Congratulations on your pregnancy; you must be super excited to bring home a little piece of immortality!
Whether your due date is close or you’re simply thinking ahead, getting the house ready for the presence of a baby is a big job. You may well be enjoying some time off before the big day, so it’s time to think about making sure you have space for that sweet little baby to sleep, in a home that’s clean and ready for anything. It won’t be for too much longer!
You’d think that given they are so small, that babies don’t take up too much space. However, babies come with a lot of stuff, so getting the house ready is better done early so that when you go into labor, you’re not worrying! In this article, we’re going to talk you through all the things you need to get ready before you bring your baby home from the hospital.
To-Do: The Big List
There is plenty on your to-do list, but let’s get the biggest things out of the way, shall we?
- Start with cleaning the house. Nesting is a thing, and using gentle, safe and powerful cleaners to clean your home from top to bottom is doing to get your house as clean as you need it to be. You can get into every nook and cranny to dust, sweep and vacuum so that all those germs lingering in the corners are gone before you bring your baby home.
- You could then move onto a “safety check” of your house. Your baby may not be crawling for a few months yet, but in four or five months you’re going to be overrun with sleep regressions and exhaustion. Doing this now while you have the brain power to do it is going to be the best idea you’ve ever had! So, look at getting your medications and cleaners locked away now and find homes for them so that you don’t have to do it later.
- While you’re on safety checks, think about getting the fire department to test your fire alarms and smoke detectors. They can ensure that you don’t have to worry about those bleeping in the night as faulty, and you’ll also be protected if there is a leak.
- Think about how you’re going to have guests in those early weeks. Everyone wants to visit a new baby, but that doesn’t mean that you are obliged to say yes. Set some clear rules with all family and friends and make sure that it’s equal. If you want people to stay away for a few days so that you can get to know your new baby without the influx of hands wanting to touch your baby, make sure that you do that early!
- Stock the house with things you’ll need. You have a baby coming and the chances are you’re going to be awake – a lot. So, while you’re still pregnant and have some free time, get your favorite meals cooked in batches and get them in the freezer in portions. This way, when the baby comes you will still be able to eat nutritious foods by defrosting it every morning.
- As a new mommy, the chances are that you’ll be breastfeeding. You’ll save a lot of time sterilizing and washing bottles when you do this, so it’s going to be a good way to get organized. However, if you’re not breastfeeding then you need a planned area of the kitchen for sterilizing equipment. Clear the space and set it all up before the baby comes. Read the instructions on the formula and always follow this for the best health – have a practise before the baby arrives!
- Plan a daily routine. You can’t put the baby into a routine; babies eat, sleep and poop as they please. However, when the baby is sleeping, you can still pop them into a sling and get on with managing the daily dirt.
Bringing home a baby is a big deal and the last thing that you want to cope with is a house to clean and meals to cook. If you prepare early enough you’ll be able to be ready for when the baby comes home. Don’t worry too much about the nursery; your baby will be in your room with you for a few months before they go into their own room. So, focus on the cleaning and meal prep and you’ll be more than ready for this new little comet to burst into your life.
