10 Factors to Consider When Moving with a Newborn Child
If you’re moving to another city with your newborn child, you’ll want to do all you can to help them adjust to their new home.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to keep them feeling safe and comfortable in their new surroundings, both during the move and once they’ve gotten settled in.
From selecting the right moving company to packing essential items, make sure you know what needs to be done before calling a removalist in Sydney.
The following 10 factors is all it takes!
1. Think About Some Extra Sleep
Getting your child into a bedtime routine and ensuring that they get enough sleep is important for everyone in your household.
A tired toddler (or baby) is more prone to tantrums and other disruptive behaviour, making it hard for you and others around them to rest as well.
If you’re moving house soon, take some time before moving day to help your child get ready for bed at their new place.
Getting them used to their new surroundings and helping them learn how to settle themselves can go a long way toward reducing stress levels all around—for you, for your kids, and any family members who might be helping during or after moving day.
2. Book Well Ahead
While you want to make sure you’re moving when your baby is no more than 6 weeks old, book your removalist services well ahead of time.
Sydney removalists are booked out for months in advance during peak periods, particularly December through February.
If possible, book your date two months ahead of time if you’re looking at moving around Christmas or Easter—or even three months ahead if you’re planning on moving in July or August.
It may seem like plenty of time before your move, but when it comes down to it, there is never enough time. Starting early will also give you ample opportunity to gather all your important documents and pack your home properly before moving day arrives.
3. Think About Insurance
Getting moving insurance is crucial. During what is likely one of the most stressful times in your life, you’ll want to make sure that everything comes out okay.
Unfortunately, things aren’t always what they seem during moves—things get damaged, lost, or even stolen.
Having moving insurance can make all the difference in getting you back on track after what has likely been an upsetting time. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Call your agent today!
4. Use Professional Movers
Regardless of whether you’re moving across town or across the country, there are plenty of reasons why you should seek out professional movers.
For starters, they can get your belongings from point A to point B in one piece and on time.
Additionally, they offer insurance and storage services so that everything arrives safely and is packed tightly and secured properly during transit.
5. Keep Food at Hand
Always keep fresh food and snacks on hand. You’ll be tempted to take short naps every so often, but it’s important that you do your best not to miss too many hours of eating and drinking.
And when possible, try eating in an area where you can set up your newborn for sleeping or playing next to you so you can interact without worrying about waking him/her up if he/she is asleep.
The simplest thing will help: Use a baby monitor! This way, if the baby starts crying while you’re doing something else, like cooking or putting laundry away, you can pause and go tend to him/her quickly and then get back into whatever you were doing before.
6. Look Into Family Accommodation Nearby
If you can’t move right into your new home (perhaps you’re buying it and it’s not ready, or perhaps you’re renting), look for family accommodation nearby.
It can be tough leaving your child in someone else’s care, but if you don’t feel like lugging around everything they need (including food and milk and everything else) and setting up somewhere at your place (or someone else’s), ask about family accommodation options nearby.
Maybe they’ve got room for a crib, or maybe they will allow you to stay at their place during those first few weeks.
If that doesn’t work out, there are plenty of other options such as nurseries that provide a safe environment for children as well as those run by medical practitioners such as paediatricians.
7. Have Things Ready at Both Homes
If you’re moving from an apartment to a house, make sure you have all of your baby gear set up and ready at both homes before moving day.
Leaving them onsite while you drive back and forth isn’t a good idea if something breaks down. If there are items that you aren’t going to be using for several weeks, have them packed up until it’s time to move them into your new home.
8. Get the Pets into Their New Home Quickly
Pets like routine, so if they’ve settled into their daily life at your old house, it can make sense to bring them along when you move.
This is also beneficial for your baby; babies respond well to routine and predictability, which makes pets ideal companions.
If you do choose to bring your pet with you on moving day, think about getting them into their new home as quickly as possible. New environments can cause stress in pets that may not be beneficial for small children or new babies.
9. Arrange Furniture Prior to Arrival if Possible
Removing clutter and excess furniture is one of your first steps when moving home. A newborn will feel less confined and more comfortable in an open, uncluttered environment.
While it may be easier said than done, try arranging furniture prior to your removalist’s arrival. If you can’t arrange things beforehand, just instruct them on where items should go when they get there.
They will do their best for you and any requests that can’t be fulfilled will be noted on their inventory sheet so you can reschedule accordingly if necessary.
10. Ask About Delivery Times/Costs of Deliveries
Before you get your belongings into storage, ask about delivery times and costs.
You don’t want to find out too late that you’re paying for deliveries three weeks after getting all of your belongings in storage. Delivery should be one of many things factored into your budget.
If it isn’t already built into your budget, ask if there are any special offers or coupons so you can save on delivery costs.
Conclusion
No one likes moving, but moving is even more difficult when you have a newborn child.
There are many extra considerations that you need to make when moving home, and it’s important that you prepare for them in advance.
This will reduce your stress level and ensure that your move goes smoothly.
