Pregnancy
Who else has been scrolling through Pinterest for nursery ideas or endlessly browsing the Jellycat online store? You’re not alone! It’s natural to want to create a peaceful haven for your baby – a cosy space where you can both relax during feeds and your baby can sleep soundly.
The reality, though, says Sister Lynne Lane, a professional nurse and midwife at Mediclinic Louis Leipoldt, is that you might not use a nursery for the first few months or even longer. “I used a baby co-sleeper, a small baby bed that’s placed close to your bed. It allows you to soothe and feed your baby without sharing a bed. It was a great solution for us because my baby was born in winter, so I fed in my room and usually in bed,” she explains.
If co-sleeping isn’t for you, remember that you don’t need a lot of baby items, despite what the baby care market may suggest. Of course there are some essentials you can’t skip, like a changing area. You can use a compactum or chest of drawers for changing and even bathing in the early days. Set up a nappy changing station with a change mat, wipes, cream, and nappies within reach. You might want to opt for an easy-to-clean option rather than the expensive oak compactum, because things can get messy in the early days. Also keep a lamp nearby for night feeds and changes.
A cot is essential, but many moms choose a Moses basket or bassinet for the first three months. They’re safe, comfortable and lightweight, making them easy to move around the house – perfect for keeping an eye on your baby. If you use a cot, avoid pillows, cot bumpers, and fluffy toys that can be choking hazards. You can, however, add a wind-up mobile to the cot that plays gentle music to help soothe your baby to sleep. At first, they might not pay much attention, but soon they’ll be captivated by the moving shapes. This can also support their brain development, Sister Lynne advises.
Comfort is a priority – for both of you. Your baby’s room should be kept at around 20-22°C to guarantee comfort and reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A wall heater can keep the nursery warm in colder months. Use a humidifier too because babies may get stuffy noses from dry air. Make sure you have a comfortable chair with a footrest for feeding and a rug or playmat on the floor for tummy time.
You’ll spend a lot of time figuring out how to help your baby sleep better. Many moms find white noise machines helpful, and blackout curtains can keep the nursery dark. However, Sister Lynne says these are personal preferences, just like many other baby items on the market.
She suggests avoiding a specific theme, so you won’t need to update it as your baby grows. Stick to soft, muted and calming colours like neutrals and pastels. Also avoid clutter and busy patterns as they can be overstimulating. Use shelves and baskets for extra storage because babies come with a lot of stuff!
Try to plan your room with designated areas for changing, sleeping, and playing. Ideally, keep decor flexible so it can easily adapt from babyhood to toddler years and beyond.