When you think about the big and important moments in life, none can compare to the moment when you become a parent. It is probably the most important thing you will do in your life. It is, at the same time, a beautiful thing and a terrifying thing. Because now you are not only responsible for yourself but also for another being that entirely depends on you. You have a huge responsibility in front of you. You must protect your baby from all possible dangers. This includes preparing your home properly. There are many ways in which a tiny baby can get hurt in the house, and it is up to you to prevent it. Not to mention how much space and supplies you will need when the baby arrives. We will help you and show you some ways to prepare your home for a new baby.
First step—Declutter
The first thing you should do is to get rid of the excess stuff in the house. A new baby comes with a million new things you will need space for. You will have to get a crib, diapers, a diaper changing station, clothes, bottles, a feeder, and a car seat, and those are just the essentials. That is why it is very important that you prepare the house for all those new items. Divide the objects into three piles. Put the items you want to keep in one. The other pile is things that are still functional but you don’t want anymore. These things are best donated. And at the end, the third pile represents the things you will throw away. If you still don’t have enough space at home, consider renting a storage unit. You can rent short-term storage until you settle in with a baby, and after a while, you can get your things back.
Deep clean everything
The next step is deep cleaning. Young babies are very sensitive and should not be brought into a dirty house full of bacteria. That is why every room in the house should be thoroughly cleaned before arrival. Start with the floors. Clean and disinfect all floors in the house. Pay special attention to carpets. There can be a lot of dust and bacteria in them. Then wash the curtains in the same way. Vacuum and dust every hard-to-reach corner in the house. Make sure the bathroom is spotlessly clean because that’s where you will bathe the baby when it arrives. All furniture and cushions must be thoroughly cleaned especially if you have a pet that jumps and sheds everywhere. It is necessary not only to wash but also to disinfect every room. Hire professional cleaners, if you can afford it. That’s how you’ll know that your home is impeccably clean and ready for your baby.
Stock up
The next thing you need to do is to fill the house with everything you will need when the baby arrives. Because the chances are that you won’t have much time for shopping. Now is the right time to buy things like detergents, disinfectants, garbage bags, and other necessary items for cleaning. Then buy food with a long shelf life, such as pasta, canned food, frozen meat/fish, coffee, spices, rice, etc. If you have time, you can also prepare some meals in advance and freeze them. This can be very useful in the first few weeks when the baby arrives, and everything is chaotic. Instead of having to make lunch from scratch, you can just take something out of the freezer. And finally, things for personal hygiene. Shampoos, soaps, deodorants, toothpaste, creams, lotions, toilet paper, etc.
Prepare your home for a new baby by babyproofing
It may sound silly, but now is the right time to start babyproofing your house. Your baby will start crawling and wandering around the house before you know it, and it is important that you make it a safer place by babyproofing your home. You will be so thankful later that you have done this. Here are some basic things you should do. First, check that all the alarms (smoke detectors, burglar alarms) in your house are working properly. And if you don’t have them already, you should buy and install those alarms. Then buy outlet covers for every room in the house. They are not too expensive and are very effective in protecting your little one. After that, go room by room. In the bathroom, install toilet seat and cabinet locks. If you have any medication or chemicals near the ground, move them somewhere the baby can’t reach them. In the kitchen, you will need stove knob covers, so nobody will be able to turn it on until you remove them. You will also need cabinet locks here.
Set up the nursery room
To prepare your home for a new baby, you must set up the nursery room. This is the room where you will be spending most of your time in the first few months. The main things you have to put in that room are a crib, a diaper-changing station, and a comfortable armchair. That armchair will be very useful for those late-night feedings moms have to do. In addition, you will keep the baby’s clothes, toys, and other necessary things there. The main point of this room is to be functional; you can deal with the design and decorations later. It will be much easier for you to immediately bring the baby into a fully prepared room where you have everything you need at your fingertips.
In conclusion
As you can see, the best way to prepare your home for a new baby is to think ahead. It is better to plan and do everything now instead of later when the baby arrives. That time is usually chaotic, and parents are sleep deprived and tired. Setting up everything now saves you a lot of trouble later. Cleaning, decluttering, and babyproofing are just some basic things you should do; you will figure out everything else as you go.