Are you expecting a baby in the near future? Is fatherhood right around the corner?
While fatherhood can seem quite intimidating, doing everything you can to be prepared can help keep your mind at ease. Of course, with so much to think about, some things may slip through the cracks.
That’s okay. We’re here to help, so keep reading to learn five often forgotten steps to take when preparing for fatherhood.
Table of Contents
1. Buy a Month’s Supply
When becoming a new parent, you probably already know you have tons of supplies to buy. Yet, you may not be aware of how much you need ahead of time.
Before the baby arrives, it’s smart to have a month’s supply of diapers, wipes, rash cream, onesies, burpees, formula, laundry detergent, lotion, and dish soap. When you’re caring for a newborn baby, you won’t want to have to leave to keep stocking up on the essentials.
This will also take some pressure off of you and your partner and can allow you to focus on bonding with your new baby.
2. Put the Furniture Together in Advance
Assembling your baby’s furniture well in advance is one of the best pieces of advice for new parents. Your baby’s crib, rocking chair, and changing table should all be put together before you’re even near your due date.
While you may think you can put these things off, perhaps because the baby may be sleeping with you for the first few weeks, you’ll be glad it’s already done when you’re sleep-deprived and exhausted.
3. Create Your Will
New parent classes and fatherhood programs will give you tons of advice on being a parent and preparing for your baby, which often includes creating your will.
This is something you may not have considered before preparing for fatherhood, but it’s essential to get it done ahead of time, so you don’t have to consider it when taking care of your newborn baby.
Learn about the different kinds of wills, contact a lawyer, and get this part set up for you and your family.
4. Buy a Car Seat
While this step may seem obvious, it’s incredibly important and can be easily forgotten. You’ll need to have an infant car seat installed in your car before your baby arrives so that you can take them home from the hospital.
If you don’t have a proper car seat, the hospital will not allow you to take your baby home. You’ll have to know exactly how to use the car seat, as the nurses will require you to show them that you can safely put your baby in it.
Practice ahead of time with a doll or stuffed animal to reduce any pressure or stress that comes with this.
5. Do a Deep Clean
When you’re close to your baby’s due date, it’s essential to do a deep clean of your house or apartment. You’ll probably be focused on a hundred other things, but this step shouldn’t be forgotten.
Clean the floors, dust, clean the bathrooms, organize your cabinets, and wipe down all of your counters. When the baby arrives, you won’t feel like doing any sort of cleaning, so it’s wise to do a deep clean right before.
Use These Tips When Preparing for Fatherhood
While there are many different moving parts to get a handle on when preparing for fatherhood, learning about the often forgotten steps is a great start. Keep this list handy, and you’ll be a successful father in no time.
If you found this article helpful, browse through more of our blog today for more parenting advice.
