Having a newborn in your life may be exciting, but it does not change the fact that it comes with a lot of responsibilities. Some moms and dads to be, especially first-timers, often make the rookie mistake of waiting until their little one is born before they begin to run around for some crucial items. When this happens, by the time the baby comes it becomes clear that there just isn’t enough time to do everything you want to. Newborns need constant attention. So not preparing for them appropriately is a recipe for disaster.
Preparing for a baby goes way beyond buying diapers. That first step of setting up a nursery is great, but there are also a ton of fundamentals that you can’t afford to miss. In this guide, we’ll outline everything you need to know to help you parent like a pro. Here is how to prepare your home for a newborn to guarantee that your experience is pleasantly memorable.
Step 1: Reorganize your home
This should be your first step even before you start hunting for baby supplies. Take your time to declutter and rearrange everything. And don’t just do it randomly: plan for what baby items you are going to buy and where you’ll place them.
If you are planning to have stand-alone nursery, create more space in that room where most of the baby items will go. Remember, you don’t have to throw things out if you don’t want to. Some items simply need to be stored safely until you need them.
As you reorganize your home, it’s also important that you optimize the process. Sure, you are trying to create the perfect environment for your child, but you don’t want every single room to look like a playground. Invest in storage baskets, cartons, and chests to store what won’t be needed immediately.
Step 2: Stock up on supplies
As the big day approaches, you won’t have a lot of time for things like shopping, cleaning, or cooking. You therefore want to get lots of supplies in preparation for the rainy days. Stock up on things like cereals, groceries, frozen meals, and so on for those first few weeks when you won’t have the time to cook. You can also line up someone who will come clean your house every few days once the baby comes.
The idea here is to prepare for the future. Prep, cook, and freeze extra meals. Stock up on household essentials, like laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet paper, and other cleaning products. If you have any prescriptions, fill them and make sure they are up to date.
Finally, even if you don’t plan to use it, buy a few baby bottles and a container of formula. You never know what the future holds!
Step 3: Start baby proofing
As you are looking forward to bringing your newborn home, having a crawling baby may seem like a lifetime away. But as you’ll soon find out, it’s not. They grow up so fast! It’s easier to prepare now than when you’re sleep-deprived later.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, cleaning products and medication should always be stored out of sight and out of reach in securely locked cabinets. For things that can’t be out of reach, consider locking them away using magnetic locks on the cabinets.
Step 4: Prep for visitors
Once your baby arrives, those early days are going to be a blur of sleep deprivation and visitors. If you are going to have any overnight guests, prepare for them now. Stock up on things like toothpaste, toothbrushes, and toilet paper. Get the guest room ready by changing the sheets or putting an extra fan in there. If you need to, buy extra towels and soap as well. Do this now because you won’t be able to before too long.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, preparing your home for your baby’s arrival is not easy. However, the rewards are definitely worth it. So babyproof your house and set everything else in order. Then you can rest easy and spend quality time with your partner as you await the arrival of your bundle of joy. You’ve got this. Good luck!
