Whether it’s a separate room or a cozy nook of your own room, the nursery is a space in which you’ll be spending a lot of time. There will be moments of pure joy and play, as well as moments of sheer exhaustion. So, setting up a nursery that caters to you and your baby’s needs and creature comforts is an absolute must.
Here are some tips and tools to make sure your nursery is the functional sanctuary you desire.
A Few Fabulous Must-Haves In the Nursery
White Noise Machine
A 1990 study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood found that white noise could be helpful. Forty newborns were studied, and it was found that 80 percent were able to fall asleep after five minutes of hearing white noise. White noise refers to sounds that mask other sounds that might occur naturally in an environment. If you live in a city, for example, a white noise machine could help block out noises associated with traffic or noisy neighbors. Since sleep is both desperately needed and often hard to come by, for both mama and baby, why not bust out all the useful tools you can to help you get those sweet Zs.
Swaddling Blanket
Swaddling protects your baby against their natural startle reflex, which means better sleep for both of you. It helps your baby sleep longer and better. It can help calm a colicky baby and it can help reduce the risk of SIDS by keeping unnecessary items like pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals out of your baby's crib. Since sleep and safety are the goal here, a solid swaddle game is a big-time pro move. It can be tricky to get it just right sometimes. Maybe you’re totally exhausted, or the baby is super squirmy. A super cool solution is a Velcro swaddle blanket. Velcro for the win! A Velcro swaddle helps babies feel safe and snug, like they are still in the womb. The Velcro makes it much easier for parents to swaddle faster, and keeps the baby comfy for peaceful rest.
A checklist for the rest of your nursery must-haves:
- Crib or bassinet
- Breathable Newton Crib Mattress (with breathable sheets)
- Changing table
- Large, comfy chair (either rocking or stationary)
- Baskets and bins for toys and trinkets
- Baby monitor
- Nightlight
Preparing the Look and Feel for Your Baby
Another key element in the nursery is design. Since you’re going to be spending so much time in your baby sanctuary, it’s important to get the vibe right.
Take your time to visualize this space. Keep in mind that while it is a nursery for your baby, you’re going to be in it, too. A lot. So make sure that the decor gives you all the good vibes you’ll be needing to get through those long days and potentially sleepless nights.
Choosing your color scheme is super fun. And we did a little bit of research for you, so you can find the perfect hue to create the environment that reflects your personal aesthetic and influences the mood of you and your little one. Here’s a brief rundown.
Warm Colors in the Nursery
In general, warm colors elicit happiness and comfort, creating intimacy by making large, open spaces feel a little cozier.
Red
Rich and highly emotive, red excites and energizes the body, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. In a nursery, red is best used as an accent color.
Pink
Evoking empathy and femininity, pink creates a calming atmosphere. Despite an initial calming effect, pink can become irritating over time, leading to agitation and anxiety. So when using pink in the nursery, less is more.
Yellow
Bright and cheery, yellow is associated with happiness and motivation. Soft, subtle yellows promote concentration while brighter shades can stimulate memory and increase metabolism.
Orange
Friendly and welcoming, orange has a distinctly social nature, inspiring interpersonal communication and puts people at ease.
Cool Colors in the Nursery
Cool colors have a calming effect on the body and can make your child’s room feel spacious and relaxing—think open skies, peaceful forests and rolling waves.
Green
Serene and calming, green symbolizes nature and thus promotes a relaxed environment. Associated with health, healing, and well being, green has a soothing effect on the body and mind, reducing anxiety and promoting concentration. Exposure to the color green may even increase reading ability.
Blue
Calm the mind and body with blue. Blue hues lower blood pressure, heart rate and respiration, and decreases feelings of anxiety and aggression. Children who have trouble sleeping or are prone to tantrums and other behavioral problems may benefit from spending time in a blue environment. The physical effects of blue also cool the body, creating a refreshing oasis in hot, humid locations.
Purple
Associated with wisdom and spirituality, purple combines the stability of blue and the energy of red, taking on the characteristics of either, depending on the shade. Purple can also have a luxurious feel and is associated with wealth and royalty.
Whatever color scheme you choose, have fun with it. This is your world now, and you’re the creator. There’s no wrong way to do it, as long as you feel good in this space, your little one will, too.
If you feel overwhelmed, just remember that there are resources to make it easier to prepare for baby. One additional resource is the Lily and Llama pre-packed hospital bag, which includes your white noise machine and a Velcro swaddle. It comes in a neutral color, so it will fit in with any nursery color scheme you choose.
Want to check your hospital bag off your list? We’ll make it easier for you by offering $25 off any of our pre-packed hospital bag bundles with code Newton25. Redeem by visiting www.lilyandllama.com and entering it at checkout. Your discount expires 7/31/21.
Lily and Llama launched in 2021 by Michelle and her husband Landon. When Michelle was pregnant with her two babies, she wished there was an option to purchase a pre-packed hospital bag. Their mission is to help make it easier for expecting moms.
