Now that I’ve finally come out of my first trimester fog, my husband and I are starting to think about our nursery. Thankfully my sister is an interior designer so I know I’ll have help – but there are still so many decisions to be made.
Recently I posted a question on my Facebook page about gliders vs. stuffed rockers, and boy was I surprised at the number of responses I received! Not only did my friends give me great opinions on the chair (I went with a glider), but I got all sorts of other tips on baby gear I need for my nursery.
We’re on a budget and also want to be minimalists – we are trying to avoid having too much gear, but we want to make sure we invest in the items that will make life easiest. Which is where you come in – what’s your best advice to me, a mom-to-be, when it comes to designing a nursery? What do I just have to have, and what mistakes did you make that you’d redo the next time? Please leave your advice in the comments, and hopefully other new moms can also get some great ideas.
Bethe Wright is the Director of Marketing and Public Relations at North Hills Hospital, a wife, and a first-time mom-to-be next summer.
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23 comments
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January 31, 2013 at 9:12 am
lindsaysmunson
Don’t get a “changing table” just use a dresser with a waist height to it. It’s better for when they get older and don’t need it or grow outgrow it. I rarely changed there when they were small so it ended up being a nonessential piece in my mind.
January 31, 2013 at 9:37 am
Joy Walton
Bethe, no doubt your nursery is going to look amazing. I can still remember the day we finished ours, leaning over the crib in disbelief a little boy was going to be in it! Our first picture in his baby book is me sitting in my glider in the nursery, 9 months pregnant. Joseph loves that picture :).
The first thing I wish someone had prepared me for was how much we DIDN’T use our nursery the first month. This is actually a relatively complex issue. When is the right time to put your baby in the crib in his nursery? Some studies show that SIDS risk is reduced by having the infant’s crib in the bedroom with you at least past the first 2 months. The other surprise was how well Joseph slept in every other place BUT his crib – his swing, his bouncer, his car seat, my arms, his bassinet. Talking with other moms, I was relieved to find I wasn’t the only one. This is further complicated by the fact that your baby needs to eat every 2-3 hours through the night. Also depending which method of nursing you do, (ESP those who have csections) the laying down side method of nursing necessitates having a bed. Yes, I admit it. I co-slept more than a few times with Joseph.
Bottom line: there’s not one absolute way. We did the co-sleeper bassinet thing for the first 3 weeks. But what we quickly learned was that with him in the same room as me, I never slept a wink (mommies have bat ears and I woke to his every rustle – babies are noisy sleepers). Those precious hours in between helped me be a better mama because I was better rested. I also didn’t stress as much about Joe being up with me while I fumbled around at night. Our solution was putting him in his bouncer or carseat (with seatbelt) IN the crib and getting a nice video monitor. I had a moment of self doubt when I told my mom about it and she told me she slept with me in her arms till I was 18 months old and how could I put my baby in a room so far away. I moved him back into our nursery that night and it was the WORST NIGHT EVER. Lots of mommies have their own way (but it’s not necessarily the only way), and I think ultimately you just have to find the way that works for you and your baby! Sorry that was long winded – my point was just that the nursery was actually very rarely used those first weeks.
So great things to have – video monitor, changing table, and a diaper genie! We also kept a mini fridge on the second floor to store milk (if you pump) and drinks for you because nursing makes you SO thirsty! Hope that helps! Again, nothing is gospel here – I doubted myself so much until I finally just realized Someone bigger was sustaining my son!
January 31, 2013 at 9:47 am
Bethe Wright, Marketing/PR Director
Joy, this is GREAT advice. I’ve never heard about letting the baby sleep in his/her car seat in their crib. That’s genius! We’re hoping to do a bassinet/cradle in our bedroom for the first few weeks, but you’re right – if I’m waking up to her every sound, that may not last long. And such good advice about keeping drinks on hand.
January 31, 2013 at 9:47 am
Bethe Wright, Marketing/PR Director
Great advice Lindsay! We’re using a dresser, but I didn’t know folks rarely use even that – did you just change your girls on the floor?
January 31, 2013 at 10:41 am
Yvonne Ruebel
I agree with all the above:
1. Don’t need a changing table, just buy a dresser (waist high) and a changing pad to put on top of the dresser. We bought our white dresser from Ikea
2. Yes, we did not use our nursery for the 1st month, but after many sleepless nights listening to Max make little sounds in his sleep, it was hard for me to fall asleep (you will have mommy radar ears). He now sleeps in his crib upstairs at night (started around 1 month, he is only 2 months now) and I don’t even need the monitor, ha! (I hear him loud and clear from downstairs…I even seem to somehow always wake up right before he does..how is that for mommy radar? 🙂 )
3. We bought a ‘pack ‘n’ play’ for our room for Max to sleep in. Just make sure it has the bassinet insert (you will be able to use it later on when your baby gets older, plus it is portable. Max also still naps in it sometimes)
4. Re: having your newborn sleep in a swing, car seat, anything ‘other than a crib’…we all will do whatever it takes to get our newborns to ‘SLEEP’! but eventually when you want your infant sleeping through the night ‘without your assistance’ (i.e. not having to constantly hold, rock, put pacifier back in mouth, etc) you will want to put him/her in the crib. How long this takes depends on your preference in sleep training. Of course ‘sleep training’ is all about parenting preference. Do what feels right for you and your newborn.
5. Gliders and Rockers are soooo expensive! We got ours at Costco for less than $300 and it included and ottoman. Most ‘nursery specific’ rockers and gliders with ottoman at like $800+
6. Nursing Pillow – I originally had a ‘boppy’ but highly recommend getting ‘My Brest Friend’ pillow instead. It is more sturdy and buckles around your waist tightly, which is nice because you can multitask more with it (i.e. walk around with it on and baby..) It also has a nifty side pocket to put your cell phone or other things you may need to carry with you.
7. Baby Connect App – download, I think it was $2 but it was a nifty tool I still use to log my nursing times, bottle feeding times, amount of milk ingested, poopy and wet diaper log (yes you will be logging this for the first month and possibly ongoing)
8. Don’t spend a lot of money on a crib. Just make sure it is sturdy. I have been told cribs get really beat up, so no point in buying and expensive froo froo one. All you need in the crib is a crib sheet. Crib skirt is unnecessary (unless you want it for looks) and you do not need those ‘bumper borders’ that go around the crib. They are ‘suffocation’ hazards.
9. Some other things I found handy/must have (not necessarily nursery related) include: a baby mirror for the car (so you can see your baby when you are driving), a baby wipes warmer (keeps wipes warm), Baby Bjorn carrier, bottle warmer…the list can go on 🙂
Here are pics of Max’s nursery if you want to see the crib and dresser: http://pinterest.com/yvonne_ruebel/baby-max-s-nursery/
January 31, 2013 at 11:23 am
Jenny
Get a dresser that you can put a changing pad on top of. No need to get a separate changing table! When they grow out of the changing pad or are potty trained, just uninstall the pad and the dresser will grow with them!
It’s wise to not go too overboard on PINK or BLUE in nursery so you can use it for the next child 🙂 you can accent anything with pictures, pillows, etc. to make it more gender specific. This rule goes for strollers, activity mat, bouncers, swings, etc. That way you make one investment and use it for all of the kids!
Make sure you have a small table next to the glider so you can easily reach a bottle of water, nursing pads, phone, etc while feeding the baby. Also, get a lamp dimmer for a lamp in the nursery (Lutron makes them)…it is nice to have a little bit of light for those nighttime feedings, and it can also serve as a nightlight for kiddos 🙂
January 31, 2013 at 11:51 am
Jessica
Even if you pls on bottle feeding, get a nursing pillow, they are very comfortable to SIT ON after a vaginal birth 🙂 Also, don’t buy everything before hand, but it as you need it… Have the important stuff like diapers, wipes, lotion, bath wash and clothes but other than that, all they need it you!! We over bought for both our children, all the little trendy stuff and ended up almost never using any of it. When they first come home they just don’t need much. We had a bassinet in our room for a while and barely used the crib in the first couple months. With my 2nd child I hit a bassinet that was easily movable (it had retractable wheels) that was great those first few weeks when I wanted to keep her close by while sleeping but needed to spend time with my older son. Get LOTS of socks, you will lose more baby socks than you ever thought possible! And invest in a baby wrap to “wear” your newborn, swaddled right next to your heart, baby will be so happy 🙂 I learned most my tricks and what I did and didn’t need with baby number 2. Good luck!
January 31, 2013 at 11:52 am
Jessica
So many typos… Sry! That’s what happens when you try to comment on a phone while playing with the kids
January 31, 2013 at 12:33 pm
Annie D
Good luck to you! Don’t be afraid to create what you can’t find. I was really excited about a Dr. Seuss theme but (a few months ago, now it seems more popular) was so disappointed that I couldn’t find something in the store to suit. Well — a few trips to fabric.com, Joann’s and Michael’s and I had the supplies to generate a few DIY options: baby quilt, pennants above the crib and an alphabet mural. It just depends on your energy level too during your second trimester. Taking care of yourself if most important, but if you find that creating something out of nothing brings you peace, then whatever is good for you is good for your baby. Pinterest is a great place to compile your inspiration, my board is here: http://pinterest.com/aekrill/baby-love/
January 31, 2013 at 1:42 pm
Bethe Wright, Marketing/PR Director
Sounds like you’re crafty Annie! I hope to break out a few crafts, although being really sick during the first trimester has meant that I’m less into it than I normally would have been. I love your idea of an alphabet mural, and since I’m a quilter, I’ll definitely be making a baby quilt for my baby girl!
January 31, 2013 at 1:42 pm
Bethe Wright, Marketing/PR Director
Ha – no worries!
January 31, 2013 at 1:43 pm
Bethe Wright, Marketing/PR Director
I’m with you Jessica – I’m hoping to buy as little as possible, although I’m sure there’s plenty of staples I can’t live without. For everything else, there’s online shopping to the rescue. I couldn’t survive without my Amazon Prime membership and the free shipping that comes with it!
January 31, 2013 at 2:06 pm
Bethe Wright, Marketing/PR Director
Great advice on gender neutral colors Jenny! We’re choosing a color scheme that’s pretty basic (grays and neutrals with pops of color in the accessories) in hopes that the nursery can easily transform into a little girl’s room without too many changes. And we definitely want gender neutral “gear” just in case my hubby gets his boy next go around. And thanks for the tip on the table next to the glider – I hadn’t thought of that.
January 31, 2013 at 2:07 pm
Bethe Wright, Marketing/PR Director
Thanks Yvonne for the tip on the nursing pillow and baby app. How glamorous to be logging poopy diapers – living the dream!
January 31, 2013 at 2:32 pm
Paula
Bethe,
Have two completely outfitted baby bags at all times. Often times we come in from work or an outing only to have to leave again quickly. With a separate, already prepared bag ready when you come home this is easily accomplished without forgetting something essential.
January 31, 2013 at 2:45 pm
Bethe Wright, Marketing/PR Director
Paula, that is GENIUS. I’ve never thought of that before, but you’re so right. Thanks for the tip!
January 31, 2013 at 8:41 pm
Mandi Johnson
Bethe- skip the bumper on the crib (not sure if anyone already mentioned this). I planned the room around my pretty bumper and then when Cailyn moved up, we were told to take it off. So the room just didn’t look the same. I would have done a much cuter crib sheet!
Also, make sure to get a bouncer chair! These are the best because they can travel around the house with you. I probably wouldn’t have had a shower in the first two months without ours because I could put her where I could see her.
I had her sleeping in a cradle for 4 months in our room (I know….I had a hard time moving her “all the way upstairs”) but she transitioned like a champ. One thing that saved me and my favorite baby item of all time was a breathing monitor (mine is the babysense, but they make others). Some say they can’t prevent SIDS but ill say I slept a lot better when I could see the little light blinking showing my baby was breathing without having to go stand over her at all times. People have different opinions on them, but if I could only have one thing, that would be it.
So excited for you and allvthe pink your life is going to be blessed with in e coming months!
January 31, 2013 at 9:11 pm
Christy
Hi Bethe! I love these ideas! Great blog! Agree with the no changing table… We actually lucked upon an oversized cute paisley square pillow case and put a square foam insert inside (still soft, but stiffer) and I just kept it next to the diapers. We placed it wherever was most convenient for changing in that moment! My boys still use it to drag around and sit on 😉 Also loved the bouncer- my oldest had bad colic (Mylicon was wonderful!) and seemed to sleep better in it at night for the first few weeks.
January 31, 2013 at 10:08 pm
Ana
If the baby will sleep in a nursey and not in your room, include a soft blouse or T-shirt you have used and not washed. Place it in the crib or really close to where the baby will sleep. The mommy scent will sooth the baby when she is sleeping. It is just like a security blanket some toddlers keep with them when they are away from the parents.
February 1, 2013 at 8:56 am
Bethe Wright, Marketing/PR Director
Thanks Mandi for the advice! My research showed that docs recommend no bumper, so we’re going without (not worth the risk). And I’ve heard great things about the bouncer chair – I will definitely have to pick one up.
February 1, 2013 at 8:59 am
Bethe Wright, Marketing/PR Director
That’s a great idea Christy – I was wondering if I’d just use a blanket on the floor for changing in the living room.
February 1, 2013 at 8:59 am
Bethe Wright, Marketing/PR Director
Thanks for the tip Ana!
February 2, 2013 at 6:07 am
Annie D
You are such a trooper, I’m so sorry to hear of the nausea you faced. Yes, whatever you can pull together easily (with less effort) sounds perfect for you! I saved on time with the baby quilt by having the binding done by a local quilting shop… it’ll cost ya but at least it helped finish it when I had less energy too!