“How come the smallest person in the house takes up the most space?” I moaned to my husband after our first child was born. There was baby gear everywhere: toys in every room, stray blankets thrown over chairs. The powder, diapers, and lotions had overtaken my dresser. I needed to organize my baby gear! These tips were life savers.
Keep two “baby baskets”
Create a portable diaper changing and hygiene station with a wicker basket. Store diapers, extra change of clothes, powder, alcohol, wipes, bibs, and other things needed to keep baby fresh. I had one upstairs and another downstairs, which I could drag to the kitchen or living room or wherever baby and I would be staying.
Get multi-purpose, space saving products
I soon learned that space was a rare and valuable commodity, and started investing in gear that would grow with my child or serve multiple purposes. For example, why get an infant carrier that will only work for just three months? A stroller with an adjustable back gives years of use and can be wheeled around the house. There are toys that convert from a walker to a trike, and a booster seat for tables proved more practical than a high chair.
Clean as you go
I hung a small tote bag on the doorknob of the living room (where I spent most of the day with the baby) where I could instantly throw soiled bibs, socks, etc. Kept things neater and also made it easier to do the laundry !
Divide and conquer
Baby things are notoriously small and easy to lose, even in the black hole that is the diaper bag. A bag divider was the practical solution since it let me find what I needed: pacifier and teether in one compartment, thermometer in another, etc. Ziplock bags work too.
have a ‘one in, one out’ policy
No use keeping baby gear your child’s outgrown. As soon as I saw that we would not be using it, I’d sell it online (this article can help you get a good price!) and buy what I really needed.