Adopting a baby is a very personal journey, and whatever the reasons why you find yourself at this important juncture of your life, you need to be prepared from a practical perspective. A baby is a baby, whether you gave birth to her or are adopting her. All babies need the same amount of care, and it’s wise to have everything ready before the phone call comes to say you have been matched with a baby.
Some would-be mothers might feel they are tempting fate to have everything ready long before they are approved as an adoptive parent, but unless you know there is a chance you might not be successful, it’s better to start getting your home ready long before the day comes when you have a much longed-for baby in your arms.
Essential Care Items for a Baby
Begin by putting a care package of essentials in place.
Your new baby will need plenty of clothing - far more than you might expect for one so small. Have a selection of gender-neutral garments ready. Onesies and tops/bottoms and vests are all essential wear for a baby. Buy some in the age range you expect your adopted baby to fall into, taking into account the fact that babies can vary considerably in size, depending on their age and whether they are born prematurely. Your baby will need some outer garments, depending on the ambient temperatures when he arrives.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on brand-new clothes. There are always cheap second-hand basic garments for babies available online. As long as you wash them well when you receive them, they will be fine as a starter wardrobe. You can always splash out on new clothes when your adopted baby arrives.
Nappies are essential. Have packs in different sizes, so you know for sure you’ll have the right size if the baby arrives unexpectedly. Consider whether you want to use disposables (not great for the environment), or reusable nappies, and perhaps a laundry service. Research the pros and cons of each, so you can make an informed decision.
Pick up an assortment of creams, wipes, and other cleaning accessories. All babies suffer from nappy rash from time to time, so it’s handy to have some nappy cream read for when you might need it.
Baby formula is also essential since you won’t be breastfeeding. There are several different brands of baby formula, but it’s sensible to choose a reputable one from a brand you know you can trust, such as S26 Gold newborn. The S-26 Gold from Alula is the most advanced baby formula in Australia and is suitable for babies 0-6 months.
As well as formula, you’ll need a selection of feeding accessories, such as milk bottles with different sized teats and a bottle sterilising unit, cleaning brushes, and a bottle warmer. Burping cloths and bibs are useful. Some babies sick up milk after each feed, and it can soon get messy.
Decide whether you want to use pacifiers. Not all parents like them, but they can be useful if a baby won’t settle.
Prepare Your Home
The next item on our shopping list is a baby car seat. Always buy a brand-new baby car seat, as you never know if a second-hand baby seat has been involved in a crash, which would potentially damage the integrity of the seat’s structure.
Pick a car seat manufactured by a trusted brand and ask the store to help you fix it in place. Practice putting the car seat in your vehicle, so it becomes second nature when the time comes. All young babies should be in a rear-facing car seat. Do not fix a car seat in place in a seat with airbags, as this can potentially be fatal.
Prepare Your Home
Once you know the baby’s arrival is imminent, you can get your home ready for his arrival.
Newborn babies are not mobile, but once a baby is old enough to crawl, you need to babyproof your home with stair gates, cupboard locks, fireguards, and place all dangerous items well out of reach. It’s also a good idea to fix heavy items of furniture to walls, such as bookcases, wardrobes, chests of drawers, etc. Pad sharp corners of coffee tables and cupboards, so your baby doesn’t fall into them and hurt herself. Place covers on power outlets.
Notify Family, Friends, and Employers
Your family and friends will probably already know about your adoption journey, but if they don’t, now is a good time to tell them. You will also need to let your employer know, so they can plan for a leave of absence – you may be entitled to maternity leave, so check this well in advance.
Adopting a baby is a wonderful chance to be a parent and give a child a chance of a better life, but make sure you have plenty of practical and emotional support, as parenting is often a difficult job!
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