Organizing for a New Baby

There are few things in life more exciting than a new baby joining the family! There are also few things less likely to entice that nesting bug and make you rethink your entire home’s functionality and organization. New babies may be small, but they come with a large amount of stuff. If this blog title caught your eye, congratulations! We are so excited for your family and hope you’ll read on for my advice on how to best welcome the new family member into a more-than-ready environment.

You first must decide which room of your home the baby is going to occupy. If they will first be occupying your room, make sure to designate a specific area of the space to the baby. Ensure that this allotted space allows enough room for everything you will need. Check the bassinet or crib and make sure that whichever option you choose meets the standard safety requirements. Within the nursery include a designated area for changing and feeding. Make a space that allows room for equipment such as a changing table and all necessary supplies (diapers/wipes/creams/a changing pad/etc.) Include a comfortable chair or rocker to relax in as you feed, burp, and/or soothe the baby.

Also, think storage space! If they won’t be in a separate room, you should dedicate an area of your closet to the baby’s clothing and other items. Sort the baby’s clothing by size and season. Be sure to hang using appropriately sized hangers. Many infant outfits come with matching hats, headbands, bloomers, or other accessories; hangers with clips are best for keeping these items together. You may also consider using bins, baskets, or containers that you can label for easy access. The best organization techniques often depend on the space you’re working with; for more tips about creating “zones” and maximizing your space’s functionality to make life with the baby as easy as possible read here.

Finally, don’t forget the most fun part! Personalize the space. Think of a theme and add items such as wall art, mobiles, and rugs to create a comfortable and enjoyable space. Afterall, both the baby and you will be spending a lot of time here!

As I said, babies sure do come with a lot of items! This is never as true as it is when it comes to items for feeding the baby. You’ll need to find a way to organize this plethora of supplies needed when caring for an infant. Formulas, bottles, and burp cloths should be organized and kept in one centralized, convenient location. If breastfeeding, you might choose to store your pump and other necessary items in the nursery or another designated space in your home where you can do so comfortably. A small rolling cart works great as a semi-mobile “nursing station”.

Make sure that your baby’s entertainment items also have a designated space. Ensure baby toys and books are stored in a safe area and out of reach to avoid any avoidable injuries or accidents. And don’t forget to consider sentimental items! Have a keepsake bin ready so that as the baby continues to grow, you can preserve these special items. Be thoughtful on what you keep and dedicate only one bin for a certain age range (ie: newborn – 4 years). This way, you stay accountable and aren’t keeping too much. You might even consider displaying some of these items in their room (handcrafted gifts from family, etc.)

Safety needs to be a top priority when considering baby organization. Set up a baby monitor in the baby’s room so that you can closely monitor them as they sleep or nap in a room/area away from you. Install baby gates, outlet covers, and cabinet locks. Make sure that all heavy furniture is secured to the wall to avoid it tipping/falling. Keep any heavy or bulky items that cannot be anchored up high and out of reach. Check your smoke detectors and make sure they are working properly. Change out all batteries at the same time every six months to make sure they are always working well (and to avoid that pesky beeping that could disrupt nap time!) Consider also installing a carbon monoxide detector; if you already have some installed, make sure all are working properly.

Beyond setting up and organizing the physical space, you want to “organize” your mindset and prepare a routine that will keep life in order once your baby is here. Create a schedule for everyday items such as feeding times, nap time, tummy time, etc. Establishing a routine will help when your family is traveling or planning other activities as well. You will be able to better navigate when the best times for certain things will be (such as lunch dates, travel departure times, etc.)  As time goes by, you might need to make slight adjustments to your schedule and routine based on what works best for the baby’s needs and preferences. Most importantly, though? Stick to it! If you have established a specific bedtime in your home, make sure to keep true to that time every day. With children, consistency is key to the success of a routine!

Oddly enough, when welcoming a new baby you need to consider all the other family members already in the home as well. If this isn’t your first born, then it will be important to include older siblings in your preparation for the baby. Involve them in picking out new items and organizing a space for their new sibling to make the transition easier on them. Once the baby arrives it will be a big change, so giving them a role in the preparation will give them a sense of control/helpfulness.

Speaking of helpfulness, don’t be afraid to accept offers of help from family members and friends. Bringing in a new baby will likely take some adjustment time, so help will be much needed (and appreciated)! If you have pets, make sure to slowly introduce them to the baby. This is a big change for them too and you want to make sure they are comfortable around the baby (for them and for safety purposes).

There is SO much to look forward to when adding a new baby to the family. If reading the tips and tricks isn’t enough or if you’re feeling overwhelmed already, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Email us at info@sortedout.com without a second thought if you think we can help! I want you to be able to look back at this time in your life without feelings of stress or anxiety overwhelming the joy that welcoming a new baby brings.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Tonia