The time is finally drawing near for you to meet your little one! To make the transition easier on the whole family, you should start preparing in your last trimester. Getting your home, yourself, and your family prepared in advance will give you more time with the new baby and save you some stress later.

Home
Some things to think about are your access to necessities and the baby safety. You don’t want to spend all your time trying to find things or worrying when you have an infant at home. Decide where you will change diapers. You want all the supplies ready in that area, and a place to dispose of dirty diapers. You should also consider the baby’s bedding needs. If the little one makes a mess in the middle of the night, you will want sheets and supplies nearby, and the same goes for a change of clothing. Make sure you have a comfortable place to feed the little one. While you will not have to worry about baby getting into things just yet, be sure that anything on the walls near the crib is firmly attached so nothing falls.

Self
Whatever your birth experience is like, you will need time to heal. Your doctor will be able to perform a few sonograms for you and will most-likely already know if your birth will be easy. Talk to them or another nurse, qualified with a sonography bachelor’s degree to be sure you are mentally prepared as well. Make sure you have comfortable clothes and pajamas to wear at home and out of the hospital. Buy any bath products you will need. Keep these things somewhere accessible, so you can minimize the physical effort to your healing body. Keep up on household chores, so when you come home with your new baby, you are able to give her all your attention rather than do laundry or clean the carpets.

Family and Friends
Your family and friends are going to be a part of this process as well. Plan for visitors. Will you allow them right away, or do you prefer they wait? Will you have them wash their hands before touching the baby? Are you planning to have anyone to help? Get these questions answered and decided on the role that each person should play. Who will take on which new chores? If you are in a relationship, make sure to discuss any new needs, as well as a plan for spending time together.

If you take the time to prepare your home, family, and yourself this transition will happen as smoothly as possible. Save yourself some stress and figure out what will work best for you and your baby.