Welcoming a new baby into your life is a joyous occasion—but it can also feel incredibly overwhelming, especially when it comes to staying organized amidst the wonderful whirlwind of diaper changes, feedings, and sleepless nights!
As a new parent, it's easy to feel like you're drowning in an endless sea of onesies, bottles, and toys. But don't worry, mama, we've got you covered with these simple organizational systems that will help you navigate those early months with ease.
Read on for practical tips and hacks to help you stay organized as a new mom.
Baby Closet Organization Tips
One of the first places to focus your nesting energy is your baby's closet. Those tiny clothes are adorable, but they can quickly take over if you don't have a smart storage plan in place. Here are a few of our favorite baby closet organization tips:
1. Sort clothes by size and type.
Dedicate different shelves or drawers to each size (newborn, 3 months, 6 months etc.) and different occasions. Place sizes your baby currently wears in the top drawer and rotate as necessary. This makes it a breeze to find what you need, plus you can easily spot items baby is outgrowing!
2. Use dividers or baskets to further categorize by item type.
Onesies, sleepers, burp clothes, pants, shirts, and more—talk about options! But there’s a way to eliminate rummaging through messy piles to find a matching outfit! Use plastic bins or inside drawers and shelving units to organize your baby’s items in a way that suits your needs.
3. Take advantage of vertical space with hanging organizers.
This is perfect for small items like socks, hats, and bibs. And by the way, an over-the-door shoe rack also works great!
4. Utilize the back of the closet door.
Add hooks to hang frequently used items like the next day's outfit, jackets, or the diaper bag for easy grab-and-go.
By incorporating a few of these baby closet organization tips, you'll be able to quickly find what you need, even during those 2 a.m. diaper blowouts.
Planning ahead with smart storage makes life so much easier!
Toy Organization by Age
Babies grow and develop at lightning speed during the first year, which means their toy preferences are also rapidly changing. Knowing how to organize baby toys so the right ones are available at the right stages is key to maintaining an organized nursery room.
Most baby toys will have a recommended age range on their packaging. Use this as a guide to sort toys into the following categories:
• 0-3 months: High contrast items, soft rattles, musical toys
• 3-6 months: Teethers, soft books, balls, stacking rings
• 6-12 months: Nesting cups, shape sorters, blocks, crawl-around toys
Store small pieces and the toys baby isn't ready for yet out of sight, perhaps in a basket on the top shelf of your closet or in clear, lidded bins. Then every month or two, do a quick toy rotation, putting away a few that baby seems bored of and bringing out a few new ones to match their developmental stage. Not only does this toy organization system keep your living space clutter-free, but it also saves money by making old toys seem new and exciting again—no need to constantly buy more!
When it comes to toy storage, try to keep a clean, minimalist aesthetic to avoid visual overstimulation. Add your baby's favorite books to diversify the decor and incorporate soft bins, woven baskets, or low open shelves to help them clearly see and reach for their toys. Just don't forget to secure any furniture to the wall for safety once baby becomes mobile!
Pumping Station Organization
For breastfeeding mothers, staying organized is key to successful pumping sessions. Creating a dedicated pumping area with everything you need within arm's reach allows you to relax and pump more efficiently.
Here are a few must-haves for your pumping station:
Functional Furniture
A comfortable chair with back support and a side table or nightstand to hold your breast pump, water bottle, and snacks. Don't forget an extra pillow or two for added comfort!
Baskets, Bins, and Boxes
Use trays or drawer organizers to keep pumping essentials tidy and accessible inside drawers, and a basket or two to easily stash your most used items. This might include replacement parts, bottles, breast pump and accessory wipes, and general sanitizing wipes.
Cool Containers
A mini fridge is convenient for breast milk storage because you can quickly chill freshly expressed milk without running to the kitchen. This is especially helpful for nighttime sessions.
Visit our site to learn about acquiring breast milk storage bags through insurance and find advice on storing and combining breast milk. You can also browse our selection of storage bags from Medela, Momcozy, Ameda, Evenflo, Haakaa, Kiinde, Lansinoh, Motif, Philips Avent, and Spectra!
Entertainment!
A TV tray is perfect for propping up a book, magazine, tablet or laptop to help pass the time while pumping. Check out our recommendations for TV shows featuring breastfeeding mamas here!
Relaxation Station
Research shows moms who pump in a peaceful, well-organized environment at work experience less stress and more control over their breast milk expression. This idea can be translated to your at-home lactation station by taking a few moments to tidy up your space before settling in for a pumping session—taking care of your space really does make a difference! Plus, check out our blog post on the Ultimate Guide to Pumping at Work to set you up for success when it's time to return to the office.
Breastfeeding Organization Hacks
In addition to a great pumping station setup, there are lots of clever hacks to organize your lactation room and simplify life with a new baby to help you pump from anywhere. Here are a few of our favorites:
Portable Organization Products
Use a shower caddy or plastic tote with a handle to corral all your nursing essentials—nipple creams and balms (we like these from Medela, Lansinoh, and Willow), nursing pads, burp cloths, water bottle, breast pump accessories, and phone charger. Make it a routine to keep it stocked so that you can easily move from room to room.
Pro tip: Keep backpacks and cooler bags on hand for added efficiency. We love these from Willow, Sarah Wells, Momcozy, Bananafish, AFBP, Dr. Brown's, and Motif.
Simple Storage Hacks
Store expressed breast milk in the oldest to newest order in the fridge or freezer so you always grab the oldest milk first. You can buy special organizer bins for this purpose or just use a sharpie to date your storage bags or bottles.
Keep Snacks on Hand
Pre-portion snacks into small containers or bags you can grab on the go. Breastfeeding can make you hungry, so having easy, nutritious snacks on hand is a must. Things like trail mix, granola bars, cut fruits and veggies, cheese sticks, hard boiled eggs, and low-sugar muffins are all great options. Find more snack ideas and nutrition tips here!
Remember, mama, taking a little time to put all these systems in place when baby first arrives will make your breastfeeding journey so much smoother.
How to Organize a Diaper Bag
Venturing out of the house with a new baby can feel daunting, but having a well-organized diaper bag makes it so much easier. Stock your diaper bag with care and keep it organized with these simple tips:
1. Choose a bag with lots of pockets, both inside and out.
Having designated spots for diapers, wipes, changing pad, extra clothes, pacifier, snacks, etc. makes it easy to find what you need at a moment's notice.
2. Stash a few essentials in an outside pocket for easy access.
This can include a travel pack of wipes, a spare pacifier, and a blanket for an impromptu nursing session or to block sun in the stroller.
3. Use small pouches or reusable ziploc bags to group similar items together within the larger bag.
For example, keep a clean outfit, socks, and a hat in one pouch, and a few extra diapers and a travel-size pack of wipes in another.
4. Get in the habit of replenishing the bag when you get home after an outing.
Toss any trash, restock diapers and wipes, replace the backup outfit if used! This way you're always ready to go the next time you leave the house.
5. Keep a stocked diaper bag in the car as a backup.
If you ever forget your main bag, you'll know there are always essentials at the ready!
Bottom line: A thoughtfully packed and organized diaper bag is a new parent's secret weapon. Never get caught empty-handed!
Budget-Friendly Baby Organization
Preparing for a new baby's arrival can put a lot of financial pressure on growing families. But the good news is, getting organized doesn't have to break the bank.
Check out these tips for how to organize on a budget:
1. Repurpose items you already have around the house for storage.
Mason jars are perfect for corralling pacifiers, washcloths, or tiny socks. Repurpose a hanging shoe rack to store rolled baby clothes or burp cloths. Look around your home and get creative before buying new organizing products!
2. Check with loved ones, local consignment stores, mom groups, and virtual groups like Facebook Marketplace.
These are great places to find gently used baskets, bins, shelves and other organizational items because you can often find great deals on hardly used items. And don't forget to ask your friends and mom community for essentials they're no longer using!
3. When you do buy new, choose timeless, gender-neutral styles and colors.
That way you can reuse items for future babies or pass them along to friends as a hand-me-down. If you need more advice on budgeting for baby, check out our blogs Preparing for Baby on a Budget (and Free Baby Stuff!) and From Onesies to Rompers: A Guide to Stocking Your Baby’s Wardrobe Without Overbuying.
4. Think outside the box for cheap and easy nursery organization.
An over-the-door pantry rack becomes the perfect spot for holding diapers, wipes, lotions, and more. Colorful plastic cups, small boxes, or empty baby food jars can organize little items inside drawers. Your old sweaters, blankets, and scarves can be used to help with cleaning. If you look around, you're sure to find something you can reuse!
Don't let social media perfection make you think you need a magazine-worthy nursery or upscale organizing systems. Babies outgrow things quickly and they don't notice fancy labels or designer storage cubes—all they need is love and the basics, mama. Focus on creating a safe, functional and clutter-free space. The rest is just a bonus!
Stress-Free Parenting Through Organization
Studies show clutter and disorganization at home contribute to stress and anxiety, especially for women. By taking control of your environment and involving your partner, you are caring for your own well-being, which allows you to be more present and patient with your baby.
The newborn days are demanding and exhausting for every parent. It's natural to feel overwhelmed and stretched thin. But having effective organization systems in place can dramatically reduce your mental load and make daily tasks feel more manageable.
Organization isn't about perfection. It's simply about creating functional systems that make your life easier. And when you're well-rested and less stressed, you're able to enjoy more joyful moments bonding with your baby and creating new memories with your family. That's the ultimate goal!
We hope these postpartum organization tips and tricks help set your growing family up for success. For more advice about life with a new baby, visit our site and join The Pumping Room, our online community for parents experiencing this special journey. Remember, our team of experts is always available to help you every step of the way on your journey into new parenthood!
