How can I prepare for becoming a parent?
Becoming a parent brings about a series of changes in the life of a person. Preparing for the transition to parenthood includes changes in life roles and taking steps to manage such changes. New or expectant parents and others can prepare for parenthood by considering skills, tasks, experiences and resources that can assist in becoming a parent.
How to prepare for a baby?
Your Pregnancy Checklist: How to Prepare for a Baby. 1 Month 1. Take your vitamins. As soon as you know you're pregnant, start taking a prenatal supplement with 400mcg of folic acid if you aren't already. 2 Month 2. 3 Month 3. 4 Month 4. 5 Month 5. More items
Are you prepared for the challenges of becoming a parent?
Perhaps even more important for those becoming parents is to think about and prepare for the mental and emotional changes or challenges that occur when a child is born. Becoming a parent is marked by a series of changes in the life of a mother or father.
What should an expectant mother know before having a baby?
For example, an expectant mother must learn about and prepare for the physical changes she will experience during pregnancy. Perhaps even more important for those becoming parents is to think about and prepare for the mental and emotional changes or challenges that occur when a child is born.
1. Get Your Breastfeeding and Bottles Ready
Here is one simple way to get prepared for a new baby. Unbox and sterilize all of your bottles and breastfeeding pump parts. If this is the first time you’ve used a breast pump, spend some time reading the manual and putting the pieces Pumping isn’t difficult, but the parts of a pump are complicated at first.
2. Create a Cleaning Schedule Months Ahead
One of the best things I had done before my third child arrived was creating a cleaning schedule. New mothers often struggle to figure out how to maintain their house and handle life with their first child.
3. Prepare for Breastfeeding
If you plan to breastfeed, I highly recommend you purchase at least one book. It is a good idea to learn some tips and tricks before the baby arrives. Learn the basic holds, signs of a good latch, and how to reduce the chance of cracked nipples. Damaged nipples can lead to bleeding, which is never a good experience.
4. Prepare Easy Slow Cooker Meals
I love my slow cooker, but my love affair is even more intense for the weeks after I have a baby. When the days and nights blend, the last thing I want to think about is dinner. There is a chance some people may bring you meals, but having easy dinners to toss in the oven or slow cooker is best.
5. Talk to Health Care Providers
While it is important to select a nice stroller and car seat, it is even more important to choose the right health care provider for your new baby. Parents have different views on parenting, and you want to find the best doctor for your family and your child.
6. Find a Support System
In the last few years, more parents are turning for help during childbirth. Doulas are loved for their support to the parents before, during, and after birth. If you plan to breastfeed, it is a splendid idea to find a lactation consultant ahead of time. Research to see if you have a local La Leche League (LLL) in your area.
7. Get a Waterproof Bed Pad
No, the pad is not for the baby. It is for you. There is a chance your water will break while you are sleeping or laying down during early contractions. Amniotic fluid isn’t easy to get out of a mattress. It could do some serious damage, so think ahead!
Becoming a Parent
Some have suggested that parenting is the hardest job any person ever will have. It also seems to be the job we are often the least prepared to begin. Becoming a parent means our lives are changing and we must prepare for those changes.
The Role of Parenthood
Becoming a parent involves taking on a new role in life. You never may have played the role of “parent” on the stage of life before. What will it be like? How will it differ from being in the role of “spouse/partner,” “student” or “worker”? Typically, you will have some sense that roles are changing in your life when a child is born.
What I Can Do to Prepare for Parenthood
Here are some useful lessons to remember for your own growth and development in becoming a parent:
Recommended Resource List
Belsky, Jay, and Kelly, John. (1994). The Transition to Parenthood. New York: Dell. This book details the results of a landmark study of the transition to parenthood and how having a child affects family life. It is very practical and insightful.
2. Disappointment is an understatement
It is a mother’s nature to want to perfect her craft. I mean, who doesn’t want to be a good mother?
4. Learn to pick your battles
Our initial mother instinct is to want to tackle every single task that comes our way.
5. Expectations are what you make of them
I have always had a type-A personality. I have put high expectations on myself and ensure to meet those expectations at all costs.
7. Who needs to eat anyway?
Although this might not be the case for every mom, sitting down to grab a bite can sometimes be challenging.
9. The sun had never seemed so beautiful
Ever since I had my daughter over 2 years ago my husband and I decided I would become a stay-at-home mom and take care of the kids full-time.
10. Embracing your Weird
There many silly and weird things that have sneaked their way into my personality since I had children.
1. Surround Yourself with Other Moms
Having a strong support system is imperative in surviving motherhood. Especially in the early days when you are sleep deprived, talking to other adults seems more of a luxury than normalcy.
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About This Article
This article was medically reviewed by Lacy Windham, MD. Dr. Windham is a board certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist in Tennessee.
Prepare for breastfeeding before birth
Get good prenatal care, which can help you avoid premature birth and a baby in the hospital after you go home. Premature babies (born before 39 weeks of pregnancy) have more problems with breastfeeding than full-term babies. 1
Steps you can take right after birth to get you off to a great start breastfeeding
Cuddle with your baby skin-to-skin right away after giving birth if you are both healthy.
Steps your partner can take to help support your breastfeeding
Talk to fathers, partners, and other family members about how they can help support your breastfeeding. Partners and family members can:
Tips for breastfeeding success
Learn your baby's hunger signs. Signs your baby may be hungry include:
Sources
1. Buckley, K.M., Charles, G.E. (2006). Benefits and challenges of transitioning preterm infants to at-breast feedings. International Breastfeeding Journal; 1 (13): 1-13.
