Preparing a Nursery for your Little Bundle of Joy

by Rhonda Reyes
(Mississippi)

The day you have longed for has finally arrived. The doctor has validated your in-home pregnancy test. In a few months you will have a new addition to your family. Regardless of whether this is your first or your fifth, the expectation of a new arrival brings freshness to your heart. Everything starts to take on new meaning. This includes the room where the new baby will be taken care of. Visions of a nursery overhaul start to take place in your mind. After all, a new baby needs to inhabit its own space. This can be its own room or a corner designated specifically for baby needs.

Planning the perfect nursery will include a tranquil place to bond with the new infant. As you think about what you want in the nursery, include items that will be comfortable for your child but will fit your needs also. As you do your research on this, there are sources that can help you understand issues surrounding child and product safety concerns. Pediatricians, friends and relatives as well as consumer reports can inform you about comparisons, recommendations and safety ratings.

The biggest investment will be in the selection of the baby's furniture. The primary pieces of furniture will include a crib, a rocking chair, something to change diapers on and a piece that can be used for storage. Things to think about include furniture that can grow with the baby. For example, some cribs can turn into a toddler bed with rails and then into a twin bed for later in his growth. Crib mattress and railings need to be adjustable. Drawers that fit under the bed could eliminate one piece of furniture. Regardless of whether or not your budget allows for new furniture or used, pay close attention to to the product safety recommendations for each piece of furniture.

Bedding for the crib and color scheme present avenues for you to be creative. As you think about this, knowing the sex of the child will make a difference in what you choose. In today's contemporary medical world, knowing the sex of the child before its birth is possible. Some parents opt for the ultimate surprise and choose to wait until the birth to learn the sex of this little bundle. Choosing the theme can be totally the parents choice or it can be a joint venture with friends and family. Regardless of what you decide, safety concerns need to be paramount. Quilts and pillows need to be for looks only. Decorations on blankets, bumper pads, and small toys should be carefully monitored.

Supplying accessories for the new arrival is the fun part of this project. Understanding what you want verses what you need and can afford will keep you within your budget. Accessories for this room or baby space, can be totally coordinating or completely out of the box. Consider things that can grow with your infant. Nursery rhymes and TV characters add charm and can easily be found in appropriate room decorations, rugs or wall hangings.

Nursery preparation can be a fun bonding time for parents and family. It is one of those projects that can start from the moment you find out about the pregnancy and carry throughout the full nine months. Have fun with this and make it your own special creation.

Rhonda Reyes is a writer for My Baby Bedding Shop. Rhonda is also the parent of two children and a retired teacher. She would like for you to take a look at her Baby Boy Nursery products as well as this information on preparing your kids room with Sports Themed Bedding at Baby Bedding Store.