Tips for Planning Your Nursery

Setting up the nursery is one of the most enjoyable aspects of pregnancy. Choosing wallpaper, bedding and décor can be a lot of fun – there are so many possibilities. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Keep in mind that even though you’re incredibly excited about this major change in your life, you don’t need to spend a small fortune. The baby needs a safe place to sleep, a place for diaper changes and storage for diapers and clothes. You will likely want a comfortable chair like a rocking chair for late night nursing. Beyond that, everything is gravy.

Choose a room near your bedroom. If your baby is crying in the middle of the night, you’ll want to be able to get there quickly. Have your nursery ready to go by the third trimester – you don’t want to be the parents still assembling the crib as the labor pains begin. On the other hand, there’s no need to start too early in the pregnancy.

First thing you’ll want to do is choose a theme. Are you going to have everything match the bedding? Select that first. Once that decision is made, everything else will fall into place. Be sure to get several sets of sheets – you might be surprised how many times – even in one single night – you may need to change the sheets. From there, you can select a crib bumper. Consider a matching mobile, or matching curtains. Some patterns even have matching changing pads, diaper hangers and wallpaper or border.

Next on the agenda? Now is a good time to consider paint or wallpaper. Getting this taken care of before any furniture is in the room will save a lot of time later. Once the room is painted, the next on the agenda should probably be baby-proofing. True, the baby won’t be crawling yet but you’ll have more free time now than later. Secure larger items like bookshelves and dressers, cover the electrical outlets, consider whether you need a baby gate, etc.

With those items crossed off your list, you can begin to think about the crib. Most baby authorities emphasize buying a new crib rather than a used one. Used cribs could be damaged or might not follow current standards for crib safety. Quick tip: your baby doesn’t know the difference between a $1000 crib and a $300 crib. Select the one that fits your budget, décor and the room and don’t worry so much about the price. Safety and comfort are the two most important qualities.

Another thing you’ll likely want is a comfortable rocker. Test it out beforehand. You’ll spend quite a bit of time in it. Does it glide smoothly? Is it stable?

Many parents purchase a changing table, ideally with a place to store all the odds and ends you’ll use while changing the baby — powder, diaper rash ointment, etc. Some end up using this more for the storage than for actual changing, but they still feel it’s a useful piece of furniture to have.

You may want a specialized diaper pail that prevents or hides most odors. You’ll also want a trashcan for other items. You may want a dresser – a lot of onesies and pajamas are easier to fold than hang. A clothes hamper is a good idea – you’ll go through a lot of dirty clothes.

Finally you can add the final touches: toys, books, rattles… places for family photos. It’s up to you. Good luck and enjoy!