Remember, the more you accomplish before bringing your baby home from the hospital, the easier the change will be.

• Study up on all things baby.
• Get a car seat. Set it up in the car ahead of time, so you have one less thing to worry about for the trip home. Not sure if you’ve installed it right? Many local fire departments will check your car seat for free.
• Make some meals ahead of time. Have pre-made meals in the freezer that are ready to go for when your newborn first comes home. Things may feel hectic at first, but having a home-cooked meal without the cooking will help!
• Find a pediatrician. Get references and decide on a pediatrician or healthcare provider before your baby is born. Once your baby arrives, you can schedule your visits.
• Talk to your children. If this isn’t your first child, do what you can to make the transition as smooth as possible. Let your little ones know what to expect. Tell them this new baby is going to need to be held a lot and given lots of attention. If they are old enough and able, give them a role in taking care of the baby, like making sure everyone that wants to hold the new baby uses hand sanitizer.
• Prep your pet. Even your animals will feel the transition! To ease into the change, ask a friend or family member to bring one of your baby’s onesies home while you are still in the hospital. Letting your animal get familiar with your baby’s scent will take away the surprise once you actually bring the baby home. As they’re getting adjusted, never leave your pet alone with your newborn, even if it’s only for a few minutes.
• Accept help from those you trust. Often friends and family members will offer to help by cooking you some meals or cleaning your house while you’re at the hospital. Let them! Building these support networks and getting into the habit of accepting and asking for help when you need it will be beneficial for when baby comes home.