Preparing for a newborn is a very exciting time. However, as we all know, globally we are faced with challenges when it comes to practically everything – including preparing for a newborn that is on the way. A really exciting aspect of preparing for a newborn is heading out to shops to get inspiration see products in person and learn about them before making a final decision but we currently find ourselves needing to put our health first. This means we are spending more time online making big purchase decisions, which can be a daunting task.
A week before I hit the third trimester, my husband and I moved into a bigger place to accommodate for our soon-to-be new addition. I had intentionally put off most prep and all purchasing of any baby essentials until after the move. I couldn’t wait to get settled and start prepping & decorating – which means I couldn’t wait to go shopping… in person! The day we moved was the same day England got placed into a second national lockdown, closing all retail shops for at least a month! My plan to get this nursery up and running by going to the shops and getting in-person inspiration, consultations from the experts and measurements was gone, so these are the 4 key tips I’m following to now digitally get prepped.
This post will walk you through 4 key steps to that will allow you to easily prepare a nursery during a pandemic while keeping you safe.
1. Buy a tape measure & some masking tape
Preparing for a newborn includes learning about a whole new shopping category for some – babies! One of the biggest parts of preparing for a newborn is setting up the nursery. Larger nursery essentials typically include a crib, a change table, a rug and a few accessories. Tap into your interior designer here. We are going to mark out where everything goes making it super easy for you to visual the placement of these key big items.
EVERYTHING – practically everything – has product dimensions listed in the product details section. Here is what you need to do next:
- Find an item you love online. We are going to start with a crib.
- Jot down the exact measurements on a piece of paper or on your phone.
- Grab your measuring tape and head to your soon-to-be nursery.
- Using masking tape (or any household tape), physically mark the exact dimensions of the crib and where you want it in the room.
- Do the same for the next items – dresser, changing table and perhaps a rug.
- Got your eye on a glider? Don’t forget to mark down how big it is when fully expanded (I’ve already made that mistake and the dimensions are even listed!).
Doing this will help you visualize if the items you have your eyes on will be practical in your space. Items don’t fit or don’t like the layout? Great! You haven’t invested in them yet. Check out items with smaller (or bigger dimensions) or plot again differently.
This will set you up to successfully make a purchase of a big item online without being shell-shocked when it arrives that it doesn’t fit.
Haven’t started designing the nursery yet? Check out some beautiful spaces to get you inspired.
2. Read the reviews
Pretty much every piece of product on the market has a section for reviews to be left from previous buyers. In today’s world, where more and more shopping is been done online, the ability to have conversations with store associates is limited. Reviews are essential to helping others make an informed buying decision. Reviews give you real-time, real-experiences of products to help aid you in your newborn preparation. When reading reviews, consider the following:
- What specifically did the buyer like or dislike about the product?
- Do you have any specific questions about a product that someone has already asked?
- How many reviews are there? You may find this item is sold through many retailers and certain retailers have far more reviews than other retailers. Navigate to other websites to find more reviews.
- If the review is negative, how come?
- Negative reviews aren’t always a bad thing! It means real people are having different experiences with the product. These can be helpful, but don’t let them sway you entirely.
3. Ask your mom friends
What better to prepare for a newborn than to ask someone who has already gone through it? Your friends will have had first hand experience preparing and then caring for a newborn. Ask them what baby items they used, what items they loved and what they could live without. This will allow you to prepare for your newborn intentionally, while potentially saving some money along the way!
4. Have to go out? Be the first at the door!
Inevitably, you will have to go out, so when you do make sure you go early & stay safe. It is all well and good to prepare for a newborn entirely through online shopping, but the reality is you will most likely need to make a trip (or a few!) out to make some in-store purchases. That is fine! When you do make sure you:
- Go early!!! Be there right as the doors are opening. The whole place will have been sanitized overnight and no one will have touched anything yet.
- Try to only touch what you need to. Human nature is to touch everything we see as we browse. Refrain! Keep your hands in your pockets until you really need to scope the team.
- Wash or sanitize your hands often.
Preparing for a newborn is a very exciting aspect that many new moms look forward to doing. While things may look a little different right now, don’t let that deter. These 4 simple steps can support you in preparing for a newborn just like you would at any other time!