I know a few mamas who are expecting or have recently delivered a little one. Whether you’re a newbie to the baby scene or adding to your brood, this piece from our guest blogger Michael of Music Magpie has lots of helpful tips.
Clearing out to make room for baby (Guest Post)
This is no ordinary cleaning session. Clearing out your home to make room for a new baby–and all the inevitable items like bibs and baby bottles that come along with a baby — will be an intense process. Luckily, you won’t have to worry about the baby getting into any mischief right away, but you’ll still want to make sure the house is not cluttered upon his or her arrival. If you’re a new parent worried about missing a step, just follow this list.
Prepare baby’s room. One of the first pieces of furniture that you’ll buy is a cot, or at least a bassinet for your infant. And luckily, beyond a bed and a changing table, there’s not much else you’ll need. Babies grow quickly, and you’ll be planning to re-do your child’s room to make it toddler-appropriate before you know it. Keep this in mind because once you start clearing out, you may be eager to fill that space with baby trinkets.
Clear out your wardrobe. It may not directly affect your baby’s health, but having a clear and organised space for yourself can greatly benefit your sanity while you adjust to having an infant at home. Get rid of any worn out clothing and make a pile of maternity wear that you’d either like to put away or donate. Make sure to do the same with shoes and accessories, too, so that you’ll have more space to store new items.
Decide where you’ll store baby items. Of course, you have a nursery, or maybe just a corner of your bedroom, set up for the baby to sleep. But you’re about to have an influx of nappies, baby bottles, formula and baby clothing that may not fit in that designated area. Decide where you can store these items and begin clearing a space for them, whether it is the kitchen cupboard, the garage or a linen closet. Then, try to de-clutter by selling items like old electronics, clothing or kitchen appliances to make room. You can even sell DVDs online to make room for all the animated movies you’ll no doubt end up acquiring to keep your baby entertained.
Don’t overlook the details. Your newborn will still be developing his or her immune system in the first days of life, so it’s important to remove as much dirt and as many allergens as possible. Vacuum all carpeted flooring, and wipe down walls and blinds with a wet, warm cloth. Take down curtains and get them professionally cleaned. (Or, if you have a steamer, you can clean them yourself.)
As you become accustomed to parenthood, you’ll likely think of other items that should either be discarded or cleaned thoroughly. The important thing to remember is that making your home baby-proof is a process that continues as your little one grows.
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