8 Must-Haves for a Baby's Nursery
Here are essential furniture pieces and accessories that will turn a room into a nursery
The stork’s on the way and you are probably spending your waking hours planning the baby’s nursery. And amid a host of heightened emotions, chances are that you will go all-out and end up buying many things that your baby and you don’t really need initially. So, it’s time to take a breath, sit down and make a list of must-haves or things that you actually require during the first few months. Here we go.
2. Mattress
Did you know that good sleep at night or in the day increases your baby’s growth? And a comfortable mattress plays an important role in this. But that should not be the only factor for choosing one. Many crib mattresses are treated with flame-retardant chemicals known as PBDEs that can be dangerous when absorbed through the baby’s skin or inhaled. Look for labels that state 100 per cent organic or natural cotton. The interiors of these mattresses are made of untreated wood, metal and non-toxic adhesives, which are baby-safe.
Tip: Do ensure that the gap between the mattress and cot sides and ends is not more than 4 cm. There’s a risk that the baby’s leg or hand might get stuck there.
Safety is important when talking about baby products
Did you know that good sleep at night or in the day increases your baby’s growth? And a comfortable mattress plays an important role in this. But that should not be the only factor for choosing one. Many crib mattresses are treated with flame-retardant chemicals known as PBDEs that can be dangerous when absorbed through the baby’s skin or inhaled. Look for labels that state 100 per cent organic or natural cotton. The interiors of these mattresses are made of untreated wood, metal and non-toxic adhesives, which are baby-safe.
Tip: Do ensure that the gap between the mattress and cot sides and ends is not more than 4 cm. There’s a risk that the baby’s leg or hand might get stuck there.
Safety is important when talking about baby products
3. Rocking chair
For most of your child’s infant phase, you will end up spending more time in the nursery than in your own room (which I state from personal experience). And cushioned or padded chairs (as displayed here) offer just the right support while nursing your baby. The rocking motion is bliss, and helps you both get some much-needed zzzs.
Tip: Place an ottoman close to the rocking chair to rest your feet. It also doubles as a table for keeping knickknacks.
For most of your child’s infant phase, you will end up spending more time in the nursery than in your own room (which I state from personal experience). And cushioned or padded chairs (as displayed here) offer just the right support while nursing your baby. The rocking motion is bliss, and helps you both get some much-needed zzzs.
Tip: Place an ottoman close to the rocking chair to rest your feet. It also doubles as a table for keeping knickknacks.
4. Changing table
Changing diapers in the crib itself is quite difficult, not to forget messy. A changing table is a small raised platform designed to make diaper changing a tad easier. They are generally padded and waterproof, with removable covers that are convenient to wash. This one has pull-out drawers and doubles as a clever storage hack for nappies, clothes, medicines and other necessities, all right at hand.
Changing diapers in the crib itself is quite difficult, not to forget messy. A changing table is a small raised platform designed to make diaper changing a tad easier. They are generally padded and waterproof, with removable covers that are convenient to wash. This one has pull-out drawers and doubles as a clever storage hack for nappies, clothes, medicines and other necessities, all right at hand.
A spare dresser or vanity (like this) converts into a changing station here. Just place a changing mat or pad (readymade ones are available in the market) on top of it and voila, your changing table is all set.
5. Trash can or diaper genie
We all know babies require frequent diaper changes. I highly recommend keeping a closed trashcan or diaper genie (simple receptacle bins with scented garbage bags) under or next to the changing station and use it to toss the soiled diapers in there. The pedestal-style bin has a lid for better hygiene practices, which opens with the tap of your foot for easier manoeuvrability.
Here are 10 things to know before designing a nursery
We all know babies require frequent diaper changes. I highly recommend keeping a closed trashcan or diaper genie (simple receptacle bins with scented garbage bags) under or next to the changing station and use it to toss the soiled diapers in there. The pedestal-style bin has a lid for better hygiene practices, which opens with the tap of your foot for easier manoeuvrability.
Here are 10 things to know before designing a nursery
6. Some toys, of course
Though your baby will use toys only when they grow a bit bigger, the nursery ambience is not really complete without them, is it? Stuffed bears, musical crib toys or even a play gym bring in that playful feel. Place a few here and there, not too many, to avoid making the space seem cluttered. Take a cue from this area which has a rocking elephant, cuddly bear and giraffe along with a cute baby chair, which your angel can use right through the toddler years.
Tip: To ensure safer sleeping practices, do not keep soft toys in the crib.
Though your baby will use toys only when they grow a bit bigger, the nursery ambience is not really complete without them, is it? Stuffed bears, musical crib toys or even a play gym bring in that playful feel. Place a few here and there, not too many, to avoid making the space seem cluttered. Take a cue from this area which has a rocking elephant, cuddly bear and giraffe along with a cute baby chair, which your angel can use right through the toddler years.
Tip: To ensure safer sleeping practices, do not keep soft toys in the crib.
7. Storage and co.
When it comes to nurseries, there’s never enough storage, especially with those huge diaper packs, sterilisers, humidifiers, and all the paraphernalia associated with baby care, which take up most of the available volume of the room. Here, the built-in crib shelves provide ample space to keep your parenting and baby books, your child’s photographs and so on. There’s also an under-storage area for your feeding pillow or spare sheets. The couple of extra wall-shelves are an added bonus.
Take a look at some out-of-the-box shelves for your kids
When it comes to nurseries, there’s never enough storage, especially with those huge diaper packs, sterilisers, humidifiers, and all the paraphernalia associated with baby care, which take up most of the available volume of the room. Here, the built-in crib shelves provide ample space to keep your parenting and baby books, your child’s photographs and so on. There’s also an under-storage area for your feeding pillow or spare sheets. The couple of extra wall-shelves are an added bonus.
Take a look at some out-of-the-box shelves for your kids
8. Curtains and blinds
Curtains or blinds are essential for the nursery to block out light and help your baby sleep better. Go for natural materials as they are devoid of synthetic polymers, which makes them less toxic and can also help prevent risks of allergies.
Tip: If going for curtains, do avoid ones with pull cords, chains and bead cords as they are potential choking hazards.
Read more:
10 Winning Themes for Kids’ Rooms
How Colour Shapes Your Child’s Early Years
Tell us:
Which of these do you not have in your child’s nursery? Tell us in Comments below.
Curtains or blinds are essential for the nursery to block out light and help your baby sleep better. Go for natural materials as they are devoid of synthetic polymers, which makes them less toxic and can also help prevent risks of allergies.
Tip: If going for curtains, do avoid ones with pull cords, chains and bead cords as they are potential choking hazards.
Read more:
10 Winning Themes for Kids’ Rooms
How Colour Shapes Your Child’s Early Years
Tell us:
Which of these do you not have in your child’s nursery? Tell us in Comments below.
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Pivotal to the nursery, a child’s bed with barred or latticed sides for safety is called a crib or cot – where your little one will be spending most of his or her waking and sleeping time. While a standard crib is used by babies for about 24 months, convertible cribs can even be used up to the age of five years. They are slightly bigger than regular cribs and convert into day beds with a simple mechanism.
This walnut-coloured crib easily converts to a toddler bed. It is placed against the wall, creating more floor space in the centre of the room for play.
Note: Do make sure your crib adheres to all standard safety requirements essential for an infant.