Preparing for your baby - the nesting instinct
If you haven’t already had the urge to ‘nest’ you probably will soon. Don’t be surprised if you suddenly have an overwhelming desire to spring clean your home, or even to redecorate it from top to bottom! But don’t forget you don’t want to be going up and down ladders or shifting furniture so delegate the heavy-duty and physical tasks to someone else.
The most important thing to do is make sure your home is ready for when you return home with your baby. Everything else can wait if it has to.
Get the basics in place
In reality you don’t need to do too much around the home to make it safe for your newborn baby. It’s going to be quite a while before they’re crawling around! Focus on having the basics in place, clothes for the baby, nappies, feeding equipment, blankets and a cot or Moses basket. Ensure the baby’s room is organised. That way when you do come home with the baby you can focus on recuperating, relaxing and bonding with your new arrival. You can find out about what things you need to buy in advance here.
Don’t forget the car seat!
Hospitals won’t discharge your baby if you don’t have a car seat. So make sure you get one in advance – and that both you and your partner know how to fit it. Have a look at our list of things to buy in advance to ensure you are fully prepared for your baby.
Coming home from hospital
Remember to relax! An endless stream of excited visitors can be overwhelming for you and your newborn, so maybe suggest some people wait a week or so before popping round. In the meantime, grab as much rest as you can and enjoy getting to know your new baby!