Welcoming a baby into your life is one of the most exciting and joyous things that will happen to you, but it can also be the most stressful and overwhelming time as well. That’s why it is great to be as prepared as possible because once you become a dad, there is no turning back. We don’t tell you this to scare you, but we are telling you with the hopes of it preparing you. Keep reading to find out a few steps you can take to make sure you are adequately prepared before the baby comes.
Prep the nursery
Build the crib, set up the rocker, wash all the clothes, and make sure you have that sound machine set up and ready to go. We know a few of those sound like tasks that can wait until the baby has already arrived, but we can’t stress enough how vital it is to do as much as you can before your time is dedicated to the baby.
Stock up on the essentials
There are quite a few items that you will need to welcome the baby into your home and have them be comfortable, but few are considered true essentials. Baby wipes, eco friendly diapers, bottles, formula, and clothes are the bare-bones essentials that you want to be sure you are stocked up on well before the big day comes.
Get your work responsibilities in order
If you are going to be taking paternity leave, you want to be sure that you put all your work affairs in order. Make sure all your group projects are completed, your employees are on track for the next big assignment, and that your clients know you will be gone for a bit. Believe us when we say that you will feel much better being gone when you know you have tied everything up nicely at work when you become a dad.
Have a present ready for your partner
No matter who you are bringing a baby into the world with, it is a good idea to have a present ready for them once the baby is born. It is already going to be a magical memory to look back on, so why not go the extra mile to make it a little more memorable. An engraved picture frame, a necklace to commemorate the day, or a journal to write all the new memories in are all thoughtful items to give to that special someone you are taking this big step with. Or, you can go a more classic route and write them a card telling them how happy and excited you are to be in this moment with them.
Pack a hospital bag
If you will be spending any time in the hospital for the delivery, it is a good idea to pack a bag and have some specific items ready to go. Pajamas, a change of clothes, a phone charger, a toothbrush, some snacks, and a few treats for mom-to-be, are all essentials to have in your hospital bag. It will be nice to have a few pieces of home when you have to be away, and it will let mom relax more knowing you are already taken care of.
Prepare frozen meals
When you get home from the hospital and bring the baby home for the first time, your life will instantly change, and your schedule will no longer be your own. You now sleep when they do, eat when they do, and shower whenever you can. Having a freezer full of prepared meals is a great way to ensure you and your partner never go hungry, despite the hectic schedule.
Know that you will never be fully prepared to bring life into the world, but we hope that at least one of these things will help you be as prepared as you possibly can for this next chapter of your life. Good luck, Dad. You’ve got this.
