Congratulations! You’re Pregnant!
Any day now, you’ll be bringing home your new bundle of joy. As first time parents, you’ll want to have everything perfect. You’ve read all the books, taken all the classes and watched endless Baby Story on TLC. You’ve registered for everything. Baby clothes are washed. Everything is assembled… from the crib to the swing set. The nursery is the perfect color and now…you’re just waiting for the big day.
You’re All Set! Or Are You?
When welcoming a newborn into the family, many new moms focus on getting everything ready for the baby. And while decorating the nursery is a lot fun, the truth is that the baby’s absolute favorite place is in your arms—and she’ll want to spend A LOT of time there, offers Diana Spalding, owner of Gathered Birth, a motherhood wellness center located in Media, PA. So instead of getting the house ready for the baby, get the house ready for YOU.
And it’s important to remember that you will be healing from birth. Those first weeks should be about nothing more than meeting the needs of you & your baby.
Set up your home in a way that allows you to do just that.
Make changing stations around the house that are stocked and ready to go. Make sure you have plenty of snacks that you can eat while feeding your baby. Try to get rid of anything that does not make your life easier or happier.
It’s time to think about the rest of your house!
4 Rooms In Your Home That You Never Thought To Organize For Baby
The Kitchen
An organized kitchen is by far the most important room in the house, next to the baby’s nursery. This is where you’ll store all essential baby items, bottles, drying racks, bottle warmers, formula and so much more. Create a designated baby area in your kitchen. Now anyone who will be coming into your home will know where everything is. And when you scream,
“Can you grab me a bottle, nipple, etc.”
Everyone will know exactly where to find it.
Now this does not mean that you line up everything on the counter. I would suggest a drawer or cabinet just for these items so everyone knows where the baby things belong.
Do you have family member, friends, neighbors that want to feed you? If relatives come over, as most do, they may want to help prepare a meal or two. They may want to help out while you’re resting or while you’re with the baby. Fool-proof the pantry. Arrange your pots and pans close to the cooktop. Utensils, glasses, serving pieces are closest to where you will use them. Make sure that the kitchen is easy to navigate and everything is where it’s meant to be!
Laundry Room
Babies go through a lot of clothes. If you’re having twins (as I did) you’ll have double the laundry…and half the time to get it done. You’ll want the laundry room organized so your spouse or other family member can easily jump in to help out. Make sure that the laundry room is fully stocked with supplies. If you have special instructions or laundry detergent for the baby, make sure it’s clearly marked and labeled for those who might be helping. The last thing you want is to be startled, mid-nap, by a knock on your bedroom door asking where the laundry detergent is!
Linen Closet
No time like the present to make sure your linen closet is organized. Make sure all your linens are on the shelves and not overflowing on the floor. If you have different sized bedding, be sure it’s labeled, in permanent marker, before it goes back on the shelf.
If you keep other items in your linen closet, ie: toilet paper, first aid kit, Kleenex, extra shampoo, etc…the shelves should be easy to access. Again, you don’t want relatives or friends bothering you for extra toilet paper when you’re half asleep or feeding the baby.
Hand Me Down Closet/Attic
Your family and friends are thrilled that you’re pregnant. They’ll want to shower you with not only new gifts but also their hand me downs. They’ll be boxes and bags full of favorite clothing or toys their little ones used. Now is the time to go through these items. Decide whether you’ll use now, save for later or donate/return/pass down.
Note: When receiving hand me downs, make sure you ask if they want the items back in the future or if it’s ok to pass down when your done with them.
The goal is to make quick decisions on the hand me downs, then organize them efficiently. With my twins, I washed all the clothing that I received and stored the smaller sizes in their nursery closets. Next, I clearly marked clear plastic bins with the larger sizes, for later use, and stored them in the attic. When we were ready to use them, it was easy for us to bring them down.
Becoming a mom is the most incredible, challenging, awe-inspiring thing, and you are simply a rock star for doing it. Allow yourself the space to marvel at your journey and your new little miracle. Simplify your life so you soak up every moment of this amazing time in your life.
About Carrie Kauffman
Carrie Kauffman is an award winning professional organizer, member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals, Greater Philadelphia Chapter (NAPO-GPC) and owner of Carrie’s Essential Services, LLC. Carrie Kauffman provides organizing services, in homes & offices, on the Main Line and surrounding communities. Carrie’s Essential Services specializes in moving & packing, preparing homes for sale, office setup including filing systems as well as general organizing & de-cluttering.
About Diana Spalding
Diana Spalding is the owner of Gathered Birth, a motherhood wellness center in Media, PA. She’s a mother of three, a midwife and a pediatric nurse, as well as the Birth and Digital Education Editor at Motherly. Her writing has also been featured on Scary Mommy and A Child Grows in Philly.