How to Get the Baby's Room Ready

Preparing to bring a newborn baby home for the first time can be exciting and even a little scary. And the baby's room is one of the first projects you want to tackle. Although it's easy to get caught up in the look and feel of the room, the most important features for the newest member of the family are safety and calmness. Luckily, making the room safe for your newborn is relatively simple. You can make changes to the room later as your baby grows, safety issues change and she starts to develop certain interests and preferences. For now, concentrate on a room that accommodates relaxation and sleep.

Things You'll Need

• Natural cleaning products
• Crib
• Mattress
• Natural laundry detergent
• Dresser
• Changing table
• Changing mat
• Diapers
• Diaper cream
• Wipes
• Burping cloths
• Nursing chair
• Sound monitor
• Video monitor

Instructions

Instructions

1. Clean the room thoroughly, ned from top to bottom. Use all-natural, non-scented cleaning products.

2. Set up the crib. Do this at least 5 weeks before the baby is due in case he arrives earlier than expected. Make sure that you buy a new crib, as used cribs might be painted with lead-based paint and lack other important safety features. The crib's slats should not be more than 2-3/8 inches apart so that the baby can't get stuck. Make sure that the crib mattress is in the top position when you bring your baby home from the hospital. This makes it easier on your back, since you will be taking your baby in and out of the crib fairly frequently. Wash the sheets in all-natural, non-scented detergent before putting them on the mattress. Make sure that the crib bumpers are fastened securely to the edges of the crib and that crib is free of pillows, stuffed animals or any other objects.

3. Add a small dresser for clothing if you don't have a closet.

4. Establish a changing area. This can be a changing table or just a changing mat on the floor. Make sure you have the area stocked with diapers, diaper cream, wipes and burping cloths.

5. Include a comfortable chair for nursing. You'll be making frequent visits to your baby's room for nursing during the day and night.

6. Arrange monitors. Sound and video monitors are tools that can help you keep an ear out and an eye on your little one when you are not in the room. The monitors should be near the crib, but not in the crib or within arm's length of the baby.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're worried about your baby not sleeping because of too much chaos or noise coming from outside or in other rooms of the house, use a white noise maker to block out some of these sounds.