When the time comes, and you are ready to start your own family, you might soon be expecting a baby girl or baby boy. It is an exciting time that is ideal to prepare for. You will want the best support around you and everything in place for when the little one arrives. 

Don’t panic if you are new to this, as this guide will help you with everything that you need to know.

Here are all of the steps to take when expecting a new baby.

Baby Hands Fingers – Free photo on Pixabay

Announce the pregnancy

When you find out you are pregnant, the first thing you will want to do is share the news with your loved ones. You might want to tell them ordinarily or traditionally. Yet, if you want the announcement to be more memorable, here are some tips.

Some of the best pregnancy announcement ideas include:

• Friend and family gifts. A fun way to announce a pregnancy is by sending friends and family members gifts. Some ideas include ‘mum’ and ‘dad’ cookies, biscuits, cakes, or donuts. Sending people food is bound to make them smile. Plus, sending them food with this fantastic announcement will make them scream with excitement and not expect it at all.
• A surprise at the front door. You could unexpectedly walk to your friends or family’s front door (when you know they are in) and share the announcement. They won’t expect it, so you can go in and celebrate with them if they have time.
• A random party with a surprise announcement. If you are a couple that likes hosting parties or dinners at home, this could be your prime opportunity to announce to everyone. Or, if you do not often host parties, you could host your first one, and everyone will likely be aware that you have something to announce. Either way, a party to celebrate and share your amazing news with everyone will be a great way to share that you are going to be introducing a new baby into the world.
• An unexpected question. For those closest to you, who might be becoming an aunt, uncle, cousin, grandma, grandfather, godmother, or godfather, you could take them each for a coffee, walk, meal, or other, and ask them an unexpected question. For instance, if it is your sister, you could go on your usual Sunday morning walk and pop the question, “are you reading to be an auntie?”. A surprise like this is never going to be forgotten, and it certainly won’t be expected if it is within your usual routine. Sometimes people like to keep announcements low-key, so this idea is excellent for those people.

Introducing your baby to a sibling

If you already have a child or more, you might want some tips for introducing your new baby to their sibling. Some young children will react in a way you do not expect them to. Or, some children might love the idea of having a younger brother or sister. Either way, it is best to be prepared to ensure your children are comfortable with the introduction.

• Ensure the older children has attention too. When introducing the baby to your children, ensure that the older siblings maintain attention. If the attention is on the baby, they might not like it.
• Presence over presents. Although you might feel encouraged to offer your children presents to persuade them to be happy, this isn’t how it should be. You should offer your children presence over presents. Material things cannot mask emotions. If you ensure to offer them your comfort and the same amount of presence as before (when a new baby wasn’t there), they should maintain their happiness.
• Let them hold them. If the child is big and old enough, it can be a good idea to let your child hold the baby. This will allow them to have an instant connection and feel comfortable with a new addition to the family. 

Get the nursery or baby space ready

Whether you have enough space in the house for a nursery or not, it is a smart move to get the baby’s space ready before the baby arrives. You never know if your baby is going to arrive early. Hence, getting the space ready way ahead of time will ensure a space for them to sleep in no matter when it arrives. 

You might want to go all out if it is your first time or you love to decorate. Therefore, doing this will ensure you can finish it before the baby arrives.

Pre-purchase the essentials 

Likewise, it is also a great idea to pre-purchase baby essentials and leave these in the house so that when you bring the baby home, you have everything you need to get going. Diapers, formulas, medications, and clothing should be at your disposal so that you can care for your baby and not have to stress about heading to the shops. 

Get your baby bag ready

If you plan on having your baby in a hospital – and not at home – you should prepare your baby bag before the due date. If the baby arrives early and you do not have a hospital bag ready, you might find the experience quite stressful. Or, you might have to wait some time while someone fetches the goods for you. 

You might want specific things at the hospital with you for the baby. Or, you might need some items for your own personal comfort or health. Either way, ensuring you have a baby bag and stock it before the due date ensures that everything is good to go as soon as your waters break.

Have someone on speed dial

When you find out you are pregnant, you should have one or two close friends or family members on speed dial in case you need their help. If you have nobody to call when you need emergency help, you might hinder your or the baby’s health. 

Therefore, make sure someone is reachable at all times of the day in case you need medical help or other support. The same goes for after the baby arrives. You might need an extra pair of hands, and having someone on speed dial can help you attain their support.

Plan the birth

Some people like not having a birthing plan, which is fine. However, if you want specific things or the baby needs specific requirements for its health, ensure to plan this. Planning the birth does not always mean that the birth will go the way you want it to. However, it can help.

Knowing where you will have the baby, who you want there, what you do and don’t want, etc., will ensure you and the baby are as safe and comfortable as possible throughout the experience. Letting the hospital, a doctor, and/or a family member know the plan will ensure that someone knows what to do when your waters break. 

You should never stress out about having a baby, as it is an incredibly exciting time in your life. Simply taking these tips on board can ensure that you and the baby are healthy throughout the process. Plus, it can help you have the experience that you wished for. Not every birthing plan goes the way it should. However, with some planning and preparation in place, the experience should be kept under control. Letting your close friends and family know every plan will ensure that someone is there to support you when the time comes.