By Mary Lynne Murray
Reprinted from Contra Costa Times, September 28, 2002
NEVER BEFORE has 7 or 8 pounds had such a dramatic impact on
your life as the day your new baby, and each subsequent child,
comes home. Change is never easy, and positive changes are no
exception. To avoid disorganization, you'll need new systems that
fit your new life with baby.
Keep supplies where you use them. For example, if your home is
two stories, you may find it easier to have diapering stations
upstairs and down, both stocked with the essentials. Same principle
for night feedings. If you like to watch TV while feeding baby,
have needed supplies near the TV. If you're a reader, keep a book
handy by your rocking chair, or wherever you feed baby.
Tip: Don't turn on bright lights and wake baby and yourself
fully. Soft lighting -- whether through low-wattage bulbs or dimmer
switches -- will get you both back to sleep once feeding is over.
Keep a diaper bag stocked with the items you might need when you're
out with baby. Babies have frequent doctor appointments, and you'll
be less stressed and on time if your bag is always packed. Keep
the stroller handy, either in the car or garage.
The dinner hour is one time of day that babies are known to be
fussy. Ways to make mealtime less crazed include preparing simple
meals (lower your standards and try for gourmet meals next year),
using a slow cooker and doubling recipes (make two casseroles,
one to freeze for later).
Parents often feel guilty about accepting help for a positive
life change such as the birth of a baby. If you feel this way,
accept help for the baby's sake. This can come in the form of
delivering meals, taking an older child for a walk, picking up
groceries or doing laundry. Alternatively, your helper can stay
at home while you go for a walk. Any of these things can help
you relax and get rest, which is good for baby.
Parenting encourages making the most of time -- when you have
it. Learn to do chores and errands in small increments of time.
Fold clothes or pay bills until baby starts to fuss. Try to accomplish
tasks, but don't expect to finish at one sitting.
Resist buying every little thing you see advertised for babies.
That said, one of the greatest tools for the early months is a
baby sling, which keeps baby close while its wearer is free to
move about. Another piece of equipment that many parents swear
by is the baby swing -- great for buying time while baby is awake.
Share equipment with family or friends for items such as bassinets
that are helpful, but used briefly.
These start with the birth certificate and Social Security number.
The hospital will have you complete a birth certificate questionnaire,
prepare the certificate and send it to the county. You will want
to request a certified copy of the certificate, and the hospital
generally provides the form to do so. (If the request form gets
lost, call the county birth records office.) The second part of
the birth certificate questionnaire includes a request for a Social
Security number. For details, visit www.ssa.gov
or call 800-772-1213.
Many parents also get a passport for their baby.
Set up a safety deposit box at your bank or a fireproof safe
at home to store these documents.
Get a large basket (no sharp wicker ends) to toss all of baby's
toys in at day's end.
Most parents lack time to do scrapbooks until the child reaches
high school. To keep photos and momentos organized now, buy nice-looking
photo boxes and store it all chronologically (date each box).
Also, always order double prints, since relatives like copies.
Avoid promising reprints (unless your baby sleeps a lot and you
find the time), and avoid loaning precious negatives.
Use those pretty shower gift bags to store all those congratulatory
cards, time-capsule items (birthdate newspaper) and other overflow.
Running out of basic items such as diapers or wipes can be avoided
by making one list to which anyone in the family can add things.
A magnetized refrigerator list is ideal.
Your baby will grow like gangbusters. Pack up clothes as they
are outgrown, keeping a container in the laundry area or in baby's
room. If you're saving them for the next baby, mark the box with
age/season, i.e. "Birth to 6 months/summer."
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