Having a baby is a momentous occasion in one’s life. Adding a member of the family means that time and money for everything else will decrease. However, with a little planning, the transition can go much smoother. Here are four tips to help you get ready for a new baby.
Financially Prepare for the Changes Ahead
Ideally, expecting parents would already have an emergency fund in place containing six to eight months of take-home pay. Additionally, the monthly budget will change once the baby arrives. New costs including daycare, formula or breastfeeding supplies, will need to be accounted for. If possible, taking care of any outstanding debts so as to decrease required monthly payments is optimal.
Seasonal Home Maintenance
It’s likely that the expecting mother will be preparing the inside of the home, but what about the outside? Doing any sort of work around the home is twice as hard when a baby is involved. Take a look at recommended checklists for home maintenance by season so that things like cleaning the dryer vent, cleaning gutters, and weatherizing the house can be done ahead of time. If you see something that you know won’t get done before baby’s arrival, ask family members for help so you can focus on your bundle of joy.
Stock Up on Meals and Toiletries
The once “quick trip to the store” becomes an hour-long event when a baby is in tow. By stocking up on things you use every day, like toothpaste and toilet paper, trips to the store will be limited. Many expecting mothers make frozen meals in advance so when the baby has arrived, they can just pull from the freezer and have a hot meal in no time at all. If meal-planning isn’t your style, stashing frozen dinners from the store works just as well.
Take Your Car in for a Check-up
Coming home from the hospital is a moment to remember. Make sure that your baby is brought home in the safest vehicle possible by getting your car checked for possible fixes like new tires, new brakes, or new shocks. Many businesses, like Discount Tire Centers, offer multiple services so you only have to make one stop. Look around to find the best place to make sure your car is safe and up to date. The last thing you want to do is endanger the safety of your newborn in an untrustworthy vehicle and sitting in a repair shop with a newborn would be no fun at all.
Taking the time to plan ahead for baby’s arrival makes the long, sleepless nights, endless feedings, and never-ending diaper changes that much easier. And once you meet your newborn, you’ll know that they’re worth it.
