The best choice for your newborn is a Moses basket, cradle, bassinet, or a carriage with a bassinet; some carriages like this convert to strollers for use when the baby is able to support herself sitting up. Your baby will outgrow baskets or cradles quite quickly, so don’t waste money on an expensive one unless you’re sure you can afford it. When your baby outgrows her bassinet or cradle, you’ll need a full-sized crib. Choose one with side rails that are set closely together – a distance of no more than 2 ⅜ inches (6 centimeters) is suitable – and drop sides so you can lift your baby out easily. The mattress should fit snugly, so your baby can’t get her arm or her leg, or even her head, trapped down the side. The crib will last you until your baby is big enough to climb out, when you’ll need to buy a bed – at about two or two and a half years, or 36 inches tall. The crib mattress should be a firm foam type, with air holes that allow your child to breathe if she turns over onto her front while asleep. Portable cribs are very useful for going on vacation or taking your baby out for the evening. They have fabric sides and are collapsible so they can be carried easily.
(more…)
Although a newborn’s vision is limited, cheerful colors and decorations will provide a stimulating environment.
- Light, cheerful colors are the most suitable for your baby’s room. Yellow, blue, and grassy green – the colors of nature – will be soothing to your baby, and vivid splashes of primary colors will enliven the room
- A newborn baby has a very limited range of vision – only 8-10 inches (20-25 centimeters) so hang mobiles above the crib and the changing area. Their colors and movement will make your baby alert to his surroundings
- Put an unbreakable mirror on the side of the crib so your baby can see his face; the human face is rivetingly interesting to very young babies
- Choose fabrics and wallcoverings that are washable
- A folding screen may be useful to shelter the crib from bright sunshine or from cold drafts
- Carpet is warm and will absorb noise; a good alternative is a vinyl floor covering with a couple of nonskid rugs
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.
(more…)
Your baby may have a room of his own or share yours; once he is sleeping through the night, however, he should have his own space. You’ll need little special equipment, and you can improvise with household items – a sink will do as well as a baby bath, for example, and a folded towel serves as a changing pad – but many parents delight in equipping a nursery.
(more…)