If you are going through the adoption process or have made a connection with an expectant mother, you will want to prioritize preparing your home for the arrival of the baby. Bringing your baby home for the first time after going through the adoption process is an amazing experience, but you may be overwhelmed thinking about all of the things you need to do. Childproofing and creating a welcoming space for your newly adopted baby is easier than you think. Here are our top 10 tips for preparing your home for your newly adopted child.
1. Listen to your home study recommendations.
One of the most important things you can do to prepare your home for an adopted child is to go through the home study process. As you know, the home study is a critical aspect of the adoption process. Not only does it ensure your home is a safe, welcoming space, but it is also required in order to legally adopt a baby. We recommend following all recommendations from the social worker regarding any home and safety requirements. In this case, the social worker understands the specific state regulations and requirements, so it is important to follow their guidelines and advice.
2. Baby proof your home.
Another essential in preparing your home for your baby is doing general baby proofing. As a new parent, it is of the utmost importance to ensure you have a safe environment for your baby. Baby proofing entails safeguarding fall risks like stairs and balconies, covering up electrical outlets, securing any furniture that can easily tip over, and covering sharp edges and corners. Here are some additional baby proofing tips from the Today Show that you can check out.
3. Clean and organize your home.
It’s no secret that once you bring your baby home, you won’t have the same amount of freetime as you did before. We recommend cleaning and organizing your home while you have the time and energy. Taking some time to do thorough cleaning, organizing, and yard work can help you feel better prepared to take on your new role as a parent as your baby will have a tidy, beautiful space to come home to.
4. Prepare all of your baby gear.
An essential piece of getting your home ready for your adopted baby is preparing all of their gear. One of the most critical pieces of this is their car seat. For an infant, you need a new rear-facing car seat that has a five-point harness to maximize safety. To ensure that the car seat was installed correctly, you can enlist the help of your local police or fire station who can check it for you. For more information about car seat safety, check out the American Academy of Pediatrics website.
Beyond the car seat, you should also ensure you have a crib, changing table, and other items like a swing or playpen purchased, assembled, and tested. Assembling and testing all of the gear to make sure it is safe and you know how to properly use it can take some time. You should take advantage of this time to get all of the equipment ready that your baby needs.
5. Install or check existing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
If you have successfully completed the home study, you will have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Something you should do is check the battery level regularly to test them to make sure they are working correctly. These detectors working properly can prevent an emergency that could negatively affect your family.
6. Have an emergency plan in place.
No one likes to think about situations like this, but it is really important to have a plan in place and be prepared for any unexpected emergencies that could arise, especially when you have little ones to take care of. Having a working smoke and carbon monoxide detector is a preventive step, but creating an emergency plan is also a great idea to include in your baby arrival checklist. Check out these tips from the Red Cross for creating an emergency plan for your family.
7. Stock up on household essentials.
After your baby comes home, you won’t have a lot of extra time or energy to go to the store. We recommend you stock up on all of your household essentials before the baby arrives to make your life easier during those first few months. The last thing you want to be dealing with when you’re settling into your new routine with your baby is running out of things like toilet paper, soap, and cleaning products. If you don’t have the space to buy in bulk, something you can do is use Amazon, Target, or Walmart’s subscribe and save on items you use often. Automating your household essentials can ensure that you don’t unexpectedly run out of the things you need.
8. Arrange for extra help.
Bringing your baby home can be just as overwhelming as it is exciting. During the first few weeks, you will be learning how to be a parent, what that looks like for you, and adjusting to a new routine while taking care of your little one. Many parents find it helpful to have extra help around the home in these first few weeks. Before your baby arrives, you could arrange to get some extra help from family or friends.
9. Wash your baby’s clothing, bedding, and other items.
Something you can do before your baby arrives that will save you time is washing your baby’s clothes and bedding. We recommend washing anything that will come in contact with their skin. This will help to remove any dust or other substances that could irritate their sensitive skin. It’s often recommended to use a gentle, fragrance-free detergent and fabric softener to minimize skin irritation.
10. Stock up on baby care essentials.
Babies require a lot of supplies for their day-to-day care. To get your home ready for their arrival, a great thing you can do to alleviate some stress and feel more prepared is to stock up on these essentials. This includes diapers, wipes, bibs, formula, bottles, pacifiers, burping clothes, and seasonally appropriate clothing. Procuring these supplies before your baby arrives also allows you to take some time to organize everything to your liking so you know where everything is when you need it.
When you are anticipating the arrival of your new bundle of joy, there is a lot you need to do to prepare your home. While it can feel overwhelming at first, preparing your home for the arrival of your adopted baby can give you some much needed peace of mind. If you do a little bit at a time, you can easily accomplish everything on your check list so that when you bring your baby home, you can focus on adjusting to your role as a parent and providing them with the best care.
