Preparing Yourselves for a Baby
Having a baby will bring about many changes for you and your family. By doing your best to anticipate some of the possible financial effects, you can be sure to prepare yourselves without breaking the bank.
Here are a couple of items that will have a financial impact as you prepare for the baby:
Maternity Clothes
As much as women everywhere would wish it to be otherwise, investing in at least some maternity clothes is usually unavoidable. And, if you aren't careful, it's pretty easy to spend more than you'd like just trying to stay presentable at work. While buying a few new quality pieces may be reasonable, you should really watch your budget when considering these items.
Fortunately, other mothers are often more than willing to pass on their maternity wears, either as a loan or as part of a more elaborate hand-me-down process. If you don't have friends with hand-me-downs that will work, consignment stores are great places to find quality maternity wear at a reasonable price. Keep in mind that you'll also need to look for a few pairs of larger shoes, especially during the last few months of your pregnancy.
Childbirth and Parenting Classes
Oddly enough, with all the pressure to buy merchandise in anticipation of new baby's arrival, many expecting couples overlook devoting some of their budget to these important classes. While some childbirth and parenting classes can be somewhat expensive, they may be well worth the money you'll spend. Be sure to do your research before committing your time and money, though. Ask for class recommendations from other new and expecting parents, especially if they seem to share similar views on childbirth and parenting. If you find that these classes just aren't in your budget, most hospitals offer a variety of low-cost or free classes that review many aspects of childbirth and parenting. These discussions can range in topic from how epidurals work to natural childbirth techniques, from infant CPR training to diapering 101.
You may also want to consider hiring a doula, someone trained to help the mother during labor, especially if you elect for a natural childbirth. Doulas will also help new mothers still recovering from childbirth with basic tasks at home during those first few weeks. If you don't live close to friends and family, this may be a smart service to consider. Breastfeeding mothers may also want to think about paying for a few sessions with a lactation consultant to help them with those challenging first few weeks. These sessions are usually inexpensive, and many hospitals now have lactation consultants on staff, available at no additional charge to you.
