Beyond the Nursery: How to Prep the Rest of Your House For a New Baby

On one hand, new parenthood means you're about to learn just how little sleep your body can function on. On the other, you'll be hitting the sheets whenever naps and newborn sleep permit. Make sure that your bedroom feels like the comfortable, relaxing sanctuary it should be.

If you don't already have a good nightstand, now's the time to get one, and make sure that it has room for a phone charger, reading materials, a clock, and a lamp. Go through your drawers to ensure that you're well-stocked in the postnatal wardrobe department, with everything from nursing bras to comfy clothes that you feel good in. If you're feeling especially indulgent, a minifridge (like the kind you had in your college dorm) would be a total luxury for keeping bottles of breastmilk, formula, and just regular old water cold and easily accessible.

Most importantly, leave plenty of time to ensure that your car seat is correctly installed. Then stash a few diapers, travel wipes, and some ziplock bags in the glove compartment (rule No. 1 of motherhood: there is no such thing as "too prepared.")

If your car is due for an oil change or annual maintenance or you notice anything "off" with it, take it into the shop now. It may not be a fun errand while you're pregnant, but it's a whole lot easier to do on your own than with a new baby.

One of the most coveted items on a mom-to-be's list isn't a crocheted baby blanket or teddy bear — it's a clean house. If there were ever a time to elicit the help of a cleaning service, it's now!

If hiring a pro isn't in the cards, put our 30-day cleaning challenge to use, eliciting dad-to-be's help for some of the more labor-intensive (no pun intended) tasks.

If your first baby is of the canine variety, he's in for some major life changes, too. If your pup's due for a trip to the vet (or will be in a couple of months), try to get that out of the way now. There are also a few simple steps you can take to prepare your dog for a new baby that should help ease the transition.

It's hard to explain why, but grocery and drugstore shopping with an infant are surprisingly tricky tasks. Stock your pantry with the basics (especially cumbersome household essentials like toilet paper and paper towels) and whatever nonperishable food items you can load up on in advance.

Before the baby arrives and upends everything, you'll want to get all of your "ducks in a row," so to speak. From financial documents to medical insurance to a living will, it's a great feeling to enter motherhood being as organized as possible.

For being so small, newborns go through an awful lot of laundry. Get organized by stocking up on your laundry-room must haves — detergent, dryer sheets, and fabric softener, plus many pediatricians recommend Dreft hypoallergenic baby detergent ($13) for sensitive skin.

Friends and family may stop by with casseroles and cookies, but you don't want to bank on it. If you have the time and motivation, whip up as many of these freezable meals as you can and stock your fridge. Ordering takeout gets old (and expensive!), and homemade meals are a much healthier alternative.

With a new baby in the house, you'll also want to make sure that you have plenty of easy grab-and-go options for breakfast, lunch, and snack time. If you're breastfeeding especially, all of those extra calories burned are likely to lead to an increased appetite. Make sure that you have the necessary goods to satiate it!