After the birth of a baby, parents have to perform many tasks to take care of their child. Here are 10 things to do after having a baby.
1. Be careful not to receive (too many) visitors.
After having a baby, there are certain things you need to do to keep it healthy and safe. First, be careful not to have too many visitors.
When my son was only a few months old, he caught RSV, a common upper respiratory virus, from someone who came to visit. Make sure your visitors wash their hands and wear a mask if they feel unwell. Next, make sure your baby is up to date with his vaccinations . Finally, always exercise caution when putting your baby to bed. I learned that the hard way when my son got RSV...
I know this may sound "germaphobic", but babies have immature immune systems . My youngest son has asthma that only kicks in when he has a cold, so much so that a "little cold" was a real nightmare for many years (he's now a teenager and it still happens!).
Since you don't know how your baby will react to a "little cold", it's best to exercise caution during the first few weeks or months. Those who don't have kids yet might be a little offended, but experienced parents will totally understand. In any case, when your baby is sick, he certainly does not sleep much and you are often up all night!
2. Start investing for your baby
It's never too early to start planning for your child's future . Many financial advisors recommend starting to invest for your child as soon as they are born. This will allow them to get a head start on their retirement savings and give them breathing room when they enter the working world.
There are many ways to invest for your child, so don't worry if you don't know where to start. I recommend reading The Automatic Millionaire, which is still easy to read and can help you start investing right away.
In this book you will find useful tips that will help you understand the fundamentals of investing. You need to know the actions, know how to get started, and know what to expect along the way. This book is a brief but comprehensive guide for anyone planning to start investing now.
So what are you waiting for? Start investing for your child today!
3. Prepare for your postpartum recovery
After having a baby, there are some things you will need to take care of. The most important thing is to take care of your baby, but also of yourself . Make sure you eat well, get enough sleep and drink plenty. You can also buy some items for postnatal care. Here are some of the most important things to have:
- A good breast pump
- Breastfeeding bras and pads
- A support bra
- Comfortable pajamas
- A nightgown or dressing gown
- Breastfeeding clothes
- Panty liner
- Sanitary napkins
- Shower sandals
Watch for signs and symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety . If you have any concerns contact your doctor.
4. Clean your carpets and rugs
Having a baby is a life-changing experience, and there's a lot you'll need to do to prepare for your little one. One of the most important is cleaning your rugs and carpets , as you will be spending a lot of time on the floor with your baby. You can do this before the baby is born, but you probably won't spend much time on the floor in the first few months.
You can ask your visitors to remove their shoes when they visit you, if you are not already doing so.
5. Install an app for it
If you're a new parent, one of the first things you might do is install an app ! There are billions of apps out there today, so before you get stressed out about something, check if there is an app.
If there wasn't one last month, there might be one now!
Apps can help you do everything from tracking meals and diapers to planning your route to the pediatrician . So before you start stressing about anything, take a deep breath and check if there's an app for that!
6. Send thank you cards
Life with a newborn can be busy and there's a lot of sleep to catch up on! But don't forget to take the time to send thank you cards for all the wonderful gifts you received for the birth of your baby . Not only is this a gesture of courtesy, but it also lets the person who gave the gift know that you appreciate their kindness.
7. Start a diaper subscription
Babies are a lot of work, and before you know it, your diaper supplies may be running out. That's why I recommend getting a diaper subscription so you never run out of diapers again! You can easily use Amazon's "Plan and Save" service to have diapers delivered to your door every month.
Plus, if you have other items delivered regularly, you can save between 5% and 20% of the cost (depending on the number of subscriptions). That can be a lot of money in the first year!
Remember that your baby will quickly outgrow the newborn size. So I recommend you start the diaper subscription with size 2. And remember you have to be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage of the savings but you get free shipping on many items as well as Prime Video, Music, and more. A great gift to add to your baby registry!
8. Consider purchasing a video monitor and respiratory monitor
As a new mom, you are going to worry. Often. Sometimes peace of mind is priceless, even if the monitors don't. Consider buying a video monitor under $100 for added peace of mind. While they are napping, you can keep an eye on them.
And, if you're very worried or your baby has a medical condition, consider buying a heart rate and oxygen monitor in addition or instead.
While you may wonder if you're just being too nervous a mom, peace of mind sometimes gives everyone a rest at night.
No one wants to regret having been "had to" do this or that. But there are some things every new mom should do to make their life a little easier.
9. Put your baby on his stomach
It's easy to want to hold your baby all the time, and babies love to be held! But remember, they need time to stretch their limbs and work on their neck control . This usually includes some tummy time ! If your baby is full term and healthy, you can start putting him on his stomach as soon as he is born.
Of course, always consult your doctor to find out what is best for your baby. Your baby may not like the tummy contact too much at first (none of my boys did!).
So you can start with short bursts of 3-5 minutes at a time and then gradually increase the duration. Aim for 5-10 minutes a day at first, then gradually increase to 20-30 minutes a day when your baby is 4 months old.
10. Download our guide 5 things to know so that baby sleeps through the night
If you're a new or expecting parent, be sure to download our free e-book, ' 5 Things to Know to Keep Your Baby Sleeping '. It's got a ton of information on how to get your baby to sleep through the night, and it's written in a simple, easy-to-understand way.
Plus, it gives you the freedom to follow your instincts and create your own education and sleep philosophy. You can download the FREE eBook by filling out the form below.
Congratulations to the new mom and new dad!
You are doing an excellent job! There are so many things to worry about as a new parent, but remember to take time for yourself. Relax and enjoy your baby. They are growing too fast!
I hope this article has enlightened you on the subject and that the transition will be smoother. Feel free to share your experiences with us in the comments.
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