The last few months of pregnancy can be hectic for you and your significant other, so don’t wait until the last minute to prepare your new apartment for the new baby. Your apartment needs a thorough checkup from the carpet and floor to anything within their reach, because sooner than you know it, your new baby will be a rolling, crawling machine. The following tips will help you prepare for your bundle of joy in a modern apartment.
Set Up Sleeping Space
If you’re limited on space, you’ll want to make sure you have a bassinet for at least the first few months. Your baby isn’t going to be rolling over right away, so a bassinet is perfect for a newborn. Keep your bassinet free from pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals. Also, keep it away from anything hanging on the walls or any window blinds or cords. Start thinking about where you’ll want to put a crib when the baby outgrows their bassinet.
Get on Their Level
Before you know it, your baby is going to be crawling. Take the time to baby-proof your home before they can start reaching for electric sockets. The best way to do this is to act like a baby—crawl around on your hands and knees and lay flat on the floor. Look for any staples or nails sticking out of your carpet. Put outlet covers in all of your outlets. Check to make sure they can’t get into household cleaners or other dangerous items by putting locks on your cabinets. Tape down or tie up any electrical wires so the baby can’t grab onto them.
Make Sure You Have the Essentials
New and experienced parents alike benefit from creating a checklist for baby care essentials, because during the chaos of bringing home a new baby, you’re not going to want to run errands. The following are a few must-haves for the baby’s first couple of months (and remember to get extras, as everything will get poop or spit-up on it at some point).
- Diapers and Wipes
- Swaddling Blankets
- A Diaper Bag
- Nipple Cream and Nursing Bras
- Diaper Rash Cream
- Baby Friendly Detergent
- Baby Friendly Soap/Shampoo
- Spit-Up Cloths
- Plenty of Onesies
Do an Apartment Deep Clean
You don’t want to put your baby in a shower or sink filled with grime, and you don’t want them lying on a dirty carpet. Dust, vacuum, sweep all of the floors, then make sure all countertops and sinks are disinfected. Use vinegar as a great natural cleaning solution, and remember chores are going to be much harder with a little one around, so get these tasks out of the well before they come home.
