Preparing For Parenthood: What You Should Know

Attempting to prepare for parenthood is a noble goal, although it’s important to note you will likely never feel fully ready or like you have absolutely everything in order. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try, though! Let’s take a look at how you can start preparing for parenthood below:

Prepare For The Lack Of Sleep

There’s no real way you can prepare for this, but if you didn’t already know, you’re about to be living in a sleep deprived state 99% of the time. You won’t get a full night’s sleep for a while, unless you manage to get a babysitter. It can be terribly difficult to function on a lack of sleep, so it might be time to simplify your home, life, and routine to prepare. How can you make this big lifestyle change easier for yourself? 

Prepare To Lose A Few Friends

You really do find out who your true friends are when you have a child. Prepare to lose a few who are more interested in going out and not interested in your new life. It is much easier to keep up friendships with those who also have kids, as sad as that may seem. 

Child Proof Your Home 

Child proof your home early on so you don’t have to worry about little fingers in plug sockets or banged heads on corners. Kids can be accidents waiting to happen. Put yourself at their level and then make changes. What do you see? What looks like a potential hazard? You’ll be glad you got this done before your child arrives, as you’ll be so busy once they're here!

Start Taking Good Care Of Your Health 

Taking good care of your health makes for a better pregnancy and birth. It also helps you to feel stronger and more prepared once you’ve brought this new life into the world. Visiting an Advanced Fertility centre could help to give you personalized advice based on your own needs. 

Get A Good Handle On Your Finances

You’re always going to have something to pay for when you have a baby. Diapers, strollers, food, appointments, and more. Get a good handle on your finances now so you can plan ahead. You need to make sacrifices - you probably won’t be able to frivolously spend on yourself for a while! 

Get Life Insurance 

Get life insurance before you have your baby so you are covered for anything that could go wrong. Complications can happen, as much as you won’t want to think about them. Find the right policy for you and you’ll have peace of mind. 

Get to Know the Risks And Monitor Your Baby's Development

Knowing the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth is crucial, to detect anything out of place during gestation or delivery, or with your baby. Keep an eye out for any developmental milestones they reach as you monitor them - don't be shy about approaching your healthcare provider for advice if something seems off! Cerebral palsy may result from oxygen deprivation during delivery so it may be worth researching what steps can be taken to reduce risks to help avoid it.

Find The Right Resources

You can find resources online and in store to help you. An important resource you’ll need is a trustworthy babysitting service so you can make sure your child is in good hands. Not all babysitting sites are made the same, but sosgarde makes it easy to find a reliable babysitter.

Catch up on old episodes of Supernanny so you can be prepared to discipline and teach your child, and read books that can give you a new perspective on parenthood. 

Doing the above can help to give you a little more peace of mind. You might still not feel 100% prepared, but you’ll be more prepared than you were before!