What You Must Do To Get Your House Prepared For a Baby

If you are expecting a new baby, your house will soon transform into a child’s cluttered playpen. But if you’d rather keep the madness in order, take this advice on what you must do to get your house prepared for a baby.

Deep Clean

When you prepare your home for the arrival of a newborn, you will have to do more than the typical decluttering and quick wipe-down. Infants are very sensitive to minor messes that adults can ignore. Rid your carpet of dirt, dandruff, and other debris with a carpet cleaner. Also, wipe down the dust in hard-to-reach spots, like ceiling fans, light fixtures, and air vents.

Babyproof

Though your child will initially need you by their side at all times, they’ll soon be stomping around the house on their own—messing about and getting into trouble. Some babies will chew on anything they can get their hands on. To keep your baby safe from accidental poisoning, move toxic materials out of reach, including nail polish remover, cleaning supplies, and detergent.

You should also block off the stairs with a babyproof gate, remove all choking hazards from the vicinity, and cover electrical outlets. Some of this may feel a little paranoid, but you would be surprised the sort of places babies can find themselves if you’re not careful.

A Crib

As a new parent, you’ll want to put extra care and time into choosing the right crib for your baby. You want to welcome them to a nursery that feels safe, comfortable, and orderly. Make sure the blanket is tightly fitted, as loose blankets can lead to suffocation. Babies have flexible, resilient bones, which is why they benefit from a firmer mattress. Also, make sure your mattress covers are waterproof—for obvious reasons.

Other Baby Essentials

Of course, there are dozens of other essential items a household needs as it prepares for a newborn, including:

• A car seat – You have two options: a portable infant car seat or a convertible car seat that can grow alongside the child.
• A noisemaker — White noise will help get your baby to sleep. It will also drown out the sounds of your family, which will keep them asleep.
• A bouncer or swing –Bouncers and swings can keep a baby occupied and comfortable. They are also a great place to buckle them in when you go to the bathroom.

Prepare the Rest of the Household

The final and perhaps most important step in the list of what you must do to get your house prepared for a baby is to prepare the rest of the household for the change. If you already have children, tell them about the changes a new baby will bring. Be honest about your divided attention, but make sure you give all your children one-on-one time to show that you haven’t forgotten about them.

Sincerely,