Editor’s Note: The following is a guest post by Rachel Jonat. She blogs at The Minimalist Mom and has recently released a new ebook: The Minimalist Mom’s Guide to Baby’s First Year.
“A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.” – Anonymous
Sleep deprived new parents are an easy target for marketers. I know: I was recently a new parent myself. In the early months I bought into the idea that a musical sea horse could soothe my son to sleep better than I could. They were empty promises and, before finding minimalism, my home was filled to the brim with baby items (most of them unused).
What I’ve learned since then is that the best thing you can do for yourself, and your new baby, is to slow down. The best way to prepare for a new baby is not with an afternoon of shopping or obsessing over paint samples for the nursery. The best way to prepare for a new baby is to build a community, unburden your schedule and most of all, relax.
Here are seven ways to prepare for a new baby. No shopping required.
1. Slow down – Soon enough your days and nights will be turned upside down. The weeks and months leading up to the arrival of a new baby shouldn’t be filled with long to-do lists. This is not a time to start a home renovation, move houses or overburden your schedule. It’s a time for long walks, sleeping in and spending time with loved ones.
2. Build a community, not a registry list – Your neighbor with four grown children or your new friend from a childbirth class will be more help to you when your baby arrives than any battery operated baby soothing device. Fill your life with friendships and forget about filling closets and rooms with baby paraphernalia.
3. Relax – Let go of the need for perfection. The nursery details, the accent pillows and wall murals, won’t be noticed as you rock your baby to sleep in the dark. The little life that is joining your family won’t care if her socks don’t match her outfit, but she will care that your arms are steady and your voice is soothing.
4. Spend more time selecting your healthcare providers than shopping for a stroller – This goes for your Obstetrician, Midwife, Pediatrician and anyone else involved in your care. Rather than asking your friends what’s in their diaper bag, ask them about their experience as a patient. Ask them about their child’s doctor, their time at a hospital or birthing center and if they recommend their Obstetrician or Midwife.
5. Sleep – Yes, you’ll get a lot of advice from other parents to sleep now because you’re about to lose anything close to a normal sleep pattern. And while it’s great advice, you should think of prioritizing sleep as not just about ‘stocking up’ but about creating a new habit. If you’re expecting a new baby you should get into the habit of catching sleep when you can. Work on your napping skills and make sleep in a priority.
6. Borrow, don’t buy – The first year of a child’s life is filled with rapid growth and changes. What amused and delighted your three month old may be of no use just a few weeks later. Whenever possible borrow any needed items from family and friends. Most people are only too happy to find a home for their unused bassinets, play mats and booster seats.
7. Give – A strong element of building a community, and a supportive circle of friends and family, is giving. Give your time, give your attention and give whatever goods and financial contributions you can. Lend your ear to a friend in need, bring a meal to a family when their new baby arrives and give what you can. Give without expectation. Give because it feels good. Give because you can.
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Rachel’s new book, The Minimalist Mom’s Guide to Baby’s First Year, is well-written and highly-practical. I have read it, enjoyed it, and used it in research for speaking engagements. If you are a new or expecting parent hoping to find more peace and simplicity in your life, this book can help you. Additionally, if you desire to inspire others to live with less, the book will help you provide clear answers for new parents.
Casy says
I like to prepare about a new baby but i do not understand that what is the riming. It is to familiar webpage with the Nice words. thank you.
James Andersen says
I like your article. The truth is preparing for a baby especially if you are a new mom or new parents can be a tough experience. Apart from just that, it can also be a very expensive affair as you want to get everything for your baby and you don’t want to miss out on any. The shrewd thing to do is to cut off costs as much as you can. You can always borrow, recycle, or buy on the cheap. However I don’t love recycling strollers as they might not be as efficient as they were when first bought.
Natasha Wilton says
Seriously,It saves our money and Awesome things you noted.Love this easy tips,
michletelo says
Instead I’d try my best to encourage him, even if I felt like his ideas weren’t based in reality, but it was a struggle for me. subway surfers
Anne says
Very useful guidelines! Thanks for sharing those tips. First time moms would really love this post! :)
couponswebdeal says
So true, next time around there will be a lot less stuff and more time for cuddles and sleep. I do not think it’s a big jump for parents to realize to toy situations can easily get out of control .
Gloria D. says
Thanks for this list. Even with my first baby, I did not do any shopping for baby stuff until my baby turned almost 1 year old. I just borrow baby stuff from my older sister. Some friends also donated used strollers, so yeah I’m pretty lucky and saved a lot. :)
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Anna says
I love these tips!!! Thanks!!!
Jill & Kelson says
I really liked your article. It almost has a zen way of helping people be in control over things that easily get out of hand when discovering a new baby is on the way. I wish my wife and I had thought of tip 6 – borrow rather than buy things for the first while. It would have saved us money in the end with our two daughters.
I also know one of the things that has helped us is building a list of things we ‘need’ to do vs ‘want’ to do before baby arrived. It helped us stay organized. We also struggled with baby names. We started a website to help other people learn how to come up with unique and special names for their children uniquenamesforgirls.com. You and your readers should check it out as one of their list items to do before baby comes knocking at the nursery door.
Teige says
Great article but it didn’t have evreyithng-I didn’t find the kitchen sink!