There is a lot to be done before you bring your baby home, and that goes beyond the adoption process. While you’re waiting for your child to arrive, there are some preparations you will want to make in your home, as well. Taking time to do them now will help ease your transition into having a child (or another child) at home.
The Baby’s Room
You will want a crib, changing table, garbage can, shelving, and maybe a rocking chair or recliner – not to mention all the adorable décor! There are a lot of choices when it comes to baby equipment, so start your shopping and decorating early – it may take longer than you think. If you want the baby to sleep with you for awhile, there are co-sleepers that attach to your bed to give you the opportunity to stay close while keeping the child safe, as well.
Stock Up
You will want a healthy supply of diapers, wipes, and formula, but don’t go overboard. Keep in mind you don’t know exactly how big the baby will be or how fast he or she will grow. If you get too many newborn diapers, for example, you might be left with a lot of extras if he or she grows out of them quickly.
Consider setting up a diaper subscription or repeat order with Amazon or another retailer so you don’t have to worry about running out. This way you also don’t have to find room to store boxes upon boxes of products. These subscriptions can easily be changed as you realize your baby needs a new size or more (or fewer) diapers each month.
Prepare for Guests
If you know you will have family and other visitors coming over to meet the baby, make sure your guest bedroom and bathroom are ready, and stock up on any extra snacks and drinks to avoid last-minute trips to the grocery store. You will want to spend as much time as possible with your new bundle of joy.
Meal Time
Being a good parent means taking care of yourself too! You will probably be short on sleep during the first few months, but you don’t need to be short on nutrition as well. Feed yourself well by preparing a freezer full of meals in advance. There are websites and recipe books devoted to this kind of meal prep, so start cooking!
Make soups and casseroles that can easily be frozen in a freezer bag and heated in a slow cooker when you are ready to eat. Be sure to carefully label each item so you don’t have any surprises. Also, keep a supply of fruit, hummus, veggies, and nuts on hand so you can snack in a healthy way too, to keep your energy up throughout the day.
Safety First
Though it will be a few months before your baby is walking around and potentially bumping her head on coffee tables, those months will go by more quickly than you might think. If you have time now, you might as well start baby-proofing your home:
- Cover all outlets.
- Install latches on all low drawers and cupboards. Make sure all cleaning products, medicines, and other poisonous or dangerous items are in latched or locked cupboards.
- If something can fit through a toilet paper roll, it presents a choking hazard. Put those small items out of reach.
- Place padding or bumpers on the hard edges of tables and chairs.
- Use safety gates at the stairs.
- Check your window treatments. The cords on draperies and blinds can be dangerous for children. If possible, replace corded window coverings with safer options; you can read more about window covering safety here.
- Make sure your windows are locked or that they can’t be opened more than a couple of inches.
- Keep emergency phone numbers handy and stock your first aid kit.
It is hard to think of everything before the baby arrives, but every step you take gives you one less thing to think about after he or she is home with you, allowing you to focus more attention on your newest family member. If you have any questions about preparing your home for the baby as you move through the adoption process, please contact us. If you are just starting the adoption journey, we’re here for that as well! The sooner you get started, the sooner your family can grow. Get started here!
Brittany is the Office Manager and Paralegal for Adoption Choices of Colorado. Brittany is the newest member of the Adoption Choices family and has loved every minute of it! Brittany first became involved in adoption while working at an adoption agency in Utah. She started as a child care provider to the birth mothers, worked up to birth mother helper and lastly worked as Administrative Assistant, answering phones, having constant communication with adoptive families, maintaining the adoptive family files and running a monthly adoptive family training. Brittany traveled all over for adoptions in different states and would be there to support both sides during this amazing experience. It was through working at the Utah adoption agency that Brittany discovered her love for adoption and legal work. Her career path had been decided, Brittany moved to Colorado in 2010 to go back to school to become a Paralegal. At Adoption Choices of Colorado, she does all of the filing for adoptive parents and birth parents, preparing documents and supporting the staff with any task given to her. She is in daily contact with families, and loves helping each and every one of them on their journeys through adoption. Each day is different and that is the biggest thing that she loves about adoption. There is always something new and a challenge to overcome. Brittany sees the true meaning in adoption and the real “why” in the work that is done with adoption agencies. Seeing an adoptive family with their baby is the best feeling, knowing that a dream came true for that family! In her free time Brittany enjoys each moment with her husband and 2 daughters. Brittany also enjoys camping, hiking, vacationing, baking and reading.
Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine