Oh, Baby! How to Keep Baby Gear Under Control in Your Home

Are you expecting? Wondering how to manage all the baby gear that will soon be taking up residence in your home? The list is endless: cribs, strollers, swings, high chairs, baby clothes, etc.

Here are a couple of tips to help you keep baby gear under control:

• Purchase only essential baby items. Make a list of the items you will need for baby's arrival and stick to it as closely as possible when shopping or registering. There's a big difference between items you will need versus items you might need or would be nice to have. When in doubt, talk to family and friends who have children to confirm the bare necessities; you might just save yourself a couple of dollars in the process. Keep in mind that no amount of baby gear or supplies can replace what your baby really needs—you!
• Prepare storage space for baby items in each room. Take a tour of your home and figure out where you'll store certain baby items. A small folding stroller and carrier could be kept in the hallway (a closet clean-out may be in order), and a corner of the kitchen could house the baby's highchair and feeding supplies. Carve out predetermined storage space in other rooms throughout the house to keep baby supplies in check.
• Forgo time-consuming storagefor more convenient options. Do everything you possibly can to make taking care of your baby as easy as possible. For example, why put baby clothes on hangers when the clothes will be in the wash most of the time and baby will be ready for a new size in no time? In this example, you could store clothing basics (tops, bottoms, onesies, pajamas, socks) in dresser drawers, clear stacking bins or a converted door-less wardrobe or on shelves in a closet or bookcase. Store away larger sizes and swap them in as your baby grows.
• Free up floor space. You'll be busy around the house looking after baby, so free up floor space to prevent accidents and cut down on basic housekeeping. Hang large, awkward, yet relatively light items (canvas covers to baby items, lightweight frames for toys and other plastic items) on sturdy hooks in closets or common areas such as hallways. Freeing up floor space at home is a good way to prepare for the coming months: your baby will be crawling around before you know it.

Rashelle Isip is a blogger, time management and productivity consultant and professional organizer. She is founder of The Order Expert, a site featuring practical and creative organizing, time management, productivity tips, inspiration and much more. For more information visit: www.theorderexpert.com.