What Nobody Tells You: 5 Things to Prepare Before Your Baby Arrives Beyond the Baby Essentials
Things to Prepare Before Your Baby Arrives: Birth, Feeding, Newborn Sleep, Postpartum Recovery and Support
It’s easy to spend pregnancy preparing for the baby. The pram, the clothes, the nursery, the car seat. But when you start thinking about the things to prepare before your baby arrives, there are a few things that are much harder to buy and much more important to prepare for.
What do I need to prepare? What happens when I go into labour? Will I know what to do? What will the first nights with my baby actually be like? And who will help me once I come home?
It’s easy to spend pregnancy preparing for the baby. The pram, the clothes, the nursery, the car seat.
But there are a few things that are much harder to buy and much more important to prepare for.
Birth. Feeding. Newborn sleep. Your recovery. And your support network.
And if you’re having your baby abroad, there may be even more to think about.
What Should I Actually Prepare Before My Baby Arrives?
You don't need to have everything figured out.
But understanding what is coming can make the transition into parenthood feel less overwhelming.
These are the five things I would encourage you to think about before your baby arrives.
Want to feel more prepared for birth and baby?
If you're pregnant and wondering what you really need to know before your baby arrives, I’d love to invite you to my free Birth & Baby Masterclass.
We’ll talk about birth, your baby, those first weeks after birth and some of the things that aren't always talked about enough.
1. How Can I Prepare for Birth?
You can't control exactly how your birth will unfold, but you can prepare yourself for the possibilities.
Learn about how labour starts, the different stages of birth and the options that may be available to you.
Think about your preferences and what helps you feel safe.
And don't forget your partner.
They don't need to become an expert in birth, but they can learn how to support your breathing, help you feel calm, understand your preferences and know what you might need from them.
Birth preparation isn't about making sure everything goes according to plan. It's about understanding your options and feeling confident when things change.
2. What Should I Know About Feeding My Baby?
Whether you plan to breastfeed, use formula or you're still deciding, it can help to understand what those first days might look like.
If you want to breastfeed, learn about things like colostrum, feeding frequency and getting a good latch.
And most importantly, know where to get help.
Breastfeeding is natural, but that doesn't always mean it's easy.
Sometimes you need support.
Needing help with feeding doesn't mean you've failed.
Knowing who you can contact before your baby arrives can make a huge difference when you're tired and trying to figure everything out.
3. What Is Newborn Sleep Really Like?
One of the biggest surprises for new parents can be how different newborn sleep is from what they imagined.
Your baby may wake frequently to feed. They may sleep for short periods and make lots of noises while they're sleeping.
They may grunt, squeak, move or even make little cries without actually being fully awake.
And sometimes, keeping your baby awake longer can make settling harder because they become overtired.
Learning your baby's early sleepy cues can help:
✔ Staring or looking away
✔ Slower movements
✔ Less engagement
✔ Yawning
✔ Fussiness
And remember, newborns need connection.
Rocking, feeding, cuddling and shushing your baby to sleep are all ways of helping them feel safe and settled.
Safe sleep should always come first.
4. How Do I Prepare for Postpartum Recovery?
This is something I wish more parents thought about before their baby arrived.
Because everyone asks:
What does the baby need?
But who is looking after you?
After birth, you may be recovering physically, adjusting to hormonal changes, learning to feed your baby and waking throughout the night.
So think about the practical things now.
Who will...
✔ Cook?
✔ Do the shopping?
✔ Help with cleaning?
✔ Look after older children?
✔ Help with pets?
✔ Bring you food?
✔ Give you 30 minutes to shower or rest?
You don't need a perfect home after having a baby.
Your priority is recovering and getting to know your baby.
5. Who Will Support Me After My Baby Arrives?
This is especially important if you're having your baby abroad.
Maybe your family lives in another country.
Maybe your closest friends aren't nearby.
Maybe you're living in Spain but haven't yet built a community.
So ask yourself now:
Who will I call when I need help?
Your support network could be your partner, friends, other parents, an antenatal group, a doula or people you've met during pregnancy.
When I was pregnant in London, I joined an NCT antenatal group. At first, I thought I was simply going there to learn about birth.
But I ended up meeting people who became part of my community.
We had babies at around the same time. We were all figuring out breastfeeding, sleep and those exhausting first weeks together.
Some of those friendships have lasted for years.
And that's one of the reasons I believe preparing for your support network is just as important as preparing the nursery.
Preparing for parenthood doesn't have to be something you do alone.
If you're pregnant and living in Spain, my free Birth & Baby Masterclass is a gentle place to start.
You’ll have the opportunity to learn more about preparing for birth, baby and those first weeks as a new parent. ✨
Having Your Baby in Spain?
If you're living in Spain as an expat, you may also have practical questions about having your baby here.
Where will I give birth?
Who do I contact when labour starts?
What happens when I arrive at the hospital?
What documents will I need?
And what if I don't feel completely confident navigating everything in Spanish?
You don't have to figure all of this out alone.
Preparing these practical details before labour begins can help you feel much more confident when the time comes.
You Don't Need to Have Everything Figured Out
You don't need the perfect nursery.
You don't need every baby gadget.
And you don't need to know exactly what kind of parent you're going to be.
What you can do is prepare yourself with knowledge, realistic expectations and support.
Because you're not only preparing for a baby.
You're preparing to become a parent.
And if you're living abroad, you're also building a new community around your growing family.
Need Support Preparing for Birth and Baby?
✨ If you're pregnant and wondering what you really need to know before your baby arrives, I'd love to invite you to my free Birth & Baby Masterclass.
We'll talk about preparing for birth, your baby and those first weeks after birth, including some of the things that aren't always talked about enough.
With love,
Anna
Doula · Lactation Consultant · Gentle Sleep Coach
Supporting Expat Families in Spain
