1. Prepare a safe place for your baby to sleep such as in a crib or cradle beside your bed, a co-sleeper, or a crib arranged in the side-car fashion–this is done by taking one side off of baby's crib and pushing it flush against your bed. Or you may simply want to bring your baby to bed with you.
Many moms find that having a bedroom all decorated and ready for their new baby to be unnecessary. Babies often prefer sleeping near their mommy. Even if you don’t believe in the sleeping with your baby, you might be surprised at how your feelings change when you hold your sweet little baby in your arms. . . perhaps a baby that is only content while touching you. Babies need to nurse many times throughout the night and many moms find that co-sleeping provides the most convenient and easy way for all to get a good night’s sleep.
Be sure to take certain precautions wherever you decide you want your baby to sleep. Baby is safest sleeping on a firm, flat mattress, and avoid putting quilts, pillows, or other soft bedding near your baby and put him to sleep on his back. Also, make sure you can fit no more than two fingers between the mattress and the headboard or footboard--if you are co-sleeping--or between the mattress and the bars of the crib. For more safety tips, please see my article Is the Family Bed Dangerous?.
2. Have some basic clothes such as t-shirts, gowns, and one-piece stretch outfits with feet ready for your baby to wear. Your baby will probably outgrow his newborn clothes quickly–perhaps in a week or less!–or you may end up having a big baby, so you probably won’t need a lot of newborn-sized clothes. Be sure to wash them in a gentle detergent and put them away in the dresser so they will stay clean and be ready to wear when needed.
Have on hand at least four to six baby t-shirts. At first you might be afraid to pull your baby’s t-shirt over his very wobbly head, so you might feel more comfortable using t-shirts that snap on the side instead of the pull-over style. These can be especially nice for the first month until their neck gets a little stronger. If you do use the pull-over style, to make it easier to pull the shirt over your little baby’s head, try pulling the shirt over the back of his head first, and then pull the front down. This works best because a baby’s head is bigger in the back than the front.
