Sleep, Milk, And Diapers: The Reality Of Moving With A Baby

10 February 2015
 Categories: Business, Articles


Moving with a baby or toddler is not ideal. However, most people will tell you that if you plan everything ahead of time and hire a sitter the day of your move, it is not much more difficult than any other type of move. Those people are either super parents, to whom everything comes naturally, or haven't had kids. At least, they haven't had the type of kids that need constant attention, have difficulty falling asleep, and seem to hit growth spurts at the most inopportune moments. If you are feeling sleep deprived and stressed out by your little bundle of joy, moving can seem like an enormous task. Luckily, all you really need to worry about is sleep, food, and diapers. 

How Moving Will Affect Your Child's Sleep Cycle 

Sleeping is the most important activity your baby will do during their first two years of life. When your baby is asleep, they are processing the incredible number of things they are learning and putting their endless energy into the difficult task of growing. Unfortunately, most babies need to be taught how to sleep, and once you get your baby on a sleep schedule that works for both of you, almost anything can throw it off. Moving is a stressful even that can result in sleep regressions, clingy behavior, and an irritable mood in your little one. 

The important thing to keep in mind is that the stress of moving starts well before the day you move. The moment you break your routine to start packing an move things around the house to get more organized, your baby will sense something is different and their sleep can be affected. Negative effects can last well after you feel settled in your new home. 

To reduce stress, stick to your baby's cycle as much as possible. Try to pack during their naps and leave their room to be packed last. When you get to your new home, unpack your baby's room first so they can enjoy a nap in an organized, somewhat familiar surrounding. 

Transporting Milk 

If you have been creating a stash of breast milk for emergencies or when you have to return to work, the thought of it spoiling during a move can be rather upsetting. However, you have several options for safely transporting your breast milk. You can pack it in dry ice or gel packs and pay to have it shipped or you can take it with you. You should not store breast milk in your moving truck, unless it is air conditioned or you are moving during the colder months. 

Whichever method you choose, you should keep in mind that your freezer that currently stores your milk needs to be turned off and defrosted at least 24 hours before it is loaded onto your moving truck and then needs to sit for at least 24 hours in its new location before you can turn it on. For this reason, you may want to arrange for your milk to be stored at a friend's during your move and then shipped to you once you are set up in your new home. 

Planning for Diaper Changes 

If you use disposable diapers, then you do not need to worry about much more than having plenty of diapers and wipes for the move. However, if you use cloth diapers, it can be more difficult. You should make sure you have some place to wash diapers other than your home, as you may have to do your final load of laundry while you are loading your truck from a place like Elite Rentals. Additionally, make sure that you have a wet bag large enough to store your diapers throughout your entire trip. 

Other than sleep, food, and diapers, there is a lot that you and your child can go without. If possible, hiring a professional moving team and letting them deal with the bulk of the labor will greatly reduce your stress. Other than that, prepare for packing and unpacking to take longer than you thought you would. If you have a toddler, prepare to pack twice as they will likely want to, "help," by unpacking as you pack. 


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