Are you embarking on the journey through surrogacy to become a parent? Becoming a parent is an incredible milestone in life. Whether you choose to take the traditional route towards pregnancy or opt to use surrogacy, bringing home a newborn baby can be a intimidating feat. That’s why our surrogacy agency experts have created a list of ideas to get your home ready for your new addition!
Safety
Safety is the first thing that needs to be addressed in a home that will be welcoming a baby. Even though you may think that your home is safe, there are many potential dangers within a home for a newborn baby that you might not be aware of.
Carbon Monoxide Detector/Smoke Detector
Every home needs Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors. A Smoke Detector will alert you if there is a fire in the home and allow you to leave your home in a safe manner with time to spare. Carbon Monoxide Detectors have a sensor that can detect a Carbon Monoxide leak. Carbon Monoxide is an odorless and deadly gas and therefore the only way to know there is a leak is to have a detector alert you. Both of these devices are a must-have in your home when bringing home baby.
Detergent/Cleaning Supplies
Before you know it, your newborn baby will be a crawling explorer. One of the main hazards to a newly mobile curious baby are detergent and other cleaning supplies. After you are done cleaning your home, make sure to always return the supplies to where they are stored and keep any low areas that house these supplies securely locked. This will help keep your child from accidentally ingesting any harmful chemicals. Many companies have also taken precautions when it comes to the safe storage of their supplies, including child proof lids and packages for detergent pods.
Small Items
Is your home full of cute, small knick-knacks? These decorations can quickly become a dangerous choking hazard for an infant or crawling baby. It is important to either put away these items or place them on a higher shelf in order to ensure that the baby can not reach them. If you organize your home before the surrogate baby arrives, it will save you the time and stress of doing it when they are there and while you are still adjusting to being a parent.
Medication
Do you have a medicine cabinet that could be accessed by a curious and mobile child? It is important to keep medication out of reach of children and/or in a cabinet that is securely locked. Many medicines may be harmless and even helpful to an adult, but not to a baby. Even if your child will not be able to reach the medication yet, it is better to eliminate the potential problem before they gain mobility and the hazard slips your mind.
Room
Preparing your baby’s room before they come home is very important. Not only is it practical, it is also a great way to connect with your baby before they enter your life. Since surrogacy means that you won’t personally be carrying the child throughout the pregnancy, these alternative bonding methods are a great way to find a unique connection prior to the baby being born.
Dresser
Dressers are necessary to store all of your baby’s clothes. Whether you opt to purchase a unit that comes with drawers or shelves, organization is key to keeping the room neat, organized, and easy to use! It is also important to secure these large pieces of furniture to the wall in order to avoid accidents.
Crib
The crib is where your baby will sleep. There are many different types of cribs, so we advise that you begin searching for your preferred crib a few months before your baby arrives. Once you make your choice, set up the crib before the baby comes home! You can then organize the room the way that you want and ensure that you like it.
Changing Table
Changing your baby’s diapers is a common occurance, so having a space to simply and easily change diapers is important. Many change tables come with an easy to wash cushion as well as ample space for storage so that you can organize the diapers, washcloths, baby wipes, and more.
Clothes
Babies go through a lot of clothes. Whether they get an outfit dirty or they simply outgrow it, it is a good idea to purchase clothes in advance. If you purchase a few outfits in a variety of sizes, you won’t find yourself scrambling at the last minute to dress your child when they have outgrown the previous size.
Family/Friends
Now that you have welcomed a baby into your life and home, friends and family will be visiting. It is important to alert your loved ones of any safety changes that you have made to your home and to tell them about any specific parenting methods that you are following. Your friends and family will be a large part of your child’s life, so it is important to make them aware of the parenting style with which you plan to raise your child.
Cleaning
Germs are everywhere. With a new baby in the house it is important to try to keep the germs to a minimum. This means that you should wash your hands more frequently, as well as clean high traffic areas of the home more often. This can be as easy as adding cleaning doorknobs to your morning or night routine before the baby even arrives. In addition, there are many child-friendly cleaning products that you can purchase now to ensure your house is clean and safe for the baby!
Fridge
Babies love to eat! Before your baby comes home, take the time to clean out your fridge and freezer reorganize it with them in mind. You will want to make space to keep breastmilk, if you are having your surrogate pump for you, and also have a clean area to store formula.
Laundry
Babies go through a lot of clothes. We suggest that before the baby comes home you create a new laundry schedule with them in mind. You will also need to purchase new detergents that aren’t too harsh on their clothes when they are being frequently washed, and that don’t contain dyes or perfumes that will irritate their skin. This will help keep you prepared and your baby’s onesies clean.
Meal Prep
Just because your new baby is home, doesn’t mean you don’t have to eat. Meal prepping may not have been an important part of your life before, but it will be now. Spend some time before the baby arrives preparing meal schedules and practicing your meal prepping. This will keep you cool, calm, and well fed while you learn the ropes of being a parent.
We couldn’t have said it better, that is why this is a direct repost from Simple Surrogacy