Preparing The Home
One of the most obvious preparations is the nursery. Don’t wait until the last minute to paint walls or put together the cot. Fumes from paint or wallpaper glue can irritate an infant’s delicate senses. When your baby comes home, you want the nursery ready to go, as you are likely be too busy with the baby to put together furniture. Have all of the baby’s things already in place in the room, such as blankets, clothes and toys.
Set up a baby changing station on every floor so you can quickly change your baby’s nappy without having to go up and down steps. You should also determine which rooms your baby will spend the most time in and place a table with all the necessities, including a cordless phone, near your favourite chair.
Finally, take care of any major cleaning and home improvement projects. Squeaky floorboards, chipped paint and mouldy bathrooms are all perfect examples of problems you should take care of before baby arrives. Also consider buying leather sofas and chairs, as they are far easier to clean than cloth ones should your baby spit up.
A Safer Home
While your newborn will not be crawling or walking right away, be prepared by buying baby gates for off-limit rooms and stairs. Place any toxic or poisonous items in out of reach cabinets with childproof locks. Ensure any unused electrical outlets are covered and those in use are not decorative, to prevent drawing attention to them. If you are using tap water, install a water filter to remove any impurities from the water. If you have any concerns, you can also have your water tested before your baby arrives.
What To Keep, What To Throw Out
Most people use chemical cleaners to disinfect their homes. Sprays are not as effective at stopping the spread of germs. Switch your sprays for sanitising wipes, which are also safer for babies. Look for detergents for sensitive skin to ensure your baby’s clothes don’t result in a rash.
Concerning furniture, you should throw out anything that tends to squeak, is ripped or torn, or has lead paint. For the most part, this only applies to rooms in which you will actually be taking care of your baby. Wood chairs and leather sofas are usually best for these rooms. There is no chance of your baby snagging their tiny nails in the cloth and both are easy to care for should your baby have an accident. They will also double as a quick changing table.
