What You REALLY Need: The Nursery
by leighLyn is starting to stress about getting ready for Baby Grant. It’s her second time around, so at least she won’t be bogged down with all the STUFF that magazines and books tell you to get. Here’s what we love for newborns - and let’s break it up so it’s, as my 5 year-old Alyssa would say, “easy-peasy lemon squeezy.”
For the Nursery:
Whatever sleeping situation you choose (we won’t get into that here!) - make sure it’s safe, soothing, and create a sleep routine from Day 1 (Lyn and I lived by Secrets of the Baby Whisperer for not just sleep, but for our entire parenting style!).
Did you ever think that musical fish might change your life? Include this joker in the sleep routine, and teach baby how to turn it on so they learn to settle themselves at night. And it helps put YOU to sleep, too (we are hooked on the songs from the Fisher Price model). Stock up on batteries, because it can sound really creepy when the batteries are low.
A monitor - It’s nice for peace of mind. But don’t get obsessed with cranking it up to hear every tiny noise, or you might drive yourself crazy! Again, check the batteries.
Lyn and I loved the sleep positioner. It helps baby from developing the ‘flat back of the head’ thing (make sure to turn baby’s face each night for balance), and keeps them feeling secure through that startle phase. Great for when they’re swaddled, and also for when swaddling transitions away.
Newbie diapers, obviously. Lyn loved her wipes warmer, but I didn’t go that route. I did, however, get addicted to the Kirkland/CostCo brand wipes!
A comfy place to feed baby, and a comfortable place for diaper changing (doesn’t have to be the standard changing table - just safe and easy).
And for a newborn’s nursery, that’s about it! The rest are ‘extras,’ or for later. Tomorrow we’ll tackle…
The Closet.
