Having your first baby is exciting. At the same time, however, preparing your home for a newborn can be a tedious and stressful process. Get as much of a head start as you can.
Follow these nesting pointers when you’re preparing your home for a newborn:
Stock Up on Essentials
Caring for your child can take up a majority of your time. Free yourself from some of your regular household workload, such as buying groceries. Stockpile the necessities you know you will need a few weeks before you welcome your baby home.
What you’ll need will depend on your lifestyle and routine. A few basic examples to get you started are cooking oils and condiments, snacks, and easy meal ingredients. Don’t be afraid of using disposable utensils, plates, and freezer meals when necessary. Being a new parent comes with its own set of challenges. Remember to make it as easy for you as possible. This will also ensure that you go through your postpartum recovery process as smoothly as possible.
Check Your Home’s Safety
Before you know it, your baby will grow old enough to be able to crawl around the house. Prepare for the development of their motor skills ahead of time. Store toxic cleaning products out of their reach. Cover your outlet with child-safe covers. Make sure you securely lock your cabinets, too.
Optimal Bedrooms
Your baby requires quality sleep. To guarantee nights filled with rest, you will need the proper environment. Have essential items like sleep clothes, swaddles, and hats for your newborn ready, regardless of whether you put them to sleep in a nursery or your bedroom. Regulating their body temperature will help soothe them and put them to sleep.
Prepare a bassinet or crib big enough for your baby to grow into. Choosing the right size is essential so that you don’t have to go through multiple ones before they need their own bed. Place sleep accessories around the room as well, like a white noise machine and blackout curtains. A cool mist humidifier will also relieve your baby of any congestion and open up their airways.
Deep Clean
Dust every surface possible to rid your house of any allergens. Then, wipe down and disinfect all your items, especially those in the nursery. Don’t forget about the floor. Give it a thorough cleaning and eliminate any potential choking hazards or loose fabric strands as you go. While you’re at it, send your carpets to the carpet cleaners.
Prepare for Laundry
Laundry can quickly pile up. Consider buying an additional hamper or sort your existing one into compartments, dedicating one section to your baby’s clothes. It’s also helpful to learn how to eliminate all kinds of stains ahead of time. Remember to use a laundry detergent that doesn’t contain any artificial dyes and perfumes. Stay on the safe side and get one that’s made explicitly for infants’ clothing.
Designate a Nursing Station
Place a nursing and changing station where it’s most accessible and convenient for you. This could mean placing it in your living room, bedroom, or nursery. Knowing where to go when you need to feed or change your baby’s clothes and diapers is crucial for keeping the entire household organized. Remember to regularly replace your stock of diapers, pads, and clothes.
Reevaluate Your Kitchen
Before you stock up on essential food items, it’s best that you empty your fridge, toss out inedible objects, and clean it thoroughly. Scrub down shelves with a warm sponge and pay close attention to sticky areas. When you’re done, it’s time to reimagine how you should store your next set of groceries. Often, you might not realize that having children also means that you need more space in your fridge for formula and breast milk.
Once you’re done, it’s time to analyze your countertops. It’s easy to use them as storage space for all your appliances. Still, upon further inspection, you may realize that you use some more than others and that a handful of them can be tucked away instead. Clear out some space for a bottle rack and a drawer or two for baby bowls, cups, and spoons.
Welcoming Your Newborn into Your Home
Preparing to welcome your adorable newborn into your home can be less stressful than you think. Tackle things one at a time to make it easier for you and your partner. Give yourselves a break from time to time, and when you’re done, you can sit back, relax, and gleefully await your baby.
