Entrepreneur and new mother, Chinu Kala, says it’s important to plan ahead when you’re expecting your bundle of joy
1 It’s very important to make space beforehand for your baby. You should have a clear idea where to place the cot, the nursing chairs etc,
2 Pick a cot that’s neither too big, nor too small; so that it can be used for a newborn and then till the baby grows up a bit.
3 Keep an eye out for the padding on the cot. I picked up one with tie-up padding and net drapes.
4 Make plenty of wardrobe space. Somehow babies tend to have almost double of what we have in terms of clothes and other paraphernalia. I went and bought a new wardrobe.
5 Shop for the baby’s essentials beforehand. Once the baby arrives, the mother has no energy or time to go out for shopping, till at least the first month is over.
6 Make a list of things you might need — nail clippers, rompers, diapers, etc and stock up.
7 If you’re doing up the nursery, go with neutral colours, instead of blues and pinks, because you have no idea whether it’s a boy or a girl. Pleasant peaches or pastel greens are soothing and appropriate for a baby’s room.
8 Stay prepared for the guests who drop in to see the baby. Keep hand sanitisers nearby and if you’re giving out gifts, keep them wrapped, labelled and ready. That’s what I did.
9 Baby-proofing a house takes a long time. Try and think ahead. Remove glass artefacts and tables, make plug points child-proof and try to keep furniture that have rounded edges. Remove all sharp objects.
10 Make sure you have some time to yourself. It might be as simple as listening to your favourite music while feeding the baby, which I do all the time, or getting back to your usual life. While a baby is the biggest priority, make sure you don’t forget to take care of your own well-being, because a happy mother takes better care of her baby.
— As told to Anindita Mitra
