21 September 2025
So you’re expecting your first baby (or thinking about it)? CONGRATS! That’s huge. I’m not gonna hit you with a lecture, let’s just chat like I would if you texted me at 11pm like:
You: “Omg, I don’t even know where to start with this baby planning thing.”
Me: “Lol don’t worry, nobody does. Here’s what I wish someone told me…”
Google will become your bestie and your enemy. You’ll want to look up everything. That’s fine, just stick to good sites like hospital or gov health pages, otherwise random forums will convince you of the worst. Also, baby expos? Kinda fun, actually. Free samples, hands-on demos, and a way to see gear in real life instead of endless online scrolling.
Hospital classes sound boring, but they’re super useful. You’ll learn things like how to swaddle without making your baby look like a crumpled burrito, what to really expect during labor, and you’ll meet other first-timers who become your “panic together” squad. It's a completely safe environment as everyone is there for the same reason!
Family and friends will throw advice at you left and right. Some of it’s gold, some of it’s outdated. The trick is to ask them for just their one best tip. That way you get gems like “you’ll never have too many burp cloths” without getting drowned in 50 parenting lectures.
Baby Expos are also a fantastic way to gather invaluable information, they run sessions on swaddling, baby CPR and many other topics that first time parents have always wanted to know (and nab some quality products while you're there!)
Names are fun until they’re stressful. Make a shortlist, live with it, and test it out. Say it out loud with your last name, imagine yelling it across a playground, and see if it still feels right. A couple of friends told us they were still tossing up between names up until birth, but the moment you see them, you will know which one is right.
And yeah… money. Not glamorous, but important. Babies can blow up a budget real quick. Decide what’s essential (not the $500 bassinet), plan for any drop in income if one of you is on leave, and sketch out a budget so the surprises aren’t as painful.
Last big one: the health system. Depending where you are, you’ll probably need to choose public or private. Private usually means picking your own doctor and maybe a nicer room, but it can be pricey unless your insurance covers it. Public is usually more affordable and solid care, just less choice. Either way, register early because hospitals fill up.
And here’s the truth bomb: when it happens and you don’t feel ready, you’re not alone. No one is really ever ready. Even when people think they are, they usually realize they aren’t. Parenting isn’t about being perfectly prepared—it’s about letting it come naturally. Everything happens for a reason, and you’ll figure it out as you go.