In the previous article, you found some great tips on how to get your home ready for your new baby. Well, those tips are just the tip of the iceberg (no pun intended). There are so many things that need to be done before the arrival of a new baby that they simply can’t all be listed in one article. So, here are some more things you need to know in order to prepare your home for your new baby.

1. Stock Up on Groceries

One of the last things you will feel like doing is going shopping with a new baby in tow. This is a great reason to make sure that you are stocked up on groceries. Be sure to include necessities such as bathroom tissue, paper towels, garbage bags, etc. The more you have before the baby is born, the less likely it will be that you will end up running out of something when you need it the most.

2. Prepare Meals Ahead of Time

Don’t forget about gift cards for restaurants too, so you can have times when you don’t have to bother cooking meals yourself. Freeze meals ahead as well, so you can easily thaw and heat them when you are in a hurry.

3. Get a Breast Pump

If you plan to breastfeed, make sure that you invest in a good breast pump. This will allow you to feed your baby anywhere, without having to actually breastfeed if you feel uncomfortable doing it in public (which you shouldn’t, by the way). It also allows others to be able to feed the baby. Make sure you also stock up on glass (not plastic) bottles.

4. Clean the House

Before you bring your baby home, make sure your home is clean. After all, once you get home with a new baby, there isn’t going to be a lot of time for you to do housework. If you aren’t up to cleaning in the later stages of your pregnancy, don’t be afraid to call on some help, in the form of a professional cleaning service. For tips on how to keep your home tidy before and after baby has arrived, check out Electrodry's blog.

5. Prepare Your Dog

Not only do other human family members need to be prepared for the new arrival, so do your pets. If you have a dog, it is going to be in for some pretty big changes in its life, but there are things you can do to make these changes less stressful for your beloved pet. Talk to your vet about things you can do to help prepare your pets for the new baby.

6. Move Breakables

If you don’t already have children and have baby-proofed your home, it is time to do so. You will need to make sure that any breakable items are out of the reach of crawling babies and walking toddlers. If there are any sharp edges on counters, furniture, etc., now is the time to wrap those edges or place plastic guards on them to keep baby from getting injured.

7. Prepare Your Car

You are also going to need to prepare your car for the new baby. One of the first things you need to do is to install a car seat, and make sure that it is properly installed. You should also place things like diapers, baby wipes, etc. in the car so that you have them in case of emergency when you are out. Don’t forget plastic bags for trash. If the vehicle needs any maintenance, do it now while you have time, and make sure it is safe to bring baby home in.