Creating the Perfect Nursery
When you first got pregnant, how long did it take before you started visualizing what your baby’s nursery was going to look like?
Go ahead. I won’t judge. Because for most women, it can be only about an hour and a half. Or sometimes, it is already planned before there is even a baby on the way!
There are so many options and Pinterest idea boards. You can do zoo animals. Or a Winnie the Pooh theme because that was your favorite childhood book. Or maybe you change your mind to do a more contemporary, elegant look.
Let me stop you before you stress too much over your nursery. Paint it a nice, neutral earth-tone and spend the rest of your time researching crib mattresses and sleep sacks.
Because when it comes to nurseries, I’ve got four words of advice for you.
Dark, cool, comfortable, and boring.
I know how tempting it is to fill your baby’s room full of adorable mobiles, inspiring images, pretty color patterns and fluffy, squishy toys. After all, wouldn’t baby want to be surrounded by a sea of cuteness while they drift off to sleep?
Well, probably not.
I mean, they may like it in theory, but it is not conducive to a good night’s sleep, for the same reasons that you shouldn’t bring your iPad to bed, or watch TV while you’re drifting off. It is stimulating, and stimulation and sleep do work well together.
So what does the perfect nursery look like?
- It’s dark
I am talking pitch black. Some blackout curtains or blinds are a much better investment than a colorful mural. I am a huge advocate of a baby sleeping in the same place all the time, which means naps should be in the crib. And you will find naps happen with a lot less fuss if there is no light coming into the room. Check the room at different times during the day to see how dark it is-you do not want to see your hand in front of your face during nap times, bedtime or early morning!
- It’s cool
It may sound cold, but studies show that babies sleep best in a room that is kept between 65 to 70 degrees. Obviously, you should follow your baby’s lead on this, but a warm, comfortable sleep sack or onesie in a cool room will often lead to better sleep than no covers in a warm one.
- It’s comfortable
Babies sleep for nearly half the day, so a great mattress is a sound investment. It is well worth your time to do some research and spend the money you had set aside for mobiles and stuffed animals on the surface baby’s going to be spending the vast majority of their time on instead. Which brings me to my major point…
- It’s boring
Music and soft light, pictures of cute animals, mobiles, swirling colors and little plastic fish, all of them seem like they should have a calming effect on a baby, but it is just the opposite. These standard nursery pieces are distracting and stimulating. Blank walls and an easily accessible changing station are your best decorating choices when it comes to baby’s bedroom.
I know it is probably a little bit of a tough pill to swallow for new parents, because we really do look forward to putting together an adorable nursery for our little ones. But bear in mind, this room serves a crucial function in your baby’s day-to-day life, and that is to be a quiet, relaxing environment for them to get the appropriate amounts of sleep that their growing bodies need.
There will be plenty of opportunity for them to adorn their rooms with all the knick-knacks when they are teenagers.
Sleep Well!
