First of all, Congratulations to you on this new phase of your life, and wish you luck in the upcoming years of parenthood. But hey, this journey wouldn’t be a cakewalk… but it will surely be worth it!
To help yourself, here are some changes you must make in your house before the baby arrives.
1. Clean the carpets
Your baby will spend 7-8 months crawling on the floor. So, it is very important to check whether the carpet is clean.
You are wrong if you think your carpet is dust-free because you vacuum it daily. Pet dandruff, dirt, and some other pollutants may still be stuck to it. And you definitely don’t want to expose your baby to these things. So either you can rent a carpet cleaning machine or hire professionals.
The professionals will cost between $100-$400, wherein renting a machine costs 30 dollars daily. You can pick one according to your budget and preference.
2. Keep a basket and changing mat nearby
Newborn babies require lots of nappies throughout the day. So, if you live in a one-story bungalow, you must take multiple trips downstairs to collect all the baby essentials. So, naturally, this is the last thing you want to do after childbirth.
Only a basket can save you from this situation. You can keep all the baby items like clothes, diapers, wipes, and spare cloth here and place the changing mat downstairs.
You can slide the mat under the sofa or store it safely in a cupboard. But ensure it is not cluttering the room and is within your reach.
3. Set up a nursery
Yes, set up a nursery near the master bedroom. Place the furniture, like a baby crib, playhouse, etc., after measuring the entire room space. Otherwise, it will make the room a mess.
If you don’t have extra room, you must set up a nursery in the master bedroom. Rearrange everything in the room to avoid any future accidents.
Further, ensure you don’t keep the baby crib near electrical cords, heavy decor, windows, and wall art.
4. Clear the light fixtures, air vents, and fans
Babies are extremely fragile and very much prone to dust allergies. So clean your home properly before the newborn arrives. Mostly, areas like light fixtures, baseboards, ceilings, and electronics accumulate more dust particles than any other place in the house.
Clean them first. Then move on and clean the ceiling fan and air vents. It will take hardly two days.
5. Shop for baby-friendly furniture
Before going shopping, create a budget. It will save you from overspending.
If you have a lower budget, purchase a 3-in-1 crib. This kind of crib can be transformed into a toddler bed and daybed. As a result, you don’t need to buy a bed each year.
If you have lots of storage space in your home, be prepared to shop for some more. You can also store their stuff in containers, baskets, etc. If you plan to install some shelves to keep toys, use the vertical space of the wall.
Throw cushions on the floor or wherever your baby is to protect them in case of accidental falls. One of my friends recently had a baby, and she has made it a rule to arrange cushions around her baby.
This created a boundary surrounding the baby and kept it protected. She bought it from KAS Australia. The cushion’s fabric was extremely rich in quality and provided a 30 days return.
If you are unsatisfied with the product, you can either return it or exchange the cushion.
6. Install a monitoring system
This monitoring system is a lifesaver, and you must invest in this.
Babies like to discover their surroundings. Unfortunately, this attitude sometimes leads to danger. The system will alert you if your baby is approaching a danger zone or has found his or her way out of the crib. This becomes mandatory if you are a single mother or don’t have a nanny.
The monitoring system is less expensive than CCTV cameras. If your baby hasn’t started crawling, you can buy a simple monitoring device that alerts you when the baby starts crying.
Conclusion
Now that you know everything about the changes start taking action. Don’t forget to baby-proof every electrical outlet, stair, etc.
