How to Prepare Apartments For a Newborn

New baby? Congratulations! Here are some ways you can prepare your apartment for a newborn.

Baby-proof the place

Even though a newborn is far less mobile than, say, a toddler, you can still take some steps to make your apartment safe for a brand-new baby. 

Clean & sterilize

Newborns haven’t had the years’ worth of exposure to germs like we have, so it’s important to keep the “problem areas” clean as much as possible. These are areas that are quick to get dirty and can carry disease if not maintained well, such as sinks, cleaning rags, drawer handles, toothbrush holders, light switches, doorknobs and computer keyboards. Keep some cleaning supplies close to these things so that you can continue to keep them germ-free after your little one arrives. 

Safety-check

Many adult apartments are not safe for children, no matter how clean they may be! 

• Check for loose wires around computers and electronics.
• Store cleaning supplies up high or behind lockable cabinets
• Install magnetized cabinets or find baby-proof locks. 
• Ensure all medications and chemicals are out of reach. 
• Store firearms and ammunition separately behind locked doors. 
• Double-check the status of your carbon monoxide detector or smoke alarm.

Declutter

If you’re not an organizer by nature, parenthood will likely force you along that route. Thankfully, though, decluttering pre-baby is far easier than decluttering after, so it’s worthwhile investing some of your time into a good ol’ purge. 

Decluttering can be intimidating, but take it from us, there are definitely simple ways to declutter a small apartment! As you organize, think about how having that extra space will make your life so much easier in the long run. After all, if you really need something again in a few years, it’s easy enough to find another one.

Create baby-related storage space everywhere

Baby storage is more than some clothing cupboards and diaper drawers! So much of your life and living space is going to change for the foreseeable future, so here are some places you can create extra space for baby-related items.

Laundry

An extra laundry hamper for baby clothes will come in handy! You’ll find that while you may have approximately a million different items of newborn clothing, you’ll still end up changing the baby’s clothes fairly regularly. Having the baby-only hamper will make it easier to separate the baby clothes from your own laundry without having to go through it yourself. 

Fridge

Some extra space in the fridge or freezer for milk or formula is worth the trouble of rearranging your tried-and-true setup. Use dividers or clear fridge drawers to keep all loose items neat and organized among your other produce, and keep a magnetized notepad on the fridge to jot down anything you’re running low on.

Dishes

A drying rack for baby bottles and accessories by the sink is a lifesaver when it comes to doing dishes. Not only does it make it easier to organize, but it also keeps the freshly washed items separate from the normal dishes that are maybe a little less thoroughly cleaned. 

Cabinet space

Extra kitchen cabinet space for baby plates, bottles and other eating/drinking items is always a good idea. Might as well start now, because there will always be more plates, cups, bottles, utensils, bowls and more to store as your child gets older. 

Cleaning

Create more storage for additional cleaning supplies, such as stain remover, gentle fabric softener, non-toxic cleaning solutions and whatever else you’ll inevitably pick up along the way. There will be messes you’d have never imagined finding yourself cleaning, so a good set of healthy cleaning supplies will make your life a hundred times easier. 

Linens

If you keep your linens in a certain spot, then create a special section for crib sheets, blankets, towels and other linens. It’s easier to store these linens with other linens, rather than trying to shove them in a drawer or shelf.

Prepare for visitors

Visitors might be the last thing you want to worry about after bringing a newborn home, but eventually you will start getting requests from family and friends to come see the new baby for themselves. 

Of course, you’ll be busy and tired much of the time, so prepare in advance by cleaning guest bedroom sheets and towels before the baby’s arrival. If you can, keep any guest rooms or guest cupboards shut and off-limits so that you know that they’re ready to go when the time comes for visitors to arrive. Finally, stock up on extra supplies of toilet paper, travel-sized toiletries and a solid set of healthy boundaries!

Invest in multipurpose furniture

When it comes to saving space, having multi-use furniture is the biggest investment you could make for your sanity. The more items you can use over and over again in different ways, the less clutter you will have, the less often you’ll have to replace things and the more quality you’ll get for your money.

For example, cribs that convert into daybeds or toddler beds ensure that you’ll be prepared for the transition when the time comes. A dresser can also serve as a changing table, which can save you an enormous amount of space in an apartment. 

Where to go from here...

Bringing home a new baby is exciting! It’s hard, it’s tiring and it can seem like an impossible task at times, but you can do it! Your baby will not know the difference between a $500 baby bathtub and a kitchen sink, so feel free to take creative liberties when and if you need to. They will be fine, you will be fine and, in the end, everything will work out just fine.

Good luck!

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Featured photo courtesy Unsplash/Sidekix Media