New to Parenting - Preparing For Your Babys Arrival

Having a baby is an exciting and overwhelming time for expectant parents. You know that you need to prepare a room for your new baby, and expecting can be quite stressful and exhilarating all at the same time. While you are working, running errands, cleaning, going to your regular check ups, and trying to get some rest you do need to plan for your baby's arrival.

The Hospital Stay

The first thing you will need to plan for is for when you go into labor. You need to pull out the luggage set you have or some bags you can use to store essentials for the hospital stay. You will need items for you and items for baby.

What To Pack For You
1.Panties, Comfortable or Nursing Bras, and Some Pads
2.Get some of those travel sized bath necessities to pack away (deodorant, soap, shampoo, etc.)
3.A robe to wear over your hospital gown so no one sees your behind!
4.Slippers to walk around in
5.A few changes of clothing
6.Non perishable snacks
7.Anything to help you relax - music, movies, etc.

What To Pack For Baby
1.Get a few onesies for baby
2.Diapers (while the hospital may have some, you don't want to risk it)
3.Bottles and formula or a breast pump
4.Wipes and baby powder
5.Medicine for diaper rash
6.Burp blankets
7.Blankets to swaddle baby in
8.Small hats for baby
9.A camera to snap your first photos!

How To Prepare Your Baby For Home Coming
Bringing baby home can be scary and exciting at the same time. It is so nice to be away from the craziness of the hospital, but it can also be a little scary without the support of the hospital staff. To be ready to come home with your baby you need a nice nursery supplied with everything you and baby will need to be comfortable.

What You Need For Baby's Room
1.Crib with at least three or more sheets and a couple blankets
2.Rocking chair or other comfortable chair for feeding and nighttime crying
3.Play pen so baby can play with some safe toys while you clean or fill other needs of the home
4.A changing table for diaper changes, and a place to hold diapers, wipes, powder, diaper rash medicine, and anything else you may need for changing time
5.A diaper trash to put used diapers in
6.A small bureau for baby's clothes
7.Plenty of burp towels
8.A sanitary place to keep teething toys and pacifiers

Remember, your pregnancy may go by much more quickly than you expect it to. Once you have all of these things completed you will feel much more relieved and ready for baby to arrive. Congrats to you and your new family!