How To Create the Perfect Nursery

08/31/2015

A New Baby Is On The Way!

Whether this is your first child or your fifth, planning your baby’s nursery is a special rite of passage for every expectant parent. It’s not only a very practical way to prepare for the responsibilities of caring for an infant, but it also lets you dream about the exciting future ahead as you wait impatiently for your precious arrival.

If you’re an expectant parent, here are a few things to consider as you plan your baby’s nursery:

• Make it fun: Your baby’s nursery will be the very first room she ever knows. The colors and images you choose for that room will surround her every day as she learns about the world. You want her first room to be as special as she is. Start by choosing a theme that really resonates with you. Then tie all the colors, furniture and decor into that theme. It can be as concrete as baseball or ballet, or as ethereal as water or woodlands.
• Make it functional: Babies are a wonderful gift. They can bring meaning and joy into your life. However, babies also come with added chores. Make sure your nursery is designed to minimize these chores so you have all the time you need to simply enjoy your new little one. A well-designed changing table, for instance, will allow you to change and dress your baby quickly without putting extra strain on your back. Consider using a diaper disposal system, as well. This will let you dispose of used diapers quickly and will keep smells to a minimum. Remember, too, that you will often be visiting your baby’s nursery in the middle of the night. Make sure the floor plan is parent-friendly when you’re sleepy. Keep the doorway clear, for instance, and have an open path to the crib. Place the rocker near the crib so you can quickly settle in for a midnight cuddle. Keep a night light on, too. It will help you navigate the room safely when it’s dark. Choose a night light with daylight sensors and it will always be on when you need it most.

• Make it comfortable: Whether your new little one sleeps peacefully through most nights or needs more hands-on comfort, you will be spending a lot of time in her nursery. It needs to be as comfortable for you as it is for her. Make sure that you include a soft, comfy rocker, for instance. Heirloom wooden rockers can be charming, of course, and can add a beautiful vintage touch to the decor, but they are often stiff and lack lower-back support. Choose a rocker that has a soft seat and good lumbar support. Wide, padded arms are also important. They will support you as you cradle your newborn. If you choose to breastfeed, that support can come in handy as you and your baby establish your feeding routine. Think carefully about the lighting, as well. Overhead lights can be disruptive to a wakeful baby. Having several table lamps available will give you the lighting you need without shining bright light into your baby’s eyes.

• Make if safe: It may be tempting to save a little money when designing your baby’s nursery by using secondhand baby furniture from friends and family or by shopping at baby consignment stores. Or maybe, you have inherited a precious family heirloom that you have always dreamed of using in your baby’s nursery. After all, what could be more charming than seeing your infant sleeping in the same bed that once cradled your grandmother? You must be very careful, however, when using secondhand baby equipment of any kind. Safety standards for infant furniture are always being improved. Cribs and baby seats that were considered safe just a few years ago could, in fact, put your child in harm’s way.

According to Consumer Reports never buy baby play yards, car seats or cribs second hand. It also recommends that you check the federal recall website before using any secondhand baby products to find out if those particular items have been recalled for safety issues.

While making the perfect nursery is every new mother’s goal, the moment your baby is born your goals will change. After that, the room itself won’t matter so much. All that will matter, then, is the dear little heart who lives there.

Emma Valle is the customer service manager at BabySuperMall.com, an online retailer of crib bedding, kids bedding, and other baby products.

Blog post by: Emma Valle of Baby SuperMall