Parenting: How New Moms Can Get Organized

* Line up help. Whether you’re hiring a British-trained nanny, a doula or enlisting the help of mom and sis, make sure you are covered for help. You can always send the help home, but if you have a unexpected C-section and a colicky baby, you’ll be grateful for the extra set of hands to cook food, walk the boards with the baby or just run errands for you. Do this two months before the baby comes.

April Masini’s top four tips on how new moms can best be organized for the arrival of their little one.

* A nursing notebook. Whether you are planning on nursing on a schedule, or not, it’s a good idea to keep track of when you nurse your baby, for how long, and on which side. While it may seem silly now, you’re going to want to get to know your baby’s eating habits, and your bodies milk producing habits for optimal results and to counter any tummy problems (the baby’s) or nursing problems.

* Thank you notes. Buy a couple boxes of thank you notes and write them in your down time. You will get lots of gifts, and it’s nice to have the thank you notes bought in advance — and don’t forget the stamps!

* Fix your appliances — especially your washing machine and dryer. Get those appliances tuned up and repaired if necessary. You/’d be surprised how many spit up rags, clothes and linens you’ll want to wash. You might want to get some gentle laundry soap for the baby’s items in case he or she has sensitive skin.