As soon as you find out you are pregnant, you start fantasizing about the baby and everything related to him or her. From the name to the makeover of the baby room and the baby’s clothes, you want everything to be nothing short of spectacular. And of course, it all has to be in place way before the baby arrives.
It is normal for mamas-to-be to stress out about all these things, particularly the infant’s room. The baby’s room is the place where he or she will be spending the majority of time after entering the world – it is their first abode after the womb. We all know that the baby has nothing to do with the color of the crib or if the curtains match the carpet. However, as parents, it is your desire to create a perfect environment for your newborn. The better equipped the room is for the baby, the easier things will be for both the baby and the mother. An infant room that has all the right things in place before the baby arrives will ensure everything goes smoothly especially during those tough initial days of motherhood.
However, setting up the infant’s room is not exactly cheap. And given the excitement and the anxiety that comes with preparing for the arrival of the baby, it is easy for mothers to spend more than needed on getting the baby room ready. In order to ensure your infant’s room is functional, adorable and one that doesn’t require you to sell a kidney for things you don’t really need, we have put together a list of essential items for your baby’s room:
- Baby Blanket
Just as babies need a comfortable crib to sleep well, they also need a nice baby blanket to keep them warm and cozy. The best baby blankets are made of light and breathable materials to make them comfortable for the baby to sleep in. Organic cotton is a good option to consider while synthetics are best avoided.
Also, make sure to keep weather conditions in mind while you shop for your little munchkin. For summer, a light blanket will do while a warmer blanket will work well for winter. However, even if it is winter, you should never use a heavy blanket as these can cause SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Size is another important consideration. You should go for a blanket that is just big enough to cover the baby but not any bigger than that. You can also consider buying a down comforter for the baby by Scandia Home, which will also add appeal to the overall theme and oomph of the bed set.
- Crib
Since newborns spend the majority of their time sleeping, they are likely to spend most of their initial days dozing off in their crib and this is why a comfortable and safe crib is a must. It will also be the centerpiece of your nursery so it is important to choose wisely.
Firstly, make sure your crib has been approved by the Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association. Since crib safety standards were revised in June 2011, it is best to purchase a product manufactured after this date.
The height of the crib should be such that it allows you to take the baby out easily. It largely depends on your height. Cribs that allow you to move the mattress down are always useful as they let you adjust the height as the baby grows. The sidebars should not have a gap of more than 2-3/8 inches between them as it increases the risk of the baby getting stuck in between. When choosing the crib mattress, go for a firm one that offers better support than soft mattresses.
- Drawers
Babies are tiny but need a lot more clothing than adults due to ‘accidents’ that require changing of clothes several times during the day. However, a cupboard is too big for the tiny clothes you need to store and drawers are a much better option. They can easily store all of the baby’s clothes, caps, bibs, mittens, booties, towels, and washcloths. You can also invest in drawer separators so that all of the small clothing items can remain separate and easy to skim through.
Additionally, we advise you to set up the changing station on top of the drawers to avoid the need for a separate changing table. Just buy a changing pad and a nice basket to store your changing supplies and you are good to go.
- Night light
It is less for the baby and more for the parents. When you or your partner are coming into your baby’s room at 3 A.M to check on him or her, it is the night light that will save you from tripping over the random toy on the floor and waking up the baby in the process.
A great night light will also help the baby learn the difference between day and night. During the day, you can have the normal bright lights on to signal that this is the time to stay awake and play while the dim night-light will tell the baby that it is now time to sleep. You can have it on during their bed-time routine and final feeding for the night so that they become used to seeing it before they doze off.
- An Area for Mommy
While feeding time is a special moment for mommy and baby to bond, it takes place so often during the first few days that it leaves every new mother exhausted. This is why it is essential to set up a mommy corner in the nursery which has everything the mother needs in order to enjoy the frequent, lengthy feedings. A comfortable chair, nursing pillow, and a small side table can be very handy. The table can be used to store some nutritious snacks, water bottle and any form of entertainment for the mother such as a few books or magazines.
Shopping for baby is always fun and exciting but if you want to stick to your budget, it is important to focus on the essentials. Remember, the money you save now is only going to help pay for expenses in the future. So, spend wisely and your wallet will thank you. Happy shopping!