Expectant parents are often overwhelmed with many things they feel like they have to get done before the baby arrives. While some things are fun and exciting (everybody adores buying tiny socks), others feel like labor (we’re looking at you, unassembled crib). Even if this isn’t your first child, everything can feel maybe a bit overwhelming. Still, no matter how much of a challenge it is, it’s essential to baby-proof your home before your baby arrives. If you’re unsure where to start and what needs to be done, we’re here to help.
Declutter everywhere
You might be tempted to focus on the nursery alone, but it would be a mistake. While it’s true that you will be spending a lot of time there, you will also make camp in your bedroom, spend what feels like weeks in your bathroom, and your kitchen will also be something of a pit-stop. Baby doesn’t need a lot, but the things she needs – she often needs, so you will be covered in baby things even if you try to be a minimalist. For this reason, you should get rid of the clutter you don’t actually use or need. We’re talking old clothes, dusty toys, expired cosmetics, forgotten piles of magazines, and broken kitchen utensils – everything has to go.
Set up a changing station
Your baby will hopefully spend a lot of time sleeping, but parents will spend a lot of time changing dirty diapers, so a well-stocked changing station is a must. While you’re probably going to get plenty of wet wipes and diapers (disposable or cloth ones, the choice is up to you), you should also get some lifesaving trinkets. Diaper cream and healing ointment should be applied after every diaper change. After that, you might want to use some hand sanitizer until you wash your hands. Q-tips are great for cleaning that newborn naval, and you can put a bottle of lotion nearby to give your baby a massage to relax her. As she grows, you might want to keep a couple of toys there to keep her distracted while you’re on your diaper-changing mission.
Get your baby some nice clothes
Believe it or not (but very soon you’re going to learn from experience), your baby will need more clothes than you might have thought at first. Even though they don’t sweat, babies often drool and poop all over their cute little outfits, which means you will have to change them often. While filling your dressers and closet with baby clothes seems reasonable, remember that babies also grow out of everything in a blink of an eye. This is just one of the reasons why you should get baby outfits from 3 Little Crowns, but try to buy them in several sizes so your baby can wear them longer. Another thing you should focus on is getting baby clothes made of natural materials: cotton, muslin, wool, and gauze. Since newborns have notoriously delicate skin, you want them to wear clothes that will be comfortable and not irritate them.
Trinkets and treats you will need
Sometimes parents spend too much money on trinkets and details they won’t ever use, but some things will really come in handy with a newborn. A high-quality humidifier is a good investment because dry air will irritate your baby’s nose, whereas a white noise machine will help them sleep better and longer. A garbage can that you’re going to keep there should have a lid for all those nasty smells that poopy diapers will be making and stock up on bins to keep toys in. We recommend you get a nice nursing pillow and a rocking chair for comfortable feeding sessions. A nice yellow night light, so you can see without turning on a lamp, is a good addition.
Prepare and freeze meals
One of the best things you can do to prepare for the arrival of your newborn is to prepare something for you. New parents focus so much on their baby that they stop paying attention to their own needs. We would recommend you cook a lot before the baby arrives and stash both your fridge and your freezer with meals you can just heat up. This is especially important for moms who will breastfeed as they have to snack often to maintain their milk supply. If their snacks consist of junk food, it’s not going to be very healthy. Batch cooking and freezing meals before baby comes is a must, but so is filling your kitchen and pantry with fresh fruits, veggies, and nuts for delicious and healthy snacks.
It feels like it’s expected of you to know everything and have everything in order before your baby arrives, but the truth is, nobody is 100% ready. Even parents who have several children have to get reminders of what to do because it’s virtually impossible to remember everything. You can prepare your home for the arrival of your newborn with ease if you prepare a good checklist and start on time, and we have already provided you with a great starting point. The rest is up to you – good luck!
