Planning for Baby #2!By Pamela Caywood
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 Pam, Bill & Grace |
Your body takes 9 month to prepare for the delivery of a bouncing baby. How long should it take you to prepare for the arrival into his "new" home? It seems like the list goes on and on. I am less than 1 month away from the delivery of my second child and have been working to get "everything" in order. Don't worry, I am being realistic and just hope to have the BIG things in order.
As I counted down the weeks to my delivery date, I also started a "to do" list which I have tried to cross things off every day. Some days, I accomplish a lot and other days....well...you know we all have those days! So, start out by putting down your WISH list of all the things that would be great to do and then put them into a prioritized list so that you know where to start.
I am going to go through my plan of action with you and hope that it will give you some ideas of what you might want to do too! Below is a list of categories which describes what should be done...could be done. I hope that I haven't forgotten anything important, because time is running out! If you see something that I missed please write to me ASAP and I will try to squeeze it in!
Preparing your first child for their new sibling
We have been reading book and talking about the baby for quite awhile. I have found that the "big sister" gets very excited when she is included in some of the decisions. Which outfit do you like? What color pacifier should we buy? We have also gone into the nursery and taken out special toys that she wanted to keep and left toys that she wanted to share. Try not to start this process too early. Already, we have been asked, "When is my newborn baby coming out?"
You will also want to think about their clothes. If you are going into a new season make sure that you have the appropriate clothing now.
If she hasn't moved into her "big" girl room yet, you will want to plan that this happens a couple months before the baby arrives. You don't want your child to feel as if the baby pushed them out of their crib. Have your child help decorate the new room with her special things!
The Nursery
Do you need to paint? If yes, then schedule a painter to come in and spruce it up. You will want to clean the room close to your due date. Wash all of the bedding and make the crib. Organize the room for baby things and take clutter to another room!
Supplies
Check your newborn clothes from your first child. Which things can be used again? What items are weather appropriate? Clean the clothes. Don't forget to use a mild detergent on the baby things. (How quickly we forget these little tidbits of advice) Make a list of the supplies that you need again. (e.g. Tylenol, cotton swabs, diaper rash cream, wipes, diapers, baby soap, shampoo...) You can start picking these items up as you are out and especially if you see them on sale. You will want to purchase new nipples for bottles. Check your baby bath and insert to make sure that it has not mildewed. Clean car seat and any other toys that the baby will use.
Start preparing a diaper bag for the baby.
Baby Stuff
Don't forget to buy a new baby book. You will want to start filling out some information in the book before the baby arrives. Also, if you want to have the nurse put the baby's foot prints directly in the book, put the book in your hospital bag. Let your spouse know that it is there, in case you forget during the excitement of the moment.
You will probably want to start a new photo album for baby #2. So, have one ready to insert those first photos.
Do you need any new clothes? undershirts? socks? Make a list and start purchasing so that you will have time to wash them and put them away. Check sheets that you will be using for crib or cradle. Are your blankets warm enough?
Miscellaneous
Look ahead on the calendar for events that may be happening around the baby's birth and the following month. In my case, I have 4 birthdays and Christmas. So, I have been working on completing this shopping early. I am also hoping to mail the Christmas packages soon. I don't think it will be too likely that I will want to carry big packages to the Post Office with a newborn in my arms! I have also been thinking about our Christmas cards and planning what we will send. The good part of this is that we will make a Christmas card/Birth announcement combo card!
Organizing the house. I have found certain spots that I want to get in order now since I know that it won't happen later. I have also tried to put our bills in order so that payments will not arrive late in all the new baby madness.
If you are cooking meals think about certain foods that would be easy to double prepare and freeze one now. Meatloaf, lasagna, soups, casseroles are easy freeze. This food will help make the first few weeks less hectic with food shopping.
Plan for someone to take care of your first child while you are at the hospital. Make sure that you think about needing different plans depending on the time and day that you go to the hospital.
YOU
Make sure that you find time to rest NOW! It will be impossible to catch up later. Make a list of things that you want to have on hand. (e.g. creams, maxi-pads, nursing pads) If you are planning to nurse, you will want to make sure that you have nursing bras and maybe a couple of nursing shirts. Think about what you will want to wear in the hospital. Start throwing stuff in your hospital bag. Do you have a nightgown that will allow you to nurse and entertain visitors. A nurse told me that many women are now wearing leggings and a shirt during their stay.
Purchase thank you notes and stamps so that you can keep up once the gifts start arriving.
Read books now that will help you prepare for two children. Make dates with your friends to have some special time together before the newborn arrives.
Well, that covers my plan so far. I hope that you can use it as a guide to plan your own list. It is a great sense of accomplishment when you start making progress on the list. I am also looking forward to being able to relax once the baby arrives because I will have a lot of "stuff" done. I want to be able to enjoy my time at home learning about my new baby. Plus, this time, I have two children so it will automatically be busier then it was the first time! I will keep you posted with the BIG NEWS!
Pamela Caywood
Pamela Caywood is the proud mother of 3 year old Grace and is expecting her second child any day!.
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