How to prepare the house before the baby comes in

How to prepare the house before the baby comes in

There are multiple, multiple books on different stages of pregnancy and what to do when you are pregnant but not enough literature on what to do once the baby comes out. The funny thing is that I have realised over the years that women only talk about prenatal stage and go into it prepared but once the baby is delivered they are clueless as they were so focused on pregnancy that they didn’t think of what will happen after. Well let me tell you to-be-moms and to-be-dads the real struggle starts once the baby is out and not while it is in. 

Going back the memory lane I didn’t know what hit me for the first two weeks. And while we talk about how normal delivery is better for you than a C-sec, nobody takes you or your discomfort seriously if you do deliver a baby normally. The doctor wants you to start walking immediately and the family wants you to get back to your household duties and you are not ready mentally or physically for it. That’s why here is a checklist of what you can do before the baby moves in with you. 

Be Ready For a Flurry of Visitors

Expect a flurry of visitors

While it may not even be in your priority, you will be bombarded with visitors who want to come and see you and the baby. You want to be well prepared in advance because once you are back from the hospital you won’t have the energy to look out for their needs. Make sure your guest room is ready with basic needs. Assign one parent or husband to attend to them especially when you are resting or feeding the baby. That way they will feel involved and you can just concentrate on feeding and taking care of yourself and the baby. Stock your fridge and snack cupboard to entertain them and discuss your plan on how to attend to them in advance with your husband and parents. You don’t need this on your head. 

Watch Out For Those Bacteria

The germs might be hiding in areas that aren’t light switches and doorknobs but sinks, toilet seats even your walls. You want to keep your environment as clean and germ free as possible. Asian Paints with Silver Ion Technology is recommended by the Indian Medical Association as it  kills 99%** of all bacteria present, while neutralizing formaldehyde.  It is also environmentally friendly so for me that makes a great choice.  Apart from this remember to keep a huge bottle of hand sanitizer ready for those who might want to pick the baby. Say no to kisses from everyone for at least the first 3 months. New babies have very low immunity and even the best meaning people can pass on germs.

The bacteria might be hiding in areas that aren’t light switches and doorknobs but sinks, toilet seats and even your walls. You want to keep your environment as clean and bacteria free as possible. Wash your hands multiple times when handling the baby, get everyone in the house to do the same. Apart from this remember to keep a huge bottle of hand sanitizer ready for those who might want to pick the baby. Say no to kisses from everyone for at least the first 3 months

Even places like the walls can have bacteria so using safe paint options is something you should look out for. Did you know that Asian Paints Royale Health Shield has Silver Ion Technology that is recommended* by the Indian Medical Association? It kills 99%** of bacteria that you find on the walls. It also helps you breathe purified air by reducing the indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde. It not only will make your house healthier, but the luxurious sheen finish makes it look ready for the celebration too. You also have an extended colour palette to choose from. So, you get the best of both the worlds.

Use a disinfectant even when you get your floors mopped. Ask people to take off shoes outside the house. New babies have very low immunity and even the best meaning people can pass on germs so prevention and hygiene should be your utmost priority.

While you are adding a life to your existing lives, there is not much you can do about adding space to your home. Buying a new place is expensive but a little bit of shuffling and reimagining your space can help especially in cities like Mumbai. You need to remodel a room for the baby nursery or make space for a crib in your own room. Kitchen will also need to be shuffled to add sterilisers, breast pumps etc. There is a whole list of stuff that comes with the baby, I am sharing a list below to overview.

Baby sleeping

• Baby cot
• Mattress and pillows + bolster
• Rubber sheet under bed (2)
• Sheets – 5-6 sets
• Sheet stitched with bolsters and pillow
• cot mobile

Other essential items for baby

• Baby thermometer
• Baby nail cutter
• Medicine dropper
• Baby gym -not essential (the attention span of the baby in this is about 15-20 min)

Diapers and cleaning

• Cloth diapers initially(this is personal, you can straight away start with diapers but most Indian mommies go for cloth initially as baby skin is soft)

• A diaper changing station is helpful, if you have space but I have not used one and fared perfectly well.
  • Disposable diapers 
  • Nappy rash cream
  • Rubber sheet + cloth for changing baby
  • Baby wipes

Baby proof The House

This is essential to be thought of in advance. So add rounded corners, door stoppers etc already because while you may think baby is too small now, they grow quickly. Also, adults taking care of the baby may bang into things as they are distracted, so just do it and be at peace. 

Be Laundry Ready

Now that’s one thing you need to be aware of, that tiny baby can produce buckets of laundry. Stock baby friendly detergent which is not harmful on the skin.

To bathe the baby

• Baby bathing chair
• Bath tub
• Baby supplies – soap, shampoo, liquid talc
• Swaddle cloths
• Towels with soft fabric
• bath toys but much later

Feeding The Baby

We all know W.H.O recommends 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding for your baby. So your baby is going to be dependent on you for his feeds but exclusive breastfeeding can overwhelm you as by the time you finish the feed your baby has pooped and by the time you clean him, he is ready for the next feed. I moved to using a breast pump in my second pregnancy and that made my life way more organized. I would hand over the baby to a family member and step out of the house for an hour which would give me a breather. Once the baby turned 4-5 months, I used to take him to lunches and dinners with friends and while I took a break, the baby was fed pumped milk by anyone of us. Breastfeeding can cause sore breasts and cracked nipples and to avoid that you can use a nipple cream before feeding the baby. Even nipple shields work well.

Feeding

• Breast pump
• Breast pads
• Nursing bras
• Front opening gowns
• Bottles
• Sterilizer 
• Burp cloths
• Bottle cleaning liquid and brush
• Nursing pillow
• For later – dining chair (high chair)
  Breast milk storage containers

Ask For Help or Hire

I still very distinctly remember the difference between the two times that I became a mom. The first time around, I read a lot, tried to do everything myself, listened to all advice being passed my way and ended up tired and miserable. The second time around I knew better, I asked my mom to stay with me for the first few months to help around and just be my moral support. I hired a nanny who would take the baby from me for a little while when I had fed the baby. I didn’t try to wear the supermom status, rather told everyone around their duties right from my husband to my elder kid. I enjoyed my second time way more. 

Keep the Elder Child Involved

If this is your second or third baby, it becomes essential to have your elder one involved from the time you conceive. Keep talking to him/her on the new sibling and how they were when they were babies. What all they can do together and also assign some duties to the elder child for the new baby, so that they feel a part. A lot of us tend to separate them from the process and the elder one feels left out which leads to sibling rivalry. So it’s very important to keep them involved no matter what the age of the child is. 

Don’t Forget About Yourself

While your life becomes hectic, crazy and all about the baby, in this it’s very important to not forget the most important person i.e. you. Your body has gone through a tremendous change and while everyone will be more focused on the baby, you have to learn to look out for yourself. Remember, the more rested, well fed and happier you are, the better your baby and you will cope. Here are a few things you might need. 

For mommies post baby

• Corset belt
• Nipple cream
• stretch mark cream
•  feeding bras
•  Feeding cover(fabric to cover you while feeding)
• Books and binge watch series to keep you entertained during long feeding and pumping sessions

So I do hope this checklist helps you to be ready on what comes after :). Wishing you a happy and safe delivery. 

————-

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Asian Paints   but all views expressed are my own.

I acknowledge the support and contribution of Asian Paints Limited in providing information for this article. The purpose of this article is to explain the scientific principles behind anti-bacterial paints

All product specific views expressed here are my personal views. Readers should do their own research & consult professionals before purchasing the product.

Products may not function as intended if they are not correctly used. Please also refer to product guides provided by companies before purchasing the product as your purchase and use of the product will be governed by them. 

^#Royale Health Shield with Silver Ion technology, within 2 hours of exposure kills 99%** bacteria on walls.
*Fomite Infections (bacteria) can spread through infected walls among other indoor surfaces in homes and offices.

For complete disclaimer and more information, please visit www.asianpaints.com/healthshield

 #preparinghouseForbabychecklist #howtocleanyourhouseforanewbaby

#deepcleaninghousebeforebabychecklist #preparingforababychecklist

#checklistbeforebabycomeshome #howtodisinfecthouseforbaby

#howtoprepareforfirstbaby