Your Complete Guide to Preparing Your Home for a Newborn in Just 14 Days | Warner Robins Newborn Photographer
Are you just two weeks away from welcoming your little one? I know how exciting (and overwhelming) those final days can feel. There’s a lot to think about—where will the baby sleep, do I have enough diapers, what will life even look like with a newborn?
As your Warner Robins newborn photographer and fellow mama, I’ve been there—twice! And let me tell you, the more you prep ahead of time, the easier those first few weeks will be. But don’t worry, you don’t have to do everything all at once. With a simple, two-week plan, you can get your home newborn-ready without the last-minute stress.
This two-part guide will walk you through everything you need to do, step by step.
Let’s dive into Part 1: The Practical Prep!
1. Declutter Your Home
I’m going to be honest—decluttering before having a baby never crossed my mind when I was pregnant with my first. But after bringing him home, I quickly realized just how much “stuff” we had. There were baby items everywhere, and suddenly, my house felt smaller than ever!
With my second, I knew better. I spent a little time before his arrival tackling the areas that always felt cluttered (for me, it was the kitchen counters and our bedroom). I can’t tell you how much of a difference it made to start fresh with an organized space!
How to Declutter Before Baby Arrives:
- Step 1: Focus on the most-used spaces—typically the living room, bedroom, and kitchen.
- Step 2: Identify where things pile up the most (for me, it was always the kitchen counter and our bedroom nightstands!). Find a new home for these items.
- Step 3: Channel your inner Marie Kondo—go through each drawer, shelf, and cabinet and ask, Do I really need this?
- Step 4: Make three piles: Keep, Donate, and Toss.
- Step 5: Organize what you’re keeping and remove the rest ASAP.
💡 Mom Tip: Turn on your favorite playlist, light a candle, and make it fun! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, invite a friend over to help.
2. Stock Up on Essentials (Not Just Baby Items!)
With my first baby, I had plenty of diapers, wipes, and onesies ready to go. But I didn’t even think about how often I’d run out of things like toilet paper, paper towels, and snacks for myself. Running to the store was not an option during those first few weeks!
With my second, I made sure we were stocked up on household must-haves, and let me tell you—it made such a difference.
Often-Forgotten Essentials:
- Paper towels & toilet paper (buy in bulk—trust me!)
- Dish soap & dishwasher detergent
- Laundry detergent (baby-safe if needed)
- One-handed snacks for those late-night feeds (granola bars, trail mix, protein shakes)
- Toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, dry shampoo, etc.)
- Extra phone chargers (because they always disappear!)
💡 Mom Hack: Set up Amazon Subscribe & Save for things like diapers, wipes, and paper goods so they automatically arrive when you need them!
3. Batch Cook & Freeze Meals
Okay, let’s talk about food. Because honestly? Cooking with a newborn is HARD.
I remember standing in the kitchen, rocking a baby in one arm while trying to eat a cold piece of toast with the other. It was not ideal.
That’s why batch cooking before the baby arrives is a total lifesaver. A stocked freezer means easy, nutritious meals when you’re too tired to cook.
How to Get Started with Freezer Meals:
- Step 1: Pick 4–5 easy recipes that freeze well (soups, casseroles, pasta dishes).
- Step 2: Make a grocery list and stock up on ingredients.
- Step 3: Dedicate one afternoon to meal prep (or make it fun and invite a friend to help!).
- Step 4: Portion meals into freezer bags or containers and label everything.
- Step 5: Enjoy the relief of knowing dinner is handled!
Want to skip the cooking altogether? You’re in luck!
Acres and Oaks Kitchen offers ready-to-freeze meals for busy parents, so you can stock your freezer without lifting a finger! With locations in Perry and Warner Robins, it’s easy to grab nutritious, homemade meals without the hassle.
Not in the mood for meal prep but still want easy dinners? Try slow cooker freezer meals! Just dump the ingredients into a bag, freeze, and toss it in the slow cooker when you’re ready. Easy, minimal effort, and no chopping required!
Here’s a super easy, no-chop slow cooker freezer meal recipe that’s perfect for new parents:
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken (Freezer-Friendly!)
Why You’ll Love It:
✔️ No chopping required!
✔️ Freezer-friendly—just dump and go!
✔️ Sweet, savory, and kid-friendly!
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce (or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option)
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp minced garlic (use pre-minced for ease)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
Freezer Prep Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a gallon-sized freezer bag. Seal tightly.
- Lay flat in the freezer and label with the date and cooking instructions.
Slow Cooker Cooking Instructions:
- Remove the bag from the freezer and thaw overnight in the fridge (or cook directly from frozen, adding an extra 1–2 hours).
- Pour the contents into a slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3–4 hours until the chicken is tender.
- Shred the chicken with two forks and serve over rice, noodles, or steamed veggies.
Bonus Tip: Pair this with a bag of frozen stir-fry veggies or a side of pre-cooked rice for a complete, stress-free meal!
What’s Next?
Now that you’ve decluttered, stocked up, and prepped meals, your home is already feeling more newborn-ready! But we’re not done yet.
👉 Head over to Part 2, where we’ll cover:
✔️ How to set up a baby care station
✔️ The best way to light your home for those late-night feedings
✔️ Why prepping your own wardrobe is just as important as prepping for baby
Final Thoughts from your Warner Robins Newborn Photographer
Mama, I know these last two weeks before the baby arrives can feel overwhelming. But take it from me—prepping now will make a huge difference once your little one is here. Even if you only tackle a few of these things, you’ll set yourself up for a smoother, more stress-free postpartum experience.
And if you’re thinking about capturing those first precious moments with your little one, let’s chat about a Warner Robins newborn session! 📸 Get in touch to Book Your Session