Two Weeks to Go: A Quick Guide to Prepping Your Home for Your Newborn | FORT WAYNE FAMILY & NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER

After working with handfuls of moms for their newborn photography, I’ve learned a thing or two and selected 3 ways to help you prepare your home for your newborn that you may have not considered yet!

Declutter your home.

Decluttering your home can sound like a daunting task, especially when you're expecting a newborn! But it's easier than you think to get your home ready for your newest addition. It is always worth the effort for me!

Here are some steps to follow to declutter before baby arrives:

Step 1: Choose two or three rooms that you spend the most time in (most likely this will be your living room, kitchen and bedroom).

Step 2: Start by noticing where things tend to pile up. For me, that’s always been the "catch all" drawer and my nightstand.

Step 3: Harness your inner Marie Kondo and get rid of things you don't want/need anymore (especially if they no longer bring you joy)! Go through each drawer, cabinet and shelf and ask yourself, “Do I still need/want this item?”

Step 4: Make 3 piles, “Keep, Donate, Toss” and put everything into 1 of those piles.

Step 5: Organize the “keep” items, throw away the “toss” items (or recycle if possible) and give away the “donate” items. Before using the regular outlets for donation (Goodwill or the Salvation Army), consider becoming part of a "Buy Nothing" group. I am part of a "Buy Nothing" group on Facebook & love it. In these groups you can either gift, ask, or give gratitude. You would not believe how many people are in need of the exact thing you are trying to get rid of.

Turn on some music and make it fun! Ask a friend to come over and help.

By following these simple steps over the course of just a few days or a weekend, you can quickly create a stress-free and comfortable newborn-ready environment in your own home.

Prep and freeze some meals.

The thought of cooking a ton of food (& dirtying your kitchen BIG time!) in one go can be daunting, but freezer meals can be a lifesaver, especially when you're getting ready to welcome your newborn into the world. You'll thank yourself later! Here are a few simple steps to follow to get started:

Step 1: Plan out your meals. Choose recipes that are easy to make in large quantities and make a list of all the ingredients you will need.

Here is a short list of some of my favorites:

1. Lasagna

2. Breakfast sandwiches

3. BBQ Pork Sliders

4. Soups: Chicken Tortilla Soup, Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Pro tip: Don't add the gnocchi until you reheat & eat!), & Chili.

5. Banana Blueberry Muffins

Step 2: Go grocery shopping. Try to do this a few days before you plan to start cooking, so you have everything you need on hand.

Step 3: Set aside a block of time to cook. Depending on how much you want to make, you may need several hours or even a full day to get everything done. Consider getting the help of a friend or family member to make it more fun!

Step 4: Cook in batches. Prepare one recipe at a time and portion it out into individual servings. Use freezer-safe containers or bags and be sure to label everything with the name of the dish and the date it was made.

Step 5: Freeze your meals. Once everything is cooked and portioned out, place the containers in the freezer. They will keep for several months, so you can have a variety of meals ready to go whenever you need them.

By following these steps, you can create a stockpile of nutritious, homemade meals that will make the first few weeks with your newborn a little bit easier!

Put together a baby care basket.

I actually learned this ingenious trick from my sister following the birth of her youngest. You'll be her biggest fan- right behind me- when you read through this one.

A baby care basket or sometimes called a “downstairs” basket is a lifesaver those first few weeks home with a new baby.

Oftentimes, you’re in one space with the baby for most of the day and find yourself “trapped” under a sleeping baby without the supplies you need!

A baby care basket can solve that for you. Basically, it’s a container you can keep in each room of the house that has all the essentials for baby so you’re not running around from room to room getting the things you need.

Usually, the baby care basket includes diapers, wipes, burp cloths, extra clothes, pacifiers, and anything else you might need for the baby frequently.

I also like to think about including things for mom like nipple cream, breast pads, chapstick, etc.

Additionally, a baby care basket will help you stay organized and keep your home clutter free.

Which of these tips are you going to do first? Did you learn something new today? Let me know in the comments!

I've included a quick reference of my favorite freezer meals for you- including recipe links. Enjoy!