Choosing to bring a new life into the world is not a decision to be taken lightly. There is a host of considerations that need to be made before you embark on this life-changing journey. Here are seven key things to consider when you decide to expand your family and have a baby.
Work Out a Budget
It is no secret that babies cost a lot of money. Before going down this road, it is important that you have a good handle on your finances.
Planning a new budget with a baby on board will help you to plan for the financial obligations that lie ahead. While there is never a perfect time to have a baby, you will have a less stressful experience if your bank account is sufficiently prepared to handle the expense.
Consider Childcare
It is important to think ahead about childcare before you have a baby. If you are going to need childcare outside of the house, this will likely be your most expensive expense for the next few years.
For this reason, it is crucial that you budget accordingly. Under this same category, you need to make sure that you fully understand your company’s maternity or paternity leave policies.
Immediately After the Birth
There are a series of decisions that you need to make immediately following the birth of your child. You will be better prepared to make these decisions if you do your research prior to arriving at the hospital.
Understanding the various circumcision facts and myths will help you to make the best decision for your family if you have a baby boy. You also need to have a pediatrician lined up to provide any necessary vaccinations or medical care before leaving the hospital.
Bottle or Breast vs. Cloth or Disposable
The age-old debate; will you be bottle feeding and using reusable diapers? Or will you be breastfeeding and using the eco-friendly, but dreadful, cloth diaper? And which choice makes you the better parent? Answer: neither choice makes you better.
Many new parents spend a significant amount of time debating feeding and diapering decisions. One of the most significant decisions that you need to make is if you are going to breastfeed your baby or go directly to the bottle.
You also need to decide if you want to use cloth diapers or go with disposable ones. It is important to remember that none of these decisions reflect your ability to parent. You need to decide what is the best option for your particular needs and preferences.
Is Your Home Ready?
While babies do not require a lot of space, it is important to consider how you will manage the logistics of a new person in your home. If you do not have room for a dedicated nursery, you can carve out a little space in your current floor plan for all of the baby’s essentials. What is most critical is that you have a quiet place for the baby to sleep.
Dividing Responsibilities
If you are lucky enough to have a partner to help you to raise a child, it is a good idea to sit down before the baby is born and divide the responsibilities. While you do not need hard and fast rules detailing who is in charge of each task, coming to an understanding about the proper division of labor will help you to avoid disagreements when you bring your new bundle of joy home.
In most cases, the mother will be in charge of the feedings. Diaper changing is a great task for new dads. It is also important that each person gets the chance to have some personal time on a regular schedule. This will keep everyone happier.
Talk About Religion
Another good conversation to have before the baby arrives is how you plan to raise the child from a religious perspective. If the parents practice different religions, this may end up being a sticky conversation. As with all parenting decisions, compromise is key. Under this umbrella, you may want to start thinking about the pros and cons of the public school system compared to parochial education.
Beginning this new chapter in your life is undoubtedly exciting. You can make the first few months of the special arrival go more smoothly if you take the time to consider these seven things before your baby is born.
