It can be hard to know what to do when your baby arrives. Many people make a big fuss of getting some baby announcements printed so that they can send them off to everyone that they know. This is a good idea if you want to spread the word quickly and know that everyone is aware of your news and it may also prompt people to send you a gift, which is always nice. However it is worth thinking it through first. When you have just had a baby, especially the first one it can be an exhausting time. You are tired after the birth anyway with your body recovering. Giving yourself ore work, such as organising birth announcements is probably not a good idea, so if you do want to do them, get it all organised before the baby is born or get your partner to do it for you. You may have already done baby shower invitations and that could be a way to make things easier – by using the same printing company etc.

If sending out the announcement cards does encourage people to send you gifts I am sure you will most grateful. But you will need to send out thank you letters which will be something else that you will need to take some time to organise and could be difficult to do. People who have had children will understand how much hard work it is and may not expect one but for others they will expect it and it is always nice to thank someone for a gift, even if it is just a very short letter, as it shows that you have received it. If you have been given the gift in person then I am sure a thank you at that time is acceptable and perhaps for some people a telephone call or email would do. There are some people that always expect a letter, probably those form a certain generation and it is likely that you know who they are and so should make sure that you do send one.

It is a good idea to plan things like this before the baby comes. It may seem that you will have lots of time but you will be very busy with bathing, dressing, feeding and winding the baby as well as cuddling and getting it to sleep. You will need to find time to sleep and rest yourself as well as keep your house up together and find time for your partner. You will also need to go out for walks and get fresh air – you will find the baby sleeps better if you do. Then you will get a lot of visitors to start with as people will want to come and see the baby and this will not only mean you need time to entertain them but you will have to make sure the house is looking clean and tidy as well as making sure you have enough food and drinks in for entertaining them. It is worth thinking about.