Being a mom or dad is a full-time job, and so is starting your own business! We know first hand how hard it can be hard to combine the two. Starting up work again after welcoming a new baby can be challenging when your attention, time, and heart are split! Luckily, there are plenty of resources to help make it easier on you. Today we’re sharing a few of those resource— from  doulas in Orange County to business formation services — that you can already start looking into even before the baby arrives to make your life easier further down the road.  

Newborn Care & Postpartum Help

Postpartum support: Find a doula that matches your needs to support you during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum follow-up. A postpartum doula or newborn care specialist will help you navigate the first few months of having a new baby at home through their experience in breastfeeding, sleep routines, baby health, etc., and make it easier to transition into your new life. By having the proper support, you can ensure you're giving your baby the best possible care while also freeing up your time and mind to work on your new business.  

Sort out childcare: Find a sitter or childcare service before your baby is born to make sure they will be available when you need them. You can find a sitter on websites such as Sittercity, through local recommendations from friends and family members, or find local childcare services through listings like this one in San Diego. Make sure you ask about their rates so that there are no surprises later on, interview several candidates, and do a test run so that you're comfortable with their skills before hiring them.  

Company startup support  

Get all the paperwork done: Let's face it — the technical side of setting up a business isn't the most exciting, but it's essential. And if you get it done well ahead of your baby's arrival, you'll feel super prepared and have fewer excuses to put it off!  

You might want to think about forming an LLC for your business, given its many benefits, such as having a lower tax rate and fewer paperwork requirements. And most importantly, it can protect your personal assets in case of a lawsuit. Make sure you're aware of the specific LLC requirements in your state, as these vary. Contact an LLC formation service that can do the legwork for you efficiently and at an affordable cost if you don’t know how to form an LLC, file an annual report, etc.  

Nail down your business plan and financing: Make the most of the time before the baby comes when you still have more control of your schedule and don't have to split your time to nail down all of the nitty-gritty details of your business plan. This way, you'll already have well-thought-out guidelines to execute, which will be much easier to fit in between baby's naps than having to go through the entire creative process of designing your business when you're sleep-deprived. Also, if you have your financing needs sorted out, it will do wonders for your peace of mind ahead of the birth.  

The more logistics for both your new baby and the new business you can nail down before birth, the easier your transition will be into these two new roles. So make sure you reach out ahead of time and get the help you need to put you on the right track. Find out how you can find a doula in Orange County, San Diego, and Southern California with our doula matching service.