Moving with a Baby or Toddler in South Africa: How to Make It Less Stressful

Moving home is already a lot to organise. Add a baby or toddler to the picture and even a simple relocation can feel overwhelming.

The key is to plan around your child rather than trying to manage everything on moving day.

Start packing early

Do not leave everything until the last few days.

Pack items you do not use every day first, such as spare clothes, toys, books and decorative items. Keep your child’s daily essentials separate so you are not searching through boxes when you need something quickly.

A dedicated bag should stay with you throughout the move.

Include nappies, wipes, changes of clothes, snacks, bottles, medication if needed, favourite toys and anything your child normally needs for naps or bedtime.

Keep their routine as normal as possible

Young children can become unsettled when their surroundings suddenly change.

Try to keep meals, naps and bedtime around their usual times, even if the rest of the day is busy.

If possible, keep familiar items such as their favourite blanket, toy or comforter with them rather than packing these into the moving truck.

Plan for moving day

Moving day can be noisy and unfamiliar, with people carrying furniture in and out of the house.

If possible, arrange for your baby or toddler to spend part of the day with a family member, friend or trusted caregiver. This can keep them away from heavy furniture, open doors and other moving day hazards while giving you more space to manage the move.

If that is not possible, create a safe, quiet area away from the main activity.

Prepare the new home

Before your child arrives at the new property, check that their room and essential areas are ready.

Set up their sleeping space first, followed by basic toiletries, clothing and food supplies. Having these essentials ready means you do not have to unpack the entire house before your child can settle in.

Choose a mover you can trust

When you have a young child, reducing the amount of stress around the actual move can make a big difference.

MoveXpress connects customers with vetted moving partners, allowing you to compare quotes, ratings and availability before booking. All movers registered with MoveXpress are vetted and have insurance for goods protection.

You can also provide your moving details once and compare quotes rather than contacting moving companies individually. MoveXpress says quote requests take about two minutes to submit and quotes usually arrive within a few hours, sometimes within minutes.

Give yourself room to settle

Your new home does not need to be completely unpacked on the first day.

Focus on getting your child comfortable, setting up the essentials and making sure everyone has what they need for the first night.

The boxes can wait.

Moving with a little one? Submit your requirements through MoveXpress and compare quotes from vetted moving partners before you book.