Dressing your newborn baby doesn't have to be expensive. Don't be shy about asking friends and family members for hand-me-downs. Those who aren't planning any more children will probably be glad to get rid of them. Get together with your women in your prenatal class, and arrange a swap session-many moms may have older children of a different sex than the new baby, and have no need for pink T-shirts, or polo shirts! While the idea of your baby wearing "used" clothing may take some getting used to, rest assured that most babywear is hardly worn.
Look on the internet for end-of-season sales, and even on some of the auction sites, where you can often pick up designer goodies for a fraction of the original price. Visit your yard sales or garage sales. Shop around; you don't have to pay a lot for items such as sleep sacks and will find inexpensive prices in the supermarket. Make a purchase with your weekly grocery shopping and you won't notice the cost as much.
Remember, too, that you will probably receive numerous gifts of clothing when your baby is born. If you know exactly what you'd like, you may like to create a gift registry from a favorite store or ask people for gift certificates for that store. When looking for more expensive items of clothing, head for the three- to six-month-old rack, so that your baby will get plenty of use out of them. It can be disappointing if your newborn only gets a couple of weeks' wear out of an outfit you like.
Knitting your own baby clothes is a great way to save money, and it can be rewarding to see your newborn in your own creations.
It's quite normal to feel concerned about getting through labor on the day, and focusing on your partner and attending to her needs may help keep you distracted and reduce your anxiety. If possible, try to develop a good relationship in the coming weeks with your partner's caregivers. This way you'll feel more able to express any worries you're having, and hopefully get the reassurance and information you need.
If you find yourself feeling woozy on the day, try to leave the room since the nurses and doctor will be focused on caring for your partner. If you don't have time to leave the room to seek help when you feel faint, sit down immediately, with your head lower than your hips, or lie down with your feet raised. Try to stop yourself from panicking by taking slow, deep breaths. You'll find that the feeling passes quickly.
A good tip is to ensure that you are not too hot and to eat and drink regularly to prevent your feeling faint due to low blood sugar.
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