Preparing for first child. 10 Essential Steps to Prepare for Your First Baby: A Comprehensive Guide

How can you effectively prepare for your first child. What are the key tasks to complete before giving birth. Which preparations will make the newborn phase smoother. How to ensure your home and lifestyle are ready for a baby.

Preparing Your Home for a Newborn: Essential Baby Gear and Setup

Welcoming a new baby into your home requires careful preparation. One of the most crucial steps is setting up the necessary baby gear. A properly installed car seat is non-negotiable for bringing your newborn home safely. Additionally, ensuring a safe sleeping environment is paramount.

Are you wondering about the must-have items for your nursery? Here’s a quick checklist:

• Crib or bassinet with a firm mattress
• Changing table or pad
• Comfortable glider or rocking chair
• Baby monitor
• Diaper pail
• Dresser for baby clothes

While assembling furniture and organizing the nursery, you might experience the infamous “nesting” urge. This natural instinct can be a great motivator to get everything in order before your little one arrives.

Beyond the Basics: Additional Baby Gear to Consider

While the essentials are crucial, there are other items that can make your life easier in those first few months:

• Infant swing or bouncer
• Baby carrier or wrap
• Stroller
• Playmat
• White noise machine

Remember, you don’t need to have everything set up immediately. Some items, like an exersaucer, won’t be necessary until your baby is older. However, if you have the storage space, assembling these items in advance can save you time and energy later.

Meal Prep and Freezer Stocking: Ensuring Proper Nutrition Postpartum

The postpartum period can be overwhelming, leaving little time for meal preparation. Planning ahead by preparing and freezing meals can be a lifesaver. This practice ensures you have nutritious options readily available during those hectic early weeks with your newborn.

How can you efficiently stock your freezer with meals? Consider these strategies:

1. Double your dinner recipes and freeze half
2. Organize a meal prep day to create multiple freezer-friendly dishes
3. Prepare individual portions for easy reheating
4. Label meals clearly with contents and date

Focus on recipes that freeze well, such as casseroles, soups, stews, and slow cooker meals. These options not only reheat easily but also provide comforting, nutritious meals when you need them most.

Balancing Nutrition and Convenience in Postpartum Meals

While convenience is key during this time, it’s crucial to maintain a balanced diet, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Incorporate a variety of nutrients in your freezer meals:

• Lean proteins for muscle repair and energy
• Complex carbohydrates for sustained energy
• Fruits and vegetables for vitamins and minerals
• Healthy fats for hormone regulation and brain health

By preparing nutrient-dense meals in advance, you’re setting yourself up for a healthier postpartum recovery and ensuring you have the energy to care for your newborn.

Household Essentials: Stocking Up for Minimal Disruption

The last thing new parents need is to run out of everyday essentials. Stocking up on household items before your baby arrives can prevent unnecessary stress and trips to the store. But what exactly should you stock up on?

Here’s a comprehensive list of household essentials to consider:

• Toilet paper and paper towels
• Laundry detergent and fabric softener
• Dish soap and dishwasher detergent
• All-purpose cleaner and disinfectant wipes
• Personal care items (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc.)
• Non-perishable pantry staples

Consider buying in bulk or setting up subscription services for these items. Many online retailers offer convenient subscription options that can be easily modified or cancelled as needed.

Leveraging Technology for Household Management

In today’s digital age, there are numerous ways to streamline household management. Have you considered these tech-savvy solutions?

• Online grocery delivery services
• Smart home devices for automated ordering
• Apps for tracking household inventory
• Digital assistants for reminders and scheduling

By utilizing these tools, you can minimize the mental load of household management and focus more on bonding with your newborn.

Pet Preparation: Ensuring a Smooth Transition for Furry Family Members

For many families, pets are cherished members who need consideration when preparing for a new baby. How can you ensure your pets are ready for the new addition?

Start by addressing your pet’s basic needs:

• Stock up on pet food, treats, and medications
• Arrange pet care for when you’re in the hospital
• Update vaccinations and health check-ups
• Refresh obedience training if needed

Beyond these practical steps, it’s important to prepare your pet emotionally for the changes ahead. Gradually introduce baby-related items and sounds to your home. This can help your pet adjust to new sights, smells, and noises before the baby arrives.

Strategies for Maintaining Pet Wellbeing with a Newborn

Once your baby is home, maintaining your pet’s routine and ensuring they still feel loved is crucial. Consider these strategies:

• Designate a quiet, baby-free zone for your pet
• Involve your pet in baby-related activities when safe
• Ask visitors to give attention to your pet as well as the baby
• Maintain regular exercise and playtime for your pet

If you’re concerned about potential behavioral issues, don’t hesitate to consult with a veterinarian or professional pet trainer. They can provide tailored advice for your specific situation and help ensure a harmonious household for all family members, furry or not.

Healthcare Preparation: Prescriptions, Preventive Care, and Medical Supplies

Preparing for your baby’s arrival isn’t just about setting up the nursery and buying diapers. It’s also crucial to ensure your family’s healthcare needs are addressed. How can you best prepare from a medical standpoint?

Start by taking inventory of your current medications and healthcare needs:

• Refill ongoing prescriptions
• Stock up on over-the-counter medications
• Update your first aid kit
• Schedule preventive care appointments

It’s easy to focus solely on pregnancy-related healthcare, but don’t neglect other aspects of your health. Schedule dental check-ups, eye exams, and any other routine care you might need. Taking care of these tasks before your baby arrives can save you time and stress later.

Building a Comprehensive Home Health Kit

In addition to your personal medications, it’s wise to have a well-stocked home health kit. What should this kit include?

• Thermometer
• Nasal aspirator
• Infant acetaminophen (consult your pediatrician before use)
• Diaper rash cream
• Saline drops
• Gentle baby soap and lotion
• Infant nail clippers

Remember, always consult with your pediatrician before administering any medications to your newborn. Having these items on hand can help you feel prepared for common infant health concerns.

Baby Proofing: Early Steps for a Safe Home Environment

While your newborn won’t be mobile for several months, starting the baby proofing process early can give you peace of mind and help you avoid rushing later. What areas should you focus on first?

Consider these initial baby proofing steps:

• Secure furniture to walls to prevent tipping
• Cover electrical outlets
• Install safety latches on cabinets and drawers
• Remove or secure window blind cords
• Place safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs

As you baby proof, think about your home from a crawling baby’s perspective. Look for potential hazards at their eye level and address them accordingly.

Creating Safe Spaces for Baby’s Development

Beyond removing hazards, consider creating designated safe areas for your baby to explore as they grow. How can you set up these spaces?

• Use playpens or play yards for contained play areas
• Create a baby-safe zone in your living room
• Ensure the nursery is fully baby proofed
• Designate a safe outdoor play area if applicable

Remember, baby proofing is an ongoing process. As your child grows and becomes more mobile, you’ll need to reassess and adjust your safety measures regularly.

Financial Planning: Budgeting for Baby and Beyond

Welcoming a new baby brings joy, but it also comes with significant financial implications. How can you prepare your finances for this life-changing event?

Start by reviewing your current financial situation and creating a new budget that accounts for baby-related expenses:

• Diapers and formula (if not breastfeeding)
• Childcare costs
• Healthcare expenses
• Savings for future education
• Life insurance and estate planning

Consider setting up a dedicated savings account for baby expenses. This can help you track costs and ensure you’re prepared for both expected and unexpected expenses.

Long-Term Financial Planning for Your Growing Family

While immediate expenses are important, it’s also crucial to think about long-term financial planning. What steps should you consider?

• Review and update your health insurance coverage
• Start a college savings fund
• Update your will and consider guardianship arrangements
• Evaluate your retirement savings strategy

Remember, financial planning is an ongoing process. As your family grows and changes, regularly review and adjust your financial plans to ensure they align with your evolving needs and goals.

Self-Care and Relationship Preparation: Nurturing Yourself and Your Partnership

Amidst all the practical preparations, it’s easy to overlook the emotional and relational aspects of becoming a parent. How can you prepare yourself and your relationship for the changes ahead?

Consider these self-care and relationship-strengthening strategies:

• Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation or yoga
• Discuss parenting philosophies and expectations with your partner
• Plan for shared responsibilities and support
• Schedule regular date nights or quality time together
• Build a support network of family, friends, and other new parents

Remember, taking care of yourself and your relationship is not selfish – it’s essential. A strong foundation of self-care and partnership can help you navigate the challenges of new parenthood more effectively.

Preparing for the Emotional Journey of Parenthood

Becoming a parent is as much an emotional journey as it is a practical one. How can you prepare for the emotional aspects of this transition?

• Educate yourself about postpartum mood changes
• Discuss your fears and anxieties with your partner or a therapist
• Set realistic expectations about life with a newborn
• Practice asking for and accepting help
• Create a postpartum support plan

By addressing these emotional aspects in advance, you can better prepare yourself for the intense feelings that often accompany new parenthood. Remember, it’s okay to feel overwhelmed at times – reach out for support when you need it.

Preparing for Baby: 10 Things to Do Before You Give Birth

Whether you are expecting your first child or your fourth, giving birth can be a roller coaster of emotions. Having a new baby can be pure bliss, but it can also be equally exhausting and overwhelming. Particularly during the newborn phase, you may find once routine tasks difficult due to either lack of time, lack of energy or both. 

To help you prepare for baby, here are 10 things to do before you give birth that will help you savor those precious, fleeting newborn moments. 

1. Prepare All the Baby Gear

Before the baby arrives you should have certain things purchased, assembled, and tested to make sure they work and you know how to use them. We’re firm believers in the less is more philosophy when it comes to baby gear. The most important essentials are a properly-installed car seat and a safe place for baby to sleep such as a bassinet or crib. If you plan to use other items like an infant swing or changing tables, you’ll want to assemble those as well.   Some things you will not use until the baby is bigger such as an exersaucer, but if you have the storage space you may want to assemble everything you can while you have time.

This does not have to be seen as a huge chore as many people find decorating and furnishing a nursery enjoyable. Some women have “nesting” urges while pregnant, and this is the perfect place to funnel that energy. Having a completed nursery, plenty of seasonally appropriate clothes, diapers and wipes will give you peace of mind. 

2. Make and Freeze Meals

In the weeks leading up to your due date, consider premaking and freezing meals so you are not scrambling for things to eat or relying on less healthy packaged and take-out options. Sometimes friends and family will offer to bring meals to meet the baby, but you can’t always rely on that. 

There are plenty of recipes out there that are easy to make and can be frozen and reheated. An easy way to stock your freezer is by doubling the recipe for something you are already making for dinner. Enjoy half that night and freeze the other half for later. 

It’s easy to get wrapped up in caring for a newborn, but it’s important for parents to take care of themselves and eating a balanced, healthy diet is a big part of that.

3. Stock Up on Household Essentials

The last thing you need when caring for your new baby on little sleep is to run out of toilet paper. Before the baby comes, stockpile things like toilet paper, paper towels, safe cleaning products, and personal care products that you use regularly such as shampoo and soap. If buying in bulk isn’t your thing, use technology to your advantage and automate as many things as you can through subscription services like Amazon’s Subscribe & Save. You can save by setting up regularly scheduled deliveries from monthly to every six months. And don’t worry, you can modify or cancel your delivery schedule at any time. 

4. Make Provisions for Your Furry Family Members

Another thing that may not be essential for everyone, but absolutely essential for many is making sure things are in order for your pet to be properly cared for after the baby comes.

You can make sure your pet is cared for by stocking up on food, treats, toys, and any medications they may be on like monthly flea and tick prevention. Also, arrange for someone to stay with them or take them to be boarded while you are in the hospital if necessary.

If you are worried they will suffer from lack of attention, you can ask friends and family who are offering to help to come play, walk them, or simply give them some time and attention. 

If you think your pet might have problems adjusting to the new dynamic and are worried about them developing behavioral issues, you can work with a pet care professional like your vet or a trainer to come up with a plan for everyone to safely coexist.

5. Fill Prescriptions

If you or someone in the family takes certain medications regularly, or know you will need them in the future, make sure to get prescriptions filled shortly before the baby comes so you’ll have them on hand. Take inventory of your medicine cabinet and stock up on over the counter medications and first-aid essentials your family may need.

6. Make Sure You are Up to Date on Preventative Care

Leading up to the birth of your baby, it may seem like all of your healthcare has been pregnancy oriented. However, before the baby is born, you should take care of other routine healthcare tasks. Go to the dentist and the optometrist for preventative care. If you need dental work or new glasses or contacts, take the time to get these things done while you do not have to worry about bringing a newborn along.

7. Get a Jump Start on Baby Proofing

This won’t be needed until the baby is older and mobile, but getting ideas and making lists of things you need to do can’t hurt. Also, many parents say that it is worth beginning to babyproof early if you can swing it. Your baby could be mobile and trying to get into everything in the blink of an eye. Here’s a helpful checklist for babyproofing the house so you do not forget anything.

We also recommend taking some time to review recommendations from The National Safety Council about important safety measures to protect your child.

8. Take Some Time for Yourself

The time before you have your baby is valuable for more than checking logistical things off a list. Taking time out for yourself, both alone and with your partner, is important. You’ll love your new baby in an all-consuming way, but you might still miss having alone time or a quiet moment with your partner. Take the opportunity to enjoy the things you love before the baby comes. 

Some people go on vacations, or “babymoons,”  before their babies are born. If you have the means, time, and energy for this type of vacation, then go for it! It will probably be the last time you’ll be able to have a child-free getaway for a while. Be sure to plan it during a time in your pregnancy when it is safe to travel.

If you can’t swing a full-fledged vacation, don’t sweat it. Weekend staycations in your town or even just planning downtime to stay home are great ways to take time for yourself and with your partner. 

9. Get Ready for the Hospital or Birthing Center

As the due date approaches, you should prepare for your stay in the hospital. This includes knowing the best routes to the hospital and packing suitcases to have on hand in case you need to leave in a hurry. Here is a helpful list of suggestions for what to pack in the hospital bag. Again, remember less is more. Most of the essentials will be provided for you at the hospital. 

10. Plan Birth Announcements 

Newborn photographers can book well in advance so if there is a particular one you’d like to work with, contact them now. 

If you are going to send birth announcements in the mail, go ahead and select the design ahead of time. You can finalize the birth details later. Most services have an option to sync your address book so you never have to address or stamp an envelope. You can even opt for digital birth announcements or forgo a formal birth announcement altogether. The choice is up to you, but we suggest deciding ahead of time. 

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At Kernodle OB/GYN, we know that preparing for a baby can be both exciting and overwhelming. We want to make your experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible. So, while you take care of these tasks, we’ll be here to take care of you. If you would like to schedule an appointment, contact us at (336) 538-2367 or schedule online. 

Preparing for a Baby? Tackle These 15 Financial Tasks

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Preparing for a baby isn’t just tiny clothes and heartwarming ultrasound photos; it involves a lot of financial preparation. This guide will lay out the most important financial tasks on your plate from pregnancy to baby’s first years, including:

• Estimating your medical costs
• Planning leave from your job
• Budgeting for the new arrival

Some parenting preparations are best learned on the fly — how to effortlessly and painlessly change the messiest diapers, for instance. But the list of things to do before baby arrives and within his or her first several weeks is lengthy, so tackling certain tasks now is a smart idea.

Pre-delivery planning

1. Understand your health insurance and anticipate costs. Having a baby is expensive, even when you have health insurance. You should forecast your expected costs fairly early in the pregnancy. NerdWallet’s guide to making sense of your medical bills can help as you navigate prenatal care, labor and delivery, and the bills that will ultimately follow.

2. Plan for maternity/paternity leave. How much time you and your partner (if you have one) get off work and whether you’re paid during that period can significantly impact your household finances in the coming year. Understand your company’s policies and your state’s laws to get an accurate picture of how your maternity leave will affect your bottom line.

3. Draft your pre-baby budget. Once you know what you’ll be spending on out-of-pocket medical costs, understand how your income will be impacted in the coming months and have prepared a shopping list for your new addition, adjust your budget accordingly. Babies come with plenty of expenses, so set a limit on both necessary and optional buys (like that designer diaper bag or high-end stroller with the LCD control panel), and consider buying used to keep spending under control.

» Learn how to create a baby budget

4. Plan your post-delivery budget. Recurring costs such as diapers, child care and extra food will change your household expenses for years to come. Plan for them now so you aren’t caught off guard.

5. Choose a pediatrician within your insurance network. Your baby’s first doctor appointment will come within her first week of life, so you’ll want to have a physician picked out. Talk to friends and family to get recommendations, call around to local clinics and ask to interview a pediatrician before you make your choice. In searching for the right doctor, don’t forget to double-check that he or she is within your insurance network. Ask the clinic, but verify by calling your insurance company so you’re not hit with unexpected out-of-network charges.

6. Start or check your emergency fund. If you don’t already have a “rainy day fund,” now’s the time to anticipate some emergencies. Kids are accident prone, and with the cost of raising a child there’s no telling if you’ll have the disposable income to pay for any unexpected expenses. Having at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses covered is a great place to start.

TRACK YOUR SPENDING THE EASY WAY

As a parent, you’ve got enough on your plate. Let NerdWallet help by tracking your spending and spotting ways to save.

While in the hospital

The main focus while you’re in the hospital is having a healthy baby. But there are a few loose ends that will need to be taken care of.

7. Order a birth certificate and Social Security card. Hospital staffers should provide you with the necessary paperwork to get your new child’s Social Security number and birth certificate. If they don’t or if you are having a home birth, contact your state’s office of vital records for the birth certificate and your local Social Security office to get a Social Security card.

Within baby’s first 30 days

8. Add your child to your health insurance. In most cases, you have 30 days from your child’s birth date to add him to an existing health insurance policy. In some employer-based plans, you have 60 days. Regardless, do it sooner rather than later, as you don’t want to be caught with a sick baby and no coverage.

9. Consider a life insurance policy on your child. No one expects the tragedy of losing a child, so many parents don’t plan for it. The rates are generally low because a child’s life insurance policy is used to cover funeral costs and little else. When it comes to covering children, a “term” policy that lasts until they are self-sufficient is the most popular choice.

10. Begin planning for child care. Finding the right day care or nanny can take weeks. Get started long before your maternity leave is over. You’ll need time to visit day care centers or interview nannies, as well as complete an application and approval process if required.

» Shop with our baby checklist

Beyond the first month

You’ll be in this parenting role for years to come, so planning for the future is crucial. Estate planning is a big part of providing for your children, but it isn’t the only important forward-focused task to check off your list.

11. Adjust your beneficiaries. Assuming you already have life insurance for yourself or the main breadwinner in your household — and if you don’t, you should — you may want to add your child as a beneficiary. The same goes for your 401(k) and IRAs. However, keep in mind that you’ll need to make adjustments elsewhere to ensure when and how your child will have access to the money. A will and/or trust can accomplish this.

12. Disability insurance. You’re far more likely to need disability insurance than life insurance. Make sure you have the right amount of coverage — enough to meet your expenses if you’re out of work for several months. Remember, your monthly living expenses have gone up since the new addition.

13. Write or adjust your will. Tragic things happen and you want to ensure your child is taken care of in the event that one or both parents die. Designate a guardian so the courts don’t have to. Your will is only one part of estate planning, but it’s a good place to begin.

14. Keep funding your retirement. When a child arrives, it’s easy to forget your personal goals and long-term plans in light of this huge responsibility. Stay on top of your retirement plans so your child doesn’t have to support you in old age.

15. Save for his or her education. College is costly, but you can make it more manageable by starting to save early.

Adding a new member to your family comes with a lengthy list of responsibilities, so don’t try to do them all at once. Prioritize and tackle the most important items on your financial to-do list first. Because medical bills and insurance claims will be some of the first financial obligations you’ll encounter while expecting, start there. Move on to budgeting for pregnancy and the first several months of your baby’s life.

With 18 or more years until your little one leaves home, time would seem to be on your side. But — as the saying goes — blink and he’s grown. Now is the time to start taking the steps that will set your family up for financial success.

timelines, to-dos, checklists, and more

Preparing for your new baby, especially if it’s your first time, can feel daunting.

And, to some extent, the overwhelm isn’t unwarranted.

It’s a big task. But the good news is, if you’re reading this, you’re planning ahead and thinking about what to do to prepare for a baby ahead of time—something that’s going to make your life a whole lot easier as the big day comes.

Let’s be clear, this is not a list of 8 random things you need to do, this is a comprehensive guide that allows you to dig deep on baby preparations. We’re going to cover (click a link to skip ahead):

When to start preparing for your baby’s arrival

Often, expecting parents fall into one of two camps; they either jump in and start preparing as soon as they get pregnant (find an adoption agency, line up a surrogate, etc. ), or they think, “9 months is a long time” and put off preparations for their future self to handle. As with most things, preparation for a new baby is usually best started somewhere in the middle. Don’t put your future self in a tough spot, we hear they’re a good person and they don’t deserve that. But, waiting to do major preparations until after the first trimester can be a good idea to ensure all is well with the pregnancy.

There are a few things that are a good idea to start early, which we’ll cover next:

A baby preparation timeline

As soon as you or your partner (or surrogate, or adoptive mom) realizes she’s pregnant

Call the OB and set up your first appointment. The OBGYN will let you know when what they recommend in terms of first visit, visit frequency, and more.

Follow pregnancy health guidelines. We probably don’t need to go over the basics with you, but experts advise avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and excess caffeine, along with some ones you might not know about like deli meat, some seafood, hot tubs & saunas, herbal teas, and more. And, be sure to check with your doctor about any medications and supplements during pregnancy. More here from the Mayo Clinic.

Read up on pregnancy. Even if you’re not the one who’s pregnant, it pays to get educated. There are great resources at The May Clinic’s website and the American Academy of Pediatrics’ site. Or, check out our comprehensive guide to pregnancy geared to dads.

After the first trimester

Start telling people you’re having a baby. Most couples choose to start telling people the big news after the first trimester, when pregnancy risk is lower and you or your partner will be more obviously pregnancy.

Start to research daycare. Some daycares have waiting lists that are months (and months) long. So, even if you’re not sending your baby to daycare right away, it may be time to consider and research options, otherwise you may find yourself ready for daycare but not have one (or one you like) available.

Start to research what to buy. There’s some gear you’ll want before the baby is born. Don’t worry, we’ve got a whole section on that below, keep reading.

By the start of the 3rd trimester

Find a pediatrician. You’ll want to have your pediatrician lined up before the baby’s birth. You’ll also want to interview this person to make sure you like him or her.

Decide on your birth plan and hospital for delivery. Having a plan in place & knowing where you’ll deliver is essential. Most hospitals offer tours, which are great if you have a choice of where to deliver, or to get a lay of the land even if you don’t. You’ll also want to ensure this hospital takes your insurance, and many times you can fill out paperwork ahead of time so you don’t have to do that while you or your partner is in labor.

3+ weeks from due date

Get your hospital bags together. You’ll want some essentials. You’ll want them ready to go, like a secret agent grab bag.

Create a gameplan. What are you doing with the dog? How will you get to the hospital?

Consider freezing some meals. Time is not going to be your friend when the new baby comes. Neither is energy for cooking. A few weeks of meals in the freezer can be a lifesaver.

Things to do before the baby comes

Ok, let’s dive into the the bulk of your baby prep assignment—things to do before the baby comes. We’re breaking this down into a few key categories: paperwork, insurance & administrative, discussions to have with your partner, and preparing your house and nursery.

Baby preparation paperwork, insurance, and another administrative stuff

There are a few key administrative things you’ll want to add to your to do list to have in place before your baby arrives.

Health Insurance

You’ll want to check in with your health insurance provider to understand the procedure and cost for adding a baby to your plan. If you and your partner both work and have a health insurance plan available through work, it’s a good idea to check with both—costs for moving from Employee or Employee + Spouse to Employee + Family can vary dramatically between insurance plans and employers.

While you’re at it, talk to your insurance company (or use their website) to find out what services are covered—you might be surprised how much is covered: prenatal testing, help to quit smoking, birth control for after the baby, breastfeeding counseling, a breast pump, and more.

Finally, it’s a good idea to ask about typical cost of services, and in particular cost for your baby’s birth and any policies your insurance company has about this—for example maximum length of stay in the hospital.

Life insurance

Your employer may provide some form of life insurance, but note that most employer-sponsored life insurance plans are not nearly as much as you’ll want in an ideal world. So, when you’re preparing for your baby’s arrival is a great time to look at life insurance, which can be more affordable than you think. You can get a term policy for several hundred thousand dollars in coverage for a few hundred dollars a year. Doing this can take some time, and will likely require a drug test and health screening, so plan ahead and make sure this is taken care of before your baby’s arrival.

A will for you and your partner

You probably haven’t thought much about having a will, but now’s the time. Even in the best of family situations, custody situations can get tense in the event of death of parents, you’ll want to know your new little one is taken care of according to your wishes. While this stuff isn’t fun to think about, the good news is you can get a perfectly workable will quickly and affordably from a service like LegalZoom. Make sure both you and your partner have one and the language in each agrees with the other’s.

Employer benefits

Another administrative thing to spend time to understand: your employer’s benefits around children. All employers are required to provide maternity leave for full-time employees, and more and more are adding paternity leave too. But beyond this obvious one, there are several others worth exploring, particularly flexible spending accounts (for both medical expenses and childcare expenses) and college savings accounts. See what else is out there though, you might be pleasantly surprised.

Everything else

If you take care of heath and life insurance, wills, and employer benefits, you’ve got the big stuff covered. In the U.S., the hospital you deliver in will start the paperwork for a birth certificate and social security card. You’ll need to procure immunization records from your pediatrician for daycare.

Things to discuss before your baby arrives

If this is your first baby, let’s state the obvious: life is about to change. A lot. The more discussions you have with your partner ahead of time, the more you’ll be on the same page, and the smoother the sailing will be.

Here’s a list of things it’s a good idea to discuss:

1. What are your plans for caring for the baby? When will each of you return to work?
2. Is daycare a part of the near-term or long-term plan?
3. What other plans for caregiving will you need?
4. Will you store cord blood?
5. What are your hopes, fears, and dreams?

And, if applicable:

• How will you prepare pets, siblings, and grandparents for the arrival?
• If you’re having a boy, will he be circumcised?

Preparing your home for baby’s arrival

When you think about preparing your home for your new baby’s arrival, your mind may jump to things like covering outlets with plastic covers, installing baby gates, and locking cabinets. But, baby proofing is a ways off—most babies won’t start crawling until at least 6 months.

But there are a few things you can do to prepare your home:

Ensure safety measures are in place and up to date. Now’s a great time to ensure you have fire extinguishers on hand, that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detecters are in place & batteries have been charged.

Set up your baby’s sleeping environment. You might note we didn’t say nursery—the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies sleep in their parents’ room for at least the first 6 months (though in a crib or bassinet, never the parents’ bed). So, go ahead and set up that cute nursery if you like, but give some thought to where your baby will be sleeping, and how to set up your baby for safe and healthy sleep. There are some great tools and sleep hacks out there that can help your baby sleep longer and move her toward the coveted sleep through the night goal too—we spend our Baby Sleep School online course exploring how to get your baby to sleep.

Pro tip—blackout curtains can dramatically increase your baby’s sleep—consider them when preparing your house for your baby.

Figure out your parenting education plan

There’s a lot of parenting that just comes natural. Your instincts will kick in and you’ll know what to do. (Trust us, we’ve been there. ) But, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put in some prep work getting educated—there are definitely things to know before the baby arrives. There are a few good ways to do this:

Read up. There are shelves and shelves of parenting books out there. Some are good. A select few are good and digestible. Our go-to? The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Caring for Baby and Young Child, Birth to Age 5 (available on Amazon here). It’s a beast, but it’s also organized into age-based chapters and backed by rock-solid information. We’ve also compiled our list of best books for expecting dads here.

Take a class at your local hospital. Chances are a hospital in your area offers birthing and parenting classes. They’re usually pretty good, include infant CPR, and are quite affordable. If you’re reading this post-pandemic, they’re usually pretty accessible too.

Consider an online course for expecting parents. Ready to go back to school? Turns out, there are some really good options out there for online classes too. Many of these benefit from video lessons, which have a big leg up on reading about things in a book because parenting is, well, a pretty hands on sport, learning by watching can be helpful. Here’s our roundup of the best online classes for expecting parents, and we also offer our own online course, called Father’s Ed, which you can check out here.

Now that we’re educated and have a solid list of things to do before having a baby, let’s begin to answer that big question … yeah but how much is all this going to cost us?

How to prepare for a baby financially

We’re not going to sugarcoat it — kids are damn expensive. You’ve probably read some stat like, “It costs $300,000 to raise the a child to the age of 18.” Well, the most reliable figure we could find was $233,610, oddly published by the US Department of Agriculture.

But that kind of number isn’t particularly actionable and can be quite overwhelming. A better one might be the cost of raising a baby from birth to age one, along with a quick breakdown of the big expenses.

Well, Babycenter provides another oddly-specific number: $11,195.

But this number can vary wildly depending on where you come in on the big costs, which are:

Ongoing baby expenses

Daycare. Expect to pay $380 — upwards of $1,500 per month for daycare.

Diapers and wipes. $70 — $100 per month.

Formula & solid foods. If you’re formula-feeding, formula will run you $100+/month, solid foods, which start around 6 months, $50+/month.

Clothing, first aid, toys & books, and misc. $50 — $100+/month

One-time baby expenses

Baby gear—stroller, car seats, etc. $1,000 — $1,500+

Nursery and home setup—crib, baby monitor, bedding, etc. $1,000 — $1,500+

Nursing or bottle feeding supplies. $250 — $500+

So … yeah … babies are expensive. But, understanding the costs can help you prepare. Babycenter’s interactive calculator is quite helpful.

Let’s talk about what of that gear you should buy before the baby comes though …

What to buy before your baby arrives

You definitely don’t need to buy everything before your baby comes, but consider stuff that falls into one of two categories:

Baby stuff you’ll want ready to go on day 1

Your baby’s crib or bassinet. They’ve gotta sleep somewhere, and somewhere safe. Buy a crib or bassinet that meets safety standards, or if you want to splurge for more sleep, check out the Snoo smart sleeper bassinet.

Car seat(s). Again, you’ve got to get your baby home from the hospital, and then transport them around. And we hate to break it to you, but if you have two cars, you’re probably going to need 2 car seats—moving them is a hassle, and can reduce safety if you’re hurriedly trying to install them before each ride.

A one-month supply of diapers, wipes, clothing, and supplies. You’re not going to want to be running out to the store frequently for baby stuff. Undoubtedly you will, but the more stock you have the better (though, since you don’t know how fast your baby will move to the next diaper size, you don’t want a 6-month supply of size 1 diapers). Quick clothing note: you don’t need fancy stuff. Babies grow fast, people will likely buy you clothes. That 5-pack of onesies from target will be just fine, your baby will still be super cute in them.

Just some of the gear you might consider buying when preparing for a baby.

Gear you can practice with

You might not use this stuff on day one (in fact some of it you can’t without proper inserts), but having it ready and testing it out can be better than trying to learn it after your baby comes along.

A stroller. You will definitely want a stroller. Babies love stroller rides, you will love going for walks for fresh air and getting out of the house.

A baby monitor. Parents were just fine for millennia without baby monitors, but they are pretty darn handy. We go deep on baby monitors here, along with our picks for best baby monitor across several key categories.

Assorted other baby gear. Baby carriers, bath supplies, a nasal suction device—there’s lots of handy stuff out there. Poke around, get educated.

We break down our battle-tested list of baby and newborn essentials here.

Our comprehensive preparing for baby checklist

There is A LOT of stuff you need to do to prepare for a baby. You’ll probably forget something, and things will still be ok.

But, checklists are quite handy when it comes to remembering, and accomplishing, a long list of things.

That’s why we created our comprehensive preparing for a baby checklist as a downloadable, fridge-ready PDF. You can get it, 100% free, plus 3 other bonus checklists from Fathercraft when you join our email list (don’t worry, it’s awesome). Just enter your email here:

Fathercraft’s Baby Prep Checklist

Bonus: how to select a pediatrician—a video guide

In this video, we cover how to choose a pediatrician (and avoid creepy clown noses).

Want more? Get our free 3-day baby prep mini class when you drop your email here:

Receive our free baby prep mini class

Wrapping up & further information

There you have it—our guide to preparing for your new baby. Hope it’s been helpful! Now, go create that to do list before the baby arrives and start checking stuff of your list.

By the way, hi, we’re Fathercraft. We’re a company focused on creating high-quality, research-backed content for new and expecting dads—product reviews, online parenting courses, and more. Learn more here, and check out our YouTube channel here.

Please note: Fathercraft is reader supported, meaning, at no cost to you, we may earn a commission if you buy after clicking an affiliate link. Learn more. And, we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Ten of the best … ways to prepare for having a baby | Family finances

Bringing a new life into the world is an expensive business. This year, insurer LV= said that just the first year of a baby’s life will cost its parents an average of £8,500. So if you’re planning to start a family, or have a child on the way, these 10 tips will help you get your finances in order.

1. Find out how much maternity/paternity pay you will get

So long as you have been working at your company for 26 weeks and earn more than £95 a week you will be entitled to statutory maternity or paternity pay (SMP). Basic SMP is paid at 90% of your average gross weekly earnings for six weeks, followed by 33 weeks at the lower limit of £123 a week or 90% of your weekly pay. All the details of this are on the Directgov website.

Your employer might have its own contractual (or “company”) scheme so you should contact your human resources department to find out what’s on offer. If you are keeping your cards close to your chest for the time being, dig out your contract. Bear in mind that some company schemes require you to pay back some of the money if you opt not to come back to work.

2. Start saving

According to experts at the Institute of Financial Planning, parents should aim to have at least three months’ income put aside for emergencies before their baby arrives. “Remember, you will have between seven and eight months of knowing you are pregnant to try to get this money together,” spokeswoman Sue Whitbread says. “However, the habit of saving is more important than the amount saved. Even if you start at £10 a month, you can always raise it.”

3. Budget to live on one salary

Lucas and Carrie Silversword. Photograph: Claire Silversword

A sudden drop in income is one of the starkest financial implications of having a baby, so prepare in advance. Carrie Silversword, a 32-year-old assistant manager of Goals gym in Beckenham had her first child, Lucas, in March this year.

“My employer paid the statutory maternity pay of 90% of my salary for six weeks followed by £123 a week for the remaining 33 weeks,” she says. “This drop would have been shock if my partner Auri and I had not budgeted in advance for the mortgage to be paid just from his salary.”

If you are really brave, try living on just one salary before the baby arrives – that will allow you to get used to it and enable you to build up some savings.

4. Get your life insured

When you live a single life with no dependants, or even as one half of a professional working couple, life insurance can feature near the bottom of your financial priorities. However, having your first baby should act as a trigger to get cover in place, Matt Morris from broker LifeSearch says.

“A sensible option is to take out a life insurance policy that pays out an annual tax-free income rather than a lump sum. This is known as family income benefit. It means the money will be paid out over years rather than in one go, which could be quickly squandered.”

Aviva is currently offering new parents free life insurance up to £10,000. Cover continues up until the baby’s first birthday and parents will need to register before their baby is six months old. However, the insurer says the cover is “only a fraction” of what is ideally needed.

5. Make a will

Paul Sharpe, chairman of the Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW), says: “There is still a feeling that a will is something you make when you get old, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. A will is something designed to protect what is valuable, and you don’t get much more valuable than a baby.”

It’s a good idea to appoint a solicitor or a professional will writer who is a member of the IPW to draw up a will on your behalf. For a couple this should cost in the region of £150, Sharpe says. “DIY will kits are available for a lot less, though you do run the risk that it won’t do what it set out to.”

6. Sell your junk to make space and money

Oliver and Amelie Lowe. Photograph: James Lowe

You will need both when the baby arrives, so there is no better time to clear your clutter. Mother of two Karen Lowe, 31, used eBay to offload unwanted gear before having her second child, Amelie, last year. “I sold clothes I didn’t wear, didn’t like or didn’t fit, and got rid of CDs and DVDs. Having one baby isn’t cheap but having two is even more of a financial strain, so as a stay-at-home mum I wanted to do everything I could.” Lowe’s clear out raised a welcome £200.

7. Don’t go gaga over baby equipment

Having your first baby is a once in a lifetime experience, and because of this retailers go straight for the financial jugular. But while it’s important to equip yourself with the essentials like a new car seat that meets safety standards, other items such as nappy bins and night lights can be avoided.

“Buy the must-haves but hold off on the nice-to-haves,” Catherine Hanly, editor of parenting website Raisingkids, advises. “Most first-time parents find they have bought at least one piece of equipment that has never even been touched.”

8. Apply for the Health in pregnancy grant

If you are at least 25 weeks pregnant don’t forget to claim your one-off, tax-free payment of £190 from the government. The so-called Health in Pregnancy Grant was introduced in April to help mums-to-be keep healthy for their birth.

You need to get a signed claim form from your midwife or doctor and send it to HM Revenue & Customs. The money will be paid directly into your bank account.

9. Apply for child benefit

When your baby has arrived you should make time to apply for child benefit. The government will only backdate child benefit payments by three months, so it is best to get your form in as soon as possible. It is £20 a week for your first baby and £13.20 a week for other children. Forms are included in the “Bounty packs” given to new mothers, or you can download one from the Directgov website.

10. Open a child trust fund

Once you have claimed child benefit you will be sent a £250 voucher by the government to invest in a child trust fund (CTF) – a savings account which remains tax-free until your child turns 18. You will be sent a further £250 when your child turns seven.

Yorkshire building society has worked out that paying in just £2.70 a day to its cash CTF (which offers 3% interest in the first year and 2.3% thereafter), in addition to the two government vouchers, will result in a balance of £22,548 after 18 years, which is forecast to be the average university debt for graduates 21 years from now.

Is There Any Way to Emotionally Prepare for Parenthood?

Connect with your partner.

Focus on your relationship (if applicable) and shore that up before the often-rocky first year of parenting hits. Dr. Saxbe said that a couple’s relationship quality tends to decline around the transition to parenthood, but you don’t have to follow that trend. “The year following childbirth is one of the most stressful times in marital relationships; couples who haven’t adequately prepared for the hardships of parenting in terms of logistics, child-rearing philosophies and financial issues are more likely to experience conflict and marital stress,” said Noosha Niv, a psychologist and the founder of the Mind Matters Institute, in Glendale, Calif. How can you prepare your relationship? Reflect on the strengths and challenges within your union, Dr. Morelen suggested. (And check out our guide for how partners can best support pregnant women.) A new baby will stress even the healthiest of relationships, so it’s important to build strong communication strategies with your partner before the baby arrives.

Establish parenting values.

Dr. Niv said she helps expecting couples to establish where their parenting values align and, more important, where they don’t align. “It’s important to identify and reconcile values surrounding parenting before the baby is born; reaching resolution on parenting topics is far more difficult when you’re stressed and sleep-deprived,” she said. If you’re parenting with a partner, it’s a good idea to discuss child rearing philosophies before the baby arrives. When you’re visualizing and preparing your parenting plans, add your baby to the picture. “Think about what your baby will be like,” said Dr. Morelen. “Think about traditions you’d like to share, lessons you’d like to teach, songs you’d like to sing, etc.”

Face fears.

It’s natural to feel afraid of or anxious about certain aspects of parenthood. “Give yourself permission to feel a range of emotions,” said Dr. Morelen. “Talk to trusted loved ones about your feelings — chances are you’ll learn that you’re not alone.” But if fear or stress is persistent, Dr. Trent recommended taking a hard look at the scenario that scares you. “Set aside a block of time solely devoted to nailing down what, specifically, about the situation or possible outcome is evoking fear or stress,” she said. Doing so allows you to realistically appraise the actual concern (instead of the more nebulous fear) and also allows for problem-solving. If this strategy doesn’t provide enough relief, consider seeking professional help to ease anxiety.

Overestimate recovery time.

It’s helpful to overestimate how much recovery and support time you’ll need. Postpartum medical care generally ends after the six-week postpartum checkup, and hormones have usually evened out by that point. But studies have shown that it can take six months to a year to fully recover (physically and mentally) from childbirth. According to a study by researchers at the University of Michigan’s School of Nursing, it can take over eight months for pelvic floor recovery alone. Research by Julie Wray, of the University of Salford in England, found that mothers need up to a year to recover. It’s just not realistic to expect to “bounce back” two weeks after birth. Unfortunately, it also may not be realistic to avoid going back to work.

To aid in recovery, Jephtha Tausig, a psychologist in New York City, recommended that new mothers outsource some tasks. “If you can have others help with errands and chores (laundry, cleaning, making meals, etc.) that will make a huge difference,” she said. Don’t try to do it all, because that just might not be possible. Be gentle with yourself. “Being tired and slightly overwhelmed is all completely normal — you can’t plan to accomplish much if you are the primary caregiver at home with baby,” noted Dr. Nataki Douglas, a Newark, N.J.-based ob-gyn and an associate professor and director of translational research for the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health at Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School.

New sibling: Preparing your older child

New sibling: Preparing your older child

A new sibling can have a big impact on your family. Understand how to prepare your older child, introduce the new baby and encourage a healthy sibling bond.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Bringing home a newborn is a little different the second time around. With your first child, you’re focused on figuring out how to care for a baby. With the second baby, you’re likely to wonder how your older child will react to having a new sibling — and how you’re going to meet both of their needs. Here’s help making the adjustment.

How can I prepare my older child for a new sibling?

Start by talking to your older child about the arrival of his or her new sibling. Explain in age-appropriate terms how the baby is growing, and ask him or her to help you set up the baby’s nursery. Enroll in a hospital sibling class designed for children and parents to learn together about what it means to become a new sibling.

Explain to your older child that the baby will eat, sleep and cry most of the time. The baby won’t be a playmate right away.

If your child will need to change rooms or move out of the crib to make space for the new baby, do so before the baby is born. This will give your older child a chance to get used to the new setup before dealing with the baby’s arrival. Try to complete your older child’s toilet training before the baby is born or wait until a few months after you bring your baby home to start the process.

Arrange for your older child’s care during your time in the hospital or birth center, and let your child know that you will go away briefly and return. If possible, arrange a time for your child to visit the hospital or birth center ahead of time to remove some of the mystery.

How should I introduce my older child to his or her new sibling?

When the new baby arrives, have a family member or friend bring your child to the hospital or birth center for a brief visit. Allow another loved one to hold the baby for a while so that both parents can give the older child plenty of cuddles.

Consider giving your older child a gift that’s from the baby, such as a T-shirt that says big brother or big sister. When you’re home, take your older child to a special place — such as a favorite playground — to celebrate the new baby’s arrival.

What can I do to help my older child adjust to having a new sibling?

Your older child’s age and development will affect how he or she reacts to a new sibling. While older children are typically eager to meet a new sibling, younger children might be confused or upset. Consider the following tips to help your child adjust.

• Children younger than age 2. Young children likely won’t understand yet what it means to have a new sibling. Talk to your child about the new addition to your family. Look at picture books about babies and families.
• Children ages 2 to 4. Children at this age are still quite attached to their parents and might feel jealous sharing your attention with a newborn. Explain that the baby will need lots of attention and encourage your older child’s involvement by taking him or her shopping for baby supplies. Read to your older child about babies, brothers and sisters. Give your older child a doll so that he or she can be a caregiver, too. Look at your older child’s baby pictures together and tell the story of his or her birth.
• School-age children. Older children might feel jealous of how much attention a new baby gets. Talk to your older child about your newborn’s needs. Point out the advantages of being older, such as going to bed later. You might display your older child’s artwork in the baby’s room or ask your older child to help take care of the baby.

Regardless of your older child’s age, make sure that he or she gets individual attention when the new baby arrives. If you’re taking pictures or videos, include your older child. Take pictures or videos of him or her alone, too. Consider having a few small gifts on hand to give to your older child in case friends visit with gifts for the new baby.

What should I do if my child begins to act out?

Your older child might try to get attention by breaking rules — even if it means being punished. To stop this behavior, praise your older child when he or she is behaving well. If you suspect your child is behaving badly to get attention, consider ignoring the behavior. This might encourage your child to look for a more positive way to get your attention. Talk to your older child. Ask him or her how it feels to have a new sibling. Listen.

Keep in mind that children sometimes regress or act younger than their age after the arrival of a new baby, such as having toilet training accidents or drinking from a bottle. These are normal reactions to the stress of a new sibling that require tolerance rather than punishment. Give your older child love and assurance during regressive episodes.

How can I encourage my older child to be gentle with the new baby?

Sometimes older children — stressed by the changes happening around them — take out their frustration on a new baby. If your older child tries to harm the baby, it’s time for a talk about appropriate behavior. Also, give your older child extra attention and include him or her in activities that involve the baby, such as singing, bathing or changing diapers. Praise your older child when he or she acts lovingly toward the new baby.

Even if your children seem to get along, supervision is essential. Don’t leave your newborn alone with a sibling or other loved one younger than age 12.

How will my older child react to breast-feeding?

If you plan to breast-feed your newborn, you might wonder how your older child will react or how to keep your older child busy while you nurse. Your older child might hover upon first seeing you breast-feed. Explain what you’re doing and answer any questions your child might have. If you breast-fed your older child, explain that you once did the same thing for him or her.

Consider creating a breast-feeding routine that involves your older child. He or she can play a special role, such as helping with a diaper change before the feeding or getting you a pillow. To keep your child entertained while you nurse, set out special toys or a workbook beforehand. Play music or audio versions of children’s books. Invite your older child to cuddle with you while you nurse. If your older child asks if he or she can nurse, the decision is up to you. Most older children find the experience somewhat strange and lose interest.

How do I explain a medical concern to my older child?

If your new baby has health issues, explain to your older child that his or her baby sister or brother is sick, and you’re worried. If your baby needs to stay in the hospital after he or she is born, ask about the sibling visitation policy. You might also take pictures of the baby and show them to your older child.

Keep in mind that if you don’t talk to your older child about the baby’s condition, he or she will likely still sense that something is wrong. Rather than keeping your older child in the dark, give him or her some information about the situation and show that you’re there for him or her.

How do multiple babies affect older siblings?

If you have multiples, the time demands are even greater for parents. Multiples also attract attention from family, friends and even strangers. An older sibling might feel left out or jealous.

Your older child will need special one-on-one time with you. You also can consider ways to give your older child “double rewards” for helping take care of the babies.

How do I prepare my older child for an adopted sibling?

If you have older children when you adopt a baby, you’ll have to answer different questions about babies and families. Finding age-appropriate books about adoption can help you talk about how the adoption process works and how your older child will become a sibling.

The unpredictable timing of an adoption placement can be difficult for your other children. Sometimes the wait for adoption is quite long, but the placement might happen quickly. The possibility of both waiting and rushing might make the transition to becoming a sibling stressful.

If your newly adopted child is not a baby, the transition to sibling relationships happens at a different pace. Your other children will experience the challenges of sharing not only you but also toys and space. It also might be difficult for children to understand the amount of time and attention an adopted sibling needs initially, even though the adopted child seems “old enough.”

A new sibling will undoubtedly change your family. As your older child adjusts, reassure him or her of your love. Explain that he or she has an important role to play now, too — that of big brother or big sister.

Sept. 29, 2020

Show references

1. Sibling relationships. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://patiented.solutions.aap.org/handout.aspx?gbosid=156616. Accessed Feb. 23, 2018.
2. Shelov SP, et al. Preparing for a new baby. In: Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: Bantam Books; 2014.
3. Berkowitz CD. Sibling rivalry. In: Berkowitz’s Pediatrics: A Primary Care Approach. 5th ed. Elk Grove Village, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2014. https://shop.aap.org. Accessed Feb. 21, 2018.
4. McInerny TK, et al., eds. Adoption. In: American Academy of Pediatrics Textbook of Pediatric Care. 2nd ed. Elk Grove Village, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2017. https://pediatriccare.solutions.aap.org. Accessed Feb. 23, 2018.
5. Younger Meek J, et al. Going home. In: New Mother’s Guide to Breastfeeding. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: Bantam Books; 2011.
6. Zaichkin J, ed. Parenting in the NICU. In: Newborn Intensive Care: What Every Parent Needs to Know. 3rd ed. Elk Grove Village, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2010.
7. Meakings S. The influence of adoption on sibling relationships: Experiences and support needs of newly formed adoptive families. British Journal of Social Work. 2017;47:1781.

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Birth of a Second Child (for Parents)

The happiness and love that your first baby brought into your life is beyond measure, and now you’re expecting another child. Preparing can be as rewarding and special as the first time.

But you’ll have some different things to consider as you await your second child, even though you’ve been through pregnancy and childbirth before. Being aware of the changes to come — and helping your older child understand what to expect — is the best way to prepare for this joyous event.

What Will Change?

Having a second child and handling two kids can be a bit overwhelming at first. Getting organized before the baby is born is your best bet, even though that might be challenging.

You’ll be busier, and your once organized schedule might be stretched to the limit. You might tire more easily, even before the baby is born, since caring for your older child while you’re pregnant takes a lot of energy.

After the birth, expect the first 6 to 8 weeks to be particularly demanding. You’ll be trying to get your infant on a feeding and sleeping schedule while handling your older child’s needs.

One positive change that a second child brings is an increased confidence in your own abilities, knowledge, and experience. The things that seemed so difficult with your first child — breastfeeding, changing diapers, handling illness — will seem like second nature now instead of a crisis.

How Will It Affect Me?

Bringing home a new baby will affect you in many ways — some physically and others emotionally.

Physically, you are likely to be sore and very tired after delivery, particularly if you had a difficult birth or C-section. This makes late-night feeding sessions tough, especially if you have decided to breastfeed.

Getting help from a postpartum doula (a woman trained to care for mother and baby during the first couple of weeks after delivery) or baby nurse (a newborn care expert) during the day can let you catch up on much-needed rest and sleep.

Emotionally, don’t be surprised if you feel concerned about bonding with your baby. You might worry about whether you’ll have just as much love for your new arrival as you do for your older child. You will — as moms and dads often report, a parent’s love somehow doubles when another child is born.

Are you feeling a little sad? The “baby blues” can be scary, but you don’t have to go it alone. Talk to your doctor if you have feelings of depression. It’s important to differentiate between the baby blues, which usually will pass in a few weeks, and postpartum depression, a serious disorder that can lead to mood and sleep problems if untreated. If you begin to feel very depressed or anxious, or have thoughts about harming yourself or your baby, get help from your doctor immediately.

You can expect to have little or no time for yourself during the first few months following delivery. Sleepless nights and everyday tensions can be overwhelming, so be sure to make “alone time” a priority. Even a few hours out of the house by yourself can help you feel calmer and more relaxed.

Likewise, you and your partner will notice that you’re rarely spending time alone together, so be sure to have an occasional date once things settle down.

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Helping Your Older Child Adjust

Your first child may have a range of emotions, from excitement to jealousy or even resentment. Younger toddlers, who can’t verbalize their feelings, might regress to earlier behaviors — like thumb-sucking, wanting to drink from a bottle, forgetting their recent potty training skills, and using baby talk to get your attention.

Older toddlers and kids might express their feelings by testing your patience, misbehaving, throwing tantrums, or refusing to eat. These problems are usually short-lived, and a little preparation can help an older child adjust to the idea of welcoming a new sibling.

Focus on the important role an older sibling plays. Some tips to try:

• Let your older child help pick out items for the new baby’s room. This is particularly important if your kids will share a bedroom.
• Find a special gift that your older child can give to the baby, such as a new book or toy, or a photo of the sibling for the baby’s room. Consider picking out something for your older child, too, like a special “big kid” chair he or she can sit in while you feed the baby. You also could have a small gift ready from the baby for your older child.
• Arrange special time just for you and your older child. This might involve a trip to the library or grocery store, or simply reading a few extra stories at bedtime. Your partner, a family member, or a friend can help you by caring for the baby during these times.
• Role-play or read stories that will help your child understand what’s happening in the family. Books written just for toddlers about growing families are available. Check a local bookstore or ask your librarian for specific titles.
• Talk about what to expect when the baby comes home. Explain that a newborn cries, sleeps, and needs a lot of diaper changes. Assure your older child that although the baby needs lots of attention, there will still be plenty of time and love for him or her.
• Reinforce your older child’s role in the family, saying that he or she will be the “big brother/sister” to the new baby, and help your child enjoy this new role.
• Think of ways that your child can be a part of the baby’s care. Your oldest might get a diaper or a burp cloth when you need it, help pick out the baby’s clothes for the day, or even dance around in front of the baby when your newborn is cranky.
• Maybe your child could come to a prenatal visit or watch an ultrasound. If you’re giving birth in a hospital setting, ask about sibling visitation after the baby is born.

The arrival of a new baby brings big changes to older kids, so you might want to hold off on introducing others. This is probably not the best time to start toilet teaching, to transition from bottle to cup, or to enroll your child in a program that means separation from you for the first time. Consistency will help make your child’s adjustment easier.

Siblings play a very special role in a new baby’s life, so don’t leave your older child out of the decision-making. So much attention is given to a newborn, making it easy for older kids to feel overlooked. Reassure yours by encouraging his or her help in the preparations.

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Tips to Help You Cope

To help manage the added responsibilities of a second child, try these tips before the big day comes:

• Stock the house with quick, easy dinners. If you feel up to cooking, make double portions and freeze them. Finding the energy will be harder after the baby is born. Keep some menus of takeout food restaurants handy, including a few that deliver.
• Consider reorganizing your laundry system using one hamper per family member or a basket for each child so it’s easier to sort and fold clothing. Laundry is usually the biggest complaint of new parents — it seems to triple when another child arrives, so now is the time to prepare.
• If possible, use items you already have (or that family members can share) rather than buying all new things. As long as they meet current safety standards, hand-me-downs such as cribs, bassinets, strollers, high chairs, and clothes can help save time and money.
• Stock the car with a diaper bag filled with all the needed extras so you’ll always be prepared. Many parents keep a toy bag in the car for older kids and a diaper bag with diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, and an extra blanket for the baby.
• Keep a book or toy bin handy in your bedroom, family room, and even the bathroom or laundry room, to keep kids busy for a few precious moments while you’re feeding or bathing the baby, or doing chores.
• Ask a family member to spend time with you right after the baby’s birth, if you feel comfortable doing so. Not only will he or she enjoy it, but you’ll be able to get some much-needed rest.
• If possible, have a housekeeping service come in once a week for the first month or two to help you with chores.
• Look to your community or place of worship for support. Many programs and classes are available that offer activities and social support for families with young kids.
• Don’t forget to take care of your own needs. Pamper yourself, even if it’s something as simple as a haircut or a bath with candles and music to help you relax after a trying day.

Give everyone a little time to get used to the “new reality” of life with a second child. Then, you can all celebrate the many joys of your larger family.

“Preparation for the World Championship took place in Makhachkala” – Interregional Information Resource of Youth

At the beginning of November in the capital of Serbia – Belgrade, the world youth championship in wrestling among women under 23 years old will take place. The 2019 European Championship champion Viktoria Vaulina in an interview with the sports radio “Dvizhenie” and Wrestling TV spoke about the upcoming starts.

“All my preparation for the upcoming world championship took place in Makhachkala, where I have been living and training for more than five years.The training took place under the guidance of my personal trainer Natalya Vladimirovna Smirnova. She competently led me to the final training camp, which took place in Sochi. Thanks to the work done, at this training camp I withstood all the loads and am now in very good shape, ” – she said.

According to the athlete, she has already participated in competitions of this scale

“In 2015 I won the gold medal at the junior world championship. But the upcoming starts will be special and very exciting for me, as this will be my last performance in the U23 category.The world championship is held within the framework of certain regulations. In total, ten weight categories will be represented at this championship. In each of the categories, the athletes will be divided into two groups. According to the results of the group stage of the competition, leaders will be determined in both groups, who will compete for medals the next day, ”she added.

“Of course, my main task is to win the upcoming tournament. I understand that it will be quite difficult to do this, but I will do my best and try to show my maximum, because the competition in women’s wrestling is growing every year.More and more worthy rivals are being raised. I cannot single out any specific favorites for the upcoming world championship. After all, the title of an athlete does not guarantee him victory. My task is to overcome my main rival – myself, ” – Vaulina summed up.

Yoshkar-Ola. Preparation of judges for the Championship of Russia

Yoshkar-Ola. Preparation of judges for the Championship of Russia

Conducting an extensive judicial seminar before the most important competitions has already become a tradition of the Committee of Judges and Referees of the FNTR.Therefore, two days before the opening of the Championship of Russia among mini-cadets, a regular all-Russian seminar of judges took place in the conference hall of the Mari El Ice Palace.

The seminar was attended not only by judges from the city of Yoshkar-Ola, but also judges from the regions of the Republic of Mari El, as well as guests from the city of Kirov. The organizers have done a lot of preparatory work: a spacious hall, many screens and monitors, a sound system, comfortable seats for listeners. The next day, the first test took place – practical exercises in the playing hall, after which, in a solemn atmosphere, all listeners were awarded certificates of participants in the All-Russian seminar of judges, and some who distinguished themselves – special prizes from the CSW FNTR – collections of Rules and sets of judges’ cards.

Of course, the main test of the knowledge and skills of the listeners was Championship of Russia among minicadets . We already wrote that the tournament turned out to be extremely stubborn. Perhaps not everything worked out the first time. However, it is already obvious: the qualified judiciary of the Republic of Mari El – to be; Yoshkar-Ola is ready to host the largest table tennis competitions at the highest level.

Summing up the results of the referee seminar and the Championship of Russia, I would like to say the warmest words of gratitude: to all the assistants and volunteers, the management and staff of the Mari El Ice Palace, the management and staff of the Tennis Court, the Druzhba stadium, the caring team of the Sportivny Ostrov catering point, bus drivers who are constantly ready to help security guards, police and medical workers, managers and employees of hotels, the Administration of the city of Yoshkar-Ola, the Ministry of Sports of the Republic of Mari El.Special thanks are due to the Chairman of the FNT RME Vasily Anatolyevich Kozhinov – a person who was always there, who was always ready and, most importantly, quickly resolved any issues, whose smile always delighted the participants, coaches, and judges.

Committee of judges and referees FNTR

Photo: Anna Rozhkova (m.Nizhny Novgorod), Valentin Chapaikin (Yoshkar-Ola)

Preparations for the European Youth Rowing Championship began on the Don

Preparations for the European Youth Rowing Championship began on the Don

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On the Don began preparations for the European Rowing Championship among youth

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publications: 9 Aug.2021 21:08

Bringing the sports base and infrastructure of the Don rowing canal in line with international requirements was discussed at a meeting chaired by Governor Vasily Golubev today, August 9. The head of the region visited the water body, got acquainted with the process of creating sports grounds on its territory, including a complex of specialized tracks for BMX cycling and mountain bike cycling.

The European Youth Rowing Championship will be held on the Don rowing canal in August 2023 and will become the first international competition in this sport in the modern history of Russia.Preparation for its organization, and then the holding of the competition must be at the highest level, I am sure Vasily Golubev.

The water area of ​​the rowing channel by all criteria: depth, the presence of a bypass channel and the length of the racing distance – meets the requirements of the International Rowing Federation. But for full compliance with the international level, it is necessary to create an opportunity for the deployment of supporting structures. So, it is necessary to increase the space for the work of the secretariat, the panel of judges at the finish line and commentators.There is a need for an additional grandstand for 2,000 seats, as well as for the renovation of the existing one.

The Governor instructed to develop a roadmap for the preparation for the European Championship.

Posted: Aug 9. 2021 21:08

Modified: Aug 10. 2021 12:41

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90,000 Preparations for the Russian boxing championship among juniors have begun in Barnaul

Yaroslav Makhnachev

17 February 2021 17:24

In May, Barnaul will host the Russian boxing championship among juniors 17-18 years old.Today the Secretary General of the Boxing Federation of the country Kirill Shchekutyev and representatives of the organizing committee discussed the organization of the tournament at a meeting with the Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Altai Territory Denis Gubin.

Such a status Olympic boxing tournament will take place in Barnaul for the first time in more than 40 years – the last time such a level fights in the Barnaul ring took place in the Altai Territory in 1979.

It is expected that about two hundred boxers will take part in the national championship, which will be held from May 7 to May 16, famous and titled representatives of this sport will be guests of honor.The winners and prize-winners of the championship in Barnaul will be included in the nearest reserve of the Russian national boxing team among men, which will represent the country at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The tournament will be held during the celebration of the 76th anniversary of the Victory, in this regard, it was decided to plan for the guests and participants commemorative events dedicated to this date.

The participants of the meeting discussed the prospects for the development of boxing in the Altai Territory, which is one of the most popular sports in the region.The federation intends by May to prepare a plan for the development of boxing in the Altai Territory for the next four years and submit it for discussion to the regional authorities. The plan will include the development of infrastructure for the sport, including the opening of new gyms, schools and Boxing Progress Centers. According to the Secretary General of the Russian Boxing Federation, due to the implementation of this plan, it is planned to attract up to 20 thousand people to the sections and clubs of boxing in the region.

By the way, in the fall a new specialized boxing hall will appear in Barnaul, which will unite most of the clubs and branches of the regional capital.A room for it in the area of ​​the new market was allocated by the city administration; now, finishing work is underway in the future hall.

Russian Ski Championships and Championships: the final touches of preparation

The last two weeks have pampered the northerners with freezing temperatures. It is not quite typical weather for this season and the snow has started to melt. While the residents of Monchegorsk were enjoying the sun and changing into lighter jackets, the organizers of the competition were doing serious work at the ski stadium.

– Warm weather played a role – the track became loose.This made her preparation very difficult. But we coped with the problem thanks to the employees of the sports school. With the support of the Kola MMC and City Improvement, snow was delivered to the track from the city stadium. I think, in total, we brought here about 40 KamAZ trucks, – said the chairman of the committee for physical culture and sports of the administration of Monchegorsk, Alexei Tavkazakov.

New snow was brought in, and they tried to keep the old one. Streams were launched under its mass to avoid water getting to the surface.The organizers note that at the moment the weather plays into their hands. Nighttime frosts reduce the rate of snow melting.

A snowcat, provided by the Center for Sports Training of the Murmansk Region, is currently operating at the stadium. A special vehicle is preparing the ski trail, and the organizers have already begun to deal with the markings. The routes for spectators will be simple, understandable and will allow you to see the race in all its glory.

– The stadium in Monchegorsk is good! When creating it, they tried to copy the German track.The fan can stand in one place. Overcoming the distance, the athlete himself will pass by him several times, – said Nikolay Shilov, the chief judge of marathon races of the championship and the championship of Russia, in an interview with Kn51.

A lot of advertising materials appeared in the city – banners were hung around Monchegorsk. They depict the invariable symbol of the competition – an elk with skis. The horned sportsman invites the townspeople to attend a ski holiday.

Recently, the sports school received the electronic equipment necessary for refereeing in modern conditions.The old devices were helped by the Kola MMC. The organizers say they are 90% ready to host the championship and championship. The final touches remain.

To create an even more festive atmosphere at the competition, we came up with a competition for the best fan. While skiers compete in speed, spectators will compete in creativity and originality.

– Cross-country skiing is loved in Monchegorsk. This is our tradition. People always come to competitions with pleasure.We see live corridors from the audience and their positive attitude. This is good news! – says Alexey Tavkazakov. – Fans stand with rattles and pipes. And, most importantly, they support every athlete, regardless of the region they represent.

Monchegorsk citizens and guests of the city are invited to the marathon races of the Russian skiing championship and championship. Recall that the competition will be held on April 9 and 11 at 10.00 at the SSHOR stadium at Nagornaya Street, 17. The opening ceremonies of the competition will take place on the eve of the races – on April 8 and 10 at 19.00 in the Umka health and fitness center.

Elizaveta NIKOLAEVA. Photo by Elizaveta NIKOLAEVA and from the archive Kn51

Juniors began preparations for the U17 World Championship / Russian Basketball Federation

Today in the sports complex near Moscow GoPark the training camp of the Russian junior team has started.

The coaching staff of the team, headed by the head coach of the national team Roman Semerninov, invited 21 players to the training camp.These are defenders Mikhail Vedishchev (The Patrick School, USA, 182 cm), Nikita Evdokimov (Lokomotiv-Kuban / Basketball Center for Basketball, Krasnodar, 191 cm), Sergey Zotkin (Istok Children’s Education Center, Novosibirsk, 185 cm), Artem Kochergin (“Nizhny Novgorod” -DUBL, Nizhny Novgorod, 190 cm), Ivan Makarov (“Ural” -DUBL, Yekaterinburg, 193 cm), Nikita Mozharovsky (SSHOR “Gloria”, Moscow, 185 cm), Vitaly Savitsky (” Khimki “-DUBL / UOR No. 3, Moscow region, 184 cm), Ivan Samoilenko (UNICS-DUBL, Kazan, 190 cm), forwards Oleg Akramov (CSKA sports school, Moscow, 200 cm), Dmitry Ivanov (Zenit DUBL / UOR # 1, St. Petersburg, 205 cm), Alexander Kolosov (Zenit DUBL / UOR # 1, 200 cm), Lev Kuzmenko (Lokomotiv-Kuban / Basketball Center, 201 cm), Vitaly Naydenov ( Khimki-DUBL / UOR No. 3, 197 cm), Viktor Panov (Zenit DUBL / SSHOR “Nevskie Zvezdy”, St. Petersburg, 200 cm), Gedaminas Rumsha (SSHOR “Gloria”, 202 cm), Leonid Tarasov (SSHOR “Gloria”, 194 cm), Stepan Chizhikov (SSHOR No. 49 “Trint” them.Yu. Ya. Ravinsky, Moscow, 195 cm), Nikita Shchurat (Khimki-DUBL / UOR No. 3, 206 cm), Arslan Yusupov (Lokomotiv-Kuban / Basketball Center, 194 cm), centers Yaroslav Nyagu (Lokomotiv -Kuban “/ Basketball Center, 211 cm), Dmitry Shcherbakov (Educational Center No. 4 named after A.Ya. Gomelsky, Moscow, 204 cm). All players were born in 2003, except for Vedishchev (2004).

The collection will end on December 6. Immediately after it, the team will go to Spain, where in the city of Inca they will play two friendly matches: on December 7 – with the national team of the Balearic Islands (players under 22 years old), on the 8th – with the reigning European champion U16, the Spanish team.

Let us remind that this Russian team took the 4th place at the European Championship last summer. And next year she will perform at the U17 World Championship, which will be held on July 4-12 in Sofia.

Photo: fiba.basketball

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