be used all the time. You may even want to stock up on things for yourself. When you first have your baby, you are likely to feel a bit rough for a while and you’re definitely going to be more tired as you get used to the sleepless nights. You might have the baby blues, which generally do fade, so don’t worry, and you might even have a lot of aches and pains in the first few weeks. Soups, treats, chocolates, and long-life milk might all be top of your list. I can tell you that the last thing you’re going to want is to go and make a coffee and realise you have no milk! That quick pop to the shops just got a lot more complicated! 

Make Arrangements for the Pets

This may not be something that you will have thought about, but while you get used to the new baby, you may want someone to help look after your pets. Making sure your animal has a safe space to retreat to if they need it is important, and if you have a dog, you may want to think about getting someone to walk them for you as it’ll be a bit harder after birth. 

Get Baby Proofing

When they are first born, they are not going to be doing much, but they begin getting about before you know it so it’s a good idea to start babyproofing while you’ve got the time to think. 

You might also want to make a list of all the things you are going to need when the time comes to need baby proofing. Stair gates and baby playpens are just a couple of things you might want to start investigating.

Names and Registration

It can be very difficult to pick a suitable name that you both like, after all, your baby will have it for their whole life, not just while they are a baby. So, a cutesy name might not be so suitable when they are 30. You generally have up to six weeks after they are born to choose a name, so, if you find it very difficult, you can wait until you see them to see what suits them. Once you have got the name set in stone, you need to get the baby legally registered. Remember that once the name is on that birth certificate, you will not be able to change it, so make sure it’s the one you love! 

If you are struggling with preparing for your baby, take a look at this baby registry checklist which is a complete list of things to do before the little one comes along. Good luck with your pregnancy!