It's almost time for your little one to make his or her grand entrance into the world. Are you ready? Chances are, you've bought the crib, dresser, changing table, and car seat. Now it's time to turn Baby's room into the nursery of his or her dreams.
A few accessories can make a nursery visually appealing, and some have the added benefit of practicality as well.
Looking and Learning
First on most expectant parents' lists is usually the crib mobile. Since most pediatricians recommend that a baby sleep on her back, your infant will probably be spending a lot of time looking upward during her early days and months. A mobile engages Baby's interest and can even be an educational aid, experts say.
If you've already selected a pediatrician for your baby, ask him or her what type of mobile best suits a new baby's needs. Some pediatricians recommend black-and-white images, as these are easily interpreted by newborn eyes. Round shapes, especially faces, also seem to attract babies' attention. Your baby will also enjoy clowns, animals, or butterflies with cheerful-looking faces.
Most mobiles play music while they revolve. You can choose a mobile with a wind-up music box or one with button controls that allow you turn the music off and on, or even have a pre-set playing time so you don't need to shut them off.
No More Bumps
Another crib accessory that will ease your mind is a crib bumper. Choose either vinyl or cloth, and match the bumper to the crib bedding. Bumpers keep Baby from hurting her head on the sides of the crib, and can keep younger babies from getting their heads, arms, or legs stuck in the slats. (This will only hold true until Baby is able to sit up or pull up on her own.)
Make sure the bumper is free of fringe, sewn-on or glued-on accessories. These are bound to capture Baby's interest and may wind up in her mouth. Smooth surfaces are best, and be sure to choose a bumper with at least six (but preferably eight) ties so you can attach it securely.
A Soothing Sleep
A new fad that seems to be gaining momentum among parents is musical or audial "soothers". Comforting sounds, such as a heartbeat, the ocean, or rhythmic "whooshing", seem to calm many newborns and help them to get a good night's rest. Most have a volume control, and some can be switched from one type of sound to another for variety.
Sound soothers can hook onto the side of the cribor come embedded in non-plush dolls or animals for added appeal and a feeling of security for Baby.
Crib Boxes
You may get lucky, but not all babies go to sleep the moment their heads hit the crib sheets. Like you, your baby might take a short while to wind down before falling asleep. Crib boxes that play music at the push of a button can help smooth the transition from wakefulness to sleep. Most come with a timer that fades the music, soft lights, and/or gentle action programmed for the length of time it should take Baby to fall asleep.
Activity boxes are another option. They aren't designed to help Baby sleep, but they can help you catch up on your own rest. Your baby will enjoy age-appropriate activities in her crib, like pushing a button to hear a bell sound, while you get a few extra moments of shut-eye.
Now that you have your crib accessories, you're all set for Baby's appearance. A few well-chosen accessories can make her childhood more fun and can make your life much easier. As time goes by, you may want to change the crib accessories to more age-appropriate ones. Hold onto Baby's first mobile and sound soother, though--your next child is just as likely to benefit from them as your first.
