If you’re reading this post, you’re probably about to have a baby. Congratulations! It’s so magical. And crazy, if we’re being honest (we are). Maybe your nesting is kicking into gear or you just want to be super prepared, either way – I’m here to help! Everyone says the first month is survival mode, and they’re right! Even with an easy baby like Foster, knowing how to prepare your home for a baby is crucial. Here are some easy and affordable hacks to get ready for your new little bundle of joy!
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Before we dive in, take this post with a grain of salt and make it work for your situation. Maybe you have less space or more space than us, maybe you’re not nursing, etc. However you choose to Mom is the perfect way for your family! This is what we did and what worked for us, hopefully it’s helpful.
TIP # 1 – Make a Loose Plan
When I first started to think about how to prepare your home for a baby, I knew we were going to need storage. Our upstairs has a ton of closets, but downstairs? Not so much. And we spend the majority of our time downstairs. Unsure of how I would feel after labor, I didn’t know if I would be able to even go upstairs. So I made a plan like I couldn’t. One thing I’ve learned is that plans change a lot with babies, so be flexible and prepare for the worst possible scenario. When planning think about things like where you’ll be spending most of your time, how easy you can access areas, how much help you will have, etc.
TIP # 2- Set Up Stations
I created two stations in our home, one in my nightstand and one in my living room. We spend the most time in these two areas and I knew I wouldn’t want to go upstairs for every single diaper change. In addition to diaper changing essentials, I also created baskets with things I thought we would use frequently. I’ll break these down for you:
+ in our nightstand: I ordered these acrylic organizers. They’re affordable and helpful! The larger one is the perfect size to stack newborn diapers, keeping them neat and tidy. The smaller bins are perfect for holding things like extra pacifiers and baby q-tips. Also in this drawer, I keep things we use a lot like our Tubby Todd All Over Ointment (a GAME CHANGER and considered one of my mama must haves!), Bulb Sucker, Nail Files, diaper rash ointment and Gripe Water (always consult pediatrician before giving any medicine to your baby!). In my drawer, I also kept a few burp clothes and wipes. On top of my nightstand I use this Vava Touch Nightlight (still our most used item!). Having this close by meant I could grab Foster, change his diaper and nurse without ever leaving bed. Even at 3 months, I still keep this station stocked like this and it’s so helpful! If you don’t have room in your nightstand, consider a 3 tier cart like this one and create a little station.
+ in our bedroom: Also in our bedroom, I added another basket filled with newborn onesies, pajamas and blankets. As I mentioned, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to go upstairs so I wanted to have clothes downstairs just in case. This also came in handy as we changed his clothes more frequently during the newborn stage (blowouts, spit up, etc.). Now that he’s older, I don’t do this but I am glad I did it when he was first born!
+ in our living room: I created a similar set up except this time I added baskets to the bottom of our billy bookcases. Each basket serves a specific purpose: extra swaddles, toys, diaper changing essentials, diapers. Like our nightstand, we still use these baskets everyday at 3 months. It’s so helpful being able to change a diaper or quickly grab what we need.
As you get to know your little one, you may need to change what’s in the baskets or things like that but it never hurts to be prepared!
TIP #3: Be Prepared for Feeds
No matter how you choose to feed your baby, they eat a lot! And I found little time to feed myself. I also found I wasn’t quite prepared for nursing and had to keep doing Target pick up orders to get what I needed. I wanted to include my breastfeeding essentials so that you can learn from my mistakes and be more prepared! First, be sure to stock your fridge and pantry with items that are quick and easy to eat. A few of my favorite options were granola bars, guacamole cups and chicken tenders in the air fryer. I needed something I could make quickly and eat with one hand. When it comes to nursing, I love these Storage Bags and they fit perfectly in these Acrylic Storage Bins. I also swear by the Hakaa for catching let down while nursing and I’ve used this Heating Pad quite a few times whenever I felt I was getting a clogged duct.
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I know this may not be helpful for everyone, but these tips on how to prepare your home for baby were a game changer for us! If you have any to add, leave them in the comments below so other moms can see as well!
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