Archive for the ‘Baby Nursery’ Category

Three Things Every New Mom Needs to Do Before Baby Arrives

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

Preparing for motherhood can be overwhelming, but starting with the essentials is a great way to feel more prepared.

There are a lot more than three things to do before your baby arrives, but certain tasks are more immediate than others. Getting ready to bring a baby into the world is an exciting time in your life, but it also makes you think of the hundreds of things that you need to add to that lengthy to-do list in order to get ready for your little one’s arrival. To get you started, here are three essential things that every mom needs to do before they bring their baby home.

Decorate the Nursery

Nesting is a normal part of expecting. If you haven’t already, you’ll probably be on a mission to start picking out nursery items and colors for the walls. If you want to feel instantly more prepared for your little one’s world debut, then start decorating the nursery. Even if you’ve already painted or picked out the furniture, start adding extra touches to make it more cozy and more personal, such as picture frames, wall décor, and curtains.

Start a Baby Bank

Whether you use a plastic piggy bank on the baby’s new dresser or you go to the bank and open up a fund, starting a baby bank is the perfect way to prepare for your child. Whether you save up pennies or you are able to put hundreds of dollars away, saving a fund for your baby before he or she even gets home will make you feel more prepared, regardless of your budget allotment ad financial situation.

Establish a Legacy

No, your baby’s legacy won’t be left overnight, but you can start building your child’s legacy before they are even born by choosing a good, solid name for them. Research your family history, talk to your family members about names, and study the meanings of the names you like. Deciding on a first and middle name that represents your family is a surefire way to feel like you are getting started on the right foot when it comes to preparing for motherhood. Any new mom can do these three things before baby arrives.

 

Choosing Your Baby’s Nursery Theme

Thursday, May 12th, 2011

Having a hard time deciding on a nursery theme? Here are some great ideas to help you get started.

Probably one of the most fun and most expensive aspects of preparing for your baby is choosing your baby’s nursery theme. There are so many great options to choose from, and the choices can sometimes seem overwhelming. If you are having a hard time deciding, you might want to consider some of these options.

Budget First

Before you start choosing your baby’s nursery theme, consider your budget. This will be a big factor in determining which items you choose. However, it is important to keep in mind that the least expensive items often won’t last. You may also want to consider items that will grow with your baby. Examples are changing tables that can double as a dresser when your child gets older, or a convertible crib. These things may cost a little more initially, but they will save you money in the long run.

Boy, Girl, or Neutral

Next, consider whether you want a gender-specific nursery or a neutral nursery. If you don’t know the gender of your baby, you may want to consider choosing a nursery theme with a more gender-neutral appearance. Additionally, you may want to stick with a gender-neutral nursery if you plan on having a second child or are expecting more than one baby.

Ideas to Ponder

Once you’ve decided on the aforementioned factors, you can start thinking about choosing your baby’s nursery theme in a more specific tone. There are some great ideas for all genders and for neutral genders. Some great girl themes are princess themes, lady bug themes, and modern girl themes. For boys, you can choose things like trains, Noah’s Ark, or sports. For gender neutral, you can choose nursery themes like Precious Moments, zoo animals, or Winnie the Pooh.

No matter how you decide to decorate your baby’s nursery, be sure that the look is well coordinated and something that you will enjoy as your baby grows. Other than that, just have fun choosing your baby’s nursery theme!

What to Consider When Comparing Crib Choices for Your Baby

Monday, May 9th, 2011

Choosing the right crib for your baby is important. Find some great tips and options here.

Crib choices for your baby can be extremely hard to make. Thankfully, different tastes and different incomes have offered a wide variety of choices. Additionally, cribs are constantly being recalled for safety reasons. These are all important things to consider when looking at crib choices for your baby. By using a few tips and tricks, however, you can easily start to narrow down your options.

Safety First

Before purchasing a crib, it is important that you take the time to look over safety recalls. While stores are not supposed to carry recalled cribs, you can still find these recalled cribs at second hand stores or yard sales. These cribs have been recalled for a reason and should be avoided at all costs. You may even want to consider printing out a list of the recalled cribs if you plan to shop secondhand for your crib.

Price Options

Crib choices for your baby can be found in a wide variety of prices. Before purchasing any crib, carefully consider your budget. While it may be tempting to get the most expensive crib for your baby, it is important to consider your budget. Additionally, you will want to avoid choosing the least expensive crib, if at all possible. Quality is often compromised in these crib choices for your baby.

Your Nursery

When making crib choices for your baby, you may also want to take the time to consider your overall nursery theme. This will help you ensure that your nursery matches. If you are purchasing your nursery items separately, this may be a little difficult to pull off. However, with careful matching, you should be able to find a crib choice for your baby that coordinates with your baby’s overall nursery theme.

Decorating the Nursery. Decisions, Decisions.

Monday, December 6th, 2010

Decorating the nursery when you are expecting can be overwhelming, but it should be a fun experience. Make a list, start simple, and get to work before your little one arrives!

Things can get a little crazy when you are expecting a little one, especially when it is your first pregnancy. Toward the end of the pregnancy, the excitement can take its toll and sometimes cause tensions to run high. You begin thinking about the type of mother you want to be, and you ponder what life will be like once your new bundle of joy enters into the equation. All you hear from other women is how much your life will change, and how the many blessings of motherhood will overflow your heart with joy. While this is all good and great, you first want to focus on getting through the remainder of your pregnancy, right? After all, you still have gifts to register for, choose a baby name, last minute items you need to pick up, and you have to take care of one of the most important tasks in preparing for the arrival of your newborn — decorating the nursery.

Preparing a nursery room or area in your home for your new baby can make a huge difference in your baby planning process. Nesting is a natural process for mothers-to-be as it is, so setting aside a space that you can bring your baby home to will make you feel officially ready. Even if you don’t feel ready, you will at least feel more comforted knowing you have a designated place to begin raising and caring for your new family member. It’s just like preparing to bring a new pet into the house—except a little more expensive, and without the whole crate and kitty litter ordeal.

The best way to get your ducks in a row when you are ready to decorate the nursery is to sit down and make a list of everything you need. Assess the gifts you have already been given at your baby shower, along with anything you may have already purchased on your own. If you can, try and include essentials such as:

Changing table/ Dresser

Small book shelf

Crib and mattress

Rocking chair or glider

Storage Bench/ Bin

Cradle or Bassinet

Also, if you intend on painting the room or area, consider the style of furniture you already have or plan on getting, and choose the paint color as soon as possible. Don’t forget to list any small necessities you may be missing such as extra crib sheets, baby clothes hangers, and a toddler chair for when your little one starts wandering around. Making a simple list of items you already have versus what you need, along with a brainstorming list of your color and furniture décor preferences, will have you on your way to creating the perfect nursery in no time.