New Ponte Vedra Mom Must-Haves: How to Set Up Your Home for Your Newborn in 14 Days
Hello and welcome from Sweet Smiles Photography in Ponte Vedra, Florida! As a mom who's been through the newborn phase 3 times, I've gathered some unique ideas and tips that you might not have thought of before!
1. Prepare YOUR wardrobe
Of course we’re thinking a lot about how to prepare for the baby, but don’t forget about yourself! Afterall, you are the glue that holds everything together, and if The Glue needs some amazing new clothes to fit her new and amazing body, then The Glue has every right to make that happen!
Preparing your wardrobe for the first 2-3 weeks postpartum is an important step in getting ready for the arrival of your new baby. It may feel like a bit of a waste to buy new clothes when your body will be changing so much in the upcoming future, but believe me when I say it can be the difference between feeling confident and capable or feeling like you’re not valued or worth it. And spoiler alert: you ARE worth it.
Comfort and functionality are key during this time! You'll want to focus on loose-fitting, comfortable clothing that can accommodate changes in your body shape and allow for easy breastfeeding access if you plan to breastfeed.
Consider investing in a few nursing bras, loose-fitting pants or leggings, and comfortable tops that are easy to pull up or down. Some women also find it helpful to have a couple of nursing-friendly dresses on hand for a dressier option. I remember my mom sending me a few nursing shirts from Target that made breast-feeding a lot easier because I didn’t need a nursing bra and nursing-friendly shirt- it was all built in. Definitely stop by your local Target and see what they have!
Another thing to keep in mind is that you will likely still be bleeding for a few weeks, so having a few pairs of comfortable and absorbent underwear or postpartum pads on hand is a good idea. And let’s be honest: we pretty much lived in yoga pants before, so if they were good enough for us then, they are definitely a best friend to us now!
Remember, the key to preparing your wardrobe for the first few weeks postpartum is to prioritize comfort and practicality. By doing so, you can focus on bonding with your new baby without worrying about your clothing or physical discomfort!
2. 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. Honestly decluttering has always been overwhelming for me, but I feel SO much better when I declutter my space. It is always worth the effort for me… after indulging in that chocolate I bribed myself with in order to get it done!
Here are some steps to follow to declutter before baby arrives:
Step 1: Choose two or three rooms that you frequent most often (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 clothes and paperwork. Find a new place for these items to go so they stop piling up!
Step 3: Let’s “Marie Kondo” your stuff and clear out what you don’t need or want anymore! 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. Bonus: if this isn’t your first baby you can also do this step with your kids’ stuff. I have my kids go through their own drawers and toys with this exact same process… even when I’m not expecting another one on the way!
Step 5: Organize the “keep” items, throw away the “toss” items (or recycle if possible) and give away the “donate.”
Turn on some music and make it fun! Ask a friend or your mom to come over and help. Sometimes I have to wait to be in the “mood” to declutter, so if this is something you can’t put on your To Do list and make yourself do it, declutter when the mood strikes and then continue as long as possible. I find it very difficult to let go of items in my house because of the sentimental value, so my husband is my biggest hype-guy and cheers me on with lots of praise when the mood does strike. Show yourself some grace if this sounds like you, it’s ok that not everyone in the world is a minimalist.
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.
3. Batch cook
The thought of cooking a ton of food in one go can be intimidating, but batch cooking is 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 are 20 great recipes suggest by a fellow mom blogger to help you get started: 20 Freezer Meals To Make Before Baby Arrives - Another Mommy Blogger
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!
(Optional: Include the names of local businesses who meal prep or make slow cooker meals or freezer meals. Use this text – Psst: wanna skip the cooking? You can hire XYZ company to prep the meals for you/make slow cooker meals for you/have nutritious meals delivered to you)
4. Stock up on essentials (& not just baby essentials)
You’re likely already thinking about things like diapers, wipes, bottles, etc.
But have you considered stocking up on regular household items like paper towels, toilet paper, dishwasher soap…?
My best tip would be to set these items up on Amazon Subscribe and Save so they’ll show up on your doorstep and you never have to worry about running out those first few months with your newborn!
5. Put together a baby care basket
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.
In addition to keeping you from running from room to room, a baby care basket will help you stay organized and keep your home clutter free.
And don’t forget yourself with this one either! Always keep a bottle of water and some snacks you love in the basket in case you’re nursing or baby falls asleep on you.
If you were gifted or own multiple diaper bags, it’s great to fully stock all of them so when things get hectic you will have an easier time finding one and leaving the house.
6. Light your home the right way
Maybe this is important to me because I’m a photographer, I don’t know 😉 but lighting is one I don’t see talked about too often!!
Proper lighting can help create a calm and comfortable atmosphere for both you and your baby.
First, look at the rooms you’ll spend the most time in (typically kitchen, living room, bedrooms). You'll want to consider the type of lighting you have in each room.
● Do you want to add a lamp option (yes, even in the kitchen)?
● Under cabinet lights?
● How about a dimmer switch for the overhead lights?
● What about small wall plug in lights to help light the way in the halls for the middle of the night?
The right lighting can help frustrating or overly stimulating situations feel much more calm and peaceful. If you really want to be extra prepared feel free to make some calming music play lists to go along with the soft light so that you can create an environment you really love.
Which of these tips are you going to do first? Did you learn something new today? Let me know in the comments!
(Optional: Don’t forget to download my free guide, NAME OF GUIDE to help you WHAT IT HELPS THEM WITH)
