Moving to a new home and the birth of a new baby are both exciting new chapters in any adult’s life. Nothing should take you away from the happy experience of the new arrival to your family, or cause you unwanted stress. We have put together a quick heads up, and tips to consider when moving home with your newborn.
Plan Ahead
Make a timeline for preparations with a moving calendar. Start early (not too early) and make lists. Sift through your belongings to have a clear-out. You might find plenty of things you don’t need that you can give to charity or sell. If you are packing yourself, start collecting packing boxes and items. Use sturdy boxes.
Invest your time to get documentation together and to deal with legalities such as informing the post office, DVLA, banks, utility suppliers, building societies, insurance companies, the TV licensing company, and so on. Update your driving license, apply for a parking permit in the new location, register at the new doctor’s surgery, etc. Inform relatives, friends, colleagues, and neighbours of your new address. Check that you have contents insurance during transit.
Organise
Whether you are packing yourself or getting in packers, stay ahead of the organising game. Opening every box looking for a single item is the last thing you need when moving house with a new baby. Labelling correctly saves you a tonne of trouble. Packing room by room helps as well. You might want to pack the nursery yourself if you are hiring professional help. It will ensure that your baby’s necessities are packed according to priority.
Begin at the top and move downwards. If you have an attic, clear it out first and pack the contents you need. Make sure your most used items and essentials are packed last. Do not fill large boxes to their capacity. Put heavier items in smaller boxes. All your important documents must go in a box/boxes and remain separately out of the way. Use secure tape, bubble wrap, and box lining to minimise breakage. All hazardous items such as bleach, paint thinner, aerosols, and cleaning liquid should be packed into one box and labelled. Arrange for the final metre readings on the day of moving.
Separate carry-on with baby essentials
When you are moving with a baby, the moving day is a big day. It should be business as usual for your baby, and there is no time to search for their favourite squeaky toy amidst the moving process. So, packing all baby essentials into a carry-on is your safest bet. These should include clothes, blankets, medicine, baby formula, a hot water flask, feeding bottles, their favourite toys, wipes, and lots of diapers. Look for cartons of ready-made baby formula as you might not be able to prepare it yourself on the go or while the removal is ongoing. Make sure the car seat is installed.
And, don’t forget yourself. Keep your phone/iPad charged. Pack your pick-me-ups. A breastfeeding mom needs her breast pump so, make it one of the baby essentials.
Separate moving bag
There is no way you will be in the mood to unpack boxes when you have just moved to a house with a baby. If it is late, all you want to do is sleep off the weeks-long packing marathon, and even if it isn’t late, you might just want to rest and take it easy the first day. So pack an overnight bag for each family member. It should contain sleepwear, a change of clothes for the next day, a toothbrush, toiletries, the phone charger, and any prescription medication they need. Make sure there are snacks for the ride, especially if you have other small children, and food to rustle up a quick meal once you reach your new home.
Keep important documents easily accessible and safe
Your important documents should not go in the moving truck. These should travel with you in a box. Make sure to include medical records, IDs, and prescriptions in the box.
Plan meals ahead
Once you clear out your fridge for transporting, you will need a meal plan that does not require perishable food. You can always order takeout, but a meal plan ensures you do not run into hungry difficulty. Sandwiches, PotNoodle, fresh fruit, or a pot chilli you can keep warm in the oven will get you through the day before moving, the day of moving, and the first day at the new home.
Settling into the new home
The first thing parents of a small child should do after moving home is to unpack the nursery. While adults can get comfortable on a mattress on the floor or even a couch, a baby needs their tiny home. So assemble the cot, put up the hanging toys, take out their rattle, and lay out their favourite blanket. You might want to give them a bath too; so, unpack the baby bath toys as well. Baby-proofing your new home before moving in is always the cautious option. But if you haven’t, make sure the nursery is safe. Set it up in a babyproof area till you get things in order.
Getting help
Consider hiring packers. Yes, it’s costly, but it is more physically and emotionally costly for you to try and wrap fragile glassware neatly into boxes when your baby is crying for all your attention. You can always hire a babysitter while the major unpacking is taking place. Reach out to friends and family who might be more than willing to offer you childcare before and after moving.
We hope these tips for moving house with a newborn will help you plan better and pack wisely. The start of a new life in a new home with a new baby is a wonderful new chapter. And remember, no house move is immune from a few bits of broken china. When you want to move into a brand new home built to superior quality, GS Brown Construction is your trusted home builder.
