Being a parent is a magical time filled with precious new moments to cherish. But in big life moments like moving house, it can be stressful looking after the well-being of your little one. This guide will show you exactly how to "baby-proof" for next move: from packing their favourite teddy and keeping them out of the way to getting help from local removalists.
How to baby-proof your house move
The no-go room
Those cute little hands of your little one have a habit of poking and touching anything in sight - particularly the things they shouldn’t. With a baby’s curious nature, it can be hard to pack up your house knowing that boxes are everywhere for them to try and explore. This is where the ‘no-go’ room comes into play.
The no-go room is exactly what it sounds like - a dedicated space that's strictly off-limits to your baby.
For your no-go room, choose a room that is:
- Spacious enough to store all your moving supplies and packed boxes
- Can be securely closed off
- Is an office, spare bedroom, kitchen, or other non-play area.
Having a single restricted area is much safer and more manageable than trying to baby-proof boxes scattered throughout your home. This way, you can pack with peace of mind, knowing your little one won't be able to explore any potentially hazardous moving materials.
Pack baby’s room last
Packing is without a doubt one of the biggest tasks to undergo in the process of moving house. So, creating order and structure to your packing is a top priority.
'Order’ and ‘structure’ may feel long gone now, along with words like ‘sleep’ and ‘spontaneity’. But here's hack to organise your packing best: Save the most important room till last!
Here's how to pack the house efficiently:
- Start packing from least used room to most used room
- Pack the baby's room and items last
The baby boxes will be at the front of the pile to be unboxed first at the new house.
Consider professional moving help
When they say it takes a village they aren’t lying. At times like moving house it’s important to rally as much help as you can to keep both you and your baby relaxed. Investing in highly skilled removalists can be the key to creating a safe and relaxed move.
Reputable removals company will take care of all the heavy lifting for you, plus disassemble and pack up your belongings in your old home, and reassembling cots and other furnishings in your new home.
Hiring professional movers also protects you from injury that can be caused by moving heavy furniture. This means you can keep your full strength preserved for what’s important - looking after the little one.
Baby-free cleaning day
Whether you are deep cleaning your rental property before leaving or cleaning your soon-to-be home, keep your baby out of the house for the day.
Cleaning when moving house requires a certain amount of heavy-duty products that can be toxic to your baby. Therefore, to make sure that any harmful products are kept well away from your tiny explorers, prepare to lend them to Nan and Grandad for a day (or two).
This gives you the chance to focus on scrubbing away little smudgy fingerprints off the walls without worrying about what the fingerprint culprit is up to.
Baby-proof the new house
Last but not least is baby-proofing the new house before your tiny human arrives. It might be hard for interstate moves, but if you're moving locally, baby-proofing should be your priority.
How to baby-proof your new home:
- Cover power outlets
- Hide electrical cords
- Sweep the floors for sneaky debris like bolts or broken items.
Taking these steps early means your happy little explorer can go discover their new kingdom without you constantly playing defence against household hazards.
Final thoughts on moving house with babies
Moving house with a baby might feel like juggling a million different worries, but with careful planning and the right support, you can make this transition smooth for you and your little one. Just remember - you don't need to be a superhero so accept help when it's offered, trust in the moving experts where you can, and most importantly, be kind to yourself during this big change.
Your baby won't remember if the moving day was perfect, but they will remember growing up in a new home filled with love (and properly covered power outlets).
