The idea of a move with a baby can feel like an overwhelming feat, but with the right planning and support, it is possible to make it work. Moving homes is both exciting and stressful, especially when you’re caring for a little one. Whether you’re a new mom juggling baby duties, an experienced mom managing a busy household, or balancing your professional and personal life, the idea of relocating with limited time can seem daunting.
If you’re trying to figure out how to move with a baby, you’re not alone—I recently faced this exact challenge while relocating with our 1-year-old. In this post, I’ll share key strategies and insights that helped us streamline the packing process, organize our logistics, and reduce stress while making a move with a baby.
We moved across the city in just two weeks with our 1-year-old. It was a challenge, but with help from friends and family, we managed to pull it off. After weeks of unpacking and organizing, I’m excited to share my experience and tips with you to help your moving process go as smoothly as possible, especially when figuring out how to move with a baby.
This was written based off my experience the last month. We just moved across the city in two weeks with our 1-year-old. It was a huge challenge but with the help of our friends and families, we managed. Now we’re happily in our new home and I’m back to blogging after a couple weeks of unpacking and organizing. Now back to the regular Sunday schedule!
Step 1: Decluttering for Efficiency Before You Move With a Baby
One of the first things to do before a move is decluttering. This step is especially essential when you move with a baby because it reduces the amount of unnecessary items you’ll need to pack, move, and unpack. Decluttering will not only lighten your load but make the overall process of settling into your new home faster and easier.
Assess Each Room and Decide What to Keep
Start by assessing each room in your home and determining what you truly need to bring with you. Over time, you tend to accumulate a lot of things, especially with a baby. However, moving offers a great opportunity to let go of items that no longer serve you. Decluttering will help you make more room in your new space and also save time unpacking.
A good strategy for decluttering is to divide your belongings into three categories: keep, donate, and toss. As you’re packing, think critically about whether each item is worth the effort of moving. When it comes to baby clothes, toys, and gear, if your little one has outgrown them, consider donating them or passing them on to another family. Marie Kondo’s guide to decluttering is an excellent resource that focuses on keeping only items that spark joy. Alternatively, The Minimalists’ approach advocates for simplicity and being mindful about the possessions you carry forward.
Closet Decluttering Hacks for a Move With a Baby
One of the areas that can easily get cluttered when you have a baby is the closet. Baby clothes and accessories accumulate quickly, and sorting them before a move is essential. To streamline this process, I used the hanger-flip method. At the start of each quarter, flip the hangers around. If by the end of the quarter any hanger is still flipped, it means you haven’t worn that item and it’s time to donate or sell it. This method can also apply to your baby’s clothes, helping you decide what to keep and what to pass on.
If you’re finding the process of how to move with a baby overwhelming, try to focus on one room or category of items at a time. Decluttering in small batches will help you feel more accomplished and reduce stress in the long run.
Household Items: The Six-Month Rule
For household items, appliances, and electronics, I followed the “six-month rule.” If something hadn’t been used in six months to a year, I decided it was time to let it go. Moving is a great opportunity to purge unused kitchen gadgets, decor, and toys that are just taking up space.
It’s tempting to hold on to things “just in case,” but when you’re working out how to move in two weeks with a baby, it’s important to be ruthless with your decisions. The fewer unnecessary items you bring, the easier it will be to unpack and settle into your new home. Plus, babies grow quickly, and their needs change just as fast, so decluttering now will set you up for a more organized space in the future.
Step 2: Packing Essentials for Your Move With a Baby
Once the decluttering is done, it’s time to pack. When you move with a baby, staying organized is key to making the process as smooth as possible. Since babies require constant attention and care, it’s important to plan for a stress-free packing process by keeping essential items easily accessible.
Create an Essentials Bin
One of the most helpful strategies I used was creating an “essentials bin.” I repurposed a large laundry basket and filled it with all the day-to-day items we’d need during the move—especially baby essentials like diapers, wipes, bottles, snacks, and a few favorite toys. Having a designated bin saved us from rummaging through boxes while moving, which can be especially helpful with a baby.
This simple yet effective tip made our transition much easier and helped ensure that all of our baby’s essentials were at hand throughout the move. Whether you’re moving across the city or to another state, having this bin will help you maintain your baby’s routine and minimize disruption. I highly recommend setting aside an essentials bin well before you start packing up the rest of your home.
Start with Baby’s Room
When moving with a baby, it’s smart to start packing their room first. Babies need frequent attention, and having their room packed early helps reduce stress as moving day approaches. Packing up baby clothes, toys, and furniture ahead of time is also practical because it helps you clear out space and focus on other areas of the home.
If you’re figuring out how to move in two weeks with a baby, this is one of the most effective tips I can offer. You’ll feel more organized knowing that your baby’s essentials are sorted and ready to go.
If you’re interested in more practical, real-life experiences about juggling parenthood and other challenges, check out my Real Talk Motherhood section, where I dive deeper into the daily highs and lows of motherhood and how to embrace the chaos that comes with it.
Label and Organize by Room
Labeling is a crucial part of any move, but it’s even more important when you’re moving in a rush and have a baby to consider. I made sure to label all boxes with their contents and which room they should go in. For example, “Baby’s Room: Toys and Books.” This saved us so much time during unpacking because we could prioritize unpacking the baby’s room first.
When you’re learning how to move in two weeks with a baby, little organization hacks like labeling can go a long way. It makes everything from packing to unpacking smoother and more manageable.
Step 3: Managing Childcare While You Move With a Baby
Packing and moving are stressful tasks on their own, but when you’re caring for a baby at the same time, it can feel downright overwhelming. Here are some tips that helped me balance both responsibilities during our move.
Lean on Your Support System
When we were preparing to move, I reached out to family and friends for help with childcare on the busiest packing days. Their support was crucial and allowed me to focus on packing without constantly worrying about the baby. If you don’t have family or friends nearby, consider arranging for a babysitter or temporary childcare service.
Having extra help made all the difference during our move, and it can be a game-changer for any parent trying to figure out how to move with a baby. Even a few hours of dedicated packing time can help you stay on track and relieve some of the stress.
If you’re a new mom and looking for more resources on balancing these challenges, be sure to read my Journey into Motherhood post, where I share my personal experiences and advice on navigating the ups and downs of new motherhood.
For more help with deciding which items are worth bringing, you can check out my Shopping Guides and Product Reviews, where I share my honest recommendations for baby essentials and household items that are truly worth the investment. It’s a great place to start if you need help narrowing down what to keep and what to toss!
Create a Baby-Friendly Packing Area
On days when childcare wasn’t available, I set up a safe, baby-proofed play area where my baby could entertain themselves while I packed nearby. I rotated toys and books to keep them engaged, which allowed me to focus on packing for longer stretches.
This baby-friendly setup allowed me to keep an eye on my little one while making sure they were safe and content. It’s a great solution for parents who may not always have childcare available during their move.
Step 4: Coordinating With Your Partner for a Seamless Move With a Baby
Moving can be a daunting task for any family, but when you move with a baby, it’s especially important to communicate and work together. My husband and I coordinated our responsibilities to ensure that everything went as smoothly as possible.
Teamwork is Key to Moving in Two Weeks
We divided tasks based on our strengths and availability. I handled most of the packing and organizing, while my husband took care of moving heavy boxes and managing logistics like hiring movers. This strategy helped us stay efficient and focused on the task at hand.
On moving day, we also created a shared checklist to ensure that nothing was forgotten. We found that planning ahead and working together made the process much more manageable. A shared moving plan or checklist is an invaluable tool for any couple figuring out how to move with a baby.
Step 5: Planning Ahead to Move With a Baby
When the big day arrives, careful planning will help you avoid chaos. Moving day can be stressful, but following a well-thought-out schedule can make things smoother for you, your partner, and your baby.
Schedule Around Baby’s Routine
One of the biggest challenges we faced was balancing the logistics of moving with our baby’s routine. Babies need structure and regularity, so it’s important to plan around feeding times and naps. We scheduled the movers to arrive during our baby’s nap time to reduce disruptions and stress.
Incorporating your baby’s schedule into the day’s plans can help ensure that they stay calm and comfortable, which will make your day much easier.
Step 6: Unpacking and Settling In After You Move With a Baby
Once the move is complete, unpacking with a baby in tow can feel like a whole new challenge. However, there are ways to simplify the process and make your new space feel like home more quickly.
Focus on the Essentials First
When you arrive at your new home, prioritize unpacking essential areas first. Start with the baby’s room, the kitchen, and bathrooms. This way, your baby’s needs are met and your family can continue with their daily routine as you settle in.
It’s also helpful to recreate some familiar settings from your previous home to help your baby adjust. Unpacking their toys and bedding first will give them a sense of comfort in the new space.
Step 7: Embrace Flexibility and Take Breaks
Even with the best planning, things don’t always go as expected. One of the most important lessons I learned during our move was to remain flexible. Babies are unpredictable, and you may need to adjust your moving timeline to accommodate their needs. Allow yourself extra time for setbacks, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed.
Self-Care is Essential
Moving is physically and mentally exhausting, and it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos. However, it’s crucial to prioritize self-care throughout the process. Take breaks, breathe, and give yourself grace. This will help you stay calm, focused, and better able to handle any unexpected challenges that arise when you move with a baby.
Final Thoughts on How to Move With a Baby
To move with a baby is undoubtedly challenging, but with thoughtful planning, teamwork, and flexibility, it’s entirely doable. By following these steps, you can ensure a smoother moving process and create a positive experience for your family. Whether you’re moving across the street or to a new city, these strategies will help you stay organized, reduce stress, and maintain a sense of calm amidst the chaos.
