Aside from having a car seat to bring your baby home in, the nursery is the most important thing you need to have ready before your baby arrives. It’s where you and your baby will be spending a majority of those first few months, so you want to make sure it’s well-stocked and comfortable.
Have a Safe Place for Your Baby to Sleep
To lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), you want to make sure your baby’s sleeping area is as safe as possible. Eliminating any suffocation risks is the best way to do this. You should:
- Use a firm mattress
- Only use breathable bumpers
- Use a tightly-fitted sheet
- Never use blankets- cover your baby with a sleep sack instead
- Remove any stuffed animals, toys, or other soft objects
Organize the Changing Area
Babies are very wiggly, especially when you’re changing their diapers or clothing. Having a changing area that’s well-stocked and organized will make this task much easier. Remove diapers from the packaging and stack them neatly next to wipes, diaper cream, and other diaper necessities. Keeping a few spare changes of clothes neatly folded on a shelf is another good tip. Don’t forget a trash can to throw the soiled diapers into. This will save you time when changing your baby in the middle of the night.
Create a Comfortable Place to Feed Your Baby
Whether you’re bottle or breastfeeding, you’ll want to have a safe and comfortable place to feed your baby. A cozy chair and a small table where you can place your phone, a drink, and other necessities is a must. If you’re breastfeeding, this is also a good place to set up your breast pump. To save money on this purchase, see if you can get your breast pump covered by insurance.
Make It Fun
You and your baby will be spending a lot of time in their nursery, so you should make it just as fun as it is comfortable. Set up a play area with age-appropriate toys, books, and a soft rug. Decorate the room to your liking. Create a space that both you and your baby will love.
Having your nursery ready for when your baby arrives will be one less stress on your mind. Follow these tips to make sure it’s absolutely perfect.
