(HealthDay News) -- Although you can never fully prepare for the experience of caring for a new baby, there are plenty of issues to resolve before baby arrives.

Here are guidelines to help prepare for your newborn, courtesy of the American Pregnancy Association:

  • Take parenting classes to help learn basic care, parenting skills and building family relationships.
  • Make sure you have the essentials, including a car seat, crib, plenty of diapers, bottles and formula.
  • Take a first aid class to learn CPR and other emergency basics.
  • Figure out how much maternity or paternity leave you need, complete the paperwork, and settle everything with your job before the baby is born.
  • Select a pediatrician, and devise an emergency plan in case of illness.