New House, New Baby – Expert Tips for Growing Families Planning a Move

adelemorris
2 days ago
9 min read

Moving House with a Baby or While Pregnant | Bridgend Family-Friendly Tips

Welcoming a new baby and moving house are two of the biggest life changes a family can experience, and doing both at once? Well, that’s next-level busy!

Hi, I’m Adele Morris, a Bridgend-based newborn photographer, and alongside me is Sally from Ewe Move Estate Agents, like me, she’s a parent navigating life with young children. We know firsthand how exciting yet challenging this season can be because I moved house myself when my middle son was just a newborn.

As parents and professionals who work closely with growing families every day, Sally and I truly understand the pressures, the joys, and the many details that come with welcoming a new baby and moving house. I bring my experience capturing precious newborn moments as a Bridgend-based photographer, while Sally, also a mum of three young children, including a newborn, offers expert knowledge of the local housing market through her work at Ewe Move Estate Agents.

Whether you’re pregnant, have a newborn, or your toddlers are outgrowing your current space, moving to a bigger, family-friendly home doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Together, we’ve combined our insights and experiences to create this practical, heartfelt guide, designed to make your moving journey easier, more manageable, and even exciting.

Why Families Move When Babies Arrive

Your once-perfect home can suddenly feel cramped when the cot arrives and the toy collection starts growing. You might want:

A bigger garden
A second bedroom for your baby
A quieter neighbourhood
Space for a home office or playroom

But there are plenty more reasons families choose to move:

Closer to good schools or childcare facilities to support your little one’s development
Better access to parks and family-friendly amenities for playdates and fresh air
Improved commute times for parents balancing work and family life
More storage space for all those baby essentials and growing belongings
Desire for a safer environment with low traffic and community support
A fresh start or lifestyle change to better suit your family’s evolving needs

Whatever your reason, it’s a move full of emotion and expectation. Let’s make it smoother.

Top Tips for Moving House with a Newborn or Young Children

1. Start Planning Early (If You Can!)

If you’re pregnant, start scoping out homes before baby arrives. Looking for properties early means fewer decisions to make while sleep-deprived.

2. Find a Family-Friendly Estate Agent

Moving with young children means your priorities go beyond just bricks and mortar. You need someone who truly understands what growing families need, safe layouts, accessible locations near good schools and parks, and a welcoming community vibe.

Choose an estate agent who listens carefully, knows the local area inside out, and genuinely cares about helping families find their perfect fit.

P.S. We highly recommend Ewe Move Porthcawl and Bridgend West, they’re not just experts in the local market, they’re parents raising young children too, so they really get what families are looking for.

Whether you’re ready to sell your current home or just curious about its value, they offer free, no-obligation valuations and a great selection of family-friendly properties. Visit their website Ewe Move Porthcawl and Bridgend West to learn more and get started.

3. View Homes with Your Family Future in Mind

Think beyond where you are now. Will this home grow with your family? Is there room for another cot, a playroom, or even a teen hangout zone later?

4. Keep a “Baby Essentials” Box with You

Pack one small bag with nappies, clothes, bottles, snacks, and your baby’s comfort items. Moving day is chaotic, having these at your side avoids digging through boxes.

5. Accept All the Help

Let friends and family pitch in. Whether it’s holding the baby during viewings or unpacking the kitchen, a little help goes a long way.

Settling Into Your New Home With Baby

6. Prioritise the Baby’s Room

Set up your baby’s sleep space or nursery first, it’ll be your grounding point amid the chaos of moving. Even a temporary setup with familiar blankets, soft lighting, and their favourite comforters can provide a sense of calm and familiarity for both you and your little one. It also helps everyone get some much-needed rest during those early, unsettled days.

7. Stick to Routine (As Much as You Can)

Keep nap times, feeding schedules, and bathtimes consistent. Familiar rhythms help babies adjust faster, even when surrounded by moving boxes.

8. Make the New House Feel Like Home

Hang family photos, bring in familiar scents, and unpack baby’s favourites. Soft lighting and comfy throws go a long way.

9. Give Older Siblings a “Job”

If they’re old enough, involve them in decorating or unpacking their room. It helps them feel settled, important, and excited about the move.

10. Create a “New Home Ritual” for Kids

Make the first few days in your new home special for little ones with simple, meaningful moments, like reading their favourite bedtime story in their new room, choosing the first family meal, or unpacking a favourite toy together.

Then build those rituals into everyday life. Light the same nightlight each evening, play familiar music at bath time, or wave out the same window each morning. These small, repeated comforts help children feel secure, settled, and excited about their new home.

Emotional Tips for a Positive Transition

11. Say Goodbye to Your Old Home

Before you fully move on, take a moment as a family to walk through your old home together. Reminisce about special moments, like “this is where we brought you home from the hospital” or “where you were born if it was a home birth.”

If your children are old enough, let them explore the empty rooms and share their favourite memories. This helps give everyone a sense of closure and makes saying goodbye easier. You might even take a quick “goodbye” family photo to capture the end of this chapter and the start of the next.

12. Celebrate Moving Day

Mark the moment. Bring balloons, take a first-family-photo-in-the-new-home, or let kids have a pizza picnic on the lounge floor. You could even do a mini “house tour adventure” with them to explore their new space. Creating positive associations right from the start can ease anxiety and help children settle in with excitement rather than overwhelm.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Transition

13. Keep Your Estate Agent in the Loop About Your Needs

If you’re expecting or have little ones, tell your agent upfront. A good family-focused agent can suggest listings that work better for your stage of life, like avoiding properties with too many stairs or steep gardens.

14. Use Lists to Stay Organised

When juggling bottles, buggies, and boxes, lists are everything. Keep a shared checklist on your phone (e.g., via Trello or Notes) so you can tick off tasks together, even when sleep-deprived.

15. Sort, Declutter, and Reorganise Before the Move

Moving is the perfect opportunity to go through baby gear and family items, donate or rehome what’s no longer needed, and only bring along what’s useful, loved, or meaningful. Use this chance to reorganise your new space in a way that fits your daily routines better, like setting up a dedicated feeding station or a nappy-changing zone. This fresh start helps make life easier once you settle in and keeps your home clutter-free.

16. Label Everything Clearly — Especially Baby, Toddler, Bathroom & Kitchen Boxes.

When packing, add detailed labels to boxes, especially those with nursery or kid-related items. Instead of just “baby stuff,” use specific labels like “night feeds,” “toys,” “feeding kit,” or “bath time essentials.” Don’t forget to clearly label bathroom essentials, so you can quickly find your toothbrush and shower gel to freshen up after a long day, and kitchen boxes, including washing liquid and tea bags. Having these essentials easy to locate will help busy days run a little smoother and keep your family comfortable during the move.

17. Book Services in Advance

From WiFi installation and utility setup to registering with a new GP or securing nursery places, book as many services as possible before your move. Having key systems and support in place from day one can make a huge difference, especially if you’re breastfeeding, working from home, or managing school runs. Early planning helps ease the transition and keeps your new home running smoothly from the start.

18. Let Your Network Know You’ve Moved

Once you’ve settled in, be sure to update your new address with close friends and family, your GP, health visitor, midwife, nursery or school, and any local baby groups. This ensures important mail, appointments, and support services reach you without interruption.

Bonus Tips for Peace of Mind

19. Make Safety a Priority from Day One

Before fully settling in, take time to do a full safety walkthrough. Check for hazards like unsecured furniture, plug sockets, and accessible window locks. Install stair gates, secure heavy items to walls, and test smoke alarms. If you have a crawling baby or an adventurous toddler, baby-proofing early can save you a lot of worry later, especially when you’re juggling feeds, nappies, and unpacking boxes. Prioritising safety means your new home becomes a secure space for everyone, right from the start.

20. Don’t Rush Renovations

It’s okay to live in an “in-progress” home. You don’t need to finish the kitchen or build the dream nursery overnight. Focus on comfort first.

21. Create a Cosy Corner

If you can’t sort the whole house right away, set up one area that’s tidy, calm, and comforting for you and baby, your own little haven.

22. Celebrate and Document This Big Chapter

Pregnancy, a new baby, and a new home, this season of life is packed with once-in-a-lifetime milestones. Once the boxes are unpacked and the chaos settles, take a moment to celebrate in a way that feels meaningful. Whether it’s a cosy evening in, hanging a new family photo on the wall, or booking a relaxed in-home photo session, mark this moment, you deserve to.

This is your family’s “home story,” and it’s unfolding right now. From a video of your little one giggling in the kitchen to quiet feeding moments in the new lounge or those first steps in the hallway, these are memories worth capturing and treasuring.

P.S. If you’d love to document this new chapter professionally, I offer in-home lifestyle and mini sessions especially for families who’ve just moved. Get in touch to find out more.

Documenting This Chapter with Photography

A home isn’t just a place, it’s the backdrop of your family story.

Whether you’re still unpacking or you’ve just finished decorating, now is a beautiful time to capture your family as they are, right now. That’s what I specialise in as a Bridgend newborn and family photographer, photographs that preserve love, chaos, and the little things that matter most.

BONUS OFFER

If you’ve recently moved and book a newborn or family session, mention this blog for a complimentary mounted print to hang in your new home.

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Recommended Local Estate Agent for Growing Families

Looking to move but don’t know where to start?

I’ve worked closely with Ewe Move Porthcawl and Bridgend West a family-run local estate agency who understand what real families need. They’re warm, honest, and focused on helping people find not just a house, but a home.

Check them out here: Ewe Move Porthcawl and Bridgend West

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram: [Insert Links]

Final Thoughts: One Step at a Time

Whether you’re moving with a bump, a newborn, or a house full of tiny humans, know that you’re doing an amazing job. Take it slow, lean on your village, and remember: this chapter is part of your family’s legacy.

And when you’re ready, I’ll be here with soft blankets, calm hands, and a camera to capture it all.

About the Author

Hi, I’m Adele Morris, a multi-award-winning newborn and family photographer based in Porthcawl, South Wales. As a mum of three (including twins!), I know just how life-changing those early days with a new baby can be, especially when you’re juggling sleepless nights and unpacking boxes.

My work is all about capturing the heartfelt, fleeting moments that tell your family's story, whether that’s in your home, my studio, or even mid-move. I offer safe, professional photography experiences tailored to each family’s unique journey. Every image is crafted with care, trust, and years of experience.

If you're settling into your new home and want to celebrate this beautiful new chapter, I’d love to help you document it.

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