Preparing to be a New Mum: 8 Practical Tips

Mother Nature herself has graced mothers-to-be with a gestational period of just mere 9 months. For some, it is an agonising long wait to say hello to the newest member of the family. For others, these fleeting months can leave parents-to-be feeling unprepared and frazzled. As a consolation, I’m sure Mother Nature knows what she’s doing and is confident that during these 40 weeks, we can handle crazy hormone changes, life changing decisions, endless baby gear shopping, and the ever growing To-Do List that is stewing on your phone.

Remember, you have approximately 270 days to plan, prepare and steady those nerves. During this time, besides hitting all the baby fairs, and looking at cute babies photos on Instagram, check off these 8 tips to get yourself ready and exciting for the sweet arrival.

In This Article

1. Educate yourself
2. Prepare for childbirth
3. Create a support system
4. Set up your home
5. Prioritise self-care
6. Seek professional help
7. Plan ahead
8. Trust your instincts

1. Educate yourself

Take ante-natal classes, read books, and talk to other mothers to learn about the basics of newborn care, breastfeeding, and postpartum recovery. You can join WhatsApp mummies groups with the similar EDD as yours to exchange notes and ideas.

2. Prepare for childbirth

The birthing experience is so unique for every mum that no class can ever “prepare” what’s is come. However, by attending these childbirth classes create a birth plan to help you feel more in control and informed about the labor and delivery process. Ask questions about the differences and processes of natural.

3. Create a support system

Lean on your partner, family, and friends for emotional support and practical help with tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and baby care. During the first 2 months after birth, ensure either you have either engaged a confinement nanny or organised regular food delivery. Nothing beats a healthy and hearty meal after a sleepless night or a marathon milk pumping session.

4. Set up your home

Create a comfortable and safe space for your baby by setting up a nursery, stocking up on baby supplies, and baby-proofing your home. Ensure that there are blackout curtains in the baby’s sleep space to improve sleep quality. Getting a bigger cot will also ensure that your baby can sleep comfortably in there until 3 years old or even beyond.

5. Prioritise self-care

Taking care of yourself is important as a new mother. I know it is easier said than done. Really, I know. Perhaps you may not have it all sorted out in the first month but I can assure you, it will get easier, especially after the 4th month. Prioritise getting enough sleep (sleep train if necessary after 5 months old), eating healthy meals (food delivery), and practicing self-care activities such as exercise or meditation (get your partner, family or a close friend to help). Spoil yourself with a post-natal massage package to get you feeling like your old self again.

6. Seek professional help

If you are feeling overwhelmed or struggling with postpartum depression or anxiety, do not hesitate to seek help from a healthcare provider or mental health professional. Other professionals such as a Lactation consultant or a Sleep consultant can help to ease the burdens at the initial stages of motherhood.

7. Plan ahead

By thinking and planning ahead, you can then set off the journey on the right foot.

Some questions to ask yourself include:-

• – Will the baby be sleeping with me? If so, till when?
• – When do i want to end the breastfeeding journey?
• – Will the baby will be attending infant care after i go back to work? If so,
  will bottle feeding from the beginning be better for the transition?
• – Is the bedroom too bright? Perhaps i need to install good blackout
  curtains.
• – Will i prefer the baby to sleep in an air-conditioned room? If not, perhaps a ceiling
  fan is better?

There will be many more of such long-term questions that require pre-planning and time to actualise, therefore plan ahead so that you can focus more on taking care of the baby when she arrives.

8. Trust your instincts

Brace yourself and prepared to be bombarded by many well-meaning friends, relatives and even some random auntie on the street, not to mention the Internet. Ultimately the choice is yours to make and base your decision making on your own gut feel on how you want to get things done, not how you should. By trusting yourself, you
will then be less easily overwhelmed.

Remember to take deep breaths regularly, trust your mummy spider sense and enjoy this life-changing ride. If you need more support, we have a Maternity package which we will demystify the planning stages with you and also pave the road to good sleep habits, right from day 1.