Moving House With a Baby or Toddler: Preparing Kids and Babyproofing

How moves feel to young children

• Babies mostly notice your stress and their routine. Toddlers and preschoolers may worry their toys, bed or pet won't come, or that you will leave them behind.
• Sleep, eating, potty training and behavior often wobble for a few weeks. That's normal, and it usually settles once the new routine feels familiar.

Before the move

• Tell toddlers and preschoolers a week or two ahead, in simple words: "We're moving to a new home. Your bed, your toys and Kitty are coming too."
• Show photos or visit the new home and neighborhood if you can. Find the new park or library.
• Read picture books about moving, and play "moving day" with boxes and toy trucks.
• Let them pack a box of a few favorite things and decorate it.
• Don't add other big changes at the same time if you can avoid it: starting potty training, moving to a toddler bed or weaning can wait a few weeks.

Moving day

• Ask a friend, relative or sitter to look after young children, either away from the house or in one cleared room. Moving day is a common time for injuries: open doors, stairs, heavy items, and small objects or cleaning products within reach.
• Pack a "first night" bag: pajamas, comfort object, bedtime books, sound machine, diapers, snacks, medicines, night light, and a portable crib or the crib parts and tools.
• Set up the child's sleep space first, then their play area.

Safety in the new home, in the first days

• Anchor dressers, bookshelves and TVs to the wall before unpacking toys. Tip-overs injure young children every year.
• Window coverings: choose cordless, or tie cords well out of reach. Move cribs away from windows.
• Windows and stairs: window guards or stops on upper floors (screens don't stop falls), and gates at stairs.
• Water heater at 120°F (49°C) or lower. Check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
• Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint. Keep children away from peeling paint and renovation dust, and ask about lead testing at the next checkup.
• Look for a pool, pond or hot tub on or near the property and fence it off. See the babyproofing guide and the toddler water and outdoor safety guide.

Settling in

• Keep the old routine as close as you can: same bedtime, same songs, same breakfast.
• Expect setbacks and extra need for closeness. Answer clinginess with time, not hurry.
• Transfer medical records, find a new pediatrician, and update daycare and emergency contacts.
• Moving to a new country or language? See the bilingual and multicultural families guide. For moving because of a separation, see the co-parenting and divorce guides.

When to check in

• Bring up sleep or behavior changes that last more than a month or two at the next visit.
• Ask about lead screening if your new home is older or you're unsure.
• If a child gets into medicines or cleaning products during the chaos, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If they are not breathing or are unresponsive, call 911.