Preparing The Home For A New Baby
Your baby has been a long time coming, and you've looked after yourself carefully over the past nine months staying healthy and making sure you're eating the right things and exercising regularly. All of this for the exciting arrival of a new human being in your life – that you may or may not have a name for yet. Some people don't want to know the gender of their baby until they are born.
Just as you have looked after yourself during pregnancy, you will be caring for your newborn's hair and preparing the home environment for when your little one arrives. Babies new to the world can easily pick up germs and catch illnesses because their immune systems are not strong enough in the beginning. Furthermore, when you have a new baby to look after you will have much less time to ensure the home environment is clean and sterilised for your baby. Whether you're home or you are using a sitting service such as Mykiddy Sitter you need a clean home environment for your little one to enjoy.
Start with a deep clean
In the weeks before your baby is due deep clean the entire house, or hire someone to do it for you. Surfaces, floors, doors, and windows, should be wiped down with disinfectant killing off germs and reducing dust particles in the rooms. Pay special attention to the area your baby will be living in during their first weeks and months.
Where Will They Sleep?
In the beginning, your baby will be sleeping a lot – this is because they are growing quickly. Baby's spend a lot of time sleeping in the womb, and when outside it they will respond to a warm, secure environment such as being held close to their mother and lulled. Baby's also have small stomachs meaning that they fill up quickly and fall asleep to digest the food. Don't worry too much if you think your baby is sleeping a lot, this is normal.
A baby that does not have this secure sleeping environment will take more time to settle and fall into a routine than those who do. What's more, without a familiar environment and regular meals that are the right portions for their stomachs you will find your baby wakes up more often and doesn't seem as comfortable as they should in its familiar environment. Disturbances like this are common in the early days as you try to find your baby's preferences.
One way to reduce these disturbances is to prepare their living space prior to their arrival. As well as deep cleaning the room, make sure it is warm, comfortable, and secure. It will never be as ideal as the womb, but if you can imitate those feelings, your baby will have an easier transition into the world. One way to do this is to wrap them tightly in a warm fleece blanket when you put them down in their cot.
Where Will They Eat?
When your baby arrives, they will be hungry and ready to eat. You have a few different options for feeding your little one, while most of them involve milk in some form, they don't all require you to breastfeed. As long as your baby gets the nutrients it needs from a healthy formula, he or she will be able to grow strong and healthy as you would expect with traditional methods.
Since food is such an important part of the early life of your baby you will be surrounded by all kinds of bottles, dummies, formulas, and sterilisers – this is especially true if you decide to formula feed your child. But whether you breastfeed or use formula try to be consistent with the times and places where your baby eats. This not only reduces the possibility of harmful germs getting in, but it also prepares your baby psychologically for mealtimes.
Use a high chair in the kitchen or a baby wrap to keep your little one secure and in the best posture for eating. In the early days, you might be surrounded by baby bottles and formula milk, but that won't last forever. Babies grow fast, and before you know it, they will be onto solid foods. Make life easier for yourself by preparing your kitchen for this eventuality. Clear out the fridge and make plenty of space for baby food.
What About Entertainment?
It might come as a surprise to you, but babies get bored easily. It's surprising to us because everything is new to them – how could they possibly get bored, but they can, and do. And it's not fancy gadgets and electronic equipment that will entertain them – it's your undivided attention.
Babies who don't get this attention can become unhappy quickly and start crying or having a tantrum. What's more, if you deprive your child of enough entertainment, connection and attention, they may grow up in need of things that could affect their psychological and social development. Entertainment and quality attention is extremely important to your baby's welfare in their early years.
To prevent your baby from getting bored when you’re away – even for a short time – you could put an interesting mobile in their cot or use a more modern night lamp. Night lamps these days are multi-functional; they can provide your child with familiar music and a varied light show to keep them from getting bored. If you are around but want to keep your baby entertained, try an interactive 4moms swing to engage your baby.
Getting Around
The world will be a new and exciting place for your baby, who has just arrived in the home, but that doesn't mean you want to confine them to the home, always. You'll want to take your baby out into the open air even if they are too small to comprehend where they are.
The experiences your child gathers will be important for their development. Even if you don't think a place or situation will make much of an impression on your child, the chances are that it is being absorbed on some level and will influence them in future years. Choose your locations carefully and protect them, if you can, from unwanted sights or sounds.
To assist in getting around, it's a good idea to invest in a few items. The first thing you'll want to get is a car seat – these expire after six years so make sure you buy one new. A buggy is also a good investment, as is a carrier wrap, that will keep your baby safe and provides a functional way to get around.
Don't forget your own self care too! The more you look after yourself, the better you will be able to function and meet the needs of your baby.
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