Welcoming home your bundle of joy, fear, anxiety, panic...
Imagine starting out on a new career in which you had no previous experience, no training and no induction seminar. Oh, and it's the most important job in the world.
You'll have to learn fast and not make any mistakes. Actually that last bit is somewhat an exaggeration. You are allowed to make mistakes and you will, hopefully they won't be too catastrophic.
So what's the best way to cope and prepare for your life turning upside down?
Firstly, you can't help but read the books and articles like this and you will no doubt come across lots of conflicting information.
Take on board what you feel is right and discount the stuff that isn't. Before junior comes along, get your kit right. Dad can help with some of this as he usually gets excited about car seats and pushchairs/prams. Choose your pushchair carefully, it's a big investment and if you're anything like me, you'll end up getting different ones as they grow. This can be a costly exercise so take your time and road test as many as you can. Don't forget to see if it will fit in your boot and check to see how easy it is to operate with one hand. Put yourself in the mindset of a rainy day, screaming baby in one arm and next to no sleep. How easy is it to operate now? And don't forget to check the rain cover, how easy is it to fit if you're suddenly caught in a downpour?
Next up, the car seat.
Do not be tempted in the slightest to get a second hand one. Even if you know it hasn't been involved in an accident, still say 'no' to the kind offer and buy new. Once you have your shortlist, test how easy the seatbelt is to fasten, you'll be amazed at how different they are. How easy is it to get in and out? If you're a 2 car family, you'll be needing to constantly swap it over.
No doubt, as a new parent you'll be wanting to have the little one close by at night in those early months. For this, a Moses basket is essential, unless you have a bedroom the size of a football pitch in order to squeeze the cot in. However, be aware that in order to make the transition smoothly to the nursery, you should make baby comfortable with their own room. Prepare them for bed after bathtime in the nursery and let them have their mid-afternoon naps in there. While we're on the subject
of naps, try and sleep when they do, there's nothing that comes as more of a shock
to the system than sleep depravation. If you can, call on your parents, friends, neighbours, relatives etc. to help out and help you catch forty winks when you can. And make sure dad does his bit at night. Excuses of 'I have to get up for work in the morning' simply don't wash.
So, good luck, don't panic and don't let your hormones get the better of you.
