4 Simple Ways To Prepare Your Home For A Baby
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all that comes with welcoming your first child into your home. Expect late nights and early mornings, constant breastfeeding, and dirty diaper changes, among all else.
As a new mom, you want to minimize as many stresses as possible, and the best way to do so is to make sure your house is ready to house your newborn. Here are four things you can do to prepare for the baby and make caring for your child easier.
1) Baby Proof Your Home
Unfortunately, your beautiful home is likely a danger zone for your child. Although some may say to wait for babyproofing until your baby is old enough to crawl, babyproofing your house early will give you peace of mind when you are sleep-deprived and up to your knees in dirty diapers.
The best place to start with babyproofing is making sure you have furniture corner protectors to cushion the sharp edges of your coffee tables, chairs, stairs, and more. Make sure all the products you use are non-toxic and phthalate-free.
Also, give your home a safety inspection to ensure no toxic chemicals are accessible, like dishwasher pods or medications. These should be stored out of reach in a child safety locked cabinet. During your safety inspection, double-check to make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are properly functioning.
2) Set Up Your Baby Stations
When you are trying to soothe a crying baby, it is easy to get stressed. That’s why it is important to make sure that you prepare for these overwhelming moments.
One of the best ways to do that is to organize your baby stations. Setting up various stations armed with supplies that you may need regularly will help you in moments of need, like nursing/feeding stations, diaper stations, etc. You can also go the extra mile by setting up an “on-the-go” station in your car with all the essentials you may need for a baby and mama in motion.
3) Clean Thoroughly
When you come home after giving birth, the last thing you will want to think about is cleaning. However, you want to make sure that your home is clean and sanitary for your newborn. It will be safer for the baby and more comfortable for you.
Target areas that tend to have the most bacteria include:
- Doorknobs
- Countertops
- Faucet handles
- Cutting boards
You also want to give your sink a good thorough cleaning, especially if you plan on bathing your baby there. Then, when you’re done, stash some sanitizing wipes near those germ zones so you can sanitize fast and often.
4) Don’t Forget to Declutter
Carrying a growing child around your house means that you want clear and easy pathways from room to room. If you have a multi-level home, you especially want to make sure your stairs are clear and easy to walk up and down.
According to a study, 25% of physical injuries of children under the age of one occurred when they were being carried up and down the stairs. To take extra care to avoid any mishaps, try keeping a bin in various corners of the household. You can easily throw away various objects you use throughout the day that may lead to clutter, particularly at the top and bottom of your stairs.
Conclusion
Becoming a mother is one of the most monumental moments of your life, and it is no small task. Doing these simple preparation steps ahead of time will make sure your home is ready to help you be the best parent you can be.
