Looking After Yourself
Being pregnant alters your body and mind in so many different ways, and your need for nutrients increases quite dramatically soon after conception meaning that it’s likely you need to make changes in your lifestyle to accommodate this. You should aim to be as healthy as you can be during this 9 month period so that you can lay the very best foundations for your baby to thrive and grow into the strongest individual, so it’s important that you can say no to any bad habits and make the right choices. First of all, there are a few certain items that must be completely off limits - for example, it’s a good idea to avoid alcohol and other harmful substances altogether for obvious reasons, as well as keeping oily fish such as mackerel and salmon to a minimum due to the amounts of mercury they contain. It’s also important to say no to soft cheeses like Camembert and Gorgonzola unless they are thoroughly heated through until piping hot, as they pose a risk of carrying listeria. Following a balanced, healthy diet is the way forward, making the most of fresh ingredients and homemade meals made up of complex carbohydrates, lean proteins along with fruits and vegetables. The more natural colors that appear on your plate the more vitamins and minerals you are going to be consuming, so aim to eat the rainbow!
Choosing Their Name
One of the most difficult things to do before the arrival of your baby is to identify what name they will take. Often many parents do not want to find out the gender of their little one until they are born, however you can still try to think of a few different options for both male and female names to help you decide on the big day. There are so many websites and blogs that detail traditional and unique names for you to choose between, as well as inspiration hiding close to you in the form of family members and friends. It’s an honour for someone to know that you have named your child after them, and it’s an old family tradition to pass of grandparents names to the youngest members.
Throwing A Baby Shower
Your baby shower is a chance you for you to take a break and receive some attention and care from those around you, and it’s a good idea to plan your party a few months before you’re due to give birth for one main reason. When you have a baby shower, guests will bring various different baby gifts that can be of real benefit to you and your baby. Many people have their own families and know exactly what it is like to give birth and look after a baby for the first time, so this really shines through in their choice of present. This can massively reduce the amount of things that you have to purchase before your little ones arrival, and help you to focus more on the positives and fun side of giving birth. When it comes to actually planning your baby shower, simply pick a venue and a date and move forward from there. If you know the gender of your babe already then you can design the room with this in mind, but if not the aesthetic can follow your own personal preferences. Be sure to invite all of your nearest and dearest so that you can celebrate the start of your new family life journey together as one big gang, and keep the atmosphere alive throughout your baby shower so that everyone involved has a really great time.
Set Up Their Room
Before your little one arrives at their new home, you must do everything that you can to set up their bedroom with all of the necessary furniture, as well as altering the design to better suit your baby. If you have a second bedroom that’s big enough to accommodate a small cot and a few other items then this space is sufficient, as remember they do not need a full sized bed for several years and you can consider this obstacle once you get to it. First of all, strip away any old wallpaper or paint that currently covers the walls, and find a soft, pastel colour to replace it - this could be a light duck egg blue, a rosy baby pink or a sandy orange tone. Opting for something that isn’t too overpowering will help your little one to become more comfortable in their surroundings and settle in faster, as loud prints and patterns can be somewhat intimidating in their first few months of life. Once you have set the scene with paint and paper, its time to search for some useful furniture. First things first they are going to require a place inside which they can sleep at night, so it’s up to you to make your own decision on what this could be. Whether you opt for a rocking bed that can slowly move them side to side to encourage a faster sleep, or a more high tech convertible cot that allows you to attach it to the side of you and your partner's bed to keep you as close as possible without having to run the risks of them accompanying you. Unfortunately, there are several recorded cases of parents accidentally shifting and moving their weight in their sleep, not knowing that their little babe is underneath them, so this is why it’s so important that your child has their own bed where they can sleep safely by themselves. As well as a cot, you will need a cupboard or wardrobe of some kind that you can fill up with their tiny clothes, as well as several other forms of storage for things like hygiene products and medicines, as well as lots of toys and games. Their bedroom should have as many toys and games that you can find, along with teddy bears and hanging mobiles that sing a sweet song whilst twisting and turning above your baby’s bed to take their attention and make them feel comfortable enough to fall asleep.
Stockpiling Useful Items
Potentially the most beneficial thing that you can do in the months before your big day is to stockpile useful items that you know will get used up, as there’s going to be far less chance for you to pop out to the store once your baby arrives. Start off with the basics, and address what your child is going to need as soon as they come home. You can never have too many nappies or diapers, as they use them every single day without fail, so wait until there’s an offer or deal inside your local supermarket (as there always is) so that you can purchase a few big packs to store at home. As well as this, you will always need hygiene products to use on them, such as baby bath foam and rich moisturisers that can protect their delicate skin. Breastfeeding is a huge part of having a baby, but at some your little one will turn their nose up to the boob, meaning you need to seek out an alternative to ensure that they carry on consuming sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals. There are lots of different baby formula brands that offer products which pose as the perfect alternative to breast milk, but it’s vital that you are able to do some research beforehand to ensure that they are the most trustworthy source, and have ultimate peace of mind knowing that your little ones nutritional needs are looked after. Unfortunately, your little babe won’t stay little for long, and that’s why it’s important that you can invest in several sizes of clothing to keep up with them and ensure that they always have something to wear. There’s honestly nothing worse than hauling a stressed out little one around a shopping centre trying to find all of the goods listed above, so tackle that mountain whilst you still have time before their arrival so that you needn’t stress when the big day finally rolls around.
Packing the perfect diaper bag
Packing the perfect diaper bag can be a daunting task. Between remembering diapers, wipes, and snacks to packing toys and activities - there can be so much to remember! To ensure that your little one has everything they need for any outing, it is important to have a few must-haves in your bag. Start by selecting a stylish and instantly recognizable diaper bag with plenty of compartments for extra organization and ease of access. Easy-clean bibs, bottles with extra formula, a blankie for snuggles, disposable changing pads, pacifiers, sunscreen and rash cream should also make their way into the diaper bag. By having these items readily available in your diaper bag it will allow you to better prepare for all of life's unexpected adventures with your little one.
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