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We get a lot of questions about getting the house ready for baby and getting organized before the baby arrives. So in this post, we'll look at how to organize your home for new baby.
We'll go through each room in the house and show you what you need to do to prepare and organize each space in your home before the baby's arrival. We'll also give you a printable checklist to help get the house organized for a new baby.
Once you give birth and bring the baby home from the hospital, most of your time and energy will be spent on feeding the baby, changing baby's dirty diapers and then trying to catch up on sleep while the baby is sleeping. Not to mention, you'll also be recovering from child birth. Hence, planning ahead and getting the house prepped is super important.
So, let's go through each room in your home and start preparing your home for the new baby. We promise, having the entire house in order before bringing home baby can help to make those early weeks much easier!
HERE'S HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR HOME FOR a NEW BABY
1. PREPARE THE NURSERY FOR BABY
The most important thing you can do when planning a nursery, is to design a nursery that's safe, comfortable and efficient. After all, you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the room. Read this post where we talk about nursery organization hacks.
set up a diapering station
The best way to prepare for constant diaper changes is to set up a strategically stocked changing station. Read the posts below to find out how to set up a diaper station, get changing station ideas and get the printable diapering essentials checklist. With a well stocked and organized diaper station, you'll be prepared to handle diaper duty like a pro!
SET UP A breastfeeding NOOK
Once you bring the baby home from the hospital, you'll also spend a LOT of time breastfeeding the baby, every two hours or so. Therefore, setting up an optimal breastfeeding station is essential to make life with a newborn easier.
Read the posts below to find out what you need in a breastfeeding station and to look at some beautiful nursing nook ideas for inspiration.
ORGANIZE BABY'S NURSERY CLOSET
Standard closets are not efficient and certainly not set up to organize baby's clothing and other essentials. Therefore, you need to add storage solutions such as shelves, organizers, rods and baskets to the closet to store baby's clothes. Also add labels and dividers, to easily sort and organize baby's clothing.
We have a lot of resources on this blog to help you organize your baby's closet. Read the posts below to get ideas on how you can maximize space in the nursery closet, how to add smart storage solutions to the nursery and look at some incredible nursery closet makeovers. And, if you are unsure if you have the time to organize the nursery closet, read this post below on organizing the nursery closet in an afternoon.
NURSERY DRESSER ORGANIZATION
The nursery dresser also needs to be organized so you are able to store all of baby's essentials and locate items easily. Don’t worry, organizing all those nursery dresser drawers can be a quick and simple process. Read this post where we guide you with the Nursery Dresser Organization.
SET UP THE NURSERY ESSENTIALS
The crib should be your investment piece in the nursery. So pick one that's stylish and functional. Here's our updated Baby Registry List for 2020. Click here to download a printable copy.
2. ORGANIZE THE MASTER BEDROOM FOR BABY
When organizing the home for the arrival of the baby, keep in mind that the baby will spend the first few months in the master bedroom with you. Hence, organize the bedroom and set it to make life easier for you with a new baby.
SET UP A BASSINET
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies sleep in the same room as their parents at least for the first few months or so. This has been shown to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. So set up a bassinet in your master bedroom for the baby to sleep in. Don't forget to get a sound machine and a humidifier as well.
A DIAPERING KIT
To make late night diaper changes easier for you, it would be helpful if you can set up a simple diapering kit for the master bedroom with a changing mat, diapers, wipes and change of clothes for the baby.
breastfeeding essentials
If you are going to be breastfeeding in the master bedroom, definitely set up a breastfeeding station with an armchair, nursing pillow, burp cloths, etc. Don't forget to add night lights to the master bedroom so can navigate at night without trouble.
3. STOCK THE BATHROOM WITH ESSENTIALS
When preparing the bathroom in anticipation for baby's birth, remember to think about the essentials needed for your own postpartum recovery as well as bathing essentials for the baby.
GATHER A POSTPARTUM BASKET
No matter how you gave birth, the first six weeks postpartum are considered a “recovery” period. The goal of a postpartum bedside basket is for moms to rest as much as possible and to help recover from child birth. So put together a postpartum basket with supplies you need to heal and recover.
Here are a few things you’ll want to stash away while you’re still pregnant to make your postpartum recovery go as smoothly as possible.
BABY'S BATHING ESSENTIALS
Bathing the baby can be nerve-wracking than relaxing at first. However, with the right items by your side, bath time with baby can be a fun bonding routine. Here are the must-have baby bath supplies to keep your little one safe and comfy while you get her cleaned up.
3. get the kitchen organized
When you organize the home for the new baby, don't forget to add storage and organize the kitchen as well. First, if you are planning on bottle feeding, you'll need to plan for storage for the bottle feeding essentials. Second, plan for the first 2-3 weeks after the baby's birth and what you need to make life easier.
BOTTLE FEEDING ESSENTIALS
If your baby is going to bottle fed then you need to gather bottle feeding essentials for the baby. Here's a breakdown of the must-haves so you're prepped and ready for mealtime.
FREEZER MEALS
After the baby comes home from the hospital, you'll not have time to prepare and cook meals. Sure, you can order out but that's not the healthiest option. So prepare your own pre-made freezer meals that you know you love and stock up the freezer. Read the post below and get the recipes for easy freezer meals.
STOCKPILE ESSENTIALS
For the first weeks after baby's birth, you really don't want to go shopping with a newborn in tow. Stockpile on your household essentials beforehand so you spend those early weeks focusing on the baby and your postpartum recovery. Here's a stockpile checklist to help get you started.
4. GET THE LIVING ROOM REARRANGED AND ORGANIZED
The family room is where you'll be hanging out with the family, and welcoming guests as well. Keep a pack and play for nap time and diaper changes, a swing or bouncer and a nursing pillow in your family room.
pack n play
A pack n play is great for baby's nap time and for when you need to change diapers. Having a mini-changing station in the family room will eliminate the need to run to the nursery to change dirty diapers. Also, you can do the laundry and get other chores done while baby naps in the pack n play.
BOUNCER OR SWING
We know that you can't hold the baby all the time. You'll have to use the bathroom, grab a bite to eat and maybe do the dishes. So what do you do with the baby? Keep a bouncer or a swing in the family room to calm and comfort the baby so you can have a moment to yourself.
NURSING PILLOW
A nursing pillow is a must have to have by your side to make breastfeeding experience easier. So if you think you'll be breastfeeding in the family room, then certainly keep a nursing pillow in the family room along with lots burp cloths
5. PREP THE LAUNDRY ROOM
Let's not forget the additional laundry that's coming your way. You'll need to wash baby's clothes separately with special detergent for baby's sensitive skin. So prep the laundry room, clean out the washer/dryer, get the special detergent and a hamper for baby's clothes.
6. mudroom
The mudroom needs your attention as well! There are a few things you have got to keep in the mudroom to give you the convenience and peace of mind at all times.
DIAPER BAG
Keeping your diaper bag stocked and ready to go at all times means you don’t have to worry about whether you have everything you need to have a stress-free time out with baby. Here's what you need to pack in your diaper bag.
HOSPITAL BAG
It's a good idea to be prepared and have your hospital bag packed and ready to go at least a few weeks (if not several) before your due date just in case your baby decides to come earlier than planned.
Here's what you need to pack in your hospital bag to be prepared.
7. PRINTABLE CHECKLIST TO ORGANIZE your HOME FOR a new BABY
If you take steps now to get your home ready and organize your home for new baby, then after birth, you'll have less things to worry about. So print this checklist and start getting your home organized for a new baby.
Last Updated on September 24, 2020 by Tira Attygalla
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