If you’re expecting a little bundle of joy any time soon, you’re undoubtedly already planning ways to make a smooth transition into parenthood. Although you can’t prepare for all the bumps along the road, here are a few things you can do to make this time a little easier:

1. Cook and freeze meals before baby is born. You can do this by having a big day of cooking (be sure to ask family and friends to pitch in!) or by simply doubling or tripling your favorite recipes and freezing the leftovers. Then when baby arrives all you’ll have to do is reheat the frozen meals and voila, dinner is done. Use disposable containers and you won’t even have any mess to clean up!

3. Address and add postage to the envelopes you’ll need for birth announcements. When baby is born you can have inexpensive announcements made up at your local print shop. Include a photo, all baby’s birth details and a short personal message. There’s no need to write anything on them. Just put them in the envelopes and mail them out.

4. Think ahead about any gifts and/or cards you’ll need. For the first couple of months after baby arrives you may not feel up to going shopping. If you do great! But if you don’t it will be helpful to have everything you need already for birthdays, anniversaries and other upcoming special events. Be sure to remember the wrapping paper, tape, bows and ribbons as well.

2. If you have dogs, introduce them to baby’s scent. If you’re a dog owner you probably know how much chaos they can cause when they’re not happy. Let your furry friends get used to baby by bringing a blanket or clothing home from the hospital and letting the dogs smell it before baby arrives home. Once they know baby’s scent they’ll be less likely to be traumatized when you show up with their new competition!

5. Test all of baby’s products so you know how they work. Practice using the carseat, walk around with a doll in the sling and disassemble products such as your breast pump. Knowing how these things work can save you frustration once baby arrives and you’re ready to start using them.

6. Plan a “meet the baby day”. If you’re worried that you’ll have lots of unannounced visitors during the first few weeks, get it out of the way all at once by having a “meet the baby day”. Invite everyone over for a couple of hours at a time that is convenient for you. While they’re there don’t be shy about mentioning that the reason for the meet and greet is so you can some time alone with your baby for a few weeks.