For those who choose to become parents, it is undoubtedly a magical time filled with precious new moments to cherish. However, along with that also comes the realisation that you are now fully responsible for the safety and well-being of a precious little being for the foreseeable future. Understandably, this can cause a lot of worry, particularly in life's big moments such as moving house. Luckily, with just a little bit of extra “baby-proofing” preparation, relocating your family can be as smooth as that long-forgotten steaming hot coffee you once got to enjoy.
So, let this guide help you navigate your home relocation with a mini-me in tow. From packing their favourite teddy to researching professional moving help, here is everything you need to know to baby-proof your move.
The No-Go Room
As you’ve probably already realised, those little hands that you love so much 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. Choose a room that's spacious enough to store all your moving supplies and packed boxes, and most importantly, one that can be securely closed off. Whether you opt for an office, spare bedroom, or kitchen, 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. Although the words ‘order’ and ‘structure’ may feel long gone now, along with words like ‘sleep’ and ‘spontaneity’, there is a simple trick to adding a little organisation to your packing and that is to save the most important room till last.
As always with packing for moving house, starting with the rooms that are used least is best practice, to avoid having to reopen boxes that are already tucked away to go. Therefore, in keeping with this rule, it’s best to pack the baby's room and items last. Not only does this mean that you won’t have to reopen any boxes for them but it also means that 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 and at times like moving house it’s important to rally as much help as you can to keep both you and your baby relaxed. While help from family and friends is great, you may also want to consider the possibility of getting extra support from professionals. Investing in highly skilled removalists can be the key to creating a safe and relaxed move for you and your family as a reputable removals company will not only be able to take care of all the heavy lifting for you but will also be able to disassemble and pack up your belongings, along with reassembling cots and other furnishing that you require help with at your new home. Hiring professional moving help can not only alleviate some of the pressure on you but 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 having a pre-move-in scrub of your soon-to-be home, it’s a good idea to keep your baby out of the house for the day. With dirt build-up in areas that typically get hidden under fridges and behind sofas, moving house cleaning 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 by no means least is baby-proofing the new house before your tiny human arrives. While interstate moves might make advance preparation tricky, for those who are moving locally tackling the basics of baby-proofing should be high on your priority list. Start with the non-negotiables: cover those tempting power outlets, tame wild electrical cords, and give the floors a thorough sweep 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
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).
