The Best Baby Bedrooms
It's both exciting and a little scary to have your first baby. Everything is new and the learning curve will have to be fast once the baby arrives. One of the things you can set up in advance for the baby is the nursery. Everyone has a different idea of what their ideal baby nursery looks like, and everyone wants to create the best baby bedroom possible. Tracy Hogg, bestselling author of the "Baby Whisperer" series, offers some guidance on how to make the best baby room for a healthy and happy baby.
Other People Are Reading
-
Decorations
-
One of the more fun aspects of nursery preparation is selecting a theme. By picking a theme for your baby's bedroom, you'll ensure a definite structure and overall organization to the decor. This consistency, according to Tracy Hogg, also allows a sense of familiarity and certainty for the baby from the moment you bring him home and show him his new room.
Crib
-
Along with the standard safety protocols for a crib, there are also a few key things to keep in mind in order to encourage rest and relaxation for your baby. First, make sure the crib is set to a level where you can comfortably set the baby inside and easily touch and reach for her if necessary. During the first few days, your baby will require assistance learning how to sleep on her own, so easy access to the crib is a must. Next, remove all distractions and decorations that are on the crib, except for one mobile. Everything else will overstimulate the baby and prevent rest. Finally, use a sound machine to produce soothing sounds in the room during naps and at night. This prevents the baby from feeling isolated in her crib.
-
Changing Station
-
According to Tracy Hogg, your changing station should be well stocked with all of the essential diaper-changing supplies. This includes diapers, wipes, diaper cream and extra clothes. If possible, hang a mobile from the ceiling to offer the baby a distraction during the diaper change. Also, avoid placing the changing table in a drafty area of the room. Newborns are very sensitive to temperature changes and drafts during diaper changes.
Chair
-
Both nursing and bottle-feeding moms find rest and comfort in the nursery chair. During the early months, the nursery chair provides a place to rest and feed your baby while on his two- to three-hour routine. Be sure to select a chair that is both large enough to comfortably seat you and has arm rests to allow greater comfort while feeding your little one. You may want to avoid rocking chairs, because rocking chairs can become a "prop" for helping the baby fall back to sleep. By using a nonrocking chair, you avoid the temptation entirely.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images
