Getting Ready for the Baby

No, it’s not your clothes that you have you change. If only it was that simple. It’s your whole lifestyle… Didn’t anticipate it? Well… it’s just never too late. Begin now.

Your baby is fun, your baby is lovable, your baby is a bundle of joy…Let it be that way. Start preparing well in advance. After all you have to make your house cosy, clean, and comfortable for your baby so that it’s safe from any hazards or harmful illness. Moreover once the baby is around you’ll want to spend more time with it instead of preparing the house.

Here’s a short basic list to help you begin with.

  1. A diaper changing table or a firm hard table with a soft mattress. Have some drawers around so that you can keep baby’s clothes, creams, shampoos, medicines inside it.
  2. A cradle if you desire to let the baby sleep beside you, a baby cot with safety features otherwise.
  3. Even if you breastfeed the baby, you may need baby bottles, a sterilizer to keep it sterile and a formula milk for emergency.
  4. You will need some linen items, and baby clothes to keep your baby warm and comfortable. You may need several sets a day.
  5. You may need to buy a special car seat for your new baby.
  6. It is important to make your home and surrounding child safe. Child’s curiosity knows no bounds and they grow very fast. Put all sharp objects in a place where the child cannot reach. Keep all electrical fittings covered
  7. Store all chemicals up and away, properly sealed and labelled. Commonly used substances like detergent, aftershave, alcohol can be toxic to the baby. A locked storage space like high cabinets is best.
  8. Disconnect electrical rollers, hair dryers from the plug point, when not in use. Make it a habit now.
  9. Look at your corners, there may lay some unnecessary wires, sockets etc. Tape them up.
  10. Store all the plastic wrapping materials, dry cleaning bags, plastic food wrap away from the children. They are a common cause of suffocation.
  11. It will be difficult for you to feed, change the baby at night, so you may find it safer and more practical to have a few well-placed lights.
  12. When you are buying toys, make sure they do not have small parts or sharp edges. Rattles, squeeze toys and teethers in big sizes are good for the baby.
  13. You may want to purchase a jogger and/or baby stroller to take your newborn for a leisurely walk. Be sure to buy furniture that is flame resistant