Moving house with a newborn: what no one tells you about surviving the first few weeks

Moving house with a newborn is a challenge few prepare for. Balancing recovery, a baby’s needs, and practical tasks can feel overwhelming, as I discovered firsthand.

The plan that unraveled

We thought we could manage everything at once: a newborn, a house move, and job changes. In practice, it was overwhelming. Our plan to move before Cyrus arrived was delayed by the property chain. Two weeks after his birth, we found ourselves signing legal documents while attending to a newborn’s needs. Parenting books offer little guidance for moments like these, balancing paperwork with feeding, exhaustion, and recovery.

Advice to rest

My midwife’s instructions were clear: rest, avoid heavy lifting, and take things slowly. I followed them as best I could, though reality was far from restful. Carrying baby and documents to appointments left my body sore and my mind fatigued. Meeting recovery expectations while managing daily life was often impossible.

Support makes the difference

H took responsibility for packing and overseeing the move. Professional movers provided essential support. Moving house with a newborn requires practical help and careful planning.

Nesting and prioritising

Once in the new home, my instinct to prepare the nursery was strong. Yet practical constraints arose: the nursery had been painted in an unsuitable colour, and a broken boiler forced us to prioritise essentials. Plans for a fully equipped nursery were postponed, highlighting the importance of flexibility.

Finding calm 

Weeks later, the nursery became a functional space. It was clean, and safe. Little C slept, we adjusted, and the home slowly began to feel settled. The experience showed that stability and presence matter more than perfection.

“In the end, the home may not be perfect, and the nursery may not be finished. But the presence of a newborn, safe and loved, is a measure of accomplishment no checklist can capture.”