Monday, November 30, 2020

What You Need to Get Done Before the Baby's Arrival

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Are you wondering when is the best time to get your nursery ready, and what will my baby need during his or her first year of life? It’s so easy to feel so overwhelmed by it all, but trust me, many women go through these same thoughts. I was one of these women. And I knew that this was supposed to be a wonderful time. Still, unfortunately, I couldn’t enjoy this wonderful time. I was so clueless about when to get the room painted, select the right furniture and clothing, when to make purchases, and what is the right time to set things up nicely. After my first pregnancy, I learned by trial and error that it’s okay to buy baby items after the first trimester. Here are some tips I hope you will find to be a resource.



Painting the Nursery
 

It is usually best to paint the nursery around the beginning of your last trimester. Depending on what you are having will determine the room’s color theme, but if you want to be surprised, it can be a neutral color. It’s best to err the side of caution and have someone else paint the room for you, a spouse, another family member, or even hire someone. Ventilate the room, have all windows open, and use low or zero Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) paint.



Furniture


You can read reviews on products or even watch the reviews on YouTube about a particular product you may be interested in getting. Also, be sure there aren’t any recalls of any items you are looking to purchase. It’s usually available on safekids.org. Don’t forget to sign up with your email to receive it. Whenever one comes, you will get it through your email. You can purchase the furniture after they paint the nursery.



Clothing


There are many options for clothing, both indoor and outerwear. If you know what you are having, it is easier to select your baby’s clothes, but It’s okay if you want to be surprised because there are neutral clothing colors. It’s best to know your baby’s weight because there are preemie sizes for under 6lbs, and Newborn sizes run from 6 to 9lbs. If you find out your baby under 10 lbs in your final ultrasound, then purchase a small amount of preemie and or newborn clothing but preferably get 0 to 3-month sizes because it’s for 9 to 12.5 lbs. The next size up is 3 to 6 months for 12.5 to 17lbs; after that is 6 to 9 months for 12 to 21 lbs.




 Baby Essentials 


  • You will need a crib, mattress, four fitted sheets, seven baby blankets, and a few comforter sets. There are many styles of cribs and different mattresses. Be sure to have 2 inches between the crib and bed. 


  • Baby Monitor: This is one item that is a must-have. It’s a helpful way to help you monitor your baby.



  • Changing table: You will need a place to change your baby’s diaper. Also, you can keep your diapers and wipes neatly organized and accessible.



  • Infant Car Seat: This is another item you must have because the hospital will not leave with your baby without showing this seat. Look into the reviews before purchasing because you will need something to protect your baby in case of an accident.



  • Stroller: There are many choices out there, so take some time to look into the reviews to see which one would be best for you and your baby.



  • Baby Bathtub: Your baby doesn’t have the strength to sit up yet, so he or she will need something to keep safe during bathing the baby.



  • Diaper bag: It’s essential to have one of these so you can store diapers, wipes, diaper cream, extra clothes, bottles, and blankets while you are on the go.



  • Breast Pump: If you decide you want to breastfeed your baby, this will help. It helps establish your milk supply, and also, you can store the milk, so if you ever need to go out, your baby will be okay.



  • Bottles: It’s a good idea to have at least ten bottles. There are many options to choose from, so look at the reviews to see which is best.





If you would like to share any tips, please feel free in the comments.😊


2 comments:

  1. One of my favorite registry things I always recommend is the Newton Baby mattress (https://www.newtonbaby.com/). It’s made so that baby can breathe through it even if they end up face down on it. I had a lot of anxiety about my LO when I first brought them home, and this would have helped so much! Now I’m just loving that it’s 100% washable haha

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, that's such a great feature. Thank you for sharing😊

    ReplyDelete

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