I am super excited to host a guest post for you from one of my best friends. Her name is Crystal and she is a mom to 7 very incredible little ones. Every time I go over her house I feel a sense of calm. This girl knows her stuff so when Dreft asked me how I get ready for a little one I figured why not ask her. She certainly has gotten ready more than a few times for bringing home a little bundle of joy. If you like what you see here you can read more about her at A Simple Heart for Home. This post is part of a sponsorship with BabyCenter.
Nesting with a house full of children can be stressful, especially if you have toddlers who undo everything you just did! While it may not be as easy the 2nd ( 3rd, 4th...) time around, it can still be an exciting time to get ready to meet your new little one.
Here are 5 tips for preparing for Baby...with a house full:
Involve your older children
Bringing another baby into your family not only adds a son or daughter, but also a brother or sister. The months of pregnancy can be a wonderful bonding time for the new sibling and involving them in the preparations can make them feel special and make the transition a little easier.
My girls loved helping me sort through the baby things. They giggled at seeing the little dresses they used to wear. They were amazed at how tiny they once were.
Wash the Hand-Me-Downs
You may not receive a grand baby shower after multiple babies, but the good news is you probably already have everything you need already. Be sure to wash all the baby clothes, blankets and bedding.Dreft High Efficiency Liquid Detergent is a fantastic choice.Invest in Paper Plates
I am usually all about reusing all I can, but sometimes it's ok to use disposable products. For me, the first few weeks home with a baby are stressful enough, not having to worry about washing the dishes multiple times a day is a huge help.
Set Up Babysitting
The moment you are ready to leave for the hospital is not the time to be looking for a sitter. Make a plan the weeks before your due date with family members or friends who are willing to watch your kids. Babies come in their own timing so have a back up if your help is unavailable. Be sure to leave phone numbers and any special instructions on the fridge.-
Stock Up on Easy Snacks
There were many times in the early weeks with a newborn where I would be so busy with my older children and always had a baby in my arms that I wouldn't have time to make something to eat, or would be so hungry I would grab whatever was easiest- but rarely the healthiest.
Stock up on healthy and nutritious snacks.
- Pre cut and washed fruits and veggies
- Baby carrots and hummus
- String cheese
- Almonds
- Granola bars
Dreft laundry detergent is a great because it is tough on those baby stains, but gentle on their sweet and sensitive skin. Those spit up stains can be tough to get out but even I agree that Dreft High Efficiency Liquid Detergent does the job. Those spit up stains do not stand a chance.
Check your car seat's expiration date, wash your car seat cover with Dreft, and make sure any baby furniture is still sturdy and clean. Dreft is great on bedding too.
Some of my favorites are:
New moms of many need to keep their strength up, and having healthy snacks on hand will at least hold you over until you have time to make a meal.
Enjoy the last few weeks of your pregnancy as a time to cuddle up with your older kids, flip through their baby albums and remember how quickly these busy baby days fly by.
You can learn how to prepare for a baby in other ways as well on the Getting Ready for Baby Pinterest Board.
New moms of many need to keep their strength up, and having healthy snacks on hand will at least hold you over until you have time to make a meal.
Enjoy the last few weeks of your pregnancy as a time to cuddle up with your older kids, flip through their baby albums and remember how quickly these busy baby days fly by.
Those are all great tips. I only have two kids, but getting my older son involved in the set up and prep for his new brother made the transition easier.
ReplyDeleteWhat great advice. We will be trying for baby #2 soon and just have one other child has made me fret some. Thank you for the tips, this has eased my mind a bit!
ReplyDeleteawesome tips- and clearly from someone who KNOWS!! my older kids helped when the next was born. they loved it.
ReplyDeleteThis is really great advice.My older kids were always involved with the younger ones from choosing names,clothes etc,I think it really helps.
ReplyDeleteGetting ready for your seventh or eighth really means hand me downs are mandatory! These are good tips even when welcoming just the second kid.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I think it's very important to keep all clothes organized so handing down clothes is much easier.
ReplyDeleteThese are great tips - and I only have one child. Having meals set up (and brought to us) before our son was born was SUCH a convenience!
ReplyDeleteWow - what a large family - but looks like quite a loving one. They say the more the merrier, right? And don't forget to get pets involved too with a new baby - letting them explore baby's room and smelling their clothing and baby blankets!
ReplyDeleteI used Dreft on my baby clothes. I really liked how gentle it was. I love your snack suggestions too. Almonds always give me a pick-me-up.
ReplyDeleteI never used Dreft but I know quite a few who have. I have been told for my sensitive skin that I should use it for our laundry because most products make me break out. Maybe one day if I catch it on sale I will give it a try.
ReplyDeleteSuch great tips! There's nothing wrong with using paper plates, even throwaway cups and utensils if it will make life a little easier!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips for a big family and a small one! Hand me downs are the best thing next to bread and butter. When I had my daughter I received boxes upon boxes of adorable clothes and toys. Made the financial aspect much easier.
ReplyDeleteIt must be super exciting waiting for a baby in a big household. Great tips to make the transition easier
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to involve the older kids and to prepare snacks. There's no rest those first few weeks so it's so clever to prepare things before delivery.
ReplyDeleteI am a huge Dreft fan! I knew nothing when I adopted my infant son and they sent me a coupon for the biggest size! I trusted them with his clothes, so happy for the reminder!
ReplyDeletethanks,
mItch
These are such great tips! We did all of this when preparing for our twins.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the amazing tips! I am always in awe at parents who effortlessly take care of a number of children.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice. Love the pictures.
ReplyDeleteI love preparing meals ahead of time too. Pull out of the freezer when ready
ReplyDeleteLove the paper plate trick. It will cut down on a ton of time and it's ok to use those for special occasions like when mom needs to sleep!!
ReplyDeleteAw so much love with a big family...it must make everything in the household so exciting especially for the little ones! Great advice
ReplyDeleteI love Dreft. It smells so good. Having meals prepared in advance is a huge help to bring home a new baby.
ReplyDeleteSuch great advice! We have one little girl, and I can't imagine what it will be like to have a second!
ReplyDeleteI think the best pointer here was the one about getting the other kids involved! We are done having kids- but I will pass this on to my friends that are still going!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI think these are really good tips! I remember bring my youngest home, and the changes we made!
ReplyDeleteWe only have one child, but my sister has 4 kids and they were stair steps. All very close in age so these tips are all excellent! I remember her doing some of these with her older kids in preparation of their younger siblings.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice for preparing for a new little one! Bringing home the second child really changed everything!
ReplyDeleteYOu have some really great tips. I remember trying to prepare for just my second. It can get stressful.
ReplyDeleteYou've listed great reasons to use Dreft. I remember it just smelling sooooooooo good!
ReplyDeleteWashing the hand-me-downs is a great idea. Sometimes clothes that are packed up for a while stop smelling quite so fresh.
ReplyDeleteWe actually washed all of my nephew's clothes before he was born. We even washed the new ones to make sure there was nothing on them that could possibly irritate his skin.
ReplyDeleteYay!!! I love new babies and parenting tips! I think involving older siblings is so important too.
ReplyDeleteDreft is great! We used it years ago and were very pleased with it.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips and wow you have to be organized! It has been a long time for me but I remember being well organized and having everything ready so that it would make my life easier. My husband was a big help also.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! Congrats on your new little bundle. You must be highly organized to run a home with so many kids!
ReplyDeleteOn the plus side oyu have lots of little helpers! :) Congratultions on your new baby.
ReplyDeleteMy first two were only 15 months apart but the youngest is 6 years younger than her brother and my daughter was 7 when she was born. It was a different experience all around. I had help and the older children were such a blessing to have around. They can help so much.
ReplyDeleteSuch great advice. It's always best to ask the moms who know best. Congrats on the baby.
ReplyDeleteWonderful steps and advice for soon to be parents! Forwarding this!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips on welcoming a newborn! My tip would be to listen to what everyone you love and respect has to say (everyone has a piece of advice), but then follow your gut.
ReplyDeleteI love your tips especially the one to involve older children. My tip is to ask for help whenever you feel the need.
ReplyDeleteWow! Hats off to you. Great tips. I had a hard enough time going from one child to two!
ReplyDeleteWe did the same thing, trying to keep big brother involved. My tip: change older sibling out of crib or convertible long enough before hand, that way they don't feel like baby is taking their bed.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! Yes, setup babysitting is key to surviving with more than one kiddo!
ReplyDelete~Amanda
I love Dreft, my daughter is due with her first. There are so many things to consider especially the detergent you use to wash the babies clothes.
ReplyDeleteSort clothes by size so you don't forget which is which size.
ReplyDeleteStock up on baby essentials whenever you find a good sale.
ReplyDeleteneiddyruiz@gmail.com
These are good tips for getting ready for a new baby. It is good to involve the older children so they feel the new baby is part of the family instead of an interloper.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I can imagine how an older child can feel if not incorporated into the fold with a new child.
ReplyDeleteHaving 7 kids I'm sure she is certainly the professional on all things like this. Great tips by the way especially that easy snacks one.
ReplyDeleteI cook large meals and freeze them in both family portions and individual portions. That way after the baby arrives, I only have to defrost and serve and we have a healthy home cooked meal. Some of my favorites to cook and freeze are Roast and veggies, Chicken Pot Pie, BBQ Beef, Red Beans and Butter Beans.
ReplyDeleteHave people cook for you or your hubby stock up on meals - freeze them !
ReplyDeletetubbytelly @ gmail . com