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If you have a baby on the way or you’re considering becoming pregnant, you may find yourself overwhelmed with thoughts of all that you need to do before you bring your baby home. Consider the following five recommendations that will help you ease your worries and prepare your home before your baby arrives.
Find a Great Pediatrician
At some point, your child may get sick. Unfortunately, finding a pediatrician that you can trust is not a simple process. Particularly during the first few years of your child’s life, you’ll visit a doctor often, so make sure the person is someone with whom you feel comfortable.
You’ll want to speak with several pediatricians — and visit their offices if possible — to make sure you’ll find someone you’ll want to bring your child to see during stressful times. You can use a tool from the American Academy of Pediatrics to search for qualified pediatricians in your area.
Ensure Your Home Is Clean
Your baby will probably be spending plenty of cuddle time on the floor, so naturally, you’ll need to keep your home cleaner than usual.
Be sure to keep carpets cleaned regularly, especially if you have pets. Another area to consider is the indoor air quality in your home. Infants are particularly sensitive to contaminants in the air. For this reason, make sure you have fresh air filters in your home’s HVAC system. Additionally, you may want to invest in an air purifier for your baby’s nursery to help keep your little one sleeping soundly.
Babyproof Your Home
Everyday household objects can pose major health risks to your baby. Infants can swallow small objects, topple top-heavy items, and get into cleaning products and other poisonous chemicals. Installing safety latches and putting items on high shelving can help you babyproof your home. Explore the Healthy Children’s guide on childproofing your home to learn more.
Keep Your Home’s Thermostat Set Between 68 to 72 Degrees
Health experts have recommended keeping your home at a temperature between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. This range is probably close to what you already use for your thermostat. Nonetheless, pay attention to the temperature, as babies are particularly sensitive to temperature adjustments. They may cry and have difficulty sleeping if they’re too hot or cold. Learn more about whether your home’s air conditioning system is safe for your infant.
Plan Meals Ahead of Time
As a new mother, you may have difficulty finding time to cook meals for your family. If you happen to have an amazing partner who will take over cooking duties, you may have some help in this area.
Rather than eating out all the time, which can be both expensive and unhealthy, many new mothers prefer to cook several meals at once. This way, they can have home-cooked meals several nights a week without all the prep work. You also don’t have to clean your kitchen as often.
Now you know some ways you can keep your home clean and safe for your baby. With the five tips above, you can be well on your way to having a home that’s ready to welcome your baby. Do you have more suggestions for how to prepare a home for a baby’s arrival? Let us know in the comments.
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