5 Ways to Get Your House Ready for a New Baby

By: Marge Hynes May 17, 2022

You’re expecting. Congratulations! Nothing is more exciting than welcoming a new miracle of life into your home. Having a new baby means you’re going to have prep.

We’ve researched a few tried and true tips for getting the house ready so you can spend the most time with your new baby when they come home.

Keep reading to find out more.

Time for Baby Proofing

Before your precious bundle comes home, you’re going to want to put yourself in baby’s booties. Your baby is curious and, most likely, a bit cheeky. If you were crawling around on all fours, what kinds of things would you be able to grab? If it could be hazardous, it’s best to remove it or put it somewhere else they can’t reach. Some other foolproof ways to ensure your baby is safe are:

Installing safety locks on cabinets
Putting child-safe covers on outlets
Putting baby gates on stairs or rooms to keep them closed
Anchoring furniture to prevent wiggly babies from tipping them over
Installing childproof window guards
Checking your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Make sure all cleaning products, laundry detergents, and medications are out of sight & out of reach

Keep Sanitizing Wipes on Deck

It’s about to get messy. Besides having your storage solution basics and baby furniture ready to go, you're going to want to also have your cleaning essentials ready, too. The National Sanitation Foundation International notes that kitchen sinks, dish rags, stove knobs, sponges, faucet handles, countertops, refrigerator handles, cutting boards, and toothbrush holders can be some of the most serious harbingers of grimy microorganisms.*

We recommend keeping sanitizing wipes or a cleaning kit near the ‘red zones’ so you can wipe them down when your baby is home. It’s also best to ditch paper towels and opt for 100% cotton cleaning cloths which are reusable, absorbent, and quick-drying for that inevitable baby mishmash.

Prep for Laundry Loads

If you’re big on math, here’s a simple equation for you: Baby Human = Lots of Laundries. You’re going to want to prepare for the inevitable. Don’t worry, though. Here are a few simple and easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy ways you can prep:

Invest in a bigger hamper (one with compartments).
Do your laundry ahead of the baby's arrival time.
Get detergents free of toxins, dyes, and fragrances, like our consciously-crafted Laundry Detergent Bundle.
Ditch fabric softeners and use biodegradable wool dryer balls to soften baby clothes, towels, and rags.
Keep your stain remover locked and loaded for newborn spills & messes.

The Nursery Isn’t Just for Baby

The baby isn’t the only one who’s going to be spending a lot of time in the nursery. You are, too. Safety is always the first priority when it comes to setting up a space for your new kiddo. Here are some recommendations:

Place the changing table near the baby’s sleeping area.
Keep the toys away from the baby’s sleeping area (they can be choking hazards).

A nursery should be safe, cozy, and soothing for both you and your baby. You’re going to want to decide want kind of décor, color palettes, and organization works best for both of you. For starters, you’ll decide where in the room you want the crib to be. We also recommend investing in our luxury crib size mattress protector - ours is hypoallergenic, temperature regulating, machine washable, resists stains & odors, and eliminates common non-living household allergens.

Woah, Baby! - You're Gonna' Need Space for That

A new baby means more space. Say adios to things in your cabinets and fridge you rarely touch. You’re going to want to make way for a bottle rack, a baby-food maker, corral pump parts, pacis, sippy cups, baby spoons & bowls, teething toys, and other baby essentials. These spaces can include your kitchen, bathroom, living room, and any other rooms you might use for storage or for the baby.

You can add things like soft and gentle towel sets in the bathroom for those future baby baths or some easy-to-store, non-toxic detergent packs in the kitchen to clean those baby dishes. A bath and shower caddy can also come in handy to store baby shampoos and rags. You can also try what’s known as The Three-Box Method, where you take three large storage containers labeled “Get Rid Of,” “Keep,” and “Put in Storage,” and then organize & declutter the whole house for the baby’s arrival.

Congrats on your newborn bundle of joy! What tips and tricks from our list worked best for you? What kinds of essentials did you need for your new baby? Let us know in the comments below. The Cosy community would love to hear from you.

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Resources:

Costello, M. (2021, February). Clean the germiest home items. NSF International. Retrieved from https://www.nsf.org/blog/consumer/clean-germiest-home-items.