Even before the birth of the child, you’ll want to prepare your home for your newest and cutest family member. More often than not, you can get by with small purchases and some repurposing.
Place for a bassinet or crib
Even if you have a separate nursery, in the first year of life, baby is likely to sleep in your bedroom. Finding the right place for the crib is important. You’ll want to avoid drafts and direct sunlight. Because it’s important for a newborn not to overheat, it’s better to avoid radiators or other heat sources.
It’s a good idea to keep the crib away from doorways, sockets and wires, and closer to the parent's bed. For safety reasons, it is better not to hang heavy frames or shelving units above the crib.
A small bedside lamp with a dimmer, may come in handy too for night feedings in the very beginning.
Time to sleep
Newborns often confuse day with night. In order for the baby to sleep well, it’s worth hanging blackout curtains on the windows. This will help you and baby sleep later in the morning and nap during the day.
The optimum temperature in the room where the baby sleeps is about 68°F (20°C). The optimum humidity level is 50-60 percent. It is especially important to maintain the indicators in winter when central heating is on.
Other furniture for a newborn
You can choose a changing table based on the space you have. It makes sense to put a full-fledged changing table / dresser combo in a nursery. You can use the shelves and drawers for clothes, diapers, blankets and care products.
If space is limited, then an existing table can be adapted for changing diapers. But remember, you want it to be ergonomic as possible. You’ll be using it every day, several times a day and no one needs added stress of back pain.
Safe space
In the first months of life, a baby is not able to move around very much. But time flies, and before you know it, baby will be scooting and crawling and getting into mischief. It’s better to take a moment before baby becomes mobile to figure out what you will need to childproof. Stock up on corner trims, drawer and window clamps, cabinet locks, and coverings for electrical outlets.
