Thinking about having a baby? Well, it's probably safe to say that you want everything to go well. Pregnancy is an exciting and wonderful time in a couple's life, but it can also cause sleepless nights when we start thinking about what options are available for ourselves, our families, and our children. Of course, there are plenty of things you can do to prepare for the arrival of new life (like check out this list of 5 things every boy needs on his birthday!), but there are also some important conversations you'll need to have with your partner before they pop out that adorable little head.
Before you get pregnant:
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Talk about it! Don't wait until you're six months pregnant before telling your partner that you're thinking about having a baby; start now! Both of you must be on the same page when it comes to what's happening with your body, so have plenty of conversations about how pregnancy and childbirth will affect you physically and emotionally.
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Make plans before getting pregnant. Make a mental list of everything you want to do and accomplish during your pregnancy, including what kind of nursery and nursery decorating style you'll want. Also think about the baby's room, which will need to be redecorated before they arrive.
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Talk about breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a natural way of nourishing babies, but it requires time and patience from both parents! Make sure you talk about breastfeeding with each other at least once a week, because it's very important for both of you to get comfortable with this process before your baby arrives! You should also discuss how long each parent will be able to breastfeed after birth as well as what kind of formula they'll use (whether it's organic or not).
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Decide who will take care of the baby when they are born. Since each family situation is different, determine who will take care of the baby if one parent goes back to work after delivery or if both parents work outside the home (such as in an office).
- Get out of your comfort zone. Talk to as many people as you possibly can before becoming a parent. More than just learning about the ins and outs of parenthood, you're also learning how to talk to other people about this important life change. As a result, you'll soon be more comfortable with engaging in these conversations and asking the many questions that inevitably come up when new parents are on their parenting journeys.