6 ways to get prepared for your baby.

You’ve only seen that tiny little person inside of you through blurry images but you know them so well. You love them fiercely. You want the absolute best for them. Well, here are a few things you can do for them right now.

1. Do a first aid course.

It can be scary to think that you’re about to take on responsibility for the life of another human being. I remember feeling terrified that my baby would stop breathing, or choke on something, and I wouldn’t know what to do. Not long before I was due, I did a first-aid course aimed at parents of babies and young children. It definitely made me feel like I was a bit more qualified to be caring for my baby.

"After the first aid course, I felt a lot more equipped to care for my baby." Image via iStock.

2. Get a flu shot.

I get a flu shot every year, and make sure my kids get one too. But it’s even more important to get one if you’re pregnant. Babies under the age of six months can’t be vaccinated against the flu, but they’re particularly vulnerable to it. They’re up to 10 times more likely to be hospitalised with the flu than older kids. The good thing is that if you get vaccinated when you’re pregnant, your baby will be protected for up to six months. Of course, you’ll be protected too. The flu can cause serious complications in pregnant women, including premature labour. Getting a flu shot when pregnant is safe, it’s recommended by health authorities and it’s free. It’s a simple yet valuable thing you can do for your unborn baby.

3. Start writing stuff down.

Kids love hearing stories about themselves, because it makes them feel special. The stories about them begin even before they’re born. Your kids will want to know what nickname you had for them when they were in your tummy, if certain music made them kick a lot, and so on. Get in the habit of writing it all down – in a book, in emails to a newly created account – because if you’re anything like me, once sleep deprivation kicks in, you won’t be able to rely on your memory.

"Write down the stories you have about your baby." Image via iStock.

4. Eat the kind of food you’d like your child to eat.

It’s easy to overdo the junk when you’re pregnant. You’ve got it in your head that you’re eating for two, and you can’t resist those cravings (I ate way too many hot chips in my second pregnancy). But the type of food you eat when pregnant has a direct impact on your child. Research suggests that children born to mothers who ate a high-fat, high-sugar diet when pregnant are more likely to crave high-fat, high-sugar food as they grow up, and more likely to be obese. So try to stick to healthy food – fruit, vegetables, wholegrain bread, lean red meat, milk, yoghurt, etc.

5. Go on a babymoon.

Or, if you can’t get away, make sure you set aside some special time for you and your partner. Relax and appreciate each other, but also talk about what’s ahead, to avoid resentment building up once the baby comes. Who’s going to get up during the night? Will either of you get to sleep in on weekends? How often will one of you go out with friends while the other is home with the baby? Even very young children can be affected by the tension when their parents are fighting, and you want to bring up your child in the warmest, most loving environment possible.

"Go on a babymoon." Image via iStock.

6. Buy books.

It’s easy to spend hours shopping for adorable outfits for your baby, but make sure you stop off in a bookstore as well. Reading to babies is a great way to bond, and it also sets them up for a lifetime love of books. Take a bit of time to read through the books before you buy them. If they’re books you really like, you’ll enjoy the experience so much more. I loved the wordplay of Dr Seuss, the art of Julie Vivas (Possum Magic, etc.) and the humour of Olivia, but everyone will find their own favourites.

What do you think is the best thing to do for unborn bubs?