When a baby is on the way, it’s common to start considering moving to a new home – a cozy place that will be spacious enough and comfortable enough to meet the growing needs of the growing family. The big question, however, is whether to move before or after the baby is born.
Moving is a taxing and stressful process, so it won’t be easy either way. Yet, there are specific advantages and disadvantages to both options that will tip the scales in favor of one or the other, depending on the particular circumstances in each individual case.
If you’re expecting and planning a house move, knowing the pros and cons of moving before and after having a baby will help you make the best choice for your family and ensure a smooth and successful relocation experience. Here is what you need to consider:
Pros and cons of moving while pregnant
Moving during pregnancy will be both physically and mentally demanding, but it will allow you to create your family nest before the baby arrives – so you can enjoy your new life with your little angel without dealing with exhausting and time-consuming moving preparations.
Advantages of moving before having a baby
- You will have more time – You won’t be busy tending to your newborn’s needs, so you’ll be able to dedicate your time and energy to searching for an appropriate new home for your family and completing laborious moving tasks.
- When shopping for a home, you need to act quickly and be available – you have to be ready to attend open houses, meet with realtors, and visit with banks at a moment’s notice;
- When preparing for a house move, you need plenty of time to organize your relocation, sort out your belongings, get rid of unneeded items, pack up your household, take care of the paperwork, and finish numerous other necessary moving preparations.
When the baby comes, it will be very difficult to fit these things around nursing, napping, diaper changes, and household chores. Not to mention that you will be too exhausted to deal with it all;
- Your move will be simpler and cheaper – Your newborn will need plenty of things (such as a pram, a cradle, an infant bathing tub, etc.) that are difficult to move and will take a lot of space in the moving truck. If you move while pregnant, you can have the baby items delivered directly from the store to your new home. That way, you will save money on moving costs and will make your relocation easier (See also: How to cut down on moving costs);
- You will be able to build a support network in your new area – If you move before the baby is born, you will be able to get to know your new area and your new neighbors before your little angel arrives. You will have the chance to meet other soon-to-be parents and get a support system together. When the baby finally comes, you will have friends among other new parents and things will be much easier;
- Your nesting instinct won’t go to waste – Your instincts to create a safe and comfortable home for your baby will peak during the last trimester. If you’ve already moved into your new home by that time, you’ll be able to use that energy to clean and organize the place and make it cozy and cheerful, instead of wasting your zest for a place you’ll be leaving in a few months;
- All will be ready when the baby arrives – If you move early in your pregnancy, you will have the time to unpack and settle into your new home, set up the nursery and prepare everything necessary before the baby is born. After the delivery, you’ll be able to come home with your bundle of joy and care for your little angel in comfort and security;
- You’ll be able to focus on your family – With the move over, you’ll be able to relax and focus on your loved ones. You’ll have the chance to spend time as a family, bond with your baby, and enjoy your new life together.
Drawbacks of moving while pregnant
- It may be too difficult or even risky to move house when pregnant – Moving is both physically and emotionally draining – you may not have the energy or the physical ability or the psychological stability to complete the necessary moving preparations while pregnant:
- The baby bump will make it difficult to move around and bend over, so organizing, packing, and cleaning will be extremely hard to do;
- The aches and pains that come with carrying a child may be exasperated by the strenuous work and added moving stress;
- Harsh cleaning agents and cleaning products containing bleach or ammonia can be harmful and must be avoided by pregnant women. Natural cleaners like vinegar and baking soda are safe to use, but they make cleaning slower and more difficult – and there will be a lot of cleaning to do when moving out of your old home and into your new one (See also: Moving in cleaning checklist);
- Lifting heavy items increases the risk of premature labor and endangers your well-being and the safety of your unborn child;
- Missing healthy meals and not getting enough sleep (common occurrences during the arduous moving process) can have a negative effect on your health or your unborn baby’s health;
- Worrying about thousands of little things that can go wrong during the move will add to your stress, which is definitely not good for you or the baby.
(Remember to take good care of yourself during the move – don’t rush things, don’t stress over little things, get enough rest, eat well, stay hydrated, and never ever lift heavy items! (See also: How to stay healthy during a move))
- Pregnancy is unpredictable – Your baby may come earlier than expected, there may be some complications with your pregnancy, etc. Even if you’ve already planned your move, things may easily go awry during such a challenging time. (Be sure to choose a move date well in advance of your due date or well after that!)
- You may need to find a new doctor after the move – You most certainly have a doctor and a midwife whom you trust and who are well familiar with your medical history and pregnancy. If you move before your baby is born, you may need to find a new GP and a new midwife in your new area and probably won’t have the time to build a good rapport with them before your baby arrives. (Make sure you get prenatal care set up and have all your medical records transferred before the move!)
See also: Is it safe to move house when pregnant
Pros and cons of moving after the baby is born
Moving with a baby comes with an entirely different set of challenges – and benefits:
Advantages of moving after the baby is born
- You will be in a better physical and mental state to cope with the move – It will be easier to make moving plans and prepare for a relocation after a successful birth when you’ll be much calmer and more relaxed than during your pregnancy. Organizing and packing will also be easier when you don’t need to contend with your baby bump and all the aches of pregnancy are gone;
- You will be able to focus on the birth of your child – Waiting to move after having the baby will allow you to take better care of yourself during your pregnancy and better prepare for the birth of your child (both physically and mentally). You’ll be able to focus on the big event without dealing with arduous moving preparations and stressing about the forthcoming relocation;
- You will have a better idea of what type of home you actually need – After spending some time with the baby in your old place, you’ll clearly see what’s missing and what should be different: you may need a bigger kitchen, a better laundry room, more storage space, etc. You’ll know exactly what to look for in a new home and how to best set up your new place. If you move before the baby is born, you might not think of these things;
- It will be easier to meet people and make friends – Moving with a baby will help you fit into your new community quickly – there will be baby walking groups, storytime, and various other activities for new mothers in your neighborhood and you’ll be able to meet other new parents and make friends within days after the move (See also: How to make friends after moving).
Disadvantages of moving with a newborn
- Postnatal recovery can take a long time – Some women may recover within a couple of weeks after the birth, but others face serious problems that can affect daily activity for months – and if there has been a C-Section, lifting heavy boxes will be out of the question for quite some time. You cannot know in advance how the birth will go, so it’s best not to plan any big endeavors (such as moving house) for at least several months after your due date;
- It will be difficult to fit moving preparations around caring for a newborn – As already mentioned above, preparing for a move requires a lot of time and effort and you need to act fast when searching for a new home. It will be difficult – even impossible – to cope with all the hard work and be available on short notice while tending to your baby’s needs. Not to mention how much stress moving will add to your anxious, sleep-deprived postpartum state – and how much it will cut into your precious time with your little angel;
- Moving will disrupt your baby’s routine and sleep patterns – Newborns are very sensitive to changes in their environment, so moving into a new home is very likely to unsettle your baby and disturb their sleep patterns. Besides, it will be very difficult to keep your little one’s daily routine unchanged during the hectic moving process – and routine is very important for a baby’s well-being. Moving day tends to be particularly challenging (your baby may get upset and scared by the unknown people, loud noises, and chaotic activity in the house), so you’re advised to arrange for a trusted friend or family member – or hire a babysitter – to look after your little one in a quiet room away from the moving chaos. The trip to your new home should also be very carefully planned, so your baby is safe and comfortable en route to your destination.
See also: How to move house with a baby
So, is it better to move before or after a baby comes? Most mothers – and most experts – recommend moving before birth, but it all depends on your personal needs and preferences.
Whichever option you choose though, be sure to get reliable moving help to ensure your well-being and your little one’s safety and to guarantee your stress-free moving experience. Full service movers are your best bet as they will take care of your move from start to finish, so you can focus on what really matters – your baby – without worrying about the relocation.
One final piece of advice – whether moving before or after the baby is born, don’t forget to baby-proof your new home. Keep your little one safe and happy and enjoy your new life!
