From the moment the little one is born, your new baby will be an all-consuming part of your life. Preparing is an exciting (and sometimes frightening) time, especially for first-time parents. While there’s no sure way to prepare yourself emotionally for a child, there are many practical ways you can prepare your home for bub’s arrival.

1. Decorate the nursery
If you know the gender of your baby ahead of birth, you can decorate your baby’s nursery with ballerinas or pirates to suit. If you’re waiting for the surprise of baby boy or baby girl, you can still create a welcoming and beautiful room for your new baby. Here are some tips for putting the new nursery together:

• Use nontoxic paint for the crib and any other furniture.
• Place a smoke alarm in the nursery.
• Make sure the crib is in a safe place and has a mattress that fits snugly into the base. Bedding should be a sheets and a blanket over a flannel-backed waterproof mattress cover.
• Invest in a changing table with straps and safety rail, to prevent accidents.
• Cover any exposed electrical sockets.

2. Buy nappies now, not later
There will be a steady stream of nappies needing to be changed once your baby is born, so make sure you’re well prepared in advance.

For disposable nappies, buy one lot of nappies each week along with the rest of your groceries. Doing this for several months before baby’s arrival will avoid a budget blow-out and mean that you’re never caught short!

For eco-friendly nappies, you’ll also need to make sure you’re stocked up in advance. Take care to read the manufacturer’s instructions and prepare the nappies, as some types of cloth nappies will need to be washed before they are worn.

As well as the nappies themselves, you’ll also need associated nappy changing paraphernalia, such as baby wipes, nappie rash ointment and a diaper bin. Look online to find retailers of NZ nappies and everything else you need to keep baby clean and dry.

3. Get into baby gear
Baby gear can be costly and extensive, so start shopping early. Chances are, you’ll find yourself receiving offers of clothing or baby equipment from friends and family members who have older children. Don’t be afraid to accept offers – having a baby is an expensive business! You will need to get hold of:

• Crib and mattress
• Diaper bin with airtight lid
• Diaper bag
• High chair
• Stroller
• Baby backpack
• Clothing for 0-3 months
• Baby monitor
• Car seat for infants

It’s easy and convenient to shop online for NZ baby gear.

4. Have some ready-to-go meals on hand
It’s not just your new baby who will be adjusting to a different environment; you too will be accommodating the new member of your family in your life. In the first weeks and months, you’ll be short on sleep and energy. Cooking a meal at the end of the day will be the last thing you feel like doing. As a convenience, start making twice as much as you need for a meal, just a couple of times a week in the months leading up to the birth. Fill your freezer with these ready-to-heat meals and you’ll be able to enjoy some stress-free meal preparation later.

5. Agree on medical decisions
Discuss medical aspects of the new arrival with your partner. It’s best to talk over these important decisions well before your baby is born, so that you can avoid any disagreements or additional stress before and after the baby’s birth. This will also mean you won’t make a rushed decision that you may regret later. You should consider:

• Choosing a pediatrician (this doctor will give your baby his or her first checkup and answer any questions or concerns you may have)
• Discussing your stance on immunization
• Making the choice between breast and bottle feeding

6. Educate yourself
Most new mothers find that a childbirth class is very helpful in preparing them for labour and teaching them how best to cope with the process of giving birth. Many anxieties can be alleviated by attending one of these classes and perhaps sharing your thoughts with other expectant mums! Get into this early, as class numbers may be limited.

7. Prepare siblings for the new bundle of joy
The arrival of a new baby brother or sister can be an exciting time for an older child, but it can also be a challenging time. For an older sibling, the new arrival means learning to share toys and parental attention with another child. To make the transition as easy as possible, do these things in advance:

• Tell your child about the baby and answer any questions
• Look over their own baby photos with your child
• Make any practical changes before the baby arrives, such as changing bedrooms or being picked up from school by dad.
• Let your child take part in decisions surrounding the new baby, such as helping to choose baby’s toys or having input into decoration of the new nursery

Once your baby is home, continue to create a positive sibling relationship by encouraging your older child to interact with the new baby; giving plenty of attention to both siblings; and giving small gifts to the older child when the new arrival is inundated with presents from friends and family. You’ll find a wide selection of NZ children’s gifts for your new baby and older child, online.

8. Choose a baby name
This can be one of the hardest decisions for new parents to make – the name you choose will be with your child for life! Think about names in the months leading up to the birth and try to decide on a shortlist of 10 to 12 names. Whether or not you know the gender of the baby will determine whether your list include both boys’ and girls’ names. When your little one is born, one name might seem to ‘fit’ better than another, so it’s a good idea to hold off the final decision until after the birth.

9. Pamper yourself
Having a baby will mean there is little (if any) time just for you, so take some time in the months leading up to the birth to pamper yourself. You might like to visit an NZ beauty therapist or enjoy:

• Having a relaxing massage
• Getting a new hairstyle
• Indulging in a manicure or pedicure
• Escaping for a romantic weekend
• Sleeping in

10. Pack your hospital bag
It may sound obvious, but packing your bag for the big arrival isn’t something you want to be thinking about if you go into labour unexpectedly. Try to make your bag compact, easy-to-carry and full of essentials, including:

• Things to do while waiting, such as a book to read or a pack or cards
• A change of clothes
• Toiletries
• Snacks
• A comfortable robe or nightgown
• Camera
• A list of contact details for friends and family

Once all this is done, you’re as ready as you’ll ever be for the arrival of a newborn. Get ready for an exciting, emotional and life-changing event!

This article was kindly supplied by NZS.