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Many expecting parents spend the time before the baby arrives perfecting the nursery and choosing the perfect baby clothes. The important details of preparing your home and life for a newborn often go overlooked until the baby is already born. Make sure that no stone is left unturned with these five preparation tips.
1. Go Natural
Newborns have very sensitive systems and do not tolerate chemicals as well as adults. The best way to deal with this is to slowly transition to a more natural lifestyle. Chemical cleaners, pesticides and lawn treatment are all very dangerous to your baby. Research natural solutions to cleaning, pest treatment and lawn care to protect your newborn from potentially harmful chemicals.
2. The Right Pediatrician
A good doctor will be an essential part of your life until your child is a teen. Get recommendations from friends, and check board memberships and other credentials. A good doctor is particularly important if your newborn screened positive for critical congenital heart defects in the hospital. Follow-up testing and regular monitoring are vital to ensuring the health of your baby.
3. Stock Up The first few weeks of having a newborn are overwhelming and there is little time to do anything besides care for the infant. Take advantage of the period before the baby comes to stock up on items you may not have time to get later. Diapers, wipes and formula are all basic items that will be quickly consumed. Additionally, be sure there are a few weeks worth of meals for the adults.
4. Learn Your Gear
Many parents make the mistake of leaving new items in the box until the baby arrives. Familiarizing yourself with all your new equipment will save time and frustration when you are lugging around a newborn. Learn how to use your stroller, breast pump and baby monitor. You will be surprised how difficult it can be to navigate unfamiliar items when you are sleep deprived.
5. Invest in Convertible Items
When you are shopping for furniture and other baby equipment, keep an eye out for items that do double duty. Babies grow incredibly fast, and soon your child will outgrow their crib and stroller. Any baby gear that grows with the child will save you large amounts of cash. Taking the time to prepare for your newborn allows you to welcome your new baby into your home with as little stress as possible. Seeing to the little things in advance also allows you to concentrate all your time and attention on your new little one.
About the Author : Meghan is a freelance writer from Oklahoma. She highly recommends learning more about neo natal heart defect treatment at Pediatric Cardiology Center of Oregon for your newborn. Meghan also enjoys being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise as well as researching new topics to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure.
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