During your pregnancy, you may be curious as to how you can prepare your home for a newborn. Now is the time for you to shake off those jitters, so you can figure out how to make your house ready for your new addition.
Baby Proof
One of the first things you need to do is baby-proof your home. You may think that you have the safest home, but believe it or not, everything is a hazard. Take a breath and think everything through. Baby proofing is so important, especially as babies become much more adventurous and curious. If you want to start baby proofing then one thing you need to do is focus on your hot zones. This could include your outlets, shelves, chairs and any sharp objects. These things can cause accidents, and the best way for you to stop them would be for you to create a babyproof space as early as possible. Divide the childproofing up by room, beginning with the kitchen. You may find that you use the kitchen quite often, and the last thing you want is them grabbing cleaning supplies, pots and pans. If you have rugs then make sure that you put a non-slip pad under each one. Place a gate on each staircase and put a lock on the side doors as well. If you have long curtains then this can be a hazard for your baby, as can blind cords. Deal with them now, to save yourself from stress later.
Stock for the Future
You may have a savings account for your infant, but at the same time, you need to make sure that you stock up on meals for yourself so you can save too. You also need to focus on diapers, formula and any other essentials you may need. You cannot take care of your baby if you cannot take care of yourself, so make sure that you have enough things to eat for when you don’t feel like cooking. Stocking up on basics, such as laundry detergent, paper towels and toilet paper is also a good thing.
Tackle Renovations
If you are right in the middle of a household remodel, or if you intend on doing work around the house then you need to get everything out of the way now. You and your partner will probably be quite busy during this time, so hire someone to take care of everything for you, before your due date. Even if your home renovations do not seem major, it can be stressful to get everything done while you have a baby to look after. Now is the time for you to do some mold inspections too. If you come across mold then now is the time to remove it, as well as painting the nursery. Prepare the room, redo your floor and also finish any jobs in the bathroom. If you can do this then you will soon find that you feel easier about the baby coming.
Get your Household On Board
Everyone has to be ready for the arrival of a new family member. You need to prepare your older children as well as your pets if you can. If you can do this, then you will soon find that the transition becomes easier. It’s helpful for you to try and train your pets to be calm around young babies, and that you set some ground rules for them. Now would also be the time to set rules regarding bedtime, and for you to look up newborn sleep tips. If you can do this then you will find that everyone adjusts better when the big day comes along.
Older Kids
Remember, your older kids need attention too. This is so important because even if you have a new baby on the way, you need to make sure you do not lessen the amount of attention you give your children. The best way for you to help your older kids is to talk about the new baby with them. Be open to their questions and talk to them about their concerns. If you have kids who are aged between two and five, then you may want to finish certain milestones, such as potty training so you can teach them more independence.
Your Pets
Pets might not react too well when it comes to your new arrival. Some pets will squirm and get a little excited when a baby comes into the room. There is a chance of aggression or even envy with a pet as well. From dogs to cats and even birds, everyone has to be prepared for when the baby arrives. After your baby is born, you do need to make sure that you maintain the amount of attention you gave everyone prior to the baby. If you can do this, you will soon find that everyone adjusts well. Gradually let your pet come closer to the baby but ensure that you set boundaries. If your pet snaps at your child then pull them away. As they learn how to act around the baby, you can give them more freedom.
Cleaning Rituals
It’s so important that you keep your home clean. As much as an apple a day keeps the doctor away, having a clean home will help you to create a healthy space for your family. When you begin to clean more often, you will soon find that you can reduce stress and that you can get everyone on board. Use a dry-erase board so you can make sure that you have a solid cleaning schedule. If you can do this then you will soon find that things become easier for everyone.
Be Organized
With the arrival of a new baby, you need to be organized. You will not only need a planner so you can organize big events, but you will also have to organize clothes as well as toys and baby products. Make sure that you declutter your closet early on, and that you are creative with storage. Use a hammock for any stuffed animals you have, and make the effort to ensure that everything can be accessed with ease. If you can do this then you will soon find that it is easier to keep everything tidy.
Create a Changing Station
It is so important that you make your home ready for your newborn. While learning how to prepare, you need to give some thought to the type of nursery furniture you would like to incorporate. Having a nursery is a very good thing, as it will make your organizational efforts way easier. Keep a fully-stocked changing caddy and make the effort to buy a good changing table. If you can do this then you will soon find that it becomes easier to monitor everything. If you find it hard to buy the furniture you need on a budget, then remember a lot of the time you can find furniture second-hand. You can also create your own changing table by adding some sides to your chest of drawers.
Buy in Advance
Another thing you need to do is buy things in advance. A lot of new parents make the mistake of just buying what they need for the first few months, thinking that they will be able to take care of everything else at a later date. This is a huge mistake, as you may find that you are too busy to go out and buy things later, or that you just don’t have the budget. One way for you to work around this would be for you to try and buy things ahead of time. This doesn’t just apply to necessary equipment, it also applies to toys and clothes. If possible, you need to make sure that you have more than enough to last and that you take steps to ensure that you have all of your bases covered. If your baby ends up being quite advanced for their age then they will need to have a lot of stimulation, so it’s vital that you provide them with this. If you are on a budget then this is understandable, so one thing you can do is buy second-hand. You can browse the Facebook marketplace if you want to get access to a range of products, and when you do, you will be able to find what you need with ease. People often let baby products go for a very affordable price and this is a great way for you to ensure that you end up getting everything you need, without going over budget.
So as you can see, there are a lot of things you can do to try and make sure that you prepare your home for when you bring your new arrival home. If you want to help yourself here then make sure you follow this guide and that you always think ahead of time. If you can do this then there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to prepare your home for a newborn. Remember, if you are struggling, help is always out there to ensure you get the support you need.
