Tips For Setting Up A Nursery For Your Baby

A new baby on the way is so exciting. Where to start getting organised? Here are our tips for setting up a nursery for your baby! 

1. The Room

If you can, choose the quietest room in the house for the nursery. Make sure there is good ventilation and heating or cooling to keep baby comfortable (and sleeping soundly)!   

A dark room is also good for those day time naps and sleeping in past sunrise. If the room is too light, you can get stick-on blockout blinds that make a world of difference.

Check for mould and make sure you off-gas any new carpet and furniture. 

2. Safe Sleeping

Somewhere safe to sleep is a priority. Whether you buy a cot or a bassinet or co-sleep, it's important to have a firm mattress and avoid pillows, bumpers and toys near a sleeping baby. 

A simple fitted sheet and a sleeping bag are safe alternatives. You may need a baby blanket, but make sure it's tucked in well. 

We like the Wilson and Frenchy Organic Sheets as they avoid any chemicals.   ergoPouch has a range of safe sleeping swaddles and bags.

A good mattress protector will keep your mattress fresh and clean.

3. Storage

• Babies seem to need a lot of stuff! Get some good storage options and sort everything into baskets. 
• You might want to make some labels for the baskets so other family members can help you keep an organised system. 
• Our number one time and sanity saving tip? Don't fold all those teeny socks and onesies, just pop them in all in their own basket!
• Baskets are also great for setting up 'stations'. Pop everything you need for changing and feeding in their own nursery baskets which then become portable for moving around the house as you need. 
• Less clutter also means a relaxing, safe space for you and baby. 

4. A Change Table and a Comfy Chair

A soft, comfortable chair with armrests and a footstool for feeding baby is an absolute god-send when you will be spending hours in this position. 

Invest in a good changing table or add a changing mat or basket to a dresser at the right height for you. Although you can just use the floor or the bed to change baby, it does put strain on your back. 

Looking after your body is really important, especially in the postpartum period when your ligaments are still soft.  

5. Tummy Time

A soft, quilted playmat is a great addition for safe and clean tummy time on the floor. It will grow with your baby and be useful for years to come. 

6. Soft Lighting

Soft lighting for night-time feeds is a must. Bright lights are not good for you or your baby's circadian rhythms. Check out our range of night lights. 

7. Decorate

Let's face it, decorating a baby nursery is totally all about us and not the baby, but that's okay! It's nice to have a beautiful space that brings us joy and comfort. 

Our top tip is to keep walls, flooring and window dressings as neutral as you can, because kids do grow up so fast and they will be wanting their own choices before you know it. 

Create your theme and colour in smaller, less expensive touches like nursery decor, linen, wall stickers and decals, mobiles, cushions and toys.

An open bookshelf to display books and toys can double as decoration and it can be easily changed as they grow. 

Think outside the box. You may already have some pieces in your home that would look great in a baby nursery. It doesn't have to be all pink elephants!

Check out all our nursery decor. 

8. Baby Proof

It's easier to start off with a safe baby-proof nursery! Choose safe furniture that meets the Australian standards and check older furniture hasn't got any lead-based paint or splinters. 

Cover electrical outlets, anchor heavy furniture and put medications up high. Don't put anything heavy on the wall above baby's bed and watch out for blind cords. Canopies are gorgeous, but better for over your feeding chair or a corner nook. 

Also consider that kids are messy, so you want everything in the nursery to be washable!

We would love to hear your tips for setting up a nursery for your baby. Let us know in the comments. If you need some help with choosing items for your nursery, don't hesitate to ask the team in store or send us an email. We would be happy to help.