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Choose the Right Room
Consider the proximity of baby's room to yours. Will you have to walk to the other side of the house in the middle of the night? Do you want to be able to hear every peep?
Consider the amount of light and noise in the room you choose, both day and night. Infants nap a few times a day, so the amount of sunlight and noise could affect his/her sleeping habits (and consequently, yours.)
The size of the room. Do you plan to use the nursery just for sleeping and dressing, or will it serve as a playroom too? If the room is small, consider keeping toys in a separate space to control clutter.
Tone
Bright and cheerful or soft and soothing? It's really up to you! Studies show babies sleep just as well in rooms painted with bold color as they do in rooms painted in pastels.
Light blues, greens, yellows and creams are calming colors while reds, oranges, and bright yellows are stimulating colors.
A soft, swirling pattern may appear to be more soothing, but contrasting colors and bold stripes are more interesting to baby's developing eyesight.
Furniture Arrangement
Start by considering the safest way to arrange your child's furniture. After that, it's simply a matter of personal preference!
Safe Crib Placement
- Never place crib next to a window or near a window treatment with dangling cords.
- Keep crib far away from anything that the baby can pull on top of him/her (cords, lamps, decorations, etc.).
- Never place crib near or next to a radiator or heat vent.
- Do not place the crib directly below a ceiling heat or air conditioning vent – this will prevent them from getting too hot or too chilly, or breathing dust from the vent.
Traffic Safety
- Place non-skid mats beneath area rugs.
- Have all the baby care essentials (diapers, wipes, creams) conveniently located right where you need them. You won't want to turn away from your infant to grab something, even for a split-second.
- Tuck lamp cords behind furniture or under the carpet.
- Make those inevitable late-night feedings more comfortable with a comfortable glider or rocking chair.
- A night-light or rheostat (dimmer switch) will allow you to feed, rock, comfort and check on baby without turning on a bright light.
- Babies go through about a dozen diapers a day, so consider setting up two diaper-changing stations, one in the nursery and one where you spend the most time with your baby. All you need are a basket of supplies and a soft pad or blanket.
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