Moving already qualifies as one of life’s most stressful events, and when you add an infant into the mix, you have a surefire recipe for a knockout headache cocktail. Take a deep breath — you can get everything under control and create a smooth transition. Here are eight tips for how to reduce stress when moving with a baby:
1. Evaluate Your Resources
Are you planning a long-distance move? Even though you might have limited time when you visit your new pad, take time to explore the neighborhood. Tired eyes will want to know where the nearest coffee shop is, and you don’t want the frustration of desperately seeking a grocery store when you run out of diapers.
Another trick? If you’re moving while pregnant, take the time to plan ahead. Use your baby shower registry to get the supplies you need to move with a baby. Include items like car seats and an infant travel bag to reduce your overhead costs.
Additionally, make sure you add necessary baby items to your packing list. You’ll want adequate diapers, cleaning supplies, nourishment and clothing for the day of — so you don’t have to dig through cardboard boxes on moving day.
2. Get an Early Start
Packing takes time — start boxing up those seldom-used rooms as soon as you find out you are going to relocate. Pro tip: When packing bedrooms, start by making a travel go-bag containing items like a change of clothes, any prescriptions, your eyeglasses and any necessary items you’ll need on the road. That way, you won’t have to undo your hard work to dig them out when you later discover you need them.
3. Donate What You Don’t Need
The heavier your moving van is, the more you will pay for fuel. It takes more energy to pull a hefty trailer up hills, so strive to lighten your load through donation. Right now, when so many are enduring economic hardship, your gift can do considerable good.
4. Sell What You Can For Cash
Moving is expensive, and babies don’t come cheap. How on Earth can you afford it all? If money is tight, consider listing larger-ticket items such as furniture and designer clothing on sites like Mercari or Facebook Marketplace.
If you have fairly pricey items — like a designer armoire — it might be worth it to list it in your local classifieds, even if it costs a few bucks. You’ll save much more on shipping.
5. Wait to Decorate Your Nursery
If you haven’t yet given birth before your move, why not wait to decorate your nursery? Remember, every pound you add to your van increases fuel costs, and extra furniture might mean needing a bigger, costlier truck. Plus, your new bassinet could get dinged during transport.
The same goes for incidentals. You might dream of dressing your newborn in nothing but “Winnie the Pooh” onesies, but wait until you arrive to start your collection. You could include an insert in bridal shower invitations requesting that gifts be shipped to your new address if the timing is close.
6. Lean on Your Support System
Are your in-laws constantly nagging you for more time with your baby? Take them up on their generous offer and let them babysit as much as they like. Even if they don’t take your infant to their place, they can keep an eye on your baby while you pack.
If you are moving across the country, you might feel tempted to refuse your friends’ offer to help you pack or load the truck since you can’t return the favor. For the sake of your sanity, take them up on their generosity anyway. You can always reward their labor with a thoughtful thank-you gift — and, of course, free lodging if they ever vacation in your new neck of the woods.
7. Allow Extra Travel Time
You face four principal types of stress — time, anticipation, situational and encounter. While you can’t do much about the fact that you’re moving or the butterflies you feel, you can reduce the tension resulting from having too much to do in too few hours.
Give yourself extra travel time and wiggle room before returning to other obligations after the move. If you are relocating across the country, take the scenic route and plan overnight stays for breaks — after all, you might never pass by the World’s Biggest Ball of Yarn again. Even if you plan an in-town move, give yourself a day or two after arrival to rest before returning to work.
8. Take Care of Your Physical and Mental Health
You won’t be a very efficient mover or parent if you feel like roadkill. You might spend a few days living on takeout while you don’t have plates — do you have to have a greasy burger every night? Most fast food places have salads, and if you want to feel your best, pick the healthier options on the menu, at least most of the time.
Likewise, schedule a little time for self-care. If you have the means, book a massage or another healing spa treatment after completing your move. If money is tight, at least carve out the time to take a nice bubble bath when you arrive.
Reduce Stress When Moving With a Baby With These Tips
Moving with a baby can create additional stress, but there are ways to manage it. Tame your tension with these eight tips.
We hope you found this blog post Moving With a Baby: How to Reduce Stress useful. Be sure to check out our post How to Organize Your Moving with a Baby for more great tips!
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