Welcoming a new addition to your life is a moment of pure joy and happiness, and it also comes with juggling multiple priorities at once. It’s important as a parent to give your new baby the love and care they need. At the same time, the pressures of being the best parent you can be can take a toll on your mental and physical health. To be well prepared, many expecting parents spend hours creating a checklist of tasks to accomplish before their baby's arrival or find advice through visiting parenting websites, blogs, and registries for ideas and to learn from others’ past experiences.

With technology being a prominent part of everyday life for many individuals, and especially for new parents, more apps, online services, and medical professionals are paving the way into popularity to help moms and dads feel eased and more organized. Modern technology supports parents in these modern times with digital platforms to help them prepare for when the baby arrives, as parents still face the daily challenges of life with children, worrying about economic uncertainty, mental health, environmental concerns, and product safety issues.

If you’re a new parent or if you’re expecting a newborn, parenthood can be less overwhelming by using a short checklist to prepare for the journey of welcoming a baby.

Babyproof Your Home

Homes are designed to be safe and comfortable for adults, so it’s important to make sure you have a place where your child can be safe.

A baby needs a safe and nurturing home to thrive in, so covering corners on heavy or wide furniture that can harm your baby if they were to bump into it, is a great first step to babyproofing your home. For indoors, do not forget to set up baby gates in areas with stairs, and place safety locks on cupboards that contain cleaning products or kitchenware with sharp edges. When your baby is sleeping in another room, it’s important to have a monitor so you can make sure they are sleeping soundly and are aware of when they are awake and might need your care. If there are any cords or items that can be hazardous, make sure those are tucked away so your baby can’t grab or chew on them, as well.

When babyproofing your nursery, pay extra attention to finding safe baby products by reading up on the latest baby development reviews and guides.

 

Plan for Financial Changes

Before you bring your baby home, it’s vital to take the time to plan your finances for big life moments happening now and throughout the years to come. Having a strong understanding of how much money you’ll need to allocate towards your baby’s essential items (natural diapers, natural baby wipes, natural baby lotion, and natural baby shampoo and body wash), your home, and your well-being as a mother or father is an important step.

Some parents opt for charging these costs to credit cards, however, there are other options for these expenses. Depending on your circumstances and what you would like to use it for, consider learning more about a personal line of credit to cover these fees.

Prioritize Self-Care for You and Your Baby

As a mom-to-be, you are sure to be busy with appointments and doctor's visits. With this in mind, it can be easy to feel different from your true self. With little help from your own personal self-care that works for you, you can get back to looking and feeling your best! 

Going to maternity-focused specialist programs in yoga, acupuncture, and massage can make the journey of having a baby easier. Use prenatal care to get enough daily vitamins, nutrients, and supplements to support your body before and during your pregnancy. Taking a babymoon can be a fun form of self-care for you and your partner to bond before the arrival of a new baby.

Remember, the mom and baby bonding experience in your nursery is essential for your baby’s development and for your happiness as a new parent. So try to make time for you and your baby to bond, which helps both your physical, mental and emotional health. For example, making time for skin-to-skin, playtime, or tummy time together can help both you and your baby relax.

Have An Eco-Friendly Mindset

Connecting to groups of new moms-to-be in your area through social media can reduce the potential postpartum depression that can occur after having a baby. New parents can connect with other parents in the neighborhood and plan meet-ups to share advice on how they are bonding with their baby and to talk through their emotions. 

It can be helpful to research and ask what birthing specialists and centers have to offer, and then you determine if it’s a comfortable enough environment for you based on medical needs and preferences. As an expecting parent, communicate with friends and family about this transition by forming text group chats or scheduled facetime calls together. Prioritize communication, and be honest and open with your partner about where you need more support to prevent mental exhaustion or burn-out.

These are just a few things to think about when you are preparing for the arrival of your new baby. While there are so many things to think about, you can never go wrong with a mindset of putting your baby and your own health first! As your Diapers Company, Parasol is preparing you with a checklist of what you need to know before your baby arrives, so you can spend more time celebrating your transition into parenthood!