You have spent several months preparing the nursery for your bundle of joy including new furniture, curtains, paint, and a spanking new rocking chair just for you. That feeling of satisfaction shouldn’t lull you into a sense of complacency, though. Sorry, there is still much to do! You have the time before your little one comes home to complete a few more tasks, so we suggest 5 tips to prepare your home for a newborn.
Get Your Guest Room In Order
All sorts of mothers, mothers-in-law, friends, and other relatives will be visiting right after you return home from the hospital. With that in mind, pull everything together now so your guest will be able to fall into bed without you lifting a finger.
Wash sheets and put them on the bed. Have clean towels ready for your guest. Pick up some extra toilet paper, toothpaste and brushes, air fresheners, and a fan if there isn’t already one in the guest room.
Do Spring Cleaning Even If It’s Not Spring
Regardless of the month, use this time to prep your house and get it sparkling clean. Dust and allergens are all over your house, so do what you can to keep surfaces dust free. Use a hand vacuum to clean on top of and between cushions.
Use long handled dusters to reach high places, or ask someone else to help. Sanitary wipes are perfect for kitchen surfaces or use soft cloths.
This is the perfect time to do a thorough cleaning of your refrigerator. Throw out expired items, remove old leftovers with things growing on them (you know they’re there), and clean the surfaces with vinegar and water.
Leave room for casseroles and food gifts which will be plentiful.
Make Room For Baby
Yes, this tiny little creature comes with a massive amount of “stuff.”
Streamline every room for baby necessities like the following:
- Make some space in your living area for a playpen, bouncy chairs, and toys.
- Clear out kitchen areas including shelves, pantry space, and drawers for bottles, cups, silverware, bibs, a highchair, and of course baby food.
- Make space in closets for baby clothes, diapers, bathing supplies, blankets and towels.
Get Needed Sleep
Yes, you will be up nights feeding your little one, but one item might make your nights less stressful. Consider purchasing a co-sleeper, which attaches to your bed. It is safe and you can reach out to your baby instead of getting up. You can soothe your little one, feed him or her and place the baby back in their bed, and you both can go back to sleep.
Get Help And Delegate
Recognize you can’t do it all. Whatever you don’t accomplish, delegate some responsibilities to others, ask for help when you need it, and relax in knowing there are people who love you and want to help.
Then remember, it won’t be long before you will need to prepare your home for a toddler.
Make an appointment with Birmingham Obstetrics & Gynecology for any last minute questions or concerns.