Two Weeks to Go: A Quick Guide to Prepping Your Home for Your Newborn

Two Weeks to Go: A Quick Guide to Prepping Your Home for Your Newborn

Are you expecting a new baby in the next few weeks? I totally get it, the anticipation can be exciting and overwhelming all at the same time. But don’t worry, I’ve got your back!

I’ve rounded up my top tips for getting your home ready for your new arrival in just two weeks.

After working with hundreds moms for their newborn/birth photography, I’ve learned a thing or two and selected 5 ways to prepare your home for your newborn that you may have not considered yet!

1. Declutter your home

Decluttering your home can sound like a daunting task, especially when you’re expecting a newborn! But it’s easier than you think to get your home ready for your newest addition. Honestly decluttering has always been SUPER overwhelming for me, but I do feel so much better after its done

Here are some steps to follow to declutter before baby arrives:

Step 1: Choose two or three rooms that you frequent most often (most likely this will be your living room, kitchen and bedroom).

Step 2: Start by noticing where things tend to pile up. For me, that’s always been the mail on the coffee table – I don’t even understand how we get SO.MUCH.MAIL.

Try to find a new place for these items to go or a new system to put them away so they stop piling up! For me, I started going through the mail as I walk back from the mailbox and throw away anything that isn’t an important bill as soon as I come back in the house.

Step 3: Let’s “Marie Kondo” your stuff! Go through each drawer, cabinet and shelf and ask yourself, “Do I still need/want this item?”

Step 4: Make 3 piles, “Keep, Donate, Toss” and put everything into 1 of those piles.

Step 5: Organize the “keep” items, throw away the “toss” items (or recycle if possible) and give away the “donate.”

Turn on some music and make it fun!
Get some pizza & soda, call your best friend to come over and help.

Are you like me and suffer from ADD so picking up is hard to do? I use a timer method and find it has helped tremendously!! I set a time for 30 minutes and during that time, I pick up/clean/organize. After the timer is done, I set another 30 and do something else, followed by another set time of picking up. Rinse & repeat until I’ve done enough to feel happy with myself for today.

By following these simple steps over the course of just a few days or a weekend, you can quickly create a stress-free and comfortable newborn-ready environment in your own home.

2. Stock up on essentials (& not just baby essentials)

You’re likely already thinking about things like diapers, wipes, bottles, etc.

But have you considered stocking up on regular household items like paper towels, toilet paper, dishwasher soap…?

My best tip would be to set these items up on Amazon Subscribe and Save so they’ll show up on your doorstep and you never have to worry about running out those first few months with your newborn!

3. Put together a baby care basket

A baby care basket, or sometimes called a “downstairs” basket is a lifesaver those first few weeks home with a new baby.

Oftentimes, you’re in one space with the baby for most of the day and find yourself “trapped” under a sleeping baby without the supplies you need!

A baby care basket can solve that for you. Basically, it’s a container you can keep in each room of the house that has all the essentials for baby so you’re not running around from room to room getting the things you need.

Usually, the baby care basket includes diapers, wipes, burp cloths, extra clothes, pacifiers, and anything else you might need for the baby frequently.

I also like to think about including things for mom like nipple cream, breast pads, chapstick, etc.

In addition to keeping you from running from room to room, a baby care basket will help you stay organized and keep your home clutter free!

So much information – but I have even more for you!! Click HERE to check out Part II of A Quick Guide to Prepping Your Home for Your Newborn