How to get your home ready before baby arrives

Nesting is a real thing for many new mothers.  Nesting during pregnancy is the overwhelming desire to get your home ready for your new baby.  Getting your home ready can include a variety of things.  From deep cleaning your home to preparing for all the visitors you are about to have, here are 6 things you can do to help get your home in order before baby arrives.

1.  Give your home a thorough inspection.  Even though you will have several months before your new baby can crawl and get into mischief, it is still important to get a head start on baby proofing your home.  Always make sure any cleaning products (including laundry and dishwasher pods) and medications are always stored up high out of sight and reach.  Installing locks on cabinets that are in reach of crawlers is always a good idea.  If you have firearms in your home, make sure you lock them and put them up and out of reach.
2. Prepare for visitors.  If you plan on having visitors once the baby arrives, you will want to start prepping for their arrival now, especially if you plan to have any over night guests.  Go ahead and wash sheets, change any bedding, put fresh towels in the bathrooms, etc.  Prepare now so you aren’t running around just a few days after you leave the hospital.
3. Target those “germy” areas.  According to the National Sanitation Foundation, the germiest areas in your home are kitchen sinks, dish rags, stove knobs, faucet handles, counter tops, refrigerator handles, cutting boards, and toothbrush holders.  It is also a great idea to have your partner, friend, or relative give your home a good refresher while you and baby are recovering in the hospital.
4. Rearrange your kitchen to make room.  You are going to need all the extra space you can get.  Storing things like a toaster, baskets, or even decorative bowls is a good way to make room for your new items like a bottle rack or baby food maker.
5. Clean out your fridge.  From meals brought over by friends and family to breast milk and formula, you are going to need all the fridge space you can get.  It might also be a good idea to invest in a separate fridge or deep freezer just for baby!
6. Do laundry ahead of time.  Washing all of your babies clothes ahead of time will help prevent you from having mounds of laundry all at once, and it might make this life changing event that is about to happen feel even more real.  Remove any packaging or tags, and wash their clothes in detergent designed specifically for infants.