How to Prepare the Nursery for Baby

Preparing for your baby to come home is an exciting adventure. Getting the nursery ready is the first step in getting ready. There are many things to consider including safety, preparedness, and arranging things so that it's easy to stay organized. Make sure you're prepared to stay organized while keeping your baby safe by using these tips and tricks.

1) Furniture: Choose your furniture wisely. This will be your biggest investment and set the tone for the room. If you haven't done so, choose your theme first. Sometimes you'll be inspired by bedding, wall paper, a chair, piece of clothing, or even a toy. If your furniture is a contrasting style, the room may not come together like you were hoping. When you've chosen your furniture, do your research before you buy it. Look for customer reviews, safety ratings, and don't forget special deals from the manufacturer! You may be able to buy that boutique baby furniture a lot cheaper online than in the store.

2) Bedding: The bedding often is the starting point for decorating the room. If you are buying commercial bedding, make sure that the bumper pad is not too thick and that the fabric doesn't have parts that can be chewed off, like tassels or buttons. Make sure that the bumper pad is removed when your baby starts pulling up because it can be used for climbing out. Fluffy pillows and large quilts and comforters can be suffocation hazards and are usually intended to be decorative. Use small, thin receiving blankets or pajamas that cover for the first few months instead of blankets and pillows.

3) Accessories: You can use accessories to decorate the room, bringing the theme full circle. Pictures, lamps, wall hangings and curtains are all great accessories. Remember that lamps can be dangerous and even fire hazards, so make certain that they are out of baby's reach. Cords can be secured to the back of a dresser if you intend on putting the lamp there, so that the baby can't pull the lamp down. Use unbreakable, cool touch light bulbs, too. Decorating the room can be a lot of fun. Use shelves and hooks to display decorative items and keepsakes.

4) Child Proofing: Outlets and power strips should be covered so that the baby cannot be shocked. All furniture should be anchored to studs in the walls. Cords, including curtain and blinds cords, should be secured out of baby's reach or not in the room at all. All diapering items and medication should also be kept away from the baby. Diaper wipes, baby oils, lotions, and diaper rash creams are dangerous, even fatal, if inhaled or ingested.

5) Necessities: You will need a lot of little things in the nursery. Medications, fingernail clippers, thermometer, extra sheets, pajamas, diapers, and a lot more. Make sure that you have a place for these things out of the baby's reach. Use containers that lock and are kept in a high place, preferably in a closet or some other inaccessible place. They will not only make the room look junky if they are stored in sight, but they are more likely to pose a hazard.

6) Organization: To keep organized, turn the nursery closet into an organization heaven. Remember that everything is small, and although numerous, it doesn't take much space to store. Install shelving that gives you a place for everything from socks to your cool mist humidifier. Hang those precious baby clothes on infant hangers or children's hangers so that they don't get misshapen.