Things To Ensure Before Planning A Baby

By Pooja Kaushal

Saturday, February 6, 2016, 16:30

Babies bring with them a whole new world. The one you exist in changes forever. This fact may be acceptable to most parents, but many get a little worked up and nervous too.

For many couples, the news of the baby comes in as a surprise, whereas for many it goes as per their plan. If you are planning on expanding your family of two to three, you may want to consider a number of things to plan before your baby enters the world.

Planning a baby is not all that simple; but, at the same time, it is an enjoyable period.

From the moment you decide to have a baby till the moment you hold your little one in your arms, there will be a lot of things for you to do.

In fact, there will be things to ensure before planning for a baby. Only when you have done this, will you be prepared to plan out things for welcoming the baby.

Here, we have a list of things that couples should discuss, consider and think over right from planning a baby to bringing home the new member of their family.

Both are mentally prepared:

This is one of the most important things to plan before your baby is conceived. As a couple, you need to be mentally prepared to become committed parents.

You must be prepared to be there for your child when the need arises. This may mean making a few sacrifices then and there, making tweaks to schedules, etc.

Discussed childcare issues:

How do you intend to manage the childcare issue? It is true that neither parent can be available 24X7. Each one will have work to complete. Are you both comfortable on admitting the child to a daycare or do you intend on having a caretaker at home?

Finances are stable:

Are your finances on a stable ground? As far as possible, this is one of the things to ensure before planning for a baby. After having conceived, there is no going back.

Considered changes in lifestyle:

Life is going to be a rollercoaster ride after the baby enters the world. Your current lifestyle will change such that it will only be with you in your memories.

Are you ready to shift the centre of your universe? This is a big decision that many parents, especially the fathers, have difficulty in adjusting to.

Discussed religion issues if partners are of different religion:

Do you both follow the same religion? If yes, then there is no issue; but if both of you follow different religions, you will have to discuss this issue among yourselves.

What is the path to be followed when it concerns the baby? Even the name can be an issue in such cases. To which religion should the baby's name belong to?

Considered the increase in expenses:

Having a new member in the family means increased expenses. It means re-planning the entire family budget. There may also be unforeseen expenses. Are you ready for such a huge change?

Would-be mother is physically fit:

Of the things to ensure before planning a baby, this is the one that concerns the health of the mother and child.

When making plans for the baby, the would-be mother should consult a doctor and ensure that she is medically fit to deliver a healthy baby. The doctor may also prescribe certain vitamin and mineral supplements to increase the health quotient of the mother-to-be.

Discussed balancing work and childcare:

If both parents are working, then there is a serious need to consider the issue of work and family balance.

You might consider going in for a daycare, but either parent must be available to drop and pick the child from the daycare. If having a caretaker at home, parents need to take measures to ensure that all is safe and secure for the baby.

The baby is the youngest in the family and requires the maximum attention. Your relationship as a couple will take a shift. From being husband and wife, you will become parents.

Things to plan before your baby steps into the family becomes a must, as it is not only concerned with the life of the baby, but yours as a family too.