• Getting Ready for the Big Day

    Birth

    After nine months of nervous anticipation, parents cannot wait to welcome their child to the world on his or her first birthday. While preparing for a baby birth may seem easy enough, there is more than meets the eye, and many new parents feel overwhelmed with the steps that are involved following child birth.

    A Time of Firsts

    The birth of a child brings excitement from friends and family, and there will likely be a large number of gifts full of birth stone colors, elaborate wrapping and good wishes. Furthermore, parents must prepare if they wish to create a birth video to commemorate the event as well as prepare the birth announcement for the newspaper.

    Not Your Typical Birthday Party

    A child's first birthday party is far different than any that will follow. Aside from the obvious facts that they have no friends to invite over for a party and are much too young to blow out candles on a birthday cake they cannot eat, there are many things that the parents need to do in order to get their child started as a citizen. With a rising birth rate, more new parents are introduced every day, and it can be easy for them to become lost in the whirlwind that is bringing a new child into the world. From the confusing birth chart to birth records and other documentation that must be completed, it is important to outline the key tasks that must be completed.

    Birth Certificate

    One of the first orders of business is to fill out the necessary forms to receive a birth certificate. The nurse or midwife assisting with the birth will provide the parents with a certificate of live birth that contains the baby's name as well as the parents' names and identifying information.

    If the hospital does not provide a birth certificate order form, one they can be obtained from Vital Statistics. Hospitals often provide a temporary certificate to be used until the official one is obtained; however, it is important to note that many organizations will not acknowledge this document.

    Social Security Card

    A child will also need a social security card to function in society, and this is another order of business on a child's first birthday. Paperwork is normally provided by the hospital staff or midwife to guide parents through the process of setting up this important number.