Newborn Organization… Questions to Consider BEFORE Setting Up Your Home
Preparing your home for a newborn requires thoughtful planning to create an organized, safe, comfortable, and functional space. Whether you have a small apartment, a large house, or a multi-level home, there things to consideration for diapering, feeding, dressing/clothing, sleeping, and managing the influx of baby items in all rooms of your home.
This blog post is not to create overwhelm, but rather to get you thinking about what should be considered EVEN BEFORE beginning to prep for baby’s arrival. These are questions to ask as you begin your registry and before you go out and buy all new bins and containers!
Diapering:
Where will you set up a dedicated diaper changing station?
For multi-level homes, should you have diapering stations on each floor to minimize trips?
Are you using disposable or cloth diapers?
Have you considered storage solutions to keep diapering essentials (diapers, wipes, creams) organized and within reach?
How will you manage odor containment, especially if you have limited space?
If using cloth diapers, do you have space dedicated in your bathroom and laundry for proper sanitary cleaning?
Feeding:
Where will you establish a comfortable and convenient feeding area?
Do you need to have feeding (bottle or nursing) options on multiple floors of the home?
Do you need refrigeration, bottle warming options or a sink nearby? How does your home layout affect your access?
Where will you or your partner/family members sit to feed the newborn? Can you fit a chair/glider or are you going to use something you already own?
Are there nearby storage options for essentials like burp cloths, bottles, and breast pump accessories? Don’t forget… snacks for mom!
Are you prepared for the EXCESSIVE number of parts and pieces that will take over your kitchen? Where will you clean and sanitize bottle/pump parts? Where will they be stored if not in use?
Dressing/Clothing:
Have you allocated sufficient storage for baby clothes, blankets, and accessories?
Do you need to do anything with your closet or purchase furniture to optimize clothing storage space?
Do you have a designated laundry area to manage frequent baby laundry?
Have you identified a dedicated and supportive changing area that suits your home's layout?
How will you organize and store outgrown clothing for future use or donation?
Sleeping:
Where will your newborn sleep, and do you have space for a bassinet, crib, or co-sleeping arrangement?
Can you create a calming/noise reduced sleep environment with blackout curtains or shades?
If you have a multi-level home, should you have sleep/nap spaces on each floor for convenience?
How will you store extra bedding, blankets, and sleep-related accessories?
Influx of Item Storage:
How will you handle the influx of baby items and prevent new clutter in your home?
Do you need to declutter prior to the new items arriving?
Are you going to repurpose existing furniture, or do you need new storage solutions?
Will you be utilizing under-bed storage or wall-mounted shelves to maximize space?
Are there designated spaces for small items like toys and books?
How about larger baby gear like strollers or swings?
Will you consider donating or selling items your baby has outgrown to keep your home clutter-free?
Where will you store those items in the meantime?
Setting up your home for a newborn involves asking yourself crucial questions about diapering, feeding, dressing/clothing, sleeping, and managing the influx of baby items. By considering these questions, you can tailor your home's layout and storage solutions to suit your specific needs and space constraints. After you’ve considered these questions, it is a great time to begin your registry (if you’re creating one) or begin preparing for the arrival of your sweet new babe!
