Baby and New House

[ChilliCheeseMama]

Hi everyone, not sure if this will get much traffic but wanted some advice.

My partner and I are looking at renting a new home for the arrival of our baby in September, as we currently live in our own properties.

This is our first child so we're not really sure if there's anything we should look for/look to avoid when looking round any prospective houses, which we'd need to make sure the baby stays safe and happy!

Also what things would we need to make sure we do to prepare the house for the baby as we will have a few months before they arrive to get everything sorted.

Been racking my brains but can only think of the obvious covering up fire places and plugs...

Also as we're renting, we can't make any major changes so would be good to know/ask questions before we agree to anything! TIA :)

People live in every kind of house imaginable with babies - I wouldn't stress about that part too much. Just choose somewhere in a good location for all your needs and with enough space for baby stuff.

You don't really need to do anything to a house to prepare for a baby other than the obvious safety things. Plug socket covers aren't recommended as they're a fire hazard.

My preference would be for open plan or a large kitchen with space for toys as you can't leave a newly toddling baby in another room whilst you're cooking/making a cuppa so it's easier if they can come with you. I'd also want somewhere with a proper table in the kitchen for family meals once you get to the weaning stage. But everybody would have their own preferences which might not be what you're looking for!

Lots of storage space as they get through so many clothes etc in the first year and beyond. Our loft is full of our DDs stuff in just one year! Also a bath to put their baby bath in. Other than that, space for the baby to play and move around safely when they can.

I’d say stairs is the most important thing. You want somewhere that won’t mean you have to carry a buggy up and down flights every time you want to go out.
Lots of places won’t let you leave a buggy in a communal hall so I’d want somewhere that is big enough that you can bring it inside.

Not much else really.. except maybe carpets. The baby will spend lots of time on the floor so isn’t probably want somewhere with wooden floors that i could clean and then lay rugs on.. as opposed to somewhere with old carpets that has seen lots of tenants through.

What they all said. Location wise I'd be looking for a park, decent grocery shop and cafe within a v short walk.
And not somewhere with a pond, or massive vertical drop from the stairs!
But you will be fine, somewhere you like is the most important bit.

It will be personal preference, and depends on circumstances such as do you drive, in which case somewhere with a drive or easy parking, or close to bus routes etc.

Kitchen diner or at least space for a table and chairs is something we didn’t realise would be an issue until after we had our daughter. We ended up doing major building work to get rid of our separate dining room and open up our kitchen, it’s a god send to be able to cook/clean etc and still keep an eye on the kids.

Secure garden or nearby park will be very useful when the baby is old enough.

Easy access into the house (as other posters have said, not too many steps!) and plenty of space for storage. Kids get through a lot of stuff as they grow, especially if you’re planning on having more than one.

Thanks everyone! I feel like I'm massively worrying about getting the perfect place where nothing will happen or need to be changed, but I will definitely relax a bit more and look for somewhere that we love and consider what changes can be made to suit baby :)

if this is the UK do not buy socket covers. You risk a fire and will make your sockets LESS safe, they are a great tool for electrocution.

unless you've bred an alien from the planet Tharg, UK sockets are designed to be childproof and have been so for 70 years.

the campaign has gone quiet but the science doesn't change.

www.fatallyflawed.org.uk/