Your newborn is here! Your community wants to join in the celebration, and you want to tell the world. However, it can be hard to imagine adding anything beyond a Facebook post to your to-do list. After all, caring for your infant is your top priority.

The good news is that there’s no reason to put unnecessary effort into preparing and sending your birth announcement. You’re announcing one of the most joyous occasions of your life, so make the process enjoyable. With our tips and tricks, you’ll be ready to send out your birth announcements with ease.

Here are 10 tips for simplifying birth announcements so you can focus on your newborn

Pick your design beforehand

The easiest way to simplify birth announcements is to start before your new baby is born. You can probably find a spare moment during your nine months of preparation. Spend some time picking a birth announcement design. Bella Baby has several options that will fit any family’s style. Already had your baby? Don’t worry. This won’t take long. You can find a design you’ll love in less than five minutes.

Find an expert

Most birth announcement designs prominently feature a photo of your newborn – recipients want to see the adorable face of your little one. Now that you’ve had the beautiful pictures taken at the hospital featuring your new bundle of love – it’s time to take some shots with the whole family. Go easy on yourself – schedule a newborn portrait session, and let a professional capture some of your most cherished moments with your whole family. You’ll have photos for your birth announcement and memories for years to come.

Don’t rush

It’s logical to have a sense of urgency around birth announcements. Your newborn is here, and you want to share the news as soon as possible! Thankfully, no one expects a fast turnaround. The people who care about you understand your situation. Even etiquette says you can send birth announcements up to six months after your infant is born.

Buy a return address stamp

Time is unbelievably valuable during your first weeks with a newborn. There’s no reason to write your return address over and over again. Streamline the process by purchasing a self-inking return address stamp or return address labels. The address will look beautiful, and you can invest that saved time into a treat, like an extra few minutes of sleep.

Gather addresses online

There are few things more stressful than trying to wrangle addresses. It’s impossible to keep track of who moved and when. Don’t add that anxiety to an already busy time. Gather your addresses online using a tool like I Need Your Address. Email or text the link to your online address book, and watch the addresses roll in. As a bonus, you’ll have an updated list for holiday cards as well!

Prep your envelopes

Simplify the process of sending birth announcements by preparing your envelopes ahead of time. You can start stamping and addressing envelopes before your newborn even arrives. Preparing just a few envelopes a day will make your life easier when the time for sending announcements actually comes. Work on envelopes as you tune into your must-watch TV show or listen to your favorite album. You’ll be having such a good time that you’ll barely notice you’re working.

Involve your family

If there’s one thing having a new baby teaches you, it’s that you can and should accept help. Get your family–or your friends who feel like family–involved. Let your other children play a role in announcing the birth of their new sibling by stamping and stuffing envelopes, and help you prepare your birth announcements!

Make it your own

Traditional birth announcements include your newborn’s full name, his or her date of birth, and measurements. Feel free to add special touches that are representative of your family. You can use informal wording, if that fits your style. Some families even add a link to a photo gallery or birth story. Your infant is the newest addition to your family. Let the birth announcement showcase who you are.

Spread it out

Batch processing can be a parent’s best friend. Consider sending out your birth announcements in waves to make the task more manageable. Start with family. Expand to friends, and send to colleagues or acquaintances last. No one is keeping track of when they receive your birth announcement. Spread out the process, and keep your sanity.

Announcing the birth of your newborn should be fun and easy, and with our tips, you’re well on your way to avoiding any birth announcement related stress. Do you have advice of your own? What are your tips for taking the stress out of the process?