It’s official: You’re having a baby!
You’ve bought the baby books, found your birthing coach, and are already putting together a birth plan.
But have you started prepping your home for your new addition?
If your to-do list is limited to “assemble crib” and “puree some peas,” don’t worry. We’ve got you covered.
Below are 10 of the most important tasks to complete in order to prepare your home for your new baby:
1. Gather some baby room ideas and start building your nursery
By far one of the most exciting ways to prepare your home for your baby is building them a space of their own.
Whether it’s a nursery or just a nook in your master bedroom, building ideas is easy thanks to Pinterest and mom blogs that are here to help.
Some things to consider are the room’s theme, functionality versus appearance, and what furniture you’ll need once the baby arrives.
2. Find the perfect crib — and get it home safely
And speaking of furniture nursery ideas, you’ll need to find the perfect crib for when you bring home your new baby.
Sites like BabyList publish annual “best of” lists comparing some of the top crib models, but regardless of which one is ranked the best, it’s important to ask yourself what your priorities are in buying a crib.
Do you want one you can turn into a toddler bed? How much do you have budgeted? What are your space constraints?
Once you’ve got your crib picked out, you’ll need to bring it home. Dolly will send a truck and background-checked Helpers to pick up your crib and bring it home safely, so you can focus on decorating your nursery instead.
Free Bonus: 5 Sanity-Saving Steps For Getting Your Kids’ Playspace Holiday Ready
3. Start baby-proofing your home from top to bottom
Baby proofing your home is a process — one that will continue to be necessary once your child is a toddler — but it’s one of the most important ways to make sure your newborn is safe.
Stocking up on cabinet locks and outlet covers is a start, but it’s also important to reevaluate what you keep within an arm’s reach.
Move your medications to higher shelves. Put all your breakables into cabinets instead of on the counter. And invest in plenty of plastic kitchenware to complete the process of baby proofing your home.
4. Use baby-safe products to clean up
If your baby is born in a traditional maternity ward, it’ll be a relief to know that every possible germ or illness has been eliminated by alcohol, sterilizers, and the constant presence of Purell.
When you get home, it’s on you to make sure your home is as close to hospital clean as it can be.
But beware: Not all cleaning products are alike, so make sure the ones you’re using (especially on materials your baby will touch frequently, like the floors, their crib, and their toys) are baby-safe cleaning products.
You can find lots of advice on this topic on sites like Smart Mommy Healthy Baby. But if you’re ever in doubt, it’s best to look up whether the product is baby-safe before buying.
5. Take meal prep to the next level (for the whole family)
Meal prepping isn’t just for your friend who does CrossFit.
In the months after you bring your baby home, you’ll be tirelessly working to make sure they’re constantly fed, swaddled, and changed. This may leave you exhausted and unable to take on the additional task of cooking for your family.
Spend the last few weeks of your pregnancy doubling your recipes and freezing the extras. You’ll have something to eat after your baby comes home, and remember that a well-fed momma is a happy momma.
6. Make a plan for monitoring your baby
Baby monitors and cameras are standard fare nowadays for keeping track of your child, but they’re not required for everyone.
Spend some time talking to your doctor and the rest of your family (plus any nanny you plan to use) about how you’d like to monitor your child.
Looking to go with an upgraded, tech-friendly baby monitor? Consider products like Nanit, which not only connect to your smartphone, but also tracks your baby’s sleep patterns.
7. Build up your baby’s wardrobe
Maybe you’re ready for your baby to be a fashionista with daily Instagram photoshoots. Maybe you’re more casual and want to focus on keeping your child comfortable.
Either way, it’s time to start building a collection of newborn clothes. Make it a big one so you don’t have to constantly do laundry!
If you don’t want to spend on new clothes, ask friends and neighbors — and even in new mom Facebook groups! — if anyone has clothes to spare. And when your child outgrows them, return the favor by passing them along to another momma in need.
8. Put any baby-unfriendly items into storage
While your medications and jewelry can be moved to an out-of-reach shelf, some products — like your one-of-a-kind art piece, or valuable leather couch — aren’t so easy to get out of your baby’s hands.
Protect your child (and your stuff!) from damage by putting these larger items into storage.
If you don’t want to store some pieces and are ready to part with them, you can donate them to a local thrift shop.
And don’t stress your body by trying to move it yourself — rely on Dolly Helpers to take care of taking your unwanted items to a donation center.
9. Prepare your emergency numbers
The last thing you want to consider is something terrible happening to your child. But being prepared might bring you some piece of mind. Write a list of all the emergency information you might need, including phone numbers for:
- Your baby’s pediatrician
- Your general practitioner
- The local fire department
- The local police department
- The closest hospital
- The local poison control hotline
If you’re going to be using a nanny or babysitter early on, you should also include your contact information. Include emergency contact information for family/friends if you’re unable to be reached, plus your home address.
Laminate it and hang it somewhere easy to see so that if something does go wrong, you know these numbers are at hand.
10. Create a space where you can unwind and relax
Preparing your home for a new baby — and then bringing it home to care for it — is exhausting work.
It’s important to keep yourself from getting too stressed. Coordinate with your family to create a space in your home where you can go to relax, whether it’s by reading a book or taking a nap.
Make this space yours: No baby monitor, no to-do lists, only things that keep you calm. Because the calmer you are, the more you’ll enjoy life with your new, growing family.
This article was written by Dolly, which brings you truck and muscle anytime you need it. Dolly connects you with local pickup truck owners who are ready to help you with moving, store delivery, Craigslist pickups, and more. Learn more about at Dolly.com.
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