A newborn can bring so much positive energy and love into your home. And while you may want to prepare the entire house for the new member of your home – the most important room is the nursery. It’s the part of the home where your little one will spend most of their time and where they will start to experience the world little by little.
This is why it’s important that the nursery is equipped with the proper baby essentials, starting from a nice crib to a changing table and even toys that will aim for a creativity boost! It is also a place where your baby will get his much-needed sleep, meaning that you should definitely invest in a quality crib with the proper nursery bedding and make sure that the environment is calm and peaceful.
However, all of this doesn’t mean that designing the nursery should be stressful – it should be a ton of fun! You just need to pick what’s best for your newborn, and we are here to help you out! Continue reading to find out how to create the perfect peaceful place for your baby’s good night’s sleep.
How to Choose the Right Crib
The crib is the most important part of the nursery room. Being the place where your baby will be all the time, it’s very important for it to be of good quality and very comfortable. Let’s start off by looking at the various types of cribs and their features.
Standard Size Crib
This is just your regular, basic baby crib. It’s not a convertible one, it doesn’t have a side-table or anything else on it. It’s just a normal crib, but the good thing is that it’s quite spacious which means your baby can stretch out and sleep comfortably inside it even after his/her second year of life. Now, the bad side is that this crib might take up a large area of your nursery, meaning that it is not the best choice if you have a small room to work with.
Convertible Crib
Convertible cribs are one of the most popular choices as of now. This is because they can be changed into toddler beds, day beds, and even regular full-sized beds. This means that a convertible crib can be used for a much longer time than the regular crib and it makes a great investment. The size of this crib is almost the same as the standard size crib, which means it can take up a fair amount of space in the nursery. Another con would be the higher price tags.
Mini Crib
Mini cribs are also excellent products in the market right now. They can be convertible too, meaning that they can be used as a small day bed or as a bassinet as well. They are smaller in size compared to the regular crib, which is great for people in apartments, but It also means that your baby will outgrow the crib rapidly.
Round Crib
If you are short in space, the round cribs are the perfect pick. The only tricky thing here is finding the right mattress.
Bassinet/Cradle
They are a variety of cribs that are much lighter and can be used only in the first 4-5 months of the baby’s age. The benefit here is that they are portable, very convenient, and much cheaper.
Crib Materials
When looking for a crib, it’s important to look at the materials it’s made of.
Metal – A great choice if you want to choose a durable model that can be easily disinfected. The only con is the price and the coldness of the metal;
Wood – A warm material that is also very durable and eco-friendly;
Fabric and Mesh – Cribs made out of these materials are very lightweight and movable. However, they can easily get ripped.
Nursery Bedding Done Right
In the end, the type and the shape of the crib don’t matter as much if it’s not covered by the prettiest and softest nursery bedding. We all know that baby’s skin is very sensitive. So, next time when you go shopping, remember to get the perfect nursery bedding sets. Don’t know how? I will help you out on this one. Here’s a quick guide on what to get and how to make the best pick.
Protective Mattress Pad
Mattress Pads are used to protect the mattress from unavoidable accidents. They come in different sizes, shapes, and colors. When getting one, you should always make certain that it’s waterproof and breathable at the same time. Another important thing is that baby’s mattress pad should be an inch or less thick. Too thick could be a suffocation hazard.
Fitted Crib Sheet
This is probably the most essential piece of the bedding. It’s important that they fit snugly in accordance with the crib mattress, so getting the correct size is crucial.
Swaddle Wrap / Wearable Blanket
Getting your newborn a swaddle or a wearable blanket can do more than just keep your baby warm. It can make the transition from the womb to the crib much easier, since it is wrapped tightly around the baby, reminding him of a nice warm hug. A swaddle can reduce the risk of SIDS, improve neuromuscular development, and help your baby sleep longer as well. It’s important to note that blankets shouldn’t be put on the side of the crib because they might be a suffocation hazard.
Crib Skirts
These bedding pieces can be used only for decorative purposes. They can make your nursery look cozier and prettier!
Cozy Blankets
Cozy blankets are the perfect choice for the cold weather, but they can only be introduced when your baby is at least a year old. Younger babies can be at risk to suffocate themselves with blankets that are left lying around in their cribs.
Soft Pillows
Nice, soft pillows can also be a good decorative element for your baby’s crib. Matching them with the crib sheets will make them look even better. Your job here though will definitely be supervising your baby to make sure he doesn’t suffocate.
Picking the Material
No baby nursery bedding will be of good use if it’s not made from quality materials. When picking the bedding, you should always look for easily washable and chemical-free fabrics. The best choices would be:
- Cotton – super breathable, hypoallergenic, durable;
- Polyester – inexpensive, wear-resistant, perfect for the winter season;
- Flannel – best for the cold seasons, very soft, lightweight.
The Right Mattress Is the Secret to a Great Night’s Sleep
Another important part of your baby’s crib is the mattress. Getting a quality mattress will not only provide a good nights’ sleep, but it will also make sure your baby’s little spine develops right. Here’s what you need to pay attention to when buying.
- Make sure you get the right size in accordance with the crib;
- Look for a good quality mattress;
- Buy a firm mattress;
- Keep in mind the materials of the mattress;
Safety First: Crib Bumpers to the Rescue
To make sure your baby is totally safe and sound, you can add bumpers to their crib for extra protection. Crib bumpers are designed to keep your baby’s arms and legs from getting caught in between crib railing during sleep. They also keep the baby inside the crib.
Now, there are many safety concerns about baby bumpers in general, but you won’t make a mistake if you get breathable mesh crib liners that can be attached directly to the crib railings. These kinds of liners can protect your baby’s extremities from getting stuck, while also not introducing any kind of suffocation risks. This way, you can be sure that your baby is both comfy and safe!
Mobiles: Give Your Baby an Eyeful
If your baby has trouble falling asleep or if they always seem stressed out, adding a sparkly new cot mobile might do the trick. A crib mobile is a great addition to the nursery crib because it’s great at many things, such as the following.
- Motor skills improvement – Your baby will definitely be distracted by the shiny moving object, thus they might want to grab it or just follow it with their eyes. This way, their body, and eye muscles will be engaged and their motor skills will grow.
- Soothing and calming effects – Some cot mobiles can play quiet, peaceful music which can soothe your baby and make them fall asleep in no time!
- Educational toys – You can use the mobile to teach your child some new words or sounds!
Overall, parenting is hard. Besides the crib and the bedsheets, there are many other things that you will need to get in order to ensure your baby grows up the right way. However, at the end of a long day, watching your loved one sleeping peacefully in their own personal safe haven is something that will give you the strength to get through anything. So, if you are expecting, I’d recommend that you take your time to make your baby’s nursery the comfiest and the calmest place in the world.
