Preparing your home for a baby

 
The maternal instinct of nesting truly begins to take over near the 36th week of pregnancy. The mother will have an urge to prepare and ready her home for her new child. As this stage of pregnancy is rather uncomfortable for most women, the mother may want to begin preparing her home earlier to avoid the extra stress and strain later in pregnancy. Readying the baby's room, buying nursery equipment, and purchasing the necessary baby clothes can be an exciting time. It will give the mother and her partner a chance to bond with the baby even before he is born.

Preparing the baby's room or nursery does not need to be a large or expensive undertaking. There are just a few things that the mother will need to keep in mind while preparing. In all the mother's preparation and design of the baby's room, she should ensure that the safety and comfort of she and the baby are a top priority. The mother must ensure that she has enough space for dressing, sleeping, changing, feeding and bathing the baby. The mother must also ensure that the room in which the baby is going to sleep stays at a relatively warm and constant temperature - around 70 degrees.

Much of the furniture that is needed for the baby's nursery can be bought second hand, from various pregnancy consignment stores, and other related outlets. Beyond a crib or cradle, a dresser or chest of draws in which to keep the baby's clothes will also be needed. It would be ideal if the mother could find a dresser that is about waist high, allowing it to double as a change table, so long as the surface is easy to clean and welcoming to the baby's soft new skin. The mother will also find that wall shelves for storing equipment, a garbage can, and a rocking chair for feeding are essential. The mother will also find it advantageous to install a much dimmer over head light in the nursery that will allow the mother to check on the baby during the night without waking him. The mother should ensure that the floor of the nursery is not slippery and the walls have nontoxic, washable paint. In terms of windows and draperies, the mother must make sure the room is draft proof but well ventilated when need be. Windows should be out of the baby's reach and covered with a thick curtain to block light that may keep the baby awake.

How the baby's room is laid out is up to the mother. It should however contain these essential elements and be a warm inviting environment. The mother should also pay careful attention that there are no obstructions to between the baby's crib, the changing area, bath, and dresser.

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