• 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

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.

It this is your first child, ask friends with children which items they found most useful (or which items they bought and never used), and weigh their advice against your own lifestyle. If there’s anything you’re unsure about, shop around and study catalogs from children’s stories before making a final decision. There will often be many things that you can manage without. The only essentials are somewhere for the baby to sleep, clothes and diapers and feeding equipment.

You don’t have to buy everything brand new; watch for secondhand items advertised in local papers or on bulletin boards in local grocery stores. A bassinet will last only a couple of months, because babies grow so quickly, so it makes sense to borrow one from friends if you can. If you buy secondhand items, check for general wear and tear, and make sure that all surfaces are smooth and rust-free for your baby’s safety. Check, too, that they comply with the latest safety regulations. Beware of painted items; older paints may contain lead, which is poisonous. Never buy secondhand car seats.