Get your home ready before baby is born with our 12-week organizing challenge. Discover weekly tasks, tips, and checklists to prepare for your newborn's arrival.
There’s so much to think about before baby is born—from setting up the nursery to organizing every corner of your home for a smooth transition into parenthood. Whether you're a first-time parent or expanding your family, preparing ahead of time can ease stress and ensure everything is ready for your newborn’s arrival. This 12-week organizing challenge is designed to guide you step-by-step through the essential tasks, helping you declutter, stock up on baby must-haves, and create a calm, welcoming space before your baby arrives.
12 week organizing challenge before baby is born
1. WEEK 1: START WORKING ON THE NURSERY
We'll begin our challenge to get organized before the baby is born by focusing on the nursery. If you've already picked a design for the baby's nursery, you are ahead of the game. This week we'll empty out the room, remove the curtains and start painting the walls. If you haven't picked the nursery furniture, this is the week to come up with a nursery design, start shopping and place the order.
If you are stuck on the nursery design, read this post to get you started with our 10 steps to a well designed nursery.
Or try taking this FREE 2 minute Nursery Style Quiz and we'll help you figure out your nursery style and give you personalized ideas!
2. WEEK 2: ORGANIZE KIDS BEDROOM & GUEST BEDROOM
This week we'll take a break from the nursery while all of the furnishings and accessories get delivered. Instead, we'll work on purging, de-cluttering and organizing the older kids bedroom (that is if you are a mom already) and the guest bedrooms.
We'll spend time purging toys, books and clothes the kids don't use anymore. We'll donate things to Goodwill or Salvation Army or even save some in big plastic totes for the new baby.
At the end of this week, these spaces will ideally be organized and cleaned!
3. WEEK 3: SET UP THE NURSERY & ORGANIZE BABY'S CLOSET
Oh, this is sure to be a fun week! This week, we'll set up the nursery by building the crib, dresser and the, nursery chair. We'll place them in the nursery and of course, accessorize the nursery to give it personality.
This week, we'll start organizing baby's closet as well. We have lots of organization tips and ideas on our website. So get organization ideas and start sorting baby's clothes.
4. WEEK 4: ORGANIZE THE MASTER BEDROOM AND CLOSET
Once you bring your baby home from the hospital, the baby will probably sleep in your room for the first few months at least. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep in the same room as the parents, so they're able to keep an eye on the baby.
We'll rearrange the master bedroom furniture to make space for baby's bassinet. We'll also purge and organize the master closet. We'll make space for the postpartum and nursing clothes you'll need.
WEEK 5: MAKE FREEZER MEALS
This week, we are going to take a break from cleaning and organizing. Instead, we'll make a plan, go grocery shopping and start making freezer meals. If you are a regular reader of this website, you know we preach on how important making freezer meals is before the baby is born.
You will so appreciate having ready to eat home cooked meals when you are just powering through 2-3 hours of sleep and breastfeeding a baby.
WEEK 6 : ORGANIZE THE KITCHEN & PANTRY. STOCKPILE ON ESSENTIALS
For week 5 of our 12 week organizing challenge, we'll focus on the kitchen and pantry. We'll clean out and organize the cabinets, drawers, pantry, fridge and freezer. We'll purge things that we don't use or have expired. We'll mop, wipe down cabinet doors and counter tops.
This week, we'll also make a list of household non perishables and start stockpiling them. After you have the baby, the last thing you want to do is go grocery shopping for the first few weeks at least.
WEEK 7: SET UP THE MUST HAVE STATIONS
It's week 7 of our organizing challenge! This week we'll set up the essential stations namely, the diapering station, pumping station, breastfeeding nook and the postpartum basket. Having these 4 stations set up will save you so much time, energy and of course, the stress of having to run around gathering things with a newborn in your arms.
WEEK 8: ORGANIZE THE MUDROOM, PACK THE HOSPITAL BAG AND DIAPER BAG
For week 8 of our organizing challenge in anticipation of the birth of the baby, we'll spend time purging, organizing and cleaning the mudroom. We'll also pack the hospital bag and get it ready. Read this post on packing the hospital bag.
We'll also start packing a diaper bag. Read this post on what to pack in a diaper bag.
WEEK 9 : CLEAN AND ORGANIZE THE BATHROOMS & LIVING ROOM
Time to clean the bathrooms, this week. We'll sort through drawer sand cabinets. We'll clean the windows and mirrors. Clean the toilet, shower, tub and sinks.
We'll spend time cleaning and organizing the living room as well. You'll want to clear out and make space for the baby's swing,
WEEK 10: SET UP THE BABY GEAR, CLEAN CAR AND INSTALL CAR SEAT
By now, you've probably had your baby shower and received most of the items you wanted. We'll spend time this week, setting up the bassinet, bouncer and swing for the baby. We'll also need to clean the car and install baby's car seat.
WEEK 11: VACUUM, CLEAN BASEBOARDS, WASH CURTAINS, STEAM CLEAN CARPETS
You are almost done with the challenge. For week 11 of our organizing challenge before baby is born, we'll get the house deep cleaned. This is really the week to splurge a little if you can and get one of those cleaning companies to help you out. Otherwise, we'll spend this week vacuuming, cleaning baseboards, washing curtains and steam cleaning the carpets.
WEEK 12 : CATCH UP WEEK
How exciting! We are almost done with our organizing challenge This is really a catch up week if you missed any of the other weeks or have anything that you couldn't finish in the previous weeks. Finish organizing baby's closet, put away all the baby shower gifts you received and don't forget to write thank you cards!
12 WEEK ORGANIZING CHALLENGE BEFORE BABY IS BORN FINAL THOUGHTS
Taking the time to organize and prepare your home before baby is born can make a world of difference in creating a calm, stress-free environment for both you and your newborn. From setting up baby essentials to streamlining your routines, these weekly tasks will help you feel confident, prepared, and ready to welcome your little one. Use this guide as your go-to baby checklist and take it one step at a time—you’ve got this! The more you can get ready for baby in advance, the more you can focus on soaking up those precious first moments once they arrive.
ORGANIZING CHALLENGE PRINTABLE CHECKLIST
We'll included a checklist for you to keep track of each of the 12 weeks of organization challenges and specific tasks for each week. Happy Organizing!
