Moving with a newborn (asking for a friend)

  • Thread starter Thread starter BlueEyedLady
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Xantippe said:
Congratulations!

I have some good news and some bad news.

The good news is that 4 months old is actually probably the IDEAL time to move with a baby, as they usually don’t need to be held all the time, they’re pretty happy, but they don’t have their mobility yet.

We moved into our current house when Baby Girl was 7 months old. She wasn’t quite on the move yet, and we actually managed to unpack in record time. Around that age, you can rotate them between Jumperoo, Exersaucer, and Pack N Play and they stay happy for a long time. Moving with a 1-3 year old is a lot harder.

I suggest having packers (if you can swing that). My old pediatrician also recommends having extra help for the baby during moves for safety.

Ideally, you’d have a home with stuff within walking distance–a playground, at least a minimart, a library, a coffee shop, etc. Early on, it’s nice to do a lot of walking with the baby, and it’s nice to have a destination. (I walked SO much with Baby Girl.)

Okay, on to the bad news.

You need to be prepared for illness if your baby goes to daycare, especially between about 1-3. If baby gets sick for a week (which they do from time to time), what’s your plan? That issue is one of the things that makes nannies so attractive to upper income families–a nanny will take a sick kid, but a daycare shouldn’t. There are a lot of different permutations, of course–nanny shares and a nanny that brings her child, or just a mom at home with her baby. (Back in the day, I started babysitting for another toddler around the time my oldest was 1–it was a very rewarding experience for both families and we’re still in touch.)

There’s probably some sort of big mommy forum where you’re going, so have a look at the childcare subforum.

WARNING: Learn to avoid the nuts and cultists. It’s unfortunately true that a large minority of new mothers go bonkers. Don’t let them take you, too.
Click to expand...
I am not an upper income family, but we have really loved having a nanny. We didn’t have to worry about who would care for our kids if they were sick, because they didn’t get sick. Daycare centers are infamous for getting your kid sick and then sending them home. When you have an infant, I really can’t think of many things I would consider a plus side about a daycare center. You might be surprised at how affordable nannies can be, particularly if you’re willing to let them bring their own baby.
 
BlueEyedLady said:
…just kidding, I’m asking for me! 😃

Very long story short, I don’t love the practice of law, so I’m switching directions. A really great opportunity presented itself on the west coast, and although I was supposed to start in August, I just found out I’m due to have a baby in September!!!:eek::D. No biggie though, they are working with me and I can put off starting until January. And, to make things even better, this is in my husband’s dream city! He’s fantasized about moving there for longer than I’ve known him, and he couldn’t be happier.

But, this means I’ll be moving from the East Coast to the west with a 4 month old, and I can’t imagine that’s easy. I’m already on the waitlist for several daycare centers and at least one is pretty sure I’ll have a spot in Jan of next year. We have our budgets worked out and my husband already has a few professional contacts out there excited to help him get a position.

So, what am I missing? I’m terrified, but so happy, excited, and filled with love. I really want to do the right things right, but this seems almost too easy. What could I be overlooking? I’m only 10 weeks, so other than my mom and husband, no one knows yet. But I need a jump on planning and honestly, I just had to tell someone!
Click to expand...
1)congrats!!! That’s awesome!
2). I too have moved twice with newborns accross the country and my wife changed fields with our last move! It can be done!
3). Don’t nest.
4). Catholicism is different out west. In many ways it’s still mission territory. There
Maybe some culture shock in the last place you would think ( the church)
Better brush up on your hippie.
5) the west will change your life. No lie.
 
Also, approach it with a sense of adventure. Be open to challenges and unite to the spirit of those who moved west even with infants under much harsher circumstances. Use thier grit as an example.

Don’t be shocked when people actually look at you and you see a smile, it’s normal, it’s western. However it’s also western for everybody to be all up in your biz. Vocally and physically.
 
Hoosier_Daddy said:
1)congrats!!! That’s awesome!
2). I too have moved twice with newborns accross the country and my wife changed fields with our last move! It can be done!
3). Don’t nest.
4). Catholicism is different out west. In many ways it’s still mission territory. There
Maybe some culture shock in the last place you would think ( the church)
Better brush up on your hippie.
5) the west will change your life. No lie.
Click to expand...
WHAT???
 
Hoosier_Daddy said:
4). Catholicism is different out west. In many ways it’s still mission territory. There
Maybe some culture shock in the last place you would think ( the church)
Click to expand...
Well, as BlueEyedLady has her religion listed as Atheist, I don’t think that is a concern. 😉
 
Irishmom2 said:
Well, as BlueEyedLady has her religion listed as Atheist, I don’t think that is a concern. 😉
Click to expand...
Honestly, it didn’t occur to me either!😃 I figured I asked on a Catholic forum and I have enough retired Catholic family who will want to come for extended stays it was good to know.
 
BlueEyedLady said:
Honestly, it didn’t occur to me either!😃 I figured I asked on a Catholic forum and I have enough retired Catholic family who will want to come for extended stays it was good to know.
Click to expand...
BEL, you know more about Catholicism than some Catholics! 👍
 
:extrahappy:I have no words of advice being single and childless, but I did want to offer a Congratulations! :extrahappy:
 
BlueEyedLady said:
…just kidding, I’m asking for me! 😃

Very long story short, I don’t love the practice of law, so I’m switching directions. A really great opportunity presented itself on the west coast, and although I was supposed to start in August, I just found out I’m due to have a baby in September!!!:eek::D. No biggie though, they are working with me and I can put off starting until January. And, to make things even better, this is in my husband’s dream city! He’s fantasized about moving there for longer than I’ve known him, and he couldn’t be happier.

But, this means I’ll be moving from the East Coast to the west with a 4 month old, and I can’t imagine that’s easy. I’m already on the waitlist for several daycare centers and at least one is pretty sure I’ll have a spot in Jan of next year. We have our budgets worked out and my husband already has a few professional contacts out there excited to help him get a position.

So, what am I missing? I’m terrified, but so happy, excited, and filled with love. I really want to do the right things right, but this seems almost too easy. What could I be overlooking? I’m only 10 weeks, so other than my mom and husband, no one knows yet. But I need a jump on planning and honestly, I just had to tell someone!
Click to expand...
Congrats on the new baby!

Wife and I moved with a very young baby from the south east to the northeast.

We moved again with an almost 2 year old. Both experiences were doable. There might be some stress in making it happen.

In our first move, we got help from my parents and basically drove. It was an academic position. It was a non tenure track research position so no much help from the University.

In our second move, the private company that hired me covered the costs of the move and it is providing corporate housing for several months, plus other nice benefits in the package. They were very flexible with my start date and also were very helpful during our entire move. This helped a lot, and we managed to move quite smoothly.
 
Patavium said:
Congrats on the new baby!

Wife and I moved with a very young baby from the south east to the northeast.

We moved again with an almost 2 year old. Both experiences were doable. There might be some stress in making it happen.

In our first move, we got help from my parents and basically drove. It was an academic position. It was a non tenure track research position so no much help from the University.

In our second move, the private company that hired me covered the costs of the move and it is providing corporate housing for several months, plus other nice benefits in the package. They were very flexible with my start date and also were very helpful during our entire move. This helped a lot, and we managed to move quite smoothly.
Click to expand...
Very nice!
 
I’d rather move a baby that couldn’t get herself out of the carrier than to move with a toddler.

Having said that, there are people with toddler triplets who managed a cross-country move. Necessity is the mother of invention, and no one finds themselves becoming inventive out of necessity more often than parents do!

Yes, I’d say that just as for parents who are expecting while already living on the West Coast, being in the position of needing help in caring for a child under a year old requires a great deal of research. The sooner you do it, the better. You are a very sensible person, though, so I would not presume to offer you advice on that. I think you’ll do a great job and will think of every bit of advice I could offer all by yourself.

Congratulations!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top