The Nursery Book

Bathing a slippery, little baby can cause any new parent to have some anxiety. Not only do you need to consider the task at hand- making sure your little one is clean- but you also need to worry about keeping your baby safe. Therefore, never leave your baby in a bathtub alone, and take the temperature of the bath water the first few times to find a water temperature that is both comfortable and safe for your little baby.

Gather All Supplies
An infant bathtub will be one of your best purchases. Designed with infants in mind, an infant bathtub is a small tub with a sloping back, making it a perfect fit for a baby. In addition, many infant tubs come with a hammock attachment, that keeps your baby above the water and supports her head while you are bathing her. Position the tub in the sink and fill the tub with water while you gather the other supplies that you need. For example, you may want to use a separate shampoo and body wash when bathing your baby. In addition, have at least two washcloths handy, a towel for after you are done, and bath toys. Keep baby in a safe place like a crib or pack and play while you gather your bath supplies. When you are ready to bathe your baby, undress your baby and take off her diaper, and then place her straight into the bath.

Start With The Head And Work Down
After you fill the infant bathtub with water, place the infant bathtub on a steady surface, about the height of your waist. For example, a kitchen counter can be a good place for the tub. Next, apply shampoo to your baby’s head and wash your baby’s face. If you are using a shampoo for cradle cap or dandruff, your pediatrician may recommend leaving the shampoo on baby’s head while you bath the rest of your baby. Apply soap to your baby’s body, making sure to do a thorough job washing baby’s hands, especially if your baby spends a considerable amount of time with her hands in her mouth. Wash baby’s private parts last to prevent contamination. Finally, rinse your baby using a washcloth or small cup to ensure the water completely covers your baby and removes all dirt and soap.

Have Towel and Lotions Ready
The towel that you are going to use to dry baby should be within close reach of the bath, so you do not have to walk too far with a slippery baby. A baby has a hard time regulating her temperature, so your baby may get cold rather quickly once out of the warm water. Therefore, dry your baby’s hair and wrap your baby in the towel right after the bath. If you opt to apply a lotion to your baby’s skin, right after the bath is the time to do it to lock in the skin’s moisture. If your baby has diaper rash, you may want to keep the diaper off for a while to make sure your baby dries completely, therefore, place a towel under your baby to prevent any accidents.

Whether you are pumping breast milk and feeding it to your baby through a bottle, or you are formula feeding your baby, choosing which baby bottle to use to feed your baby can be an overwhelming task. There are so many different baby bottles widely available, and they all promise to be the best one for your baby. If it is possible, consider borrowing bottles from friends and family to determine which bottle your baby likes to use. If you are not able to borrow bottles, you may need to spend some money trying different bottles before you find one that really works for your family. Therefore, consider only buying a single bottle or two of each brand, and do not waste your money on a full set of bottles until you are sure your baby accepts the bottle.

Dr. Brown’s
The Dr. Brown’s bottle definitely has the most parts of all of the baby bottles on the market, making them a little time consuming to clean. However, the Dr. Brown’s bottle may be great if your baby has problems with gas, as the bottles claim to remove all air before it will reach your baby’s mouth. Dr. Brown’s bottles are also shaped like traditional bottles, and easily fit in all bottle warmers. Consider buying these bottles on Amazon to save a little bit of money versus what you will pay for the bottles in the major baby stores.

Avent
The Avent bottles feature a wide neck that makes cleaning and filling the bottle easy. In addition, the Avent bottles come in a variety of sizes, with bottles ranging from 4 to 11 ounces. As with all major baby bottles, the Avent bottle features three different levels of nipples to use as your baby grows older and is ready for a faster flow nipple. The Avent bottle is also easy for baby to hold, making it a great option for many families.

Breastflow
The Breastflow bottles are very popular because the nipple is similar to mom’s natural breast, and can be a great option if you are still trying to continue breastfeeding your baby while also feeding through the bottle when you are on the go or away from your baby. In addition, the Breastflow bottle has a double nipple that reduces the air that reaches your baby’s mouth. However, like the Dr. Brown’s bottles, the Breastflow bottle has several parts, making cleaning the bottle time consuming and requiring the use of a special scrubber brush. The Breastflow bottle is easy for baby to hold, but these bottles can be hard to find in stores because they are so popular. Therefore, you might need to purchase them online through Amazon. However, carefully review Amazon’s return policy before purchasing a set of the Breastflow bottles.

If you and your family love horses, creating a horse themed nursery is a great way to display some of your favorite horse related items. A horse themed nursery can focus on just horses, or you can also include an equestrian influence or wild west theme. For example, maybe your family enjoys visiting the horse races. If so, you could create a Kentucky Derby theme for the nursery. Or, to combine a horse and a car theme, include the mustang horse while referencing the famous mustang car. Remember, let your imagination run wild when designing the nursery, and do not be afraid to take some risks. The result will be a unique and fun nursery that your whole family will enjoy.

Wall Color
To create a horse themed nursery, use a neutral wall color as a blank canvas for your horse decor. For example, a light brown or green paint color would be a great choice in terms of using a neutral wall color in the nursery. In addition, consider painting a mural or adding a wall decal to one wall of the nursery. For example, a mural in your horse themed nursery could include a painting of a horse in a variety of settings. If you do not have much artistic talent, consider adding a wall decal to the room. Wall decals are inexpensive and you can easily remove them if you are renting the space or you would like to change the look of the room. No matter what you decide to do with the walls of the room, remember that the walls serve as a foundation for your nursery and will set the tone for the whole room.

Horse Decor
Since you are creating a horse themed nursery, you will need to decide what kind of horse accessories you would like to include in the nursery. For example, you could frame small photos of horses to hang on the wall of the nursery. Or, you can create a horse themed mobile using horse figurines and some fishing wire. Mounting a saddle to the wall or displaying a horseshoe over the crib are other ways to focus your nursery on a horse theme. It does not matter how many horse related items you include in the nursery, however, be careful that the room does not become too cluttered. If you or someone you know is good with a sewing machine, you may want to consider making your own crib bedding or window treatments for the room.

Rocking Horse
No horse themed nursery would be complete without a rocking horse. A staple of a classic nursery, a rocking horse is a fun toy for any girl or boy. Be sure to choose one that is age appropriate and complements your horse themed nursery.

Right now you may picture your family’s new addition as a tiny baby, and imagine that she will always stay that way. However, before you know it, your little baby girl will be ready for a big girl bed and be out of that crib. Therefore, instead of spending a ton of money on nursery items you will only use for a short period of time, create a room that your child can grow up in, instead of a room she will only be able to use for a few years. This will save you money and help you avoid the hassle of redoing your child’s room in a few years.

Purchase a Convertible Crib
Most cribs now come with a convertible option, enabling you to transform the crib into a toddler bed. The crib becomes a toddler bed by removing one side of the crib, and replacing the crib side with a toddler rail. A toddler rail still creates a secure place for your little one to sleep without fear of falling out of bed, but adds an open area on one end of the bed so your little girl is able to slip in and out of bed on her own.

Changing Table That is Also a Dresser
Instead of purchasing a stand alone changing table, consider buying a large dresser that you can place a changing pad on top, using it as a dresser and a changing table all in one. When choosing a dresser to use as a changing table, consider the height of the dresser. The perfect height for you and your family will depend on you and your partner’s height. Therefore, try out each dresser with its use as a changing table in mind by standing next to the dresser before making the purchase. For example, you do not want to stoop over a changing table, causing back discomfort. In addition, too high of a changing table may be unsafe if you are unable to securely reach your baby. Also, choose a dresser that will have space for a changing table caddy on top for all of your changing needs.

Choose a Mature Theme for the Room
Another way to ensure your nursery is a room your little one can grow into is to be careful when selecting the nursery’s theme. For example, baby animals may be cute for a baby, but a four year old boy may be unhappy with this theme and want you to repaint or decorate the room. Therefore, a car themed room or a room that features sports may be a more appropriate theme for a growing boy. If you are unsure of a theme for your nursery, use a few neutral colors as your theme, and know that you can always go back in the room and add to these basic colors once your child’s personality begins to develop.

Newborn photos capture your little one like you will never see her again. There are so many things to do with newborn photos, including giving them to friends and family as gifts. In addition, you can frame some of your family’s personal favorites and hang them up in the nursery. That way you can always have a reminder about how little she was as she continues to grow up.

Framing Newborn Photos
You can frame newborn photos and display them on the nursery wall or in a bookcase. Framing a newborn photo can be as easy as heading down to your local frame shop and buying a few different photograph frames. Consider selecting a frame that highlights either colors or patterns used in your baby’s photo to really showcase your baby’s photograph.

Creating a Collage
Another fun way to display newborn photos in the nursery is to create a collage of some of your favorite shots, and show them off together. Like other nursery decor, this is all up to your imagination. For example, you could compile a few large photographs of your baby and arrange them together on one wall of the nursery. Or, consider mixing some small and large photographs, and arranging them together on a cork board.

Keepsake Pillow
There are so many creative things that you can do with photographs now, including having the photograph printed directly onto a keepsake pillow. Imagine how cute your little one’s photo will look on your nursery glider or reading nook. In addition, a newborn photo pillow makes a great holiday or birthday gift for loved ones and they are certain to love the photo just as much as you do.

Wrap Canvas
Instead of printing the photo onto paper and then framing the photo, consider having a newborn photograph printed directly onto a wrap canvas. A wrap canvas will truly make your newborn photo look like a piece of artwork. Don’t be fooled by high prices, you can have a wrap canvas done for a reasonable price if you shop around for a good deal. In addition, your photographer may offer a wrap canvas as part of your newborn photo package.

Display Three or Four Images on One Wall
If it is impossible to choose just one photo, select three or four of your favorite newborn photos to display in the nursery. You can frame them in identical frames, or mix and match different frames that highlight the theme of your nursery. Display the photographs in a row, square shape or at an angle down the side of one of the nursery walls.

Large One Photo Focus
If there is one newborn photo that you are particularly fond of, frame a large print of the photograph to display behind your baby’s crib or on an accent wall. You can really make the photograph look like a piece of artwork by choosing a large frame with an ornate look. Or, if you do not want to hang the photo on the wall, place the photograph on the ceiling either above your baby’s crib or the reading nook so you and your family can enjoy it when you are hanging out in the room.

If you have a small budget for your nursery or you want to create a nursery unlike any other, consider creating a DIY nursery. A DIY, or Do It Yourself, nursery can save you money because you will buy all of the necessary supplies at craft stores and then build or construct the nursery without paying the high prices attached with most mainstream nursery decor. A DIY nursery may also be a good idea for your family if you cannot find the items that you would like to include in your nursery in any store, and you therefore have to make the items yourself. In addition, you can create a combination DIY nursery and purchase other items if your time or skills are limited.

Reuse Old Furniture
Creating a DIY nursery is a great place to use old furniture that you already have in your home. For example, an old, worn dresser can be updated and perfect for a nursery with a couple of coats of paint. For example, if you are designing a nursery for a baby boy, sand and paint the dresser a bright blue color. The dresser will be a statement piece in the room and truly one of a kind. In addition, you will save money because you will not need to purchase a new dresser, and your nursery will not be so matchy with all furniture from the same store. Also, an old chair can be reused in a nursery, and consider using a small table as a side table or changing table in the nursery.

Create Your Own Nursery Decor
One way to ensure your nursery is one of a kind and under budget is to make all of the accessories for the nursery on your own. For example, it is easy to construct a mobile by using a few rods, fishing wire, and almost any item you would like to hang from the mobile. Christmas ornaments or small figurines make great objects for a mobile. Also, you can create letters for your nursery by painting wooden letters in the color of the room. Or, consider using modge podge to attach different patterns or fabric to the letters. To complete the look, hang the letters by a beautiful ribbon.

Ask Crafty Friends to Help
If you have friends that are skilled at sewing, this is the time to call in a favor. Using fabric that you choose, you can make a variety of special items for the room including crib bedding, window treatments and throw pillows. You could even have a party and ask friends to come over and help you construct your nursery. In addition, there are many websites including Pinterest that offer free step by step instructions regarding how to create crafty items on your own.

There are many educational activities that you can do with your baby that will help your baby develop all of their five senses and learn about the world. You do not need to go out and buy expensive toys or video programs to provide educational opportunities to your baby. You and the many ordinary objects found in your home, are your baby’s first and best teacher.

Offer Your Baby Different Textures
Around three or four months of age when your baby begins to grasp objects, provide your baby with a variety of textures to feel in her hands. For example, you could offer baby a soft object like a blanket. Or, let baby touch an object with a rough texture like sandpaper or daddy’s face. If you can spend a little bit of money, there are many soft cloth books that provide different textures and introduce your baby to new objects.

Start A Game Of Peek a Boo
Playing peek a boo with your baby teaches your baby about object permanence and the idea that objects can still be present even though your baby may not be able to see them. However, baby will really just like seeing your face pop out from behind your hands over and over again. To play peek a boo, use your hands to cover your face so baby will not be able to see you. When your baby least expects it, pop out from behind your hands and yell “peek a boo”.

Talk To Your Baby
Your baby learns language by watching your mouth move and listening to your voice. Therefore, one of the best things that you can do to help your baby develop her language skills is to talk to your baby often. For example, consider narrating to your baby what you are doing or explain to baby what objects are in your home. In addition, read a book to your baby. Your baby will also love to hear the sound of your voice. Also, sing a song to your baby. Singing can be soothing and may help your baby calm down when she is upset.

Play Classical Music
Exposing your baby to classical music is a great way to foster brain development. However, you do not need to go out and purchase a variety of classical music. Instead, take advantage of free classical music. For example, many cable companies now offer music stations, and you may find a few different classical choices. Or, tune in to your local classical music station on the radio. If you have a smartphone, Pandora is a great resource for listening to classical music on the go. Choose a variety of classical composers and sit back and enjoy the music with your baby.