Newborn Nesting Instincts
Image Source: Pixbay
Anticipating the arrival of your new baby can be exciting and intimidating, emotional and stressful. Here are five things to do to prepare your home for the newest member of your family.
1. Decide on Sleeping Arrangements
Before you start choosing paint colors, and putting together the crib, decide on a location for the nursery. Even if you plan on putting the crib in the master bedroom for the first few months, it’s important to consider where the baby will sleep after he or she outgrows the master suite.
Here are some things to consider when making this important decision:
- Distance from Your Bedroom: Even with a baby monitor to help you keep track of your baby, you’ll want the nursery to be close to where you sleep. This will make it easier for you to access the nursery for midnight feedings and (hopefully) keep the baby from waking other children during the night.
- Atmosphere: Infants are vulnerable to temperature changes. Be sure that the nursery doesn’t get too much direct sunlight (or install shades to keep light out during the day) or drop into too-cool temperatures when the air conditioning is on.
- Space: Will your chosen room accommodate the needed furniture? If you put a changing table, rocking chair, and crib into the room, make sure you still have room to maneuver.
2. Baby Proof
You won’t have to worry about keeping crafts supplies out of tiny fingers’ reach yet, but your home will still need some baby-proofing. Here are some essentials:
- Baby Monitor: Invest in a high-quality baby monitor so you can keep an eye on your little one even when you aren’t in the room.
- Baby Gate: Your newborn won’t crawl or walk for a while, but a baby gate on the nursery can keep out curious pets or rambunctious toddlers.
- System Adjustments: New babies are very sensitive. Consider programming the nursery thermostat a few degrees higher to keep the baby warm.
3. Deep Clean
You don’t have to sterilize your home, but coming home to a clean house after labor and delivery will help keep you and your baby healthier (not to mention lower the amount of stress you’ll be under).
If you’ve been procrastinating a deep cleaning, now is the time to get it done. Consider bringing in expert help so you aren’t trying to scrub the floors while heavily pregnant, or exposing yourself and your baby to cleaning fumes. Many carpet cleaning companies, like Babayan’s, a company that handles carpet steam cleaning in Toronto, can work around your schedule or take your removable rugs to their facilities for treatment.
4. Organize Baby Supplies
You’ve spent months choosing a car seat, stockpiling diapers and wipes, and selecting the perfect wardrobe for your newborn. You’ll need all of those items, but some will be more important than others. Make sure day-to-day supplies are easy to find. Pack away any supplies that won’t be used until your baby is a little older.
Make sure baby bottles and formula or your breast pump have their own spot in the kitchen so they will be able to be found. Create changing stations in the nursery and main living area—stock the areas with a changing pad, a supply of diapers and wipes, and a tube of rash cream. Proper organization will keep everyday feedings and changings as stress-free as possible.
5. Plan Ahead
You’ll have a lot going on for the first little while after you bring your new baby home, so plan ahead to keep your home functioning smoothly during the transition. Consider making these preparations to help your family deal with the demands of the first few weeks after your baby is born:
- Stock Up: Create a meal plan for at least the first week after the birth. Fill your menu with quick, easy meals such as homemade frozen dinners that will only need to be reheated.
- Compile Your Emergency Contacts: Put together a list of important phone numbers (poison control, the doctor, your best friend, etc.) and put it where you will be able to find it easily in the event of an emergency.
- Work with Your Home’s Current Occupants: If you have older children, talk to them about the baby’s arrival. Explain how life around the house may change, but remind them how important they are to you. Train any household pets to stay out of the nursery and not to use baby supplies as chew toys so that there won’t be any need to banish Fido outdoors when the baby arrives.
For nine months, your baby has had a home tailored to his or her needs. You can use these five steps to turn your house into an equally hospitable home after labor and delivery.
