Moving house with a newborn - any advice?

[JE1982]

So due to some pretty poor planning, we are moving house 8 days after my induction date. This is our first, and I'm not sure what to expect, so really looking for advice on the practicalities/best way to approach this!

The movers will pack everything for us.

Obviously I'll need to keep out the things the baby and I need for the day of the move itself (thinking nappies, maternity towels, blanket, bottles and formula if it turns out I can't breastfeed - anything else?)

I'm also wondering if it would be best just to check into a hotel for the move day, rather than dealing with the movers bustling around (and risking them walking in and seeing me try to breastfeed or whatever).

Any advice from the wise mumsnetters?

[ToTheMoonAndStars]

I moved just before my baby was due. He arrived early though and we were only just in! I was still in hospital whilst movers were doing the unloading!!

By the time I came home, I was so all over the place with hormones that things that would normally have bothered me (boxes to unpack, mess etc), just didn't!

I think a hotel might be a good idea. It is nice to have peace and quiet and a 'base'

I'd talk to the movers/DH and suggest getting one room (your bedroom probably) as nice as possible early on. Doesn't mean totally unpacked etc, just bed up and made, a few cushions and homely bits, and a comfy chair in the corner. Then when you go home you'll have a base there too. I literally sat in a nest upstairs for a week whilst chaos surrounded me. It was fine as I knew it would be like that and I had my own space.

We also had a great rule for visitors they had to unpack a box in return for a cuddle with the baby. Good way of getting books etc unpacked. Just ask for help and never say no if people offer.

We're a few months in now and still have a room full of boxes to sort but we have the important stuff done and just try to do a box of two a week.

For what it's worth, it'll be easier with a sleepy newborn than a more lively 2-3 month old, so the timings not as bad as you might think :-)

[Awakeagain]

If there is a room which will be unused and you have boxes of stuff that you haven't decided where to put, put them all together in one room and close the door
Yes to hotel sounds like s good idea

[ratticus]

I moved with a 6 week old. I'd had an EMC and complications which led to me being in a leg brace and even less mobile. The movers were amazing. Moved the couch, foot rest and tv first, set me up on it and got on with it, only asking for direction when they needed it.
Saying that, my DP had to be at work on the move day so I had to be there. If I hadn't had to, I would have probably buggered off for the day somewhere more relaxing

[barmybunting]

We are moving in s few weeks with DD who will be 6 weeks then, you are very brave with a potentially 8 day old (depending on how long induction takes.)

Make sure you have enough changes of clothes for baby, and you if need be. Warm things for baby with no heating etc. A book for you? Get DH/P to set up a room for you in the new house which can be a bolt hole for you and baby- snacks, somewhere to feed, cosy chair to nap in etc. Make sure your bed, baby's cot etc is set up first so you are set up for your first night.

I think the hotel is a good idea to be honest, if you can't stay with family. Personally, I couldn't walk 100m out of the house at 8 days postpartum so I would have been useless, hotel would have been the best option.

Good luck, I hope it all goes smoothly.

[SavoyCabbage]

I moved when my baby was three days old as she was so overdue.

My mum was staying in a hotel to visit the new baby and I went there for the day and my dh concentrated on the move.

[wowfudge]

Make sure bedding for your bed goes in the car with you - that means duvet cover and pillowcases on so all you need to do is put a mattress protector and fitted sheet on and the rest just goes on top.

[MaraThonbar]

Yes, hotel or stay with friends. Leave the entire management of the actual move to your DH and consider getting a friend or relative to help him in the house with the movers. Have someone at the other of the phone to help you if you need it; your baby could be as young as five days and you will still be recovering from even a very straightforward birth.

Identify the things that you absolutely cannot be without for the first 48 hours in the new house (e.g. bedding, kettle, steriliser, whatever), pack them yourself, and stash with a friend so that you at least know where those things are!

As far as possible, make sure that everything is in the right room before the packers come, so that it ends up in the right place at the other end.

Good luck!

[TeddyBee]

I got my in laws to come and help, but my baby was a bit older (three months) so I could leave her with my mother in law most of the time. I made sure the crib was moved entire with bedding etc, that we had a kitchen box and a baby box and that our bedding was handy. Just make sure all the boxes are marked properly, that was the most important thing really, that things were in the right room.

[InsertUsernameHere]

Yes yes to hotel. Maybe for a couple of days. Also book cleaners for your new place. You don't know what state it will be in. Might be sparkling might not be and you won't be in a position to scrub it. Don't move in til it is clean and essentials unpacked. (If breast feeding doesn't work out the cartons of ready made formula can be a real help when you are with out easy reach of kettle). Moved with a six week old, definitely easier than a mobile baby! Make sure you say yes to every offer of help.

[SolomanDaisy]

Do you have people who can help out with the unpacking? I would definitely book a hotel for the day/night, unless you have family or friends you can go to. Cleaners for both houses too - try asking your buyers/sellers if they'd like to split the cost. Just get you and the baby out of the way for the day/the day after and get your DP/friends/anyone you can pay to do as much as possible.

[Artistic]

Check & double check that the boiler & radiators are working & that you go to a warm house with the baby. Sometimes these things surprise us & you don't want to spend even a few hours in a freezing house with a newborn!

If you don't live too far from the new house then get all essentials set up beforehand. We set up all basic clothes, kettle, cooking basics, toiletries etc the day before moving as these were easy things to move ourselves. Also I packed a couple of suitcases with all our important travel stuff (like if we were going on a week long holiday) so we had all of our basics in a single place at the other end.

Do your document packing & change of address before the move so you don't need to worry about that later.

[PragmaticWench]

A hotel sounds excellent! If possible book one close by as your midwife will be visiting postpartum to check you and the baby.

Are you moving locally or far away? If local, let your midwife know on their first visit after you leave hospital. If further away, make sure you have the details of your new doctors surgery and community midwife team written down. You can always call them in advance to say you're moving to the area immediately after the birth. Also worth knowing the location of the nearest late-night chemist in case you need supplies.

[Violetta999]

Yes book a hotel

[AMerryScot]

Make sure you are gentle on yourself re picking things up, cleaning, and unpacking.

You will have weak abdominal muscles so very prone to getting a bad back.

[lljkk]

I moved when DC3 was 6 weeks old, I had 2 other preschoolers. Didn't have most this stuff (cleaners, hotel), did have some friends to help carry some stuff in & some movers did about half of it (things that were in storage far away).
My tip is to make sure your DH plans to take a week off afterwards to get things set up in new home to a decent state for you to cope.