5 Steps to Prepare Your Home for Your Newborn's Arrival | from a top newborn photographer - Surprise, Arizona

Are you expecting a new baby in the next few weeks?

I totally get it—the anticipation can be exciting and overwhelming all at the same time. Between baby showers, last-minute Target runs, and trying to figure out if you really need that wipe warmer (spoiler: you don’t), there’s a lot on your plate.

So whether you’re searching for the top newborn photographer in Surprise, Arizona, or just trying to figure out how to survive those first couple of weeks at home, I’ve got you covered.

I’m sharing my top 5 tips for getting your home (and yourself) ready for baby in just two weeks. Plus, there is a free downloadable check list at the end!

These are real, practical, and mom-tested tips (yep, I’ve been through the newborn phase four times myself!). Plus, they’ll help you feel prepared for both everyday life and when your newborn photographer comes to capture those first sweet photos.

1. Declutter your home

Decluttering your home can sound like a daunting task, especially when you're expecting a newborn! But it's easier than you think to get your home ready for your newest addition.

Here are some steps to follow to declutter before baby arrives:

Step 1: Choose two or three rooms that you frequent most often (most likely this will be your living room, kitchen and bedroom).

Step 2: Start by noticing where things tend to pile up. For me, that’s always been my dresser. Find a new place for these items to go so they stop piling up!

Step 3: Let’s “Marie Kondo” your stuff, i.e.: let’s clear out what you don’t need or want anymore. Go through each drawer, cabinet, and shelf and ask yourself, “Do I still need/want this item?” Or, to stick with the Marie Kondo reference, does it "spark joy"?

Step 4: Make 3 piles: “Keep, Donate, Toss” and put everything into 1 of those piles.

Step 5: Organize the “keep” items, throw away the “toss” items (or recycle if possible), and give away the “donate.”

Turn on some music and make it fun! Ask a friend to come over and help. Reward yourself with your favorite treat at the end. The possibilities are endless!

Over the course of just a few days or a weekend, you can quickly create a stress-free and comfortable newborn-ready environment in your own home. Trust me, when your newborn photographer comes over, you’ll thank yourself for not having laundry baskets they have to step over.

2. Batch cook

The thought of cooking a ton of food in one go can be intimidating, but batch cooking is a lifesaver, especially when you're getting ready to welcome your newborn into the world. You'll thank yourself later!

Here are a few simple steps to follow to get started:

Step 1: Plan out your meals. Choose recipes that are easy to make in large quantities, and make a list of all the ingredients you will need. Check out this list of 137 Easy Freezer meals for some inspiration!

Step 2: Go grocery shopping. Try to do this a few days before you plan to start cooking, so you have everything you need on hand. Or, if you're like me and believe grocery shopping is the worst, you can always do Instacart or grocery pick-up at Fry's Food Stores, or similar grocery store.

Step 3: Set aside a block of time to cook. Depending on how much you want to make, you may need several hours or even a full day to get everything done. Consider getting the help of a friend or family member to make it more fun!

Step 4: Cook in batches. Prepare one recipe at a time, and portion it out into individual/family servings. Use freezer-safe containers or bags, and be sure to label everything with the name of the dish and the date it was made. You can also cook enough to feed that meal to your family fresh that day, so it's kind of killing two birds with one stone!

Step 5: Freeze your meals. Once everything is cooked and portioned out, place the containers in the freezer. They will keep for several months, so you can have a variety of meals ready to go whenever you need them. These take out containers from Amazon are a great option for storing your batch cooked food!

By following these steps, you can create a stockpile of nutritious, homemade meals that will make the first few weeks with your newborn a little bit easier! This way, when your baby finally falls asleep and your photographer is wrapping up a session, you can celebrate with a ready-made lasagna instead of stressing over dinner.

Psst—if cooking just isn’t your jam? No shame! In Surprise and the West Valley, local heroes like Eat Clean PHX, Scratch Culinary, MindFuel Meal Prep, and The Simple Chefs will do the heavy lifting for you—chef-made meals, delivered, and ready when you are!

3. Stock up on essentials (& not just baby essentials)

You’re likely already thinking about things like diapers, wipes, bottles, etc.

But have you considered stocking up on regular household items like paper towels, toilet paper, dishwasher soap…?

My best tip would be to set these items up on Amazon Subscribe and Save so they’ll show up on your doorstep and you never have to worry about running out those first few months with your newborn!

And let’s be honest, you’ll want all the paper towels on hand when your sweet little one inevitably spits up right as the camera comes out.

4. Put together a baby care basket

This one is my favorite tip!!

A baby care basket, or sometimes called a “downstairs” basket, is a lifesaver those first few weeks home with a new baby.

Oftentimes, you’re in one space with the baby for most of the day and find yourself “trapped” under a sleeping baby without the supplies you need!

A baby care basket can solve that for you. Basically, it’s a container you can keep in each room of the house that has all the essentials for baby so you’re not running around from room to room getting the things you need.

Usually, the baby care basket includes diapers, wipes, burp cloths, extra clothes, pacifiers, and anything else you might need for the baby frequently. Hint: get yourself a travel changing pad to keep in your baby care basket. Genius!

I also like to think about including things for mom like nipple cream, breast pads, Chapstick, etc.

In addition to keeping you from running from room to room, a baby care basket will help you stay organized and keep your home clutter free.

As a newborn photographer in Surprise, I can tell you that nothing slows down a photo session more than realizing your wipes are in the other room. Or is there anything worse than trying to deal with a blowout with no supplies in quick reach?! These baskets are a game changer. And this one from Amazon is the exact one I bring to in-home newborn sessions with me. I love it! Or this one is super cute too! There are so many options!

5. Prepare YOUR wardrobe

Of course we’re thinking a lot about how to prepare for the baby, but don’t forget about yourself!

Preparing your wardrobe for the first 2-3 weeks postpartum is an important step in getting ready for the arrival of your new baby. Yes, you can (and probably will) live in pajamas for the first few weeks of your baby’s life, but at least you can be confident about it!

Comfort and functionality are key during this time! You'll want to focus on loose-fitting, comfortable clothing that can accommodate changes in your body shape and allow for easy breastfeeding access if you plan to breastfeed. You gotta check out this cute nursing pajama set from Amazon. (Where was this when my kiddos were little?!)

Also, consider investing in a few nursing bras, loose-fitting pants or leggings, and comfortable tops that are easy to pull up or down. Some women also find it helpful to have a couple of nursing-friendly dresses on hand for a dressier option.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you will likely still be bleeding for a few weeks, so having a few pairs of comfortable and absorbent underwear or postpartum pads on hand is a good idea.

Remember, the key to preparing your wardrobe for the first few weeks postpartum is to prioritize comfort and practicality. By doing so, you can focus on bonding with your new baby without worrying about your clothing or physical discomfort!

Think of it as your cozy-yet-cute “new mom uniform.” You’ll want to feel comfortable snuggling your baby, but also photo-ready for when your photographer captures those natural lifestyle shots. This cozy set would be the PERFECT outfit for those special mommy and me photos with your newborn.

Wrapping it up

Getting ready for a new baby can feel like prepping for a marathon, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. A little prep now means less stress later—and way more time for baby snuggles (and Netflix binges during nap time).

And when you’re ready to capture those first precious memories, don’t forget to find a photographer who gets you. If you’re looking for the top newborn photographer in Surprise, Arizona, I’d love to help make your session stress-free, fun, and perfectly tailored to your family’s vibe.

Click here to book a session with me. I bring the session right to your home, so if you're in Surprise, Gilbert, or anywhere in the Phoenix Valley, I'm your girl!

Looking for more tips on preparing for your baby's arrival? Check out this post!

Or, if all you're looking for is the FREE CHECKLIST download. You can download that PDF by clicking on the image below.

*Just so you know: Many of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for the support!