Preparation Tips For Bringing Home The Baby
Coming home with your new baby for the first time should be an exciting experience. But, unless you are prepared, the first night can be a disaster. Some first time moms are not really prepared for the first week home with baby.
Make sure you have all of the clothes, crib linens, and blankets washed. The things you will definitely need are a bassinet or crib, diapers, wipes, Vaseline, alcohol wipes, a bulb syringe, diaper rash cream, receiving blankets, and bottles.
If you are planning on breastfeeding you will need a lanolin cream like Lansinoh. I found that because I had two floors at my house, it was a good idea to set up a changing station on each floor. This way while I was recuperating I didn’t have to go up and down the stairs. If you have a crib upstairs, you may even want to have a portable crib or pack and play on your lower floor. This way you have a place to put your baby to sleep if you can’t climb the stairs.
Some babies are born good sleepers while others need to be taught. If you accept the fact that you will not have adequate sleep for a while, it helps to take some stress away. At least that’s what I found out. Just know that this phase is not permanent. You and your baby will get through it.
Ask for help. If you find you’re having a difficult time coping, get help from family members. They can each take turns once a day watching your baby while you nap. You’ll be amazed at how refreshed you’ll feel after one hour of napping when you’re sleep deprived.
Remember to eat well balanced food and drink plenty of water. You can enlist the help of your family in preparing a few meals for you that you can keep frozen until you’re ready to use them. My husband and I lived away from family after our first son was born.
I remember hardly having enough time to prepare any sort of food. I began to eat less healthy food because it was easier to prepare. When I got pregnant with my second child, I knew I would ask people for help. My mother, my mother in law and my sister in law all brought over meals. It really helped us through those first two weeks. When you eat better, you feel better.
Having all of your supplies ready and accessible will also alleviate undo stress. You might want to even take turns with your husband watching the baby at night. This way you are both guaranteed a few solid hours of sleep.
Some days will go smoothly while others will not. If you stay organized and have help, you’ll do fine.
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