Moving With a Baby? Read This First

Moving with a baby sounds as stressful and unpredictable as early parenthood typically tends to be. And when you’re moving an entire household, your new bundle of joy adds another dimension of angst. For starters, having to pack boxes around the baby’s naptime and feeding schedule can get tricky. But the good news is a little prep goes a long way. Add these quick bits of advice to your moving checklist, and you’ll find you can manage any challenge with confidence.

Top Tips for Moving With a Baby

Minimize the stress of moving with a baby — whether they’re newborn or toddler-age — with the following pro tips.

1. Talk to Your Pediatrician

The first step to take before moving with a baby is to talk to your pediatrician. (We know you probably have them on speed dial at this point, anyway.) So once you’ve set your moving day, schedule a visit. You’ll want to make sure your baby is up-to-date on all immunizations and confirm that you have any needed medications for the coming months.

Let the doctor know you’re moving with the baby and ask for a referral. Even if they don’t know any doctors in your new area, they may at least be able to give you some guidance about where to start. You may also need to sign a request for your baby’s records, which the doctor’s office can send after you’ve established care. They’ll be able to go through all of that during your appointment and also answer any questions you might have. Here are a few common questions and answers new parents need to know when they’re getting ready for moving with a baby:

How Soon Can You Move with a Newborn?

Your postpartum timeline isn’t easy to predict, but if you’re moving with a newborn, it’s safe to assume that you won’t be able to help with the heavy lifting. Most doctors recommend avoiding unnecessary travel and disruptions of any kind during the first few weeks after birth, so be sure to arrange for plenty of help, particularly packing and loading services, to give you a hand. Also take time to check in with your obstetrician about any concerns around your recovery, the baby’s health, and anything you should consider before traveling.

Is It Better To Move Before or After Having a Baby?

If you read any online parenting forum, the answer is a resounding before. It’s exponentially easier to get settled before you have to plan around the baby’s schedule (hunger, sleep, and diaper changes wait for no man!). You can begin to get to know the area, make friends, and establish a support network before the baby comes. Moving while pregnant is no easy feat, of course, but in most cases it’s considerably less stressful than trying to manage a newborn’s needs through a move.

2. Don't Start Packing Too Early

Living in a sea of moving boxes can make an already hectic time feel downright chaotic when you’re moving with a baby. Instead, decide what to pack first and create a schedule to tackle one room at a time. Three to four weeks from moving day is generally a smart starting point. Begin with rarely used items like holiday decorations and seasonal clothing, and make sure baby’s essentials are easily accessible — not packed away.

When you’re moving long-distance with a baby, be sure to check with your airline and TSA about possible restrictions for baby gear.

3. Make Your Travel Plans Baby-Friendly

Did you know most hotels offer cribs? If you’re moving long-distance with a baby and plan to stop at hotels along the way, make sure to call ahead of time and arrange for a crib and other baby needs during your stay. If you’re flying, opt for nonstop instead of dealing with the drudgery of a layover.

Check with your airline (and TSA, too) to double-check rules about flying with babies and baby gear. Most airlines will allow you to gate-check a stroller if you need one to make your way through the airport with a baby.

4. Moving With a Newborn: Avoid the Chaos

Your baby may have settled into a somewhat predictable routine, but moving day is anything but predictable. We recommend enlisting friends or hiring help with your move — and then taking your baby out of the house before they arrive. If possible, take the baby out of the house for a few hours to avoid the noise and activity, which can disrupt naps and put everyone on edge. If your move involves more than a day’s travel, have a portable crib or bassinet on hand for hotel stays. And if the movers don’t arrive right away, that crib will come in handy for sleep and playtime during the first few days in the new house.

5. Moving With a Toddler: Keep them Engaged

Toddlers thrive on routine and predictability, so moving day can feel especially overwhelming for them. When moving with a toddler, make sure to explain ahead of time exactly what’s going to happen — in toddler-appropriate language, of course — and try to keep their schedule as intact as possible through the whole process. Depending on how mobile they are, be sure to baby-proof your new home first thing and set up a safe space where your toddler can play and decompress from all the hullabaloo. Along the way, keep snacks, books, and (quiet) toys within reach to help make the transition a little easier.

6. Pack Two Essential Baby Bags

Accidents are a fact of life when traveling with a baby. For your flight or road trip, pack your diaper bag with extra diapers, wipes, and clothes, along with sealable plastic bags to tuck away the dirty items. The second baby bag is for hotel room needs along the way. Pack safety gear like electric outlet covers and corner protectors for sharp-edged tables and countertops, and double-check that you’ve got all of your child’s medications and sleep essentials.

7. Stick to Your Routines

You might find this to be one of the most challenging aspects of moving, but it’ll go a long way toward maintaining your baby’s well-being (and your own sanity). Consistency in napping and feeding times gives your child a sense of security during a stressful process. Be present and focus on your baby during daily tasks like baths and beloved routines like reading before bedtime. The same-as-usual schedule will help the baby feel safe and give you a much-needed break from the stress and angst of moving. 

Moving with a baby requires planning, preparation, and patience. 

8. Pack the Baby’s Room Last

Pro tip: Before you pack up the first box of onesies or wipes, take pictures of your baby’s room. You might be surprised down the road how special those photos feel. As for moving tips and hacks for packing the big stuff in the baby’s room, save the crib for last. While you’re disassembling it, put all the hardware in a clear plastic bag and tape it to one of the rails of the crib. You’ll want to set up the baby’s room first in your new home (trust us on this one), so it’s important to make it easy to access and assemble on day one.

9. Plan for Help on Move-In Day

If you’re moving in town, ask a friend, relative, or babysitter to hang out with your little one on moving day so you can deal with the moving services or direct the friends and neighbors you’ve gathered to help out. If you’re traveling a long distance, moving might require a day or two on the road and a few transitional days in your new home, so finding help is essential. Try to find a new sitter where you’re moving — or even better: Take grandma or grandpa along for a week or two.

10. Give Yourself Credit

We know the baby is your priority, but don’t forget to give yourself some credit, too. The planning, prep, and patience required for moving with a baby can feel never-ending, and there are bound to be a few bumps along the way. Whether you’re moving with a newborn or toddler, or even moving with kids a bit older, simply getting everyone settled into a new home is an accomplishment worth celebrating.

Make Moving With a Baby Flexible With PODS

Moving with a baby may not always go perfectly according to plan. But with a little preparation, it doesn’t have to be full-on misery. By maintaining routines, packing strategically, planning for travel, and lining up extra help, you can create a smoother, less stressful transition for both you and your little one.

Make your move with a baby, flexible with PODS portable moving containers. Your container will be delivered right to your driveway, where you can pack and load on your own time — naptime, perhaps? If your timetable for moving changes, no worries. One month’s storage is included in the cost of every move, so you can take the time you need. And if you want help with the heavy lifting, PODS can even refer you to local packing and loading services to lend a hand.

Visit PODS online for a free local moving quote or call 877-350-7637 for long-distance moving.

Kat Piccolo is a St. Petersburg-based freelance writer whose only roommate is their cat. A frequent PODS Blog contributor, Kat loves finding ways to make moving into new spaces simple and stress-free. Between yearly apartment hopping, you can find them on the waterfront or experimenting with new ways to make coffee.

_{*This article was written on behalf of PODS Enterprises, LLC (“PODS”). PODS does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this article and disclaims any liability for reliance upon the content herein.}