Preparing for Parenting: Tips for Disabled Parents

This content was submitted by guest blogger, Ashley Taylor from disabledparents.org

Preparing your life and home for a new child isn’t a task to be taken lightly; there’s a lot of planning involved, preparations to make, and worries to handle. For many new parents, the thought of making such serious changes to their lifestyle is stressful because they don’t want to make any mistakes. Every parent wants a perfect environment for their little one to grow up in.

For those parents who are living with a disability, it can be difficult to make some of those changes simply because they have specific needs that have to be considered. If you have mobility concerns, for instance, figuring out the best way to handle all those nightly feedings and changes can bring anxiety. The best way to reduce those feelings is to start with a good plan for your little one while keeping your needs in mind. Make safety modifications as needed to your home, and consider small ways you can change your lifestyle that will benefit you in the long run.

Keep reading for some great tips on how to prepare your life and home for a new baby.

Childproof your home

One task that will give you peace of mind early on is childproofing. There are many ways this can be done, so it’s best to do some research to find out what you might need for your home. It’s easy for many parents to put this off because they know their infant won’t be thinking about getting into kitchen cabinets, but time flies, and before you know it, your tiny bundle of joy will be crawling.

Start in the rooms you know you’ll be using the most; the living room, for instance, should have electrical outlet covers and anti-tipping devices on pieces of furniture. The kitchen should have child locks on every cabinet and drawer, and you might also check to see if the knobs on your stove are removable. These are great tips on how to make your home safe and keep in mind that if you can’t do it all yourself, there are people you can hire to help. Just make sure they are a member of the International Association for Child Safety.

Prepare the nursery

It’s important to think about what will make your life easier once the baby comes. If he’ll be sleeping in a bassinet in your bedroom at first, create a small station near your bed that can hold extra diapers and wipes, burp cloths, bottles, and anything else you might need in the middle of the night. If you’ll be breastfeeding, it’s also a good idea to keep a large refillable bottle of water nearby so you stay hydrated.

The nursery should be a comfortable space for both you and the baby. You might include a soft chair that will help you rock him back to sleep, or invest in a crib that will allow you to change the height of the mattress as the baby grows so you’ll always have easy access to him.

Relax

It’s important to learn how to relax, breathe deeply, and feel confident in your abilities before the baby comes. This will help reduce stress and will allow you to enjoy your time with your child. Consider trying yoga and/or meditation, which can help boost your mental health and will give you the chance to focus on the present rather than worrying about the past or future.

Preparing for parenthood comes with a lot to think about, but it doesn’t have to be a time for anxiety. Start with a good plan, and talk to your family and loved ones about what your needs are so they can be of help when you need it.