Countdown to D-Day : How to Prep Your Home Before the Delivery

It's Time!

When it is just you and your spouse, you don’t really think too much about the setup of your apart from the aesthetic appeal. However, when your baby comes along, you will realise just how important it is to have your home prepped in the right way.

Now, it can be really difficult to get things done with a newborn in the house. As such, you need to make all the necessary changes beforehand. In case you want to know exactly what these are, you can find your answers below…

Give Your Home a Safety Once-Over

Sure, your home may be habitable for adults, but is it really safe for a baby? It is always good to consider things such as air quality, mould, and anything else that might compromise your baby’s health. You may want to check that your home’s safety codes are up to date as well.

So, go ahead and take a look around. Don’t be afraid to check near the ceilings, in corners, and beneath and behind furniture. You never know what could be hiding right under your nose. If you don’t feel qualified to do this job, go ahead and hire a professional. They will know exactly what to look out for.

Deep Clean Your Home

This may seem like an odd item on your list, but it is important. Once the baby comes along, you aren’t going to have time to do much cleaning. And even if you can get someone else to tidy up for you, it can be tricky to find the right time. After all, no one wants to turn on the vacuum cleaner while the little one is napping. Check out this guide on how to choose the best stick vacuum that suits your needs.

This is why it is a good idea to do this before you are expected to deliver. Imagine that you are spring cleaning and scrub down everything. If you and your spouse can’t manage by yourselves, it may even be worth it to pay someone to do it for you. Or, you can let a couple of friends or family members help you out.

Make Room for the Baby Stuff

Your baby might be tiny, but that little one is going to have a lot of stuff. Now, some of these are objects such as cribs and changing tables. However, your baby is going to need space in other areas of the house as well. This includes the kitchen.

Even if your little one is being breastfed, their belongings will be taking up a fair amount of real estate. There is a good chance that you will still need bottles if daddy is planning on co-feeding the little one. And, before you know it, you will need somewhere to store all those sippy cups, plates, spoons, and more.

Set Up the Nursery

This is something you should be doing ahead of time, even if your baby will be sleeping in your room for those first few months. On the surface, it can seem like it is a breeze to put a crib together. However, when you actually have to do it, it becomes another matter entirely.

Not to mention, you have to make sure that you adhere to safety standards when you are buying mattresses. For a guide on how to get it right, you can check out articles such as https://littleonemag.com/best-crib-mattresses/. You are also going to need to set up changing tables, dressers, and more. Furthermore, you will need to put away your little one’s clothes, and belongings.

Prepare for Guests

Sure, most people will only be popping by for a quick visit. At the same time, you can expect close family members such as the grandmas and grandpas to take up residence in your home. This means that you will need to prepare the guest bedroom.

So, do this ahead of time so that you will not need to run around after your baby is born. This doesn’t just mean cleaning the rooms, though. No, you should make the beds with fresh linen. Then, leave out towels, toiletries, and anything else that your guests might need.

Do Baby Laundry

If you think you can do your baby’s laundry with the adults’ clothes, think again. Infants have incredibly sensitive skin. As such, most traditional detergents can cause irritation. You need to use a detergent that is especially suited to your little one’s needs https://www.romper.com/p/when-should-you-wash-new-baby-clothes-that-nesting-instinct-will-tell-you-71264.

It needs to be free of dyes, fragrances, or other harsh chemicals. When in doubt, ask a paediatrician what one of the best options may be. And, stick to just one kind of detergent. This way, if your baby does have an allergic reaction, you will be able to immediately tell what the problem is.

So, why should you do laundry before your baby comes home? Well, for one thing, you need to make sure that there are no irritants on new or hand-me-down clothes. Not to mention, you will also have to clip labels on the clothes to avoid them hurting your newborn.

One of the main reasons to do the laundry so early, though, is that your tiny baby will go through a surprising number of clothes after she comes home. Before you know it, a fresh outfit may be stained with spit up and various other bodily fluids. So, you are going to need plenty of clean ones on hand.

These are the main ways you can get your home ready for your baby’s arrival. So, make sure to check every item of your list. Sure, it can feel time-consuming and troublesome. However, you will be certainly glad that you took the initiative once your baby comes along.

Getting all these things out of the way can also help you feel calmer as a parent. This is especially true if it is your first child. Go ahead and take care of what you need to. Then, when your baby arrives you will have lots more time to spend with your new bundle of joy. What more could you ask for?