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Moving is always a monstrous task, but moving after having a baby is particularly stressful. Of course, adding another member to your family comes with the need for added space, and — depending on your current home — sometimes safer, healthier living conditions.

Apartment life is hard with children, and many people use having children as a catalyst to upgrade their living situation. There are pros and cons to both moving while pregnant and in postpartum, but this article will focus on preparation for a postpartum move.

 

Declutter and Restock as you Pack

Pregnancy is a very distinct phase of life for those who experience it, and it requires some specific items. As you pack your belongings, take the time to assess what items you no longer need.

If you plan on having more children, you may want to keep some maternity wear, but then again, styles change and so does your body, so you may decide to donate your maternity wear to current expectant mothers and save some space. Either way, your current body is likely very different from both your pregnant and pre-pregnancy bodies. Use packing as an opportunity to assess your wardrobe, get rid of things that no longer fit or suit you, and stock up on clothes designed specifically for motherhood.

 

Mentally Prepare for Your New Surroundings

Between having a newborn, experiencing all the bodily changes that come with that, and packing up your life, you’re likely experiencing stress. One of the best ways to deal with stress is preparation. Learn everything you can about your new neighborhood and surrounding area. For example, here are 9 things to know when you’re moving to Chicago. Wherever you’re moving, you’ll feel much more comfortable if you’re aware of the housing market, public transportation, weather, and city traditions.

 

Combine Moving Tasks with Health Maintenance

New parents face a lot of health concerns. You’re likely struggling to get consistent and adequate amounts of sleep. It’s easy to forget to eat when you’re trying to keep a new human alive. And of course, postpartum bodies are going through a lot of changes. If you’re one of the many women who acquired vein conditions while pregnant, now is the best time to combat those with lifestyle changes. Being active is great for restoring vein health. As you’re delegating tasks, maximize the amount you’re moving your legs.

This can mean focusing on moving a lot of light items, which will prevent you from over packing boxes and straining your muscles in an attempt to minimize trips back and forth. While you’re moving boxes to and fro, don’t try to carry baby with you. Invest in a high-quality swaddle and keep your baby’s crib up until the very last second. The best swaddles are so soft that they mimic a parent’s touch — a nice nap in a snug wrap is better than being carted around with moving boxes any day. And as for mom, overexertion won’t do your health any favors.

 

Schedule Extra Time for Everything

Now that you’re caring for a small, dependent individual, everything will take longer. As you plan out your moving tasks, add at least an hour to everything, more if the task involves leaving the house. If you get ahead of schedule, you’ll feel accomplished. If you don’t, you won’t fall as behind as you would with your pre-parent time assumptions in mind.

 

Moving is always a hassle, but with the right planning, your postpartum move can go smoothly, and you can focus on building a new life in a new home for your newly expanded family.