EVERYTHING
FOR YOUR FAMILY
First Years (0-2)
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Prepare for baby No. 1 by caring for yourself
Preparing for your first-born child is like preparing to get hit over the head by a meteorite. You can study the origin and composition of meteorites, you can ponder the mysteries of gravity, you can even purchase a super-strong, meteorite-proof helmet, but when that fireball from heaven zeroes in on its target, I have a strong suspicion you won’t know what hit you. That being said, you’d be foolish to sit around for nine months and do nothing to get your life ready for baby day. All of the women who complain, “No one ever told me that!” are proof positive that ignorance is not bliss when it comes to caring for your new addition. These 10 pointers won’t eliminate the learning curve, but they may help you cope with the chaos to come. 1. Hit the books: The Internet is a wonderful 24/7 resource, but having a few tried and true baby books by your bedside table help bolster any parent’s confidence. Consider reading “The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth,” by Henci Goer; “Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn,” by Penny Simkin; and “The Happiest Baby on the Block,” by Dr. Harvey Karp. 2. Eat your Wheaties: As tempting as it may be to take advantage of your position as a pleasingly plump pregnant woman, it is not a good idea to subsist on a diet of candy bars and macaroni and cheese. In addition to taking the obligatory prenatal vitamins and supplements, do the right thing for you and your baby by eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein. 3. Take a hike: Research proves the more active you are during pregnancy, the better you’ll cope with delivery and the faster you’ll regain your pre-pregnancy figure. In addition to walking and/or swimming five to seven times a week, consider taking a prenatal yoga class. 4. Go shopping: There’s nothing like a little retail therapy to kick those third trimester blues, but when your hormones are raging, your checkbook may pay a hefty price. Other moms are great resources for sorting the wheat from the chaff when it comes to baby must-haves. 5. Lock the cupboards: Your mind, body and spirit may be in good shape for baby day, but what about your house? While it will be months before your baby is out and about, it’s never too early to childproof your home. 6. Invest in each other: I was completely unprepared for the loss of couple time that came after the birth of our first child. Take advantage of these precious last weeks or months of freedom to set aside some quality time with the one you love. If there are unresolved issues between you, make a point to work them out before three makes a crowd. 7. Simplify, simplify, simplify: Declutter the physical as well as emotional baggage that is sure to complicate things once a baby arrives on the scene. Clean out closets, organize drawers and bribe your husband to organize the garage with the promise of some steamy one-on-one time. 8. Enroll in a class: Even if you were the kind of student who spent more time on probation than the dean’s list, there’s no excuse for cutting class now. Sign up for every baby-related course your hospital or birthing center offers! You will learn vital facts and strategies related to childbirth, childcare, the challenges of breastfeeding and surviving the sleep-deprived first six weeks of parenthood. 9. Make your wishes known: Prepare a comprehensive birthing plan, then share it with your doctor during your regular office visit. Impor-tant issues to cover: your doctor’s philosophy on episiotomies, options for managing your pain, and whether or not you plan to breastfeed. 10. Pool your resources: The birth of a child is an exciting time for you, your spouse and your extended acquaintance of friends and family members. Fight the urge to do it all yourself when you have an army of supporters ready to help out by running errands, cooking hot meals and looking after your little one while you catch up on sleep. Hire a cleaning service to take care of the dirty work while you bond with your baby. Consider a low- or no-cost grocery delivery service to help keep your pantry stocked with nutritious eats. It pays to do a little (OK, a lot) of prep work, but I caution you to take all of your precautions with a proverbial grain of salt. Be prepared to be unprepared and realize you won’t be the first adult to be confounded by an 8-pound infant. S. Danyelle Knight is a regular contributor. |
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