Is your home baby-ready?

Many moms-to-be develop what’s called the nesting instinct in the weeks leading up to the birth of their baby and it’s an ideal time to take stock of your preparations to ensure that you are ready to hit the ground running when your baby finally arrives. It also means you won’t be finding that you’re ill-equipped to cope with parenthood after your baby is born, when you might be too tired and overwhelmed to get up to speed when it comes to baby gear you omitted to purchase and safety precautions you have no time to set in motion.

Your baby’s basic needs are clothes, diapers, a place to sleep and a source of food but you don’t need to waste a fortune kitting her out. Ask family and friends who have babies what they found invaluable and what the used once and then stuck in the closet never to see the light of day again, so that you don’t waste your money at a time when the financial implications of parenthood will be hitting you in your pocket book. Borrow as much as you can, especially if it’s equipment you’ll likely only use for a few months. Another good money saving trick is to split the cost of more expensive items you won’t be using for very long with another mom-to-be whose baby is due several months before or after yours – then she can pass them onto you when she’s no longer using them or you can pass them onto her when her baby arrives.

Baby must-haves

Clothing Four or five full outfits should be enough for your newborn, and given that she’ll outgrow them in a matter of weeks it makes sense to think in terms of cheap and cheerful or to ask family and friends with babies if they have any hand-me-downs you can start with.
Diapers Newborns go through as many as eight to ten diapers a day but don’t be tempted to bulk buy the tiniest newborn size disposables, as she may well outgrown them before you’ve used up your supply. If you’re using cloth diapers, you’ll need two dozen to be sure of having enough clean, dry diapers when you need them.
Baby carrier or sling These can be invaluable for fussy babies who want to be carried, as they leave your hands free for chores. Choose one with wide, padded shoulder straps and a lumbar support strap that fits around your lower back to take some of the stress off your back.
Stroller Although it may be tempting to purchase the biggest, fanciest stroller in the store to transport your baby in, it’s more important to choose one you can actually lift out of the trunk of your car. It also needs a lie-flat position, since newborns need to lie flat most of the time.
Car seat Many car seats double as carriers and baby seats, so think of the weight. If anyone offers you a second-hand seat make sure it hasn’t been dropped or involved in an accident before you accept it, as any impact could cause invisible damage that may compromise the integrity of the seat and put your baby at risk if you had a car accident.
Bassinet or crib plus bedding Don’t waste your money on crib bumpers and pillows at this stage, as they could cause your baby to overheat if she moves up against them while sleeping. A bottom sheet for the mattress and a baby sleeping bag, plus spares, are all you’ll need.
Feeding equipment If you’re bottlefeeding you’ll need bottles and formula. If you’re breastfeeding you’ll need nursing bras and absorbent pads to soak up any milk leakage. If you plan to express breast milk to feed to your baby, you’ll need a breast pump and a couple of feeding bottles.
Changing gear It’s not necessary to splash out on a changing station though these are useful as they mean you don’t have to bend over to clean and change your baby. If you can’t afford the expense, a padded change mat will do.
Toys A padded playmat, baby gym and rattles are ideal first toys for your baby.

Babyproofing your home

Once your baby gets on the move your home becomes a potential disaster zone. It’s best to take babyproofing precautions before she reaches that stage so that unexpected accidents don’t happen.

Try to see your home from a newly crawling baby’s point of view. Get down to floor level and hone in on anything that could present a risk to your baby (this includes small toys belonging to older siblings) and things that are precious to you, and remove them. Then follow these babyproofing basics:

Cover electrical sockets with plastic plug covers.
Cushion sharp edges on furniture such as tables and bureaus with corner covers.
Secure floor level cupboards and closets with childproof catches.
Store any dangerous substances – including cosmetics, lotions and potions, cleaning materials, medications and vitamin supplements in a secure cupboard positioned high on the walls.
Install a toilet seat lock.
Remove pet feeding bowls from your baby’s vicinity.
Barricade internal doorways with safety gates and ensure that external doors have catches that your baby can’t reach or use doorknob covers.
Avoid using refrigerator magnets as these could fall off and be swallowed by your baby.
Make a list of important emergency phone numbers including the pediatrician who will be taking care of your baby’s health, the Poison Control Centers, and your local ER.
Sort out a baby first aid kit stocked with a bulb syringe, thermometer, baby fever reducer/painkiller, baby nail clippers and baby sunscreen.

Before the big day

Given that all your time after he birth will be taken up with your baby it really pays to get your home clean before she’s born. Your nesting instinct may well prompt you to get on with this yourself but if you’re too exhausted it’s worth splashing out and hiring a cleaning firm to come in and do it for you.

Stocking up the pantry also is a good idea. Batch cook meals you can freeze so you’ll have good, nourishing food at hand in the first weeks. If you’re having a baby shower you could even ask your guests to bring a meal you can freeze for later. Partner hopeless in the kitchen? Then bring him up to speed on the basics – even the most useless cook should be able to rustle up mac and cheese from a box, or throw some pasta on the stove. Get in some local takeout menus for the occasions when he’s too tired to cook too.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

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Last Modified: 22/03/2009

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