Things to Do Before a Newborn Baby Arrives
Two Important Infant Checklist Items for New Parents
Jul 17, 2009
In this article, learn about two important things to do before a baby is born and find links to further resources on the topic of preparing for a newborn. Also below is a link to a review of the Target baby gift registry.
Essential Thing to Do – Pick Out Baby Name
This seems like a simple task, but all too often, parents arrive at the hospital without deciding on a name. Parents who wait until the baby arrives may feel rushed into naming their child.
As parents discuss name choices, they may find that the final decision is not so simple because both parents will have strong feelings against certain names. Additionally, the decision about whether or not to give the baby a family member’s namesake and whose it should be will only further complicate the process.
Finally, some parents find it difficult to settle on a middle name that sounds nice with the chosen first name or vice versa. This is often a long drawn-out process, so it’s a good idea to start well in advance of the due date.
Take time at least several months before the mother’s due date to consider (and debate) name choices. Several months should be plenty of time to ponder name choices and make a choice that works for both parents.
What Else Needs to be Done Before the Baby is Born?
As soon as the baby is born, the parents must begin a feeding schedule. So, it’s important for parents to consider whether the mother will breastfeed her infant. Some mothers even opt to breastfeed their babies in the delivery room almost immediately after birth. The choice about whether or not to breastfeed could be left up until the last minute, but making the decision ahead of time will give mothers who choose either route time to plan.
Mothers who want to breastfeed might consider taking a breastfeeding class in order to learn proper latching techniques and different ways to hold the baby during breastfeeding sessions. Mothers who decide not to breastfeed will need to purchase formula and bottles. Furthermore, mothers who plan on doing a combination of both breast and bottle feedings may need to arrange for a breast pump and purchase breast milk storage bags.
Important Thing to Do Before an Infant Arrives
A new mother and father will be tied up with baby duties like feeding and changing once the baby arrives. Difficult or time-consuming decisions are best made well in advance of the mother’s due date. Picking a baby name and deciding on whether or not to breastfeed are two important things to consider before the mother’s due date. Following are two more resources for first-time parents.
Must-Have Newborn Items – Baby Bathing, Sleeping, Eating, Traveling Necessities
For more help determining what’s needed for a newborn baby, see the article Newborn Necessities for a checklist of essential baby hygiene, travel, feeding, bathing, and sleeping items. Find out exactly what to get and what isn’t necessarily a “must-have.”
Other Infant Checklist Items – Find a Pediatrician, Set up Nursery
Expectant parents will also want to consider finding a pediatrician and setting up the nursery before the mother’s due date. Read more about these essential pre-birth tasks in the article Newborn Baby Checklist for First-Time Parents.
Related article:
Review of the Target Baby Gift Registry
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