Have you selected your baby-to-be's nursery furniture? If so, it's time to accessorize! When choosing nursery accessories, you can go as elaborate or as down-to-earth as you want. Let your imagination, tempered with a little practicality, be your guide.
Baby's Crib
A mobile is a must for any new baby's crib. Choose one with enough color contrast (some experts even recommend black-and-white) to hold Baby's interest. Faces appeal to babies, so clowns or friendly animals are a great bet. Try out the music box part of the mobile in the store to see whether you like the song selection and volume.
A crib mirror can entertain babies and help them learn to identify faces--namely, their own. Safe crib mirrors are generally bound by fabric around the edges and tie on to the head-end of the crib.
Also consider an activity box. Baby will enjoy pushing the buttons and pulling on the levers and being rewarded with sound or motion.
Lamps and Night Lights
If you have purchased a crib bedding set, a matching lamp is probably available. If not, select a lamp that accommodates a relatively low-wattage bulb. If you need to turn the lamp on at night, you don't want brightness to bring your baby fully awake.
Night lights can help you avoid this problem altogether. Make sure the bulb doesn't get too hot and that it is positioned slightly away from the wall to avoid burns. A frosted or slightly opaque image in front of the bulb makes for light that is low enough for Baby to sleep peacefully, but bright enough for you to find your way to her in the dark.
Toy Chest
Chances are, you've already amassed a huge variety of toys?even if your baby hasn't arrived yet! There are a variety of great ways to store toys, including shelving or a toy net that attaches to two corners of the room. However, since you will eventually need a toy box for your growing child, you may want to invest in one now. Look for a toy chest that has rounded rather than sharp corners and has an automatic stop-gap so your child won't catch her fingers.
Book Shelf
Experts agree that it's never too early to read to your child. Put your book shelf on the wall across the room from your baby's crib (never put shelving where Baby can reach), or look for a standing book shelf. Place a toy or two on each end of the top shelf for a charming look.
Diaper Holder
Not every parent opts for a diaper holder, but it can be a convenient accessory to have in the nursery, especially when your baby is very little. Grappling with plastic or cardboard while trying to balance your baby on your hip can be difficult. Quilted diaper holders offer the nicest look for your nursery, and prints such as animals, numbers, letters, or blocks add whimsical charm.
Decorations
Don't forget to put up a few decorations to entertain your baby's eyes. Nursery rhyme pictures, family photos, and geometric shapes will all appeal to your child.
Baby Monitor
A baby monitor is one nursery accessory you'll be very glad to have. Baby monitors can be obtained for as little as $25-$35, (though the more trendy or complex ones can go as high as $200). A baby monitor allows you to hear and/or see what your baby is doing while she is in her crib and you're in another room. This added measure of safety can be a relief to new parents.
Put yourself in your baby's position. If you like the look of an accessory, your baby probably will, too. Also consider functionality when choosing nursery accessories. You are sure to wind up with a nursery both Baby and you can be happy with.
