Creating space for a newborn
PREPARING for life with a new baby is no mean feat. There are many necessities parents overlook or only think of at the last minute. Fore thought and planning are essential to have everything ready. It is work enough having a new arrival in your household, do not add to the stress by finding out, once baby is here, you are missing some vital requirement for his welfare.
First Necessity
A Place for Baby to Sleep: Depending on the size of your house. you may have a nursery for the baby or prepare a crib for the baby in your room. Do not plan to keep the baby in your bed; you will not rest well and could easily roll on him. He must have his own sleeping arrangement. The baby cradle should be set up at least a month before the expected delivery date. If you are not going to have a cradle, but you are putting baby straight into a bed, then you must have barriers, that is, bars on either side of the bed so the baby cannot roll over and fall.
A Changing Table:
You will need a fairly large flat surface to change baby’s diapers or nappies. A simple table is fine but it will be better if you can find a side unit with at least one shelf or a couple of drawers underneath for the nappies. You should have a wicker tray containing the toiletries needed. and a waste bucket (preferably with a lid) to drop the soiled nappies in.
Feeding Equipment:
If you are using formula to feed your baby (and do remember to consult a doctor or the clinic on which formula is best for baby). you will need a good supply of feeding bottles with nipples,cleaning brushes, and a steriliser kit. If you do not use the commercial steriliser, then keep a separate big sufuria and boil the bottles and any other utensils you use. This will of course be done in the kitchen. but have a place in the baby’s bedroom or the area you have designated in your room for him to keep these things on hand to make feeding easy, especially at night. There is a nice type of thermos you can store a prepared feed in, which will keep hot for some hours. This will be of great help if baby wakes a lot in the night, especially in the early days.
Involving the Siblings:
If the new baby has older siblings. remember to involve the older children in everything that happens to the new baby so that they feel part of the process. Remember that when older siblings feel left out. they tend to become resentful to the newcomer for taking their parents’ attention. and this could make things more difficult. Older siblings who feel involved will be more willing to share their room. and their parents. with the newborn. besides chipping in with all the extra housework.
Baby’s Own Room:
Some parents may decide to knock down a wall and add an extension for a nursery which not only provides baby with his own space. but also adds value to your property. Even if you do not have another baby, an extra room is always an asset. There should be enough space in the compound for it. This is an expensive undertaking and needs proper planning. Consult a professional about this.
A baby nursery should house the baby cradle. a changing table, a place for the baby’s bath,and a chair for the mother to sit on as she nurses the baby. The chair should be comfortable – not’ an armchair as the ‘arms’ will restrict you; nor do you need a straight-backed dining chair-you need a small comfortable piece of furniture, storage space for clothes and bed linen, and a shelf or box for toys.
Some baby baths come with a collapsible stand. which is useful. but if you do not have one of those. you can put the baby bath on a low table. An evening bath is soothing and restful to a baby. cleansing the skin and the delicate areas. so don’t neglect this.
The room should be warm and comfortable enough for the baby to sleep in without disturbance. but also airy and lighted. Curtains should be drawn at night and a small bedside light left on with just enough illumination for you to check on baby or feed him in the night. Don’t rely on a harsh overhead electric bulb which is jarring and if switched on. will disturb the baby. A small table lamp is better.
The bedding in a cradle should be light. not heavy blankets. keeping baby warm and comfortable. Check on this to see if baby is sweating with too much. or is chilled with too little covering. Remember. a small baby does not need a pillow – in fact. anything soft and stuffed can be a danger. as the baby does not have the strength in the neck to turn away should he get the pillow on his face.
It is not necessary to spend a huge amount of money fitting out a nursery. A local carpenter can make simple tables and shelves. and a support for the baby bath. Select lovely materials printed with nursery pictures and night clothes such as the all-in-one suits with front fastening.
Decorating a nursery should be done with colourful and eye- catching patterns and designs. Babies are aware of colour and pattern (as well as a calm and pleasant atmosphere-they are very sensitive). There are attractive mobiles which can hang above a cot or bed which catch baby’s eye and keep him interested after he wakes up. An older sibling can easily make one of these as a project by tying together two wire coat-hangers at a cross. wrapping coloured crepe paper round them. and fastening hanging silver circles cut out of a sheet of wrapping paper. Let them use their artistic ingenuity.
An attractively laid out nursery (or a corner of your bedroom) is a joy to look at, easy to work in, and does justice to the newest and, for a time, the most important member of the family!
END: PG 07 /50