Designing your baby’s nursery is a great way to channel your pre-baby excitement! You and your baby are both going to spend a lot of time in the nursery, especially when you first bring him or her home, so it’s important to make it a calm, comfortable and safe place for both of you.
Design The Right Environment
Your baby’s nursery – whether it’s in your bedroom or in a separate room – should be a quiet area where there is subdued lighting and little traffic.
The nursery should be a peaceful place, designed for ease of use and comfort for you and for your baby and not with bright lights when baby looks up. Arrange the furniture and items in a way you think makes the most sense logically, but realise that you may need to rearrange things a little once you figure out what works best for both of you.
To stimulate your baby’s sense of sight hang a mobile over the cot (make sure it’s secure) and interesting pictures on the wall. Perhaps tap into your artistic side, or get loved one’s to join in, and create a fun mural with lots of visual interest. Your baby’s
brain’s processes for learning are enhanced when multiple senses are stimulated, as compared with the use of just one sense. But make sure to choose paint colours and decorations that also make you happy and relaxed, as you will be enjoying the room as much as your little one.
Consider a Bassinet
In the first months of infancy, you may prefer a bassinet or co-sleeper. These portable baby beds can be carried from room to room or kept next to your bed so you can keep a close watch on your sleeping baby. A bassinet is not a necessity. And because most bassinets will not support the weight of an older baby, they’re useful only for the first four or five months, which makes them a bit of a luxury item.
Pick a Safe Cot
Your new-born’s needs are simple: a firm, flat mattress and a safe enclosure where baby will feel protected and secure. When buying a cot, make sure that:
- The cot slats are no more than six centimetres apart to prevent your baby’s body from slipping through;
- The mattress fits snugly. You should be able to fit no more than two fingers between the mattress and the side of the crib. If a sheet is used, make sure it is a tight, fitted sheet;
- The top section of the corner post is no higher than two millimetres, or no shorter than 40 centimetres if there’s a canopy, to avoid snagging your baby’s clothes or causing injury;
- There are no big decorative cutouts in the headboard or footboard as they could catch your baby’s head or limbs;
- To prevent entanglement, be sure to remove all mobile or hanging items by the time your baby is four months old or begins to pull themself up. And when your baby is less than four months, make sure the mobile is out of reach and securely fastened so it cannot fall into the crib;
- The crib is never near a window with blind, curtain cords or baby monitor cords; babies can strangle themselves on cords. Never place a cot near windows where the window is accessible;
Sleep Safety
- The sleeping surface must be firm and flat;
- Reduce the use of fluffy pillows, crib bumpers, blankets and toys that pose a suffocation danger to your sleeping baby;
- Your baby can be kept warm by using a sleeper, such as a zipper sleeper. Do not use sleepers that can ride up and potentially cover your baby’s face.
Choose a Changing Table
To change your baby’s nappy, you can use a changing table specifically designed for baby nappy changing. You can also use a flat, secure surface like a chest of drawers/compactum. Whatever you choose, be sure the surface is sturdy. If you buy a changing table specifically designed for baby nappy changing, make sure that:
- The changing table is sturdy and stable, with a 5cm guardrail around all four sides. The top of the changing table should be concave,so that the middle is slightly lower than the sides;
- You secure the changing table to the wall, if possible, to prevent tip-overs. If the table has wheels, be sure they are locked – if you use your chest of drawers/compactum, you won’t have that problem;
- Have all your supplies ready before you change your baby. Make sure they are within your reach, but out of your baby’s reach. Give your baby a toy to hold instead of product containers while you are changing him/her;
