How To Prepare For a Baby? Things To Do Before Baby Arrives

Preparing for your new baby can be so exciting, but at times may be a little overwhelming. However many weeks or days you have left until the big day, you and your loved ones can use this time to get ready to welcome your little one into the world. If you’re not sure where to start, keep reading! Here, we’ve put together our top tips for planning for your baby’s arrival.

Find a pediatrician that you (and your baby) will love

During pregnancy, your obstetrical provider will be your go-to for all your questions about your health and your baby’s. But after delivery, your baby will need their own doctor, and a pediatrician is a doctor specifically trained in managing the health of babies and children under 18 years old. The second trimester (beginning at or around 13 weeks gestation) is the perfect time to start asking your friends, family, and coworkers for local pediatrician recommendations.

When you’ve identified a doctor (or list of doctors) you prefer, first, give their office a call and make sure they’re accepting new patients. You should also double-check that they are in your health insurance network. (If they’re not, you may end up paying more for your visits.) This is also a great time to research what steps you’ll need to take to add your baby to your insurance plan.

Choosing the right doctor may take some time, but it’s worth it to find someone you can trust with your baby’s health!

 

It takes a village — is yours ready for your newborn?

Before you give birth, you’ll want to make sure the people (and pets) in your life are prepared to welcome your new bundle of joy.

Your significant other: Pregnancy is the perfect time to work together to divide household chores and other duties in anticipation of your baby’s homecoming. It will also be easier to talk through any major baby-related decisions (think: naming the baby, or deciding whether to have a religious ceremony after the birth) before you deliver.

Your children: If you already have children, you’ll want to cherish any 1-on-1 time with them before their sibling’s arrival. No matter how old they are, remind them how much you love them, and help them understand what they can expect when their new family member arrives. (On a more practical note, you’ll also want to make sure you have childcare lined up for your delivery and afterward. Can Grandma & Grandpa, a trusted friend, or a sibling be on-call to take care of the kids if your water breaks before the due date?)

Pets: It’s important to prepare furry friends like indoor dogs and cats for the arrival of a newborn and learn how to properly introduce them when you bring the baby home. If you’re looking for tips, there are plenty of online resources and in-person trainers that can help. You may also want to ask someone to help care for your pet surrounding delivery and perhaps a few days postpartum.

Family and friends: Your loved ones can be a huge help as you adjust to life with a new baby. By talking with them beforehand, you can let them know the best ways that they can support you - this helps minimize guesswork for them and awkward conversations for you! Since you’ll probably need more help with things like laundry, errands, and cooking than with watching the baby, take some time to think about what tasks will be the best to have off your plate when your hands are full with a newborn. If someone offers to make a freezer dish or start a community meal train, we recommend making a list of favorite foods, or allergens to avoid!

Baby gear? Check!

Before you welcome your new baby into your home, you may want to buy and assemble a few key pieces of baby gear, including:

• A car seat (you won’t be able to bring your baby home from the hospital/birth center without it!)
• A bassinet or crib
• Diapers
• Baby wipes
• Seasonally appropriate baby clothes

Depending on how you plan on feeding your baby, you may also want to purchase nursing bras and pads, baby bottles, and/or baby formula.

 

Where do you start?

For many expecting parents, preparing for a newborn involves making choices that are way easier when you know whether you’re expecting a boy or a girl. The sex of your baby may influence how you decorate the nursery, purchase baby clothes, or introduce the upcoming arrival of a sibling to any kids at home.

With the Juno Early Gender Test, you can stop waiting to find out the sex of your baby and move on to the exciting part: planning for their arrival!

Our at-home gender test makes this step easy — simply order a testing kit, send in your sample, and get your results. The whole process only takes a few days from start to finish.

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JunoDx.com and the materials and information it contains are not intended to be and do not constitute medical advice, other health advice, or diagnosis.  Do not use JunoDx.com or the materials and information published at JunoDx.com as a substitute for medical care and treatment. You should always consult with a qualified physician or healthcare provider about your specific circumstances.