Becoming a parent is easily one of the most incredible and joyous experiences you will ever have, but it doesn’t come without hard work and at a cost. Though you’ll be happy to have your life change after your newborn arrives, it’s worth preparing yourself for your baby’s arrival on a physical, mental, and spiritual level. Whether you’re the mother-to-be or the father, keep reading for all the recommendations from experts on how to prepare on every level to become a new parent.
Childbirth Classes
One of the best ways to prepare your mind, body, and spirit for a newborn is to take a class that teaches you to prepare for labor physically and emotionally. You’ll learn about pain management, breathing techniques, and, generally, what to expect during labor.
Pamper Yourself
Pregnancy isn’t comfortable – even if you have an “easy” one. Enjoying a couple’s massage, pedicure, and relaxing bath can do wonders. Soon your time to practice self-care and self-love will be limited, so seize this opportunity to restore mind, body, and soul through pampering.
Take a Babymoon
While you and your partner (if you’re married) likely took a honeymoon, a babymoon is a great way to recharge your mind and connect spiritually with your partner before your baby arrives. While it won’t be the last vacation you take, it will be the last “hurrah,” so to speak, before life revolves around your children and the health benefits of vacations are well-studied and known.
Visit a Chiropractor
Pregnancy can often result in discomfort and pain due to its extra weight, placing pressure on your spine and pelvis. Regular visits to a chiropractor may provide significant relief. Chiropractic care has long been known for relieving discomfort during pregnancy as well as contributing to smoother labor and delivery processes. When seeking chiropractic treatment during pregnancy, make sure to choose one who specializes in prenatal care – always consult your health provider prior to beginning any new treatments during pregnancy.
Work on Your Diet
Chances are good that you’re already taking a prenatal, but eating the healthiest and most nutritious diet for you and your baby’s health is key during pregnancy. Not only does a healthy diet give you a healthy body, mineral and nutrient-rich diets promote excellent mental health. Food is the foundation for overall wellness, so while it’s okay to cave into pregnancy cravings, make the bulk of your diet a healthy one full of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Decorate the Nursery
When you’re thinking of things to prepare for a baby, the nursery is one of the most exciting things. Choosing a theme for the nursery is an important place to start, but more important are safe essentials like a crib, monitor, white noise machine, humidifier, and other baby essentials to ensure their first few months are peaceful, healthy, and happy – the nursery will become the epicenter of your home for a long time, so take your time designing and decorating it for peace of mind and everyone’s physical health.
Regular Exercise
To prepare your body for motherhood, you should incorporate regular exercise into your lifestyle. While labor isn’t a cardio event, it can still be a marathon for some women, especially first-time mothers. You’ll also gain the peace of mind of knowing your body is in its best shape to not only deliver a baby but deal with the sleepless nights that come with newborns.
Stock Up on Essentials
Your baby shower will leave plenty of essentials for your newborn, but what about you and your partner? Prepare mentally by anticipating your needs, from toilet paper to toothpaste and even pet supplies; having a stockpile of those essentials will save you the stress of running out at a time when you want to be as stress-free as possible for you and your baby.
Find Your Village
For your spirit, finding your tribe is a game-changer for new parents. They say, “it takes a village,” so knowing who you can lean on in those first few months to deliver meals, hold the baby while you nap, or maybe even clean your home and mow your lawn is essential. People are happy to help, so be bold and ask.
Get Mindful
Learning relaxation techniques for labor is great, but preparing for a newborn needs skills beyond delivery. Mindfulness through meditation is a skill that will serve you whether you have a colicky baby, a baby who wakes every two hours, or when you’re feeling overwhelmed with parenthood. Being overwhelmed and feeling like you don’t know what you’re doing is normal, but knowing how to regain your mindfulness will serve you with a newborn and throughout the entirety of your parenting journey.
Remember, You Are Enough
Every parent sometimes feels like they’re failing, don’t know what they’re doing, or feel guilt for doing something as small as enjoying a tv show when they “should be” doing something for the baby. You are enough, you’ve got this, and everything will be alright. And when you need to, remember your village and reach out for support.
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