Moving can be a stressful time for anyone, but it can be especially hard for families with babies or young toddlers. Staying sane while moving with your little one is possible, but it requires some special focus on your baby’s needs. Use these four tips to take the stress out of your move.
Organize Ahead of Time
The way you prepare for your move can make a huge difference in your experience. This is especially true when you are moving with a baby or young toddler.
- Make a Plan – Planning will help you stay organized and make sure you don’t forget anything. Use a calendar, planner, or application to keep track of milestone dates leading up to moving day. Include address changes and other “To Do” items.
- Pack Accordingly – Put some thought into your packing process. Categorize your packing into things you’ll need right away, things you’ll need soon after that, and things that can wait a few days (or weeks) to be unpacked.
- Get Help – Plan for getting help with your move. Think about organizing childcare for while you’re packing, moving, and unpacking. You may want to consider professional moving services like Stewart Moving and Storage Find out which friends and family members you can lean on to help with the baby or the move.
Minimize the Impact on Baby
Baby and toddler sleep and psychology experts report that stress from moving can have an impact on your child’s sleep cycle and can affect their emotional and psychological development. Take steps to minimize the effects your move has on your child. Keep your baby’s essentials close at hand by packing them in a separate bag or case so you can easily get to them. Think beyond your basic diaper bag essentials and include blankets, bedding, favorite toys, bathing and diaper change items, and even the décor and furniture your child is used to. Set up their room right away and try to stick to as normal a schedule as possible after your move. Also, be sure to shower your little one with your love and affection during this stressful time.
Baby-proof before Moving In
Your baby proofing needs might be different in your new home, so account for that. Do a complete walkthrough with your child’s safety in mind. Remember that babies are curious and if your little one can move about they can get into things you wouldn’t even think of. Check for outlets, cords, sharp edges, or other hazards that need taken care of. You’ll want to thoroughly clean the floors in areas of the house where your little explorer is likely to play, crawl, or toddle. Be sure you keep cleaning supplies, box cutters, and other moving related tools out of reach too.
Food for Thought
Consider feedings when planning, packing, and moving. Make sure you have everything you need to meet your child’s current nutritional goals. Schedule time to make sure you don’t miss a meal with all the hustle and bustle of moving day. You’ll want to include snacks for toddlers and older children too. Don’t forget to take care of the adults as well. Moving expends a lot of energy, and you’ll need to adjust your caloric intake so you don’t wear yourself down. This is especially important for new or breastfeeding mothers.
As you can see, by using a little planning and organization, taking steps to minimize the impact on your child, baby proofing in advance, and thinking about food options, you can have a successful, stress-free move.