How to prepare for your baby: 3 things you shouldn’t overlook

Are you expecting a little bundle of joy soon? Parenthood is one of life’s most memorable milestones—and we bet that you have devoted much of your time planning for your little one’s arrival!

Still, it can’t hurt to have a checklist on what you should prepare. Because in the stress and excitement of things, you might just overlook a detail or three. After all, we know that all this preparation is because you want the best for your baby. Wherever you are in your pregnancy journey, here is a quick guide on things you should not forget as you prepare for your baby.

1. Take Your Prenatal Vitamins

If you planned this pregnancy, you should have been taking your prenatal vitamins a week before conceiving until 12 weeks of your pregnancy. A prenatal supplement containing 400mcg of folic acid reduces the risk of neural-tube defects, such as spina bifida, and keeps the baby safe and healthy. According to health experts, prenatal vitamins must also come with 27mg of iron and 1,000mg of calcium.

If you found out that you were expecting halfway through, set up an appointment with your OB-GYN and ask about keeping yourself and your baby nourished until the big day. If you haven’t chosen a healthcare provider yet, then it is time to choose one. Some factors to consider are its distance from your home or if your insurance covers the facility. You can also try reading reviews or asking around.

2. Prepare Your Hospital Bag

As an expecting mother, the importance of a hospital bag cannot be overlooked. About a month before your scheduled due date, you should already begin packing a hospital bag ready for delivery day. As you may have figured out, scheduled births are hardly on time—many times they will come earlier than the due date, other times they will take longer than usual. In any case, it is important to be prepared to head for the hospital any time your water breaks.

A hospital bag should contain essentials such as the following:

• Pajamas
• Underwear
• Slippers
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, hairbrush, and other toiletries
• Comfortable and loose clothing for going home
• A baby sleepsuit
• Baby blanket
• Sanitary towels
• Nursing bra
• Phone charger

3. Set Up Your Baby’s Nursery

Setting up and decorating your child's nursery is one of the most special and enjoyable milestones in your journey. Preparing the nursery is tied to the nesting instinct during pregnancy, described as “an overwhelming desire to prepare your home for the baby.” While this instinct will be at its strongest in the weeks leading up to the delivery, you must begin early. It provides you with some leeway in case the baby arrives earlier than expected or other medical emergencies occur.

Designing your child’s nursery, including deciding on the decor, buying the furniture, and adding those personal touches can be one of the most rewarding experiences as you anticipate your newborn coming home.

Here are some of the essentials a nursery should contain:

• Baby crib
• Crib beddings
• Changing table
• Storage baskets
• Drawers or a dresser
• Mobile

Preparing for a baby’s arrival is an experience to remember. But it’s even better to plan as your bundle of joy grows up and pursues happiness and success in life. Babyproof your child’s future with FWD Babyproof, FWD Life Insurance’s first-ever insurance bundle for babies. This plan consists of either Set for Life or RecoveryPro and SurePro for the policy owner. This plan gives you access to a diverse selection of funds to empower you to build wealth, fulfill your goals, and protect your child’s future, while Recovery Pro offers cash benefit for hospitalization, which include Covid-19 confinement. Get double for ICU.