Preparing For Baby + Free Birth Plan
When expecting a baby, many parents spend time planning for the pregnancy and birth.
Equally important is planning for your new life after baby is here.
Use this as a starting point to discuss and think about what you want life to be like the first few months of baby’s life.
First 24 Hours
How will you announce baby’s arrival? (Call, text, social media post, announce right away or wait a little bit of time).
What family and friends can come visit first?
Are you having people bring meals via a meal train? Who is creating that for you?
How often will meals be delivered? Everyday/every other day?
How long will you be at the birth center or hospital?
Breastfeed or formula feed?
If formula, what kind are you going to get? (Donor milk, goat milk, Synthetic milk)
Do you have a contact for breastfeeding help and advice? (chiro, doula, lactation expert)
Cloth or disposable diapers?
If you have older kids, will they be at the birth or how will they meet their new sibling?
Will you pump? Do you have a breast pump? Do you have a pumping bra? Do you know
how to use it? Do you have a pumping system? Bottles or bags?
Pacifier yes/no?
First Few Weeks
Where will baby sleep? Bassinet, crib, pack‘n’play, co-sleep?
What time is best for people to come over to visit or drop off meals?
How long can they stay?
People like to help so what are you comfortable with them doing?
Do you have a family member or friend able to come over and help with household chores
or to watch baby so mom can rest/sleep?
What is your recovery plan?
Having a baby takes time to heal and recover and the more interventions the longer it
may take to heal. So, when will you be visiting your chiropractor? OB/midwife?
When will you start taking walks? How can you add little movements every day to continue to get stronger and stronger?
New Lifestyle
When or will you go back to work?
Who will watch baby?
What are parenting roles? What expectations does mom have? Spouse/partner have?
What are the grandparents’ expectations?
Who is your pediatrician?
Who is your family wellness chiropractor?
Who is your community for family, baby questions about milestones, growth spurts,
illnesses?
If you have postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety who will be your point of
contact for checking in? Friend, family member, doctor?
Books To Check Out
I wanted to share the birth plan I used with my last child. If you’re planning a birth, and this fits with what you have in mind, please download for free below.
I hope you found this helpful! Share with an excepting loved one and help them prepare for a fantastic pregnancy and beyond.
xo Christina