Practice makes perfect, or so they say. Unfortunately, no amount of practice can prepare you for parenthood. But if you're pregnant, getting ready for baby is probably the first and foremost thing on your mind. If you want to make your pregnancy easier, there are some things you can do to get the house and yourself ready and keep you ahead of the crowd.

Start by getting the necessities ready for baby's arrival. Thankfully, newborns don't need much. But you'll want to have a diaper bag, diapers, a few baby outfits and somewhere for the baby to sleep (a crib, a co-sleeper, or a bassinette) on hand before the little one arrives. Bibs, burp cloths, sheets and towels are also necessities. Use baby detergent and have everything washed and ready to go, and you'll save yourself time once baby arrives.

Not only can you get the basics ready before baby arrives, but you can make room for baby in your house and in your life. Determine where baby will sleep, and if you need to rearrange rooms or furniture, start thinking about doing it now. Get the car seat installed in the car. Schedule maternity leave and talk to your boss about options for returning to work. Research paternity leave. Make a will. Taking care of these things before your baby arrives means less to do after your little one is here.

Once you've covered the basics and gotten things under control for the arrival of your little one, don't stop there. Read books about pregnancy and childcare, spend time with friends and family members and their little ones and get all the rest that you can. Each one of these things will help you feel more in control and ready, as well as making your entire pregnancy experience easier and less stressful.

If you want to make your pregnancy easier during the last few months, getting ready for baby's arrival and taking care of the details at hand is a great place to start.

It's the 'magic formula' that savvy parents have learned to live by; buying just enough clothing to get you through the season and making sure it will keep your baby comfortable and happy during the days ahead. Here are some tips for selecting the right outfits for your newborn:

Choose the Right Fabrics
A baby's skin is super sensitive, so you'll need to make sure they're not experiencing any allergic reactions to new fabrics and that the cotton or polyester blends you pick allow your baby's skin to breathe. Keep an eye out for any rashes or breakouts and read the material labels closely to reduce the risk of skin irritation.

Stock up on Day and Night Outfits
You can dress up baby in lighter clothes by day, but you'll need to layer things up or buy thicker clothing for bedtime. Temperatures can fluctuate considerably during any season, and your baby will be the first one to feel it; make sure they're plenty warm and comfortable with the right type of clothing throughout the day and don't be afraid to undertake an outfit change a few times per day if needed.

Buy Packs of Multiples
If you can find multi-packs of onesies, socks and other ensembles, you can easily save some money on baby outfits. Many brands now offer multiple packs for basics, so you can shave off a few dollars from the clothing budget without compromising quality fabrics and designs for your little one.

Go for the Poppers
Popper buttons on onesies, jackets and dresses are much easier to manage than traditional buttons. When the daily schedule demands several diaper changes, popper buttons allow you to get baby in and out of their outfit in a snap. Look for small details like these to save you time and energy during those busy days ahead!

Aim for the Six-Piece Closet
Newborns will grow out of every piece of clothing within a few months; you'll need to shop only for three months at a time, and if you're on a very tight budget, aim for just six pieces of clothing per season.