When you reach a time in your life where you want to start a family with your significant other, it will be the start of a new and exciting chapter in both of your lives. As easy as it can be to get swept up in the excitement of expecting your first child, it is crucial that you give some thought to making practical preparations ahead of time. It is no secret that a newborn is a lot of hard work and sleepless nights, so you won’t have the time nor energy after they arrive to deal with sorting out money or making the house safe for them.

To help you use the time you have left effectively, this guide has broken down what you need to do into three simple tasks. When you have completed these, you will be in a much better position to welcome your new child into the world the right way.

Modify your home

You will want your home to be safe for when your baby starts crawling and eventually walking. Even though this might not be for some months after your child is born, it is good to get these things in place now so that you and your partner can get used to them and safety becomes second nature. Going online and finding some good ideas for making your home safe for a baby is a great way to start.

The two most important things you will need are:

• A stair gate at the top and bottom of the stairs to prevent falls
• Padding on all sharp corners (such as on coffee tables and chairs) to prevent banging heads

Plan finances accordingly

Growing a family is certain to cause some financial strain. While it may be ideal to have finances in order before deciding to have a child, the reality is that this is not always the case. Below are some tips that can help families manage their finances with a new baby.

• Accept help: ask friends, family, and community members for gently-used items in good condition, such as clothes, a crib, or a baby bathtub. Car seats, however, should not be accepted. Second hand items can save a lot versus buying brand new.
• Anticipate expenses: Ask family and friends about their regular expenses in raising their children. One of the most notorious expenses is around diapers. Understanding how much budget you will need to reallocate towards your new child will let you know if you need to cut down on other expenses.

While there is planning that can be done to help with your finances, there may be situations in which you find yourself overwhelmed. If for example, the budget you need for a new car seat is simply unavailable when you need it, you can consider obtaining a loan to finance this necessary expense.

Do your research

The last thing you need to do is your research into what you need to do to prepare for your baby. Part of this will mean modifying your home and sorting money as mentioned above, but there is lots more to think about as well.

Putting together a check-list of what clothes, equipment, and supplies you are going to need and buying them in bulk to store away is a fantastic idea to be prepared ahead of time. Along with this, thinking about looking for a home with more space or a safer car is always going to be a worthwhile investment.