Planning your nursery, like buying equipment, is best done before your baby is born: once you bring him home you’ll be far too busy feeding and changing, and you’re likely to be tired, too.
Try to ensure that the room is as easy as possible to keep clean, with wipe-clean surfaces. Choose furniture without sharp edges or corners and make sure that any painted surfaces are nontoxic and lead-free. You will need plenty of storage space, especially near the changing area. This could be a wide-topped chest of drawers with some shelf space above, or you may want to build your own. Be sure the top is wide enough for the changing pad and smooth as well as washable. Wall-to-wall carpeting is an ideal floor covering for the nursery, as it is warm; choose a stain-resistant type.
The baby’s room does not have to be especially warm, but should be kept at a constant temperature. Around 65ºF (18ºC) is suitable if your baby wears a heavyweight fleece sleeper and is covered with a blanket; if the room is warmer, he should wear lighter sleeping clothes. If your baby is tucked snugly in his crib, then all-night heating may not be necessary except during very cold weather; a thermostatically controlled room heater is the most suitable. It is a good idea to install a dimmer switch so that you can gently bring up the lights without frightening the baby. If you like, the light can be left on low as an alternative to a nightlight.
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