I haven’t posted a new blog in a few months, and that’s because our adorable new addition to the family has been my main focus! As I get back into the swing of things, I wanted to share some tips for how organization and essentialism have helped me get a good grasp on motherhood!
Anyone will tell you when you have a baby: the baby is not what takes up a lot of space, but rather it’s all of the baby’s things that take over your home! From clothes, to the crib, to gadgets you never knew you needed, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and for your home together overstuffed.
Here are three things that helped as I prepared for out baby’s arrival, and have helped navigate these new motherhood waters!
Get foldable/storable items. Although we ended up moving shortly before our baby girl arrived, we had been planning on being in our one bedroom condo for a while (we got moved in to our new apartment less than a week before her arrival, but that will be a blog for another day!). So because we were planning on being short on space, we knew we had to be a little creative with what we needed.
Any item that folds and stores easily is going to save you a TON of space! Our baby tubby is super easy to fold and store; when bath time is done, the legs fold in, the bottom collapses in, and you can hang the tub right in the shower. You could also store it in a closet if you’d like. We also have this playmat that stores easily in a closest or under a dresser or crib. I’ll tell you one thing: knowing I won’t potentially trip over a million things during those 3am changes is very reassuring!
Combo when you can! I always knew I wanted a combination dresser/changing table for her bedroom. No matter what size room you’re working with, there is no need for two large pieces of furniture when they’re not necessary. Many places have combo pieces. We went with the Crate and Barrel dresser and changing table topper. The topper goes right on top of the dresser and can be secured down. The changing pad fits in perfectly, saving you space! Another good combo is a travel system, which is a combination stroller/car seat. It is a great option for making traveling a bit more seamless, and most stroller companies have this option.
Only register for what you need right now. This is probably the best piece of advice I can give you when it comes to saving space. If you have small living quarters or simply don’t have much storage space, do not get things you won’t use right away. For example, our baby won’t use a high chair for a while, so that will likely be something we ask for as a Christmas gift. She also won’t play with a lot of toys as newborn, so those are also something we don’t have to stock up on until later. Even then, think about what you really need and want for your child. Don’t just get things that will take up space and hardly every be used.
The main message here: babies don’t take up a lot of space, and their things don’t have to, either. These tactics have made a world of difference as we take on parenthood, and I think they can help everyone with a baby. As with everything else when it comes to children, you have to do what’s best for you. Try out some things, and do what feels right!
