Love . Keep . Treasure
Designing and creating your baby's nursery is an exciting prospect. And as a parent to be, you want everything to be perfect – your instincts kick in and you want nothing less than the best for your little one. Many parents get a little carried away when creating a nursery for their first child, with new-fangled gadgets and the latest must-have items.
In reality, your baby’s nursery needs to be three things: practical, relaxing and safe. Here are our top tips for putting together the perfect nursery for your new arrival.
The place where your baby will eventually sleep should naturally be the primary investment when you are designing their nursery. Obviously, the cot needs to meet the very highest safety standards, and you may also need to look to the future when selecting the right model.
Are the sides of your chosen cot removable? Will the cot convert into a toddler bed when the time is right, or will you need to buy a new one? When it comes to purchasing a cot, quality is everything. Choose a brand renowned for excellent craftsmanship.
It can be tempting to choose blue for boys and pink for girls when planning your colour scheme – but the focus should be less on gender and more on creating a relaxing environment.
A neutral colour scheme, with browns and beiges, can help soothe little ones more effectively than a room packed with bright primary colours. Gentle greens can create a room connected with nature, and deep blue can infuse the room with a sense of safety and relaxation.
When you announce to family that you’re going to have a baby, you’ll often find that many of them will be eager to help, and may pass on some of their old items and heirlooms. While it’s often better to buy certain items brand new (the cot, for example), there are certain sentimental items which would make the perfect addition to your nursery.
A rocking chair passed down through the generations would make a perfect place to nurse in your baby’s new room, or perhaps a charming mobile to soothe your little one as they drift off to sleep. Don’t forget to leave room in your nursery for these timeless items.
Make sure there’s plenty of storage in your nursery. If in doubt, add more! Many parents will tell you that you can never have enough cupboards and shelves when raising a baby. You should also consider installing some blackout curtains or blinds. This will help baby to settle when it’s time to sleep – and any new mother will confirm that those times don’t always coincide with the hours of darkness!
Do you have any tips for designing a beautiful nursery? We’d love to hear them in the comments below.
For a man, there is little help to truly prepare them for the changes that will come when the baby arrives. Compare the resources women have to men, and there is almost nothing. After all, your tiny bundle of joy is going to need a lot of attention from both mum and dad.
As babies can have a life-changing impact on a relationship, it’s essential you begin to prepare him for the changes that are coming so that you can be a strong family dynamic.
The truth is, self-care is not selfish; it’s essential if you’re going to survive the rollercoaster of parenting with your mental and physical health intact.
It’s one area few of the parenting books or pregnancy classes will tell you about, but self-care is the survival tool you need to enjoy being a parent and enable you to give your best to your little one and those around you.
Many parents wish to choose a name that has meaning, and others just want a good name that will serve their child in life. With so much pressure on choosing that perfect name for your precious newborn, you may be wondering where to start.
To help guide you in choosing a unique baby name for your bundle of joy, we’ve listed some of the unusual names set to become popular in 2020.
