Preparing Your Home and Nursery for a Newborn

Are you pregnant and looking around your home wondering how to prepare for your newborn? You are not alone! The life changing event of bringing your baby home can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure what to do before they arrive. Though some things may seem obvious, like setting up a nursery, the truth is that the majority of the house will need a change as well. Now, while we aren’t suggesting that you throw away your favorite decor, there are some odds and ends that need tidying up before your little one joins you. We can get you covering the basics and more! 

Nursery:

• A safe sleep space: Making sure there is a crib, bassinet or play pen (with a newborn insert) that has a firm, flat mattress and fitted sheets is a must! Placement of the sleep area is also important, away from windows, heating vents and any cords is the safest way to set up the nursery. 
• White noise machine: A white noise machine is a fantastic way to emulate the noise your baby hears in the womb. It also signals to them that it’s time to go to sleep! Bonus points if it has a red nightlight feature, as the soft red light helps boost melatonin production in babies. 
• A changing station: A changing table, dresser with a changing insert on top, or a mat on a low and flat surface are ways to set yourself up for success. We love keeping not only diapers, wipes and cream on our stations but hand sanitizer, hand lotion (for you!), a change of clothes, and some extra sheets in the changing area. 
• A diaper pail: Diaper pails are a really great way to keep the nursery from having a not so great aroma from those diapers you’ll be changing every few hours (or minutes.) 
• A chair: Though not a necessity, having a chair to feed your little one is extremely helpful. A comfortable place for you to sit while you feed your baby in the red light while white noise plays in the background will ensure your baby feels comfortable in their sleep environment. 
• A bed for you: The AAP recommends room sharing for at least six months, though preferably one year, so if you plan to have your baby in the nursery from day one, it’s smart to have a sleeping surface for you and your partner in there as well. 
• A Baby monitor: Even if you’re in the room, sometimes it’s easier to peek at a camera to check if they’re asleep than it is to put your face up to theirs and risk waking them!
• Make sure all dressers and large pieces of furniture are secured to the walls to minimize the risk of tipping. Shelves should also never be placed above the baby’s sleeping area. 

Bedroom:

If you opt to have your child in a crib or bassinet in your room instead of in the nursery for the first six months to a year, these are helpful guidelines.

• A bassinet or crib with a firm and flat mattress and a fitted sheet placed next to your bed and away from windows, heating vents or cords. 
• Areas free of clothing or bedding, especially near your infant. 
• Like in the nursery, a white noise machine with a red light is an excellent way to alert your baby that it’s time to sleep and help them settle down a bit easier. 
• A space away from wall hanging or shelves near the crib. 

Kitchen:

• Though your baby won’t be grabbing things from the drawers any time soon, baby proofing cabinets and doors now is a great way to prevent any mishaps later on. Oven and stove covers are also always a good idea! 
• A bottle washing and sterilizing station: If you’re bottle feeding or pumping, having a station to wash, dry and sterilize your baby’s dishes will make it easier to clean them during those precious free moments when your baby is napping. 

Living Room:

• Having a bassinet or safe place such as a pack and play with an infant insert in the living room to place your baby in when you need to run and grab something or need a break will be more useful than you can imagine. 
• A changing station in the living room can also help when your little one just had a blow out and walking across the apartment or up the stairs will be too difficult. 
• A rolling cart with supplies: For parents and baby! Try keeping a spare set of clothes, burp cloths, swaddles and sheets for the baby. For parents having drinks and snacks, breastfeeding or pumping essentials and charging cords nearby can be a lifesaver for those early morning feeds! 
• Make sure all cords from blinds or curtains are tucked up and secured. 
• Secure all heavy furniture to the walls. 
• Babyproof sharp corners of furniture like coffee tables to avoid injuries. 
• If this will be your primary spot during the day, keeping an infant seat nearby is a fun way to get your hands free to engage with your baby by reading, singing and playing with them. 

Bathroom:

• Baby proof all drawers, cabinets and closets. 
• A bathing tub or baby tub chair for bath time and space to place it when not in use. 
• Towels, washcloths and a rob to keep your baby dry and warm after their bath. 
• Infant shampoo and body wash.
• Baby lotion for after the bath, because who doesn’t love a relaxing massage before bed?
• Bath toys/ organizer. 
• Make sure to keep any harmful chemicals out of the reach of infants/toddlers. 

The biggest things to remember when preparing your home and nursery for your baby is that you’ll need the essentials to start, including a safe sleep space, a place to change diapers and supplies for your little one. Though there are many things to consider when baby proofing and creating spaces for you and your baby to spend time in, having the essentials and seeing what you need later is also an option. There is no pressure to have everything right away, but being prepared can help with the nesting instinct and smooth the transition from an adult-only house to one with children. 

Another thing to consider is that if you have pets, you may want to separate them from the main sleeping area the baby will be in, at least for the first few weeks. Having dog or cat hair all over a crib is never fun and it’s worse when you’re changing an otherwise good sheet at 4 a.m. If your pet is territorial, setting them up with their own space where their bed and toys are can also be beneficial. Though it might seem like a lot, choosing a theme for your nursery and decorating for your little one is one of the most exciting parts of pregnancy. And hey, it always makes your nursery look good if there’s a Nightingale in there!