Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Things to Do While Waiting

So while we have been working on project Noah I have been doing a lot of reading from the agency. I was reading a section on how to keep you busy with your time while you are waiting. Here is their list...

Things to Do While Waiting

Waiting for the phone to ring or an email to appear in your inbox from a birth family can feel like it takes an eternity. But there are helpful and productive things that you can do to help pass the time until you welcome your baby home.
Some Things to Do While Waiting For Baby:
  • Seek support from other people adopting either through local support groups or the IAC forums and adoption support groups.
  • Take a class in newborn care.
  • Take an infant/child CPR & First Aid class.
  • Read about open adoption, parenting and general infant/child care.
  • Talk to your employer and start planning for time away from the office if necessary.
  • Research and select baby furniture (it can take months to order).
  • Research car seats and strollers, with an eye towards a purchase.
  • If you have purchased a car seat already, learn how to install it, then get it checked by a car seat specialist (call your local police department for assistance).
  • Research and select a pediatrician.
  • Select names for each gender (this is a common question from potential birth families).
  • Discuss and research discipline styles/techniques.
  • Research and select a childcare provider (if you are going to work).
  • Research new parenting techniques i.e., baby massage, using sign language, etc.
  • Make some reheat-able quick meals and store in the freezer.
  • Research baby announcements, do-it-yourself or order?
  • Start a life book of your adoption journey for your child.
  • Discuss and make decisions about new wills, life insurance and a guardian for your child.
  • Research and request forms to add your new baby to your health insurance plan.
  • Research any parental/family leave policies with your employer.
  • Research and decide about adoptive breastfeeding.
  • Research and decide about cord blood banking.
  • Research and purchase new baby/brother/sister books for the older sibling(s), if applicable.
  • Discuss what type of new baby/welcome home celebration you want to have.
  • Research and learn how to prevent SIDS.
  • Prepare a first aid kit specifically for children (consult your pediatrician or the Red Cross).
  • Tidy up your closets and storage space.
  • Prepare the nursery.
  • Talk to your friends and family about open adoption.
  • Start a journal or blog about your adoption journey. A journal can record the milestones and detours, as well as your first rush of love for your child.
  • Take advantage of special opportunities with your current family.
One thing that caught my eye that I really haven't even researched is adoption breast feeding. So I have been doing research all day long. I have found amazing information that supports breast feeding and I have read stories of woman that have breast feed their adoptive child. Is it something I want to do. Not quite sure but It is defiantly going to be occupying some of my time. I will post some of the information I find.

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