The Perfect Nursery

How long did it take for you to begin dreaming about your baby’s sweet nursery once you found out you were expecting?

Don’t worry, I won’t judge. Because for me, I already had a Pinterest board full of ideas and was visiting it within an hour.

I knew I wanted something peaceful and beautiful. Once I found out we were having a girl, I went with a light gray and lavender theme and loved how it looked in the bright sunshine pouring through the large window. It seemed like the perfect room to put our baby in.

If I had known then what I know now, I would have spent more time researching quality black out curtains and sleep sacks.

Because when we’re talking about nurseries, I’ve got four simple words for you:

Dark, cool, comfortable, and boring.

I know it is so tempting to jam all the cuteness of mobiles, soft animals, and murals into your baby’s sleeping quarters for them to happily drift off to sleep. But truthfully, those things are more enjoyable for you than your baby.

I mean, they may like it, but those things are conducive to a quality night’s sleep. Just like you shouldn’t bring your iPad to bed or keep the TV on while falling asleep. Stimulation and sleep and best kept separate.

So what does a perfect nursery look like?

·         Dark. I’m talking pitch black. Some blackout curtains or blinds are a much better investment than colorful murals. I strongly encourage for your baby to sleep in the same place as much as possible, so most naps should be in the crib. The less light there is in baby’s room, the less fussing that may accompany sleep time.

·         Cool. It may sound cold to you, but studies show that the best temperatures for sleeping are between 65-70 degrees. Obviously, follow your baby’s lead on their preference, but a warm, comfy sleep sack or onesie in a cool room often leads to better sleep than no cover in a warm room.

·         Comfortable. Babies spend half their day sleeping, so a great mattress is a good investment. Do some research and spend some of that money you had planned for mobiles, painting, and décor on a safe bed where they spend a majority of their time. Which leads me to my last point…

·         Boring. Music, light, pictures everywhere, swirling colors, etc. all seem like they would be nice and calming to a baby, but it’s actually the opposite. These seemingly standard nursery items are distracting and stimulating which does not lead to sleeping! Blank walls, a comfy chair for feedings, and a stocked changing station are your best choices when it comes to your baby’s bedroom.

I know, it’s a tough pill to swallow for new excited parents. We want to create such a nice space for our children! But just keep in mind – this room serves a critical purpose for your baby’s day to day life. It needs to be a quiet, relaxing environment that allows them to get the large amounts of sleep that their growing bodies need.

Trust me, there will be plenty of chances to decorate their room to the max when they get older! For now, keep sleep the primary focus.