Preparing Your Home for a New Baby: A Room-by-Room Checklist

Creating a safe and welcoming environment for your new baby is crucial to preparing for parenthood. Not all of these items need to be purchased before babe is here, however here's a room-by-room checklist to help you get your home ready for your little one's arrival:

Nursery:

1. Crib and Bedding: Ensure the crib meets safety standards, and use a firm mattress with a fitted sheet. Avoid using pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals in the crib.

2. Changing Table: Stock it with diapers, wipes, and diaper rash cream.

3. Clothing Storage: Organize baby clothes in the closet or dresser.

4. Baby Monitor: Set up a baby monitor if you plan to use one.

5. Nightlight: Consider a dim nightlight for late-night feedings and diaper changes.

6. Laundry hamper

Kitchen:

1. Baby Bottles and Feeding Supplies: Sterilize and organize bottles, nipples, breast pumps, and formula if needed.

2. High Chair: If your baby is ready for solids, have a high chair.

3. Baby-Friendly Utensils and Dishes: Purchase or set aside utensils, plates, and bowls for your little one.

Living Room:

1. Baby-Proofing: Install safety gates and secure heavy furniture to prevent accidents.

2. Toy Storage: Set up a designated area for baby toys.

3. Comfortable Nursing Area: Create a cozy spot for breastfeeding or bottle feeding.

Bathroom:

1. Baby Bath Supplies: Gather baby shampoo, soap, a soft washcloth.

2. Baby First Aid Kit: Include a rectal thermometer, baby nail clippers, and infant-friendly pain relievers.

Bedroom:

1. Your Sleep Space: If the baby shares your room, set up a bassinet or co-sleeper for easy access during nighttime feedings.

2. Blackout Curtains: These can help create a conducive sleep environment for you and your baby.

Laundry Room:

1. Baby Laundry Detergent: Have a separate detergent for baby clothes to avoid skin sensitivities.

2. Dirty Diaper Disposal System: Consider a diaper pail for convenience.

General Safety:

1. Outlet Covers: Childproof electrical outlets.

2. Safety Latches: Install cabinet locks to keep hazardous items out of reach.

3. Window Guards: Consider window guards for added safety if you have low windows.

4. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Ensure they are in working order.

Car:

1. Car Seat: Install it properly in your vehicle before the due date. This can also be done at any firestation.

2. Mirror: Install a rear-facing baby mirror to monitor your baby during car rides.

Emergency Contacts:

1. Pediatrician: Please ensure your pediatrician's contact information is readily available.

2. Poison Control: Post the number for poison control in emergencies.

Regularly review and update these safety measures as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. This checklist will help you prepare your home for the new addition to your family and ensure a safe and comfortable environment for your baby's arrival. Maintaining well-arranged areas throughout your home will greatly simplify your life. In the initial weeks, your hands will be occupied, necessitating multiple instances of commonly used items. Establish feeding, changing, and sleeping stations in various rooms for optimal convenience. Place all essential supplies in baskets at each station to minimize the need for constant room-to-room trips. Ensure everything is easily accessible for you while tending to your baby, whether during feeding, rocking, or soothing.

XOXO-Holly

Post-Partum....Tips for Thriving

One of the things I see so often is that we put so much effort and time into the pregnancy and not so much planning into the postpartum time. It bears mentioning that planning for this portion of the journey can be helpful and necessary. Honestly, it’s not necessarily about the fancy gadgets and nursery decor. Taking time to plan meals, meal delivery services, household tasks, and who, if anyone, can come to help once you get home is a critical element. Delivery can also impact the type of support you may need, so a plan is necessary.

I read an article the other day that said that we are doing a disservice by telling parents that “it takes a village.” While I don’t disagree with the statement, the village has changed, and frankly, it is typically a village you need to pay for. Gone are the days when family was directly down the street, and everyone took a shift. One of the best things you can do is plan for support, and it may be support you pay for. A postpartum doula is a great investment and can really help with the transition to coming home. It can be helpful whether you are a first-time parents or if you are bringing him a 2nd or 3rd baby. Let’s have a look at the type of support that they provide.

Practical assistance: Doulas can assist with household chores, meal preparation, and running errands, allowing the new mother to focus on her recovery and bonding with her baby. This practical help can significantly reduce stress and exhaustion.

1. Breastfeeding support: Postpartum doulas can provide guidance and support for breastfeeding, including latching, positioning, and answering questions about infant feeding. They can also offer resources for addressing common breastfeeding challenges.

2. Newborn care education: Doulas can help parents learn about newborn care, including diapering, swaddling, soothing techniques, and safe sleep practices. They can provide guidance on infant sleep schedules and assist with creating a structured routine.

3. Postpartum recovery support: Doulas can offer information and guidance on postpartum recovery, including physical and emotional healing after childbirth. They can help the mother understand the changes her body is going through and offer strategies for self-care.

4. Sibling and family support: Postpartum doulas can assist with sibling adjustment and help the whole family adapt to the new addition. They provide care and support to older siblings and help the family maintain a sense of normalcy.

5. Infant care assistance: Doulas can help with newborn care, including diaper changes, soothing techniques, and basic baby care. This can be especially helpful for first-time parents or those with limited support networks.

6. Sleep support: Doulas can offer guidance on establishing healthy sleep habits for both the mother and the baby. They can help parents navigate infant sleep patterns and offer strategies for improving sleep quality.

7. Non-judgmental support: Postpartum doulas provide non-judgmental support, respecting the parenting choices and philosophies of the family. They offer information and guidance but don't impose their own opinions.

8. Reduced stress and increased confidence: The presence of a postpartum doula can reduce stress for new parents, increase their confidence in caring for their baby, and improve overall well-being. This support can lead to a smoother transition into parenthood.

   *It's important to note that postpartum doulas do not provide medical or clinical care; they complement the care provided by healthcare professionals. The specific services and scope of support can vary based on individual doula qualifications and agreements. The level and type of support needed can also vary depending on the family's circumstances and preferences.

   Don’t underestimate meal preparation or a meal service. One of the best healing practices you can add to your routine when arriving home with your new baby is nourishing meals. Here are just a few of the benefits:

   1. Convenience: Postpartum recovery can be physically demanding and time-consuming. Preparing meals can be challenging, and meal delivery services provide convenience by saving you the time and effort required to shop for groceries, cook, and clean up.

   2. Nutritional Support: Proper nutrition is vital for postpartum recovery and for maintaining energy levels, especially if you're breastfeeding. Meal delivery services often offer well-balanced, nutritious options that ensure you get the essential nutrients.

   3. Varied Menu Options: Many meal delivery services offer various menu options to cater to different dietary preferences and restrictions, making finding meals that suit your specific needs easier.

   4. Customization: Some meal delivery services allow you to customize your meals so you can select ingredients or dishes that align with your dietary preferences or restrictions.

   5. Portion Control: Meals from delivery services are typically portion-controlled, which can help new mothers avoid overeating or undereating, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight.

   6. Reduced Stress: Postpartum is a time of high stress and sleep deprivation. Meal delivery services can reduce the stress associated with meal planning, cooking, and cleaning, allowing new parents to focus on self-care and bonding with their baby.

   7. Community Support: Friends and family who want to help can contribute by ordering meal deliveries, either as one-time gifts or through meal delivery gift cards. This support can provide a network of care during the postpartum period.

   8. Time for Rest: New mothers can maximize their rest and recovery using meal delivery services while enjoying nutritious, satisfying meals. This can help with overall postpartum healing.

   9. Specialized Postpartum Menus: Some meal delivery services offer specialized postpartum menus designed to support recovery, such as meals containing ingredients that promote healing and lactation.

   10. Dietary Requirements: Meal delivery services can cater to specific dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free options, which can be essential for mothers with specific dietary needs or restrictions.

When considering meal delivery options for the postpartum period, it's essential to plan ahead and choose a service that aligns with your dietary preferences and any specific nutritional needs you may have. Additionally, it can be beneficial to arrange for meal delivery services before the baby arrives to ensure that you have a convenient and reliable source of nourishment during the early weeks of postpartum recovery.

Trust me when I say planning the postpartum time will be the best thing you can do for your family.

XOXO-Holly