Health Tip: Preparing for Parenthood

Get organized before the baby is born

(HealthDay News) -- Although you can never fully prepare for the experience of caring for a new baby, there are plenty of issues to resolve before baby arrives.

Here are guidelines to help prepare for your newborn, courtesy of the American Pregnancy Association:

• Take parenting classes to help learn basic care, parenting skills and building family relationships.
• Make sure you have the essentials, including a car seat, crib, plenty of diapers, bottles and formula.
• Take a first aid class to learn CPR and other emergency basics.
• Figure out how much maternity or paternity leave you need, complete the paperwork, and settle everything with your job before the baby is born.
• Select a pediatrician, and devise an emergency plan in case of illness.

-- Diana Kohnle

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Last updated 3/18/2008.

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