Preparing for the arrival of your baby can be both overwhelming and exciting. Whether this is your first child or your fourth, there is so much to be done and getting sorted within the family home and nursery is a vital step. Organising expert and author Nina Rosace shares her checklist of five tips for getting sorted before your baby comes..
Baby proof your home
You can never underestimate the importance of baby proofing your home. To make the process go smoothly, walk through every room of your home and jot down all the potential hazards into a notebook. This way you have a reference point for later.
As silly as this sounds, get down on your hands and knees and look at the world from a baby’s perspective. Tiny hands and feet are going to be curious, especially when they start rolling and crawling on the floor. The sooner you’re prepared for this stage, the better.
Effective safety items include: cupboard, drawer, refrigerator and oven locks; safety gates; corner protectors; safety plugs for power points; storage hooks and containers.
Safety essentials for the nursery
Once you’ve baby proofed your home, it’s time to think about the nursery. As doting parents you’ll want to give your baby a safe environment to grow and develop within.
Consider purchasing a baby monitor; sensor bedding; and safety gates to give you and your partner peace of mind when leaving your baby alone in the nursery.
Purchase nursery essentials
Along with making your baby’s nursery safe, you’ll need to purchase some basic items to have in the nursery for comfort.
It’s always better to be over prepared in this case. Essentials include: bed linen; change mat; nappies, and plenty of spare packs; baby wipes; soft rug for playtime; soft wrapping blankets; and full sun block out curtains.
4. Prepare baby’s first wardrobe
In the weeks following birth, there is nothing worse than realising you forgot to purchase items for your baby’s wardrobe.
Use the following as a checklist for ensuing that your baby’s first wardrobe is sorted before arrival: bibs; fastening singlets, full-fastening pyjama suits; grow suits; tops; bottoms; socks with rubber feet; tights; jackets, light and heavy; soft shoes; cardigan; hats; mittens.
Leaving the hospital
As your due date approaches, confirm that your car is fitted securely with a car seat for your baby to travel home from hospital in.
There are many options available that will suit your baby from a newborn until they become toddlers. Ensure you purchase a car seat that has been certified and approved in line with Australian safety standards and when installing follow the instructions closely.
Also consider a trip to your local car safety centre for a professional to visually check that the car seat is installed correctly.
What did you do to get sorted for when your baby arrived?
About the author: Nina Rosace is a mother-of-three and CEO of Home Sorted based in Melbourne, Victoria. Nina Rosace has successfully authored four home organising books which can be purchased online or through selected stockists including Kmart, Target, Big W and Myer. Further information can also be found at Home Sorted.
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