You will probably overbuy baby stuff. Just make sure you can return it or pass it on.

You will probably need something you don’t have for the baby. Yes, babies have the same base needs, but individual babies may have different needs. For instance, they may not tolerate the bibs you have for them. You didn’t mess up if you missed something, that’s just life.

Get ready to do lots of laundry. Babies produce so, so much laundry. Spitting up on things. Blowout diapers. Other mystery substances. Get all of your fussy, non machine washable clothes and set them aside for a few months.

Make sure you can feed yourselves with little friction for the first few months. Your exhausted, sleep deprived self will thank you. Freeze some meals. Make meal plans ahead of time. Convenience food.

If you are having a biological child, and you are not the carrying parent, this next part is important. Have you ever had surgery, especially major surgery? Remember how much rest and sleep you needed to recover? Giving birth is pretty much exactly like that. (Yes, both C-section and vaginal birth.) But, after the procedure, you don’t get to sleep or rest. You have a small creature that depends on you for ALL of its needs, and it will communicate in such a way that it may not be apparent what the problem is. Breastfeeding too? Then you must either feed the child yourself or pump ahead of time so someone else can. There may be a 10 pound weight limit on how much you can carry. Guess what weighs about 10 pounds and keeps getting bigger? And did you know if you carry it with its car seat, it likely weighs MORE than 10 pounds?

If you’re not the carrying parent, make sure they can rest as much as you possibly can make it. Recruit help from trusted friends and family. It could even be for the dishes, laundry, cleaning, or cooking. It doesn’t even have to be baby care if they aren’t comfortable with babies but still want help.

If you are, don’t be afraid to assert yourself with your partner if they are slacking with the division of labor.