After working with a number of moms as a Knoxville in-home newborn photographer , I’ve learned a thing or two and selected 3 ways to prepare your home for your newborn that you may have not considered yet!

1. 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!

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 buffet in the dining room. Find a new place for these items to go so they stop piling up!

Step 3: Let’s “Marie Kondo” your stuff! Let’s 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.

Step 5: Organize the “keep” items, throw away the “toss” items and give away the “donate.”

to make this more of a fun experience I will turn on some music or even 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. 

2. 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.

Some of my favorites are: muffins, taco meat, soups, and easy crock pot meals

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!

Psst: wanna skip the cooking? You can make meals easier by picking up some healthy ready made meals from Clean Eatz ! There meals are amazing and they have a huge selection of dietary options. Another options is always Grub Hub and business like it that that can deliver you lunch or dinner. This was one of the most helpful gifts was Grub Hug gift cards!

3. 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!

I personally recommend Sam’s or Costco to buy bulk paper plates, disposable utensils, and cups. Anything to keep dishes and cleaning to a minimum is great!

I hope reading 3 Simple Steps to Prepare Your Home for Your Newborn’s Arrival Part 1 has given you some solid ideas to start on! If you’re still looking for a Knoxville in-home newborn photographer, CLICK HERE to see my portfolio of newborn images. If your looking for Knoxville newborn photographer you can CONTACT me and I would love to work with you and create some magical images for you to love!