10 Things to Do to Get Your House in Order Before the Baby Comes

While waiting for the baby to be born, it’s not just you and the rest of the family who will go through big changes — it will definitely change the house and the way you keep it clean and safe.

Here are the things you need to do at home before you welcome the newest member of your family.

Evaluate the safety of your home

If the cleaning solutions you use to clean your house are stored in a cabinet under your sink, try looking for a different place to store them to make sure your child doesn’t manage to get their hands on them or at least make sure to secure the cabinet doors well. Keep tiny things (like buttons, coins, etc.), sharp objects, medicine, glass products, electric items, and other similar items out of reach of your child. If you live in a multi-level home, install baby gates at the top of your stairs. Install protective covers on your electrical outlets. Make sure your furniture and appliances are secure and not easily moved to avoid tip-over accidents.

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Do a deep-cleaning

It’s only going to be a matter of time before your baby starts crawling or walking, so it’s also important to keep every surface of your home as clean as possible. From floors to countertops to doorknobs, make sure to sanitize every area of your home, to keep different kinds of bacteria from getting on your baby. One household item that should definitely be cleaned is your carpet or rug. Try to get rid of all the dust that may have gotten there, so that when your child starts getting a little more adventurous and roams around your home, you won’t have to worry as much.

Clear out your counters

Preparing for the arrival of your new baby means getting items like baby bottles, bottle racks, and even baby spoons and bowls. These items all need to be stored in the kitchen where they are most often used, so whatever stuff you have on your counters that can be done away with, clear them out and save space for the things you’ll actually need. Make sure also to regulalrly sanitize your counters especially if you use it to prepare food.

Create space in your fridge

Aside from your counters, it’s also important to clean up and clear out some space inside your refrigerator. Start by throwing out any food items that may have already expired, then scrub down the insides of your fridge thoroughly with diluted white vinegar. Space in there can be used to store not only your food but also your baby’s milk and food. But in general, make sure to clean your refrigerator regularly, along with every other part of your home.

Prioritize cleanliness

After your baby is born, you’re probably already expecting your friends and relatives to visit you and your new child at home. But before you let them touch your newborn, first ask them to use some sanitizer to help them get rid of any bacteria that may have gotten on their hands. If you don’t have any hand sanitizer, you can just ask your guests to wash their hands instead. This is a simple additional precaution you can take to ensure that your baby is kept as clean and safe as possible.

Prepare everything your baby will need

Set up the crib and wrap its mattress in clean, tight-fitting sheets. Arrange a diaper changing station completely stocked with diapers and wipes. Purchase blankets, sheets, and burp cloths, as well as lotion and diaper rash cream. Clean and sanitize formula bottles and pacifiers. Make sure to take every step needed to ensure that you are well-prepared with everything your new child will need.

Do your laundry

While anticipating your child’s birth, you may have already started buying them cute new clothes. But just like you need to wash your new store-bought clothes before wearing them, it’s also important to wash your baby’s clothes before dressing your child in them. Store-bought clothes can contain different kinds of allergens that might harm your baby’s sensitive skin, so when washing them, make sure to use a detergent that doesn’t have any dyes or fragrances. Don’t forget to get rid of tags and labels that may cause irritations. Similarly, take the time also to wash your own clothes, particularly comfortable ones you can wear in the hospital and when you get home afterward.

Be prepared for stains

The less fun part of having a newborn? Your or your baby’s clothes doused in different types of stains, from vomit to baby formula to poop and urine. When the inevitable happens and you get your garments soiled, treat the stains immediately with stain remover, then soak the garments in cool water until you’re able to wash them more thoroughly.

Get a new laundry basket

Because you will inevitably have to change your baby’s clothes multiple times and wash their blankets and sheets and burp cloths often, equip your home with a new laundry basket that will hold your baby’s discarded items. If you use a stronger detergent to wash your and your partner’s clothes, you should launder your newborn’s clothes separately, using hypoallergenic detergent or milder soap.

Put a fan inside your baby’s room

Studies have shown that infants who sleep in bedrooms with a ceiling fan may have a lower risk of experiencing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), compared with babies who sleep in less well-ventilated rooms. Ensure that your baby is provided a healthy sleep environment by placing a fan in the room where they sleep.

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