Getting baby ready - Preparing for your little bundle checklist

After my post on What's going in my hospital bag, I was requested for a post on preparing for the arrival of the little bundle of cuddles. It's been eight months now since my third little princess, so I hope I don't miss out on any of the important stuff...and if you think there could be something more added, feel free to add your comments :)

So before your baby could arrive, you need to be prepared with stuff for yourself, your baby and your home.

Begin with your home. 

Ensure that your home is child friendly coz the littlest person would love exploring once they begin to get mobile.

• Get a baby cot that meets your convenience. There are various sizes available and I personally preferred the one which could be adjustable for height so that I could place it near our bed. You want to buy one based on how long are you going to be using it for.

• Most baby cots come with mattresses so all you'd need to buy would be a mattress protector, the sheets and a bumper that would keep your baby safe from the wooden slats. 
• A musical cot mobile. Listen to the music before you buy...you want to make sure the music is soothing and calming for your baby.
• A rocker/pram. We got a car-seat cum rocker which is just so helpful since I use it while travelling and also at home.

• A baby bath tub for fun and happy bath times. You could consider getting a baby shower cap that can be used when shampooing baby's hair.

Groceries and Bites for your taste buds

• A week or two before your baby's due date, you'd want to be done with your groceries stocked up for the next two months, given that you don't want to expose your tender little bunch to the outside world for at least a month.
• You'd also want to stock up if you have cravings like me. I ALWAYS have cravings for dark chocolate. And ice-creams.

Being Mommy ready.

• Nursing bras. Read here to find out how I picked some for myself.
• Feeding pillow/cushion. The small firm cushions were good to go for me-convenient even when travelling.
• Post-maternity clothes. You don't have to carry on wearing the loose, baggy clothes you wore while pregnant. A couple or more of pants and a few tops for home as well as a few for outside should help. Make sure they have front openings or if you are like me-I prefer wearing a pant/skirt and a not-too-fitted top so I have enough privacy when feeding by simply lifting the top-covers what needs to be covered effectively.
• A nursing cover/shawl is very helpful when feeding in public. I completely support breastfeeding since it's one of the best things you can do for your baby and have fed my babies not just in the car but also in changing rooms, at restaurants and even on a busy street!
• Invest in good quality breast pads. Most women have a 'letdown' or too much milk which involuntarily leaks and can wet their tops if breast pads are not used.
• A manual or an electric breast pump so you can express the excess milk or even use it to express milk that can be stored while you may need to be away from your baby for a few hours.  Small feeding bottles for the same and a bottle cleaning brush.

• A nipple protector. This makes feeding a little less painful in case you have cracked nipples. I just applied small amounts of butter which somehow also helped the cracks heal faster.
• A diaper bag that can be carried by both you or your husband. You can decide whether you want to get a nice compact one or a roomier one to pack in more stuff.

Getting Baby ready. 

You will have the basics ready based on how you pack your hospital bag. In addition, here is a list of the many things you can go shopping for to get ready for your baby.

Depending on the climate of the place you live in as well as the season, you'd either want to buy warm or cooler clothes. My babies were born in the winters of Bangalore so though I used the baby jablas (baby clothes made from muslin) lovingly gifted by my mom, my babies were always swaddled in cozy blankets that kept them warm.

Here's what baby is going to need.

• Baby blankets. Babies love to have the warmth that they had in the womb...so these work great.
• A few rompers/body suits/jablas.

• Baby booties/socks, mittens, knitted cap as well as a sun-cap.
• One or more sweaters if the weather is cold.
• Diapers as well as a whole lot of cloth nappies. My mom had the cloth nappies sewed in cotton and then inserts sewed in muslin which was perfect for baby.

• Gentle baby wet wipes and tissues.
• Specially designed cotton cloth to cover the stump/umbilical cord. Again, gifted by my Mom.
• Baby swaddling cloths.
• Gentle baby body lotion. I really really love Chicco.
• Baby soap, baby shampoo, soft bristles baby hairbrush and baby towels.
• Diaper rash ointment. You'd want to check with your pediatrician before you buy to confirm which one is recommended.
• Bibs and burp cloths.
• Baby nail clippers. I didn't clip my baby's nails for the whole first month! But needed it regularly after that. 
• It is good to keep a digital baby thermometer that may come in handy at the times of emergencies.
• A few baby rattles, teethers and pleasant musical toys.

Besides all of these, the most important thing you'd need to get prepared for your baby is a heartful of thanks for the precious little soul that God has entrusted you and your family with. There will be difficult times...I've had far more than I could handle, but as difficult as they were, they have only taught me some good lessons and made me a better person. The good times and the joy the beautiful baby brings surpasses everything else. No mother is perfect. Yet, every mother does her best for her baby and nothing compares to the depth of a mother's love!

"Children are a heritage (inheritance) from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward" Psalm 127:3