If you have a baby on the way, you’ll know there’s a lot of preparation to do. You and your partner will have to learn all about looking after a newborn, from changing nappies to breastfeeding. You’ll no doubt be buying all kinds of toys, clothes, and gadgets in readiness for your little one’s upcoming arrival.
But one of the most important steps in preparing for a baby is getting your home ready. Not all homes are suitable for small children, and if you’ve been living in your current place without kids for a long time, there is probably a lot of work to do. Above all, you need to ensure your house is safe for a baby to be crawling about all day, but you also want to ensure that your whole family can be comfortable and happy with plenty of space to breathe.
The following article outlines a few of the different ways you can prepare your home for a new baby.
Make space
Babies may be tiny but they take up a lot of room. A newborn infant requires a great deal of stuff, such as cribs, clothing, diaper bins, toys, prams, and high chairs. All these possessions can make your home feel cramped and add to your already high levels of parental stress. Well before your child comes along you should make an effort to declutter your home and create some space for the new addition.
Use this opportunity to have a spring clean and get rid of anything you no longer use or need. Clothes that don’t fit you, books you won’t reread, CDs that are now defunct, and any other junk can go straight to the charity shop or be sold online to someone who will get more use out of them. For larger items you can’t bring yourself to throw away, such as bikes, golf clubs, or antiques, you could consider putting them in self storage for now.
Once the decluttering is complete, try to adopt good habits regarding your cleanliness and the things you buy. Only purchase things you truly need, and keep your floors and surfaces tidy at all times. You’ll be amazed at how much more spacious your home feels.
Add safety measures
A home is full of dangers, and you need to ensure your little one will be safe at all times. Almost everything in a typical house can pose a threat to a child, including stairs, windows, bathtubs, electrical sockets, and cleaning products. You have a lot of work to do to ensure these dangers are neutralized. Installing gates at the top of stairs and window locks can prevent the risk of a fall while keeping sharp objects and chemicals out of reach will avoid accidental harm. Buy safety guards for pointed corners of furniture and covers for electrical outlets.
And above all, keep an eye on your baby at all times.
Stock up on supplies
Once the baby arrives, everything changes. All your mental and physical energy will go towards keeping them happy and safe. You’ll be constantly tired and will have very little inclination to cook elaborate meals. Before birth, you should be proactive and think about your future self. Go shopping and fill your cupboards and fridge with food. Batch cook meals and freeze pre-prepared portions so you can just stick a Tupperware in the microwave when you feel hungry. When you’re getting by on four hours of sleep a night, you’ll be glad you were so foresighted.
Create a bedroom
In the early days following the birth, you may let your baby sleep in your bedroom so you can keep an eye on them. But after a while, they will need their own space. It’s important you prepare their bedroom before they are born when you still have the energy and the time to do so.
Fill the room with all the essential items they will need, such as a crib, storage, and a load of books, toys, and games to play with. Decorate the walls with bright colors and colorful patterns or characters. If you don’t yet know the gender of your child, try to keep to unisex designs such as cute animals or space themes.
Although nothing can truly prepare you for the experience of having your first child, following these four tips will help to get you as ready as possible. Your home will be suitable for a young child, and you will have saved yourself a great deal of time and energy by planning these things in advance. Good luck on your parenting journey!
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