Some Helpful Baby Nursery Decor Tips
July 27, 2009 by Aaron McLain
Filed under pregnancy
You’ve got a baby baking in your oven and that motherly nesting feeling is starting to scream “We’ve got to get this baby nursery done now!” This is usually followed by common sense questions like, “What colors would baby like?”, “What theme will bring out that baby smile?”, and “How do I make this nest baby proof?”. Well never fear mother dear, in this baby nursery decor article we are going to cover how to whip your baby room in to shape and give you some bragging rights to show off your little nest. Baby proofing, selecting colors, and theme construction are the first things you should consider when starting on your baby nursery decor journey.
Colors, colors, colors. It all starts with the colors. With the advancement of color psychology, science has shown that soft colors are the best route to go for your little guy. Remember, baby is new to this whole big place full of different sites, sounds, and touch. The best thing for your baby is to provide soft colors that will sooth and calm baby as he ventures into this big world of ours. Now I’m not saying its all gotta be peaches and creams. You can use bold and exciting, but just remember to use it as an accent around the baby nursery in things like the trim or design patterns on fabric.
If you have ever got stimulation from a color then you know for yourself that color will stimulate your baby. The key is to use colors that stimulate baby in positive ways. This may seem a little overboard, but you should always keep baby’s development on your mind when designing the room baby will be using to sleep and play in. Here are to example colors and what impact they may or may not have on your baby.
Black may not be a color you want to include in your nursery decor. It symbolizes authority and power and is a color that implies submission. This in my opinion is an adult color and should not be forced upon baby. Bottom line, I would stay away from black.
We want a happy happy baby and the best color to get the job done is the bright and cheerful color yellow, right? Wrong! Despite what you may think, yellow is the worst color you could use in baby’s room. Why? Because it is proven that yellow rooms cause people to loose their tempers and make babies cry. And we don’t want that now do we? In my opinion, I would stay away from using yellow as a main color in your nursery decorating ventures.
There are many reasons why you want to use a theme in your nursery decor, but the main reason is for baby’s first learning experience in the world. When deciding on a theme you should always have baby’s best interest in mind and not your own. When shopping around for themes you may think some things are a bit corny or over the wall silly, but the simplicity of the themes is want you want to look for, not what you personally like or dislike. This allows baby to focus on just a few objects that are simple in nature and is a great unobtrusive start in allowing baby’s brain to develop. Animals, butterflies, frogs, and nature are good places to start and are great themes to expand upon later. You could even go with simple shapes and patterns and build into nature at a later time.
So now lets get started and build this little nest from the ground up, but wait! We forgot the most important thing to plan before we jump in. There are so many horror stories of mishaps that happen in the nursery due to not baby proofing. Now is the perfect time to start doing things like buying a crib with safety features, removing small items that came with your theme like buttons that could be choked on, and finally covering all places where little fingers could come in contact with electricity. Also consider a baby monitor so you can hear baby’s cries or lack there of. Better safe today then sorry tomorrow.
In closing, remember you have many things to plan before decorating your baby’s nursery. Keep it simple and begin with selecting soft, soothing colors. Themes are meant for baby and not you so keep them simple in design so baby isn’t confused. Finally, remember that your baby’s safety is in your hands, so baby proof everything.
Baby Bedding Sets – A Suffocation Hazard For Your Child?
June 30, 2009 by Bee Fraley
Filed under pregnancy
If you purchase a baby bedding set in preparation for the arrival of your baby, you will find that included items like comforters aren’t needed in the beginning.
There’s also a big controversy going on when it comes to the use of bumpers. In the end it comes down to what you feel is the right choice.
Thinner bumpers are safer than the big fluffy ones that can be a suffocation hazard for your baby. It’s best to remove the bumpers once your baby can stand and climb.
To avoid suffocation, all your baby really needs in the first 12 months is a sheet, mattress, and a crib skirt for aesthetics. Avoid anything fluffy and heavy in your baby’s crib.
If you want to make sure your baby is comfortably warm, consider getting an organic blanket for swaddling or an organic cotton sleep sac that also wraps up snugly around your baby and doesn’t present a suffocation hazard.
So, what do you do with the comforter or quilt that came in the baby bedding set? They make great accessories for your baby’s nursery.
You can hang the quilt over a rack designed for it, or simply mount it on the wall.
It’s also a good idea to purchase a complete baby bedding set, if you are planning on using it throughout your child’s toddler years as well. It would be difficult finding the matching pieces at a later time.
Or you can just keep it simple in the beginning and transform your child’s room throughout the years just by purchasing a new bedding set.
Benefits Of Purchasing Organic Baby Bedding For Your Baby
June 24, 2009 by Bee Fraley
Filed under pregnancy
If you are worried about your baby’s thin skin absorbing the pesticides and fertilizers that can be found in non-organic baby bedding, you will want to purchase nursery bedding that is made from organic cotton.
Even after conventional cotton is harvested, the baby bedding manufacturers use chlorine bleach and toxic dyes to achieve bright whites are varies colors, while organic baby bedding manufacturers use only non-toxic coloring agents.
In organic comforters, bumpers and pillows, not only the outer shell is organic, but also the stuffing made from organic cotton or organic sheep wool. The sheep wool provides resistance to the growth of bacteria and dust mites.
Organic wool comes from sheep that are raised organically. These sheep are moved around to prevent overgrazing which could make the farm land infertile.
Organic wool doesn’t have to be treated with chemicals to fireproove it, because it is naturally flame retardant. Without those harsh chemicals in the wool, the bedding ends up being so much softer than when conventional wool is used.
You can contribute to the green revolution by purchasing 100% organic cotton bedding for your baby and reap the benefits of it being softer and more durable at the same time. Yes, purchasing organic will increase your expense considerably, but you can always get started with just a couple of sheets and a blanket, while still purchasing regular crib skirts and bumpers.
The earth and your own body will thank you for making the choice to buy organic. Did you know that 90% of the pesticides used in cotton farming end up in the soil, water, and the air? From there it’s not long before they end up in your own body.
Purchasing organic baby bedding sets is becoming easier as more manufacturers provide organic bedding in a variety of designs. So you are sure to find the bedding set that will match your taste and nursery decoration. Whether you like solid whites or cream colors, or are interested in print designs, you will find something to fit your needs.
Choosing the Right Color Scheme For Your Nursery
May 20, 2009 by B. Fraley
Filed under Caffeine and Pregnancy
There are several things that you need to think about when you want to choose the right color scheme for your baby’s nursery. Small children love bright primary colors, but large swatches of red, blue and yellow can be a little over the top. Consider a color scheme that is comfortable for both you and your baby.
As long as you know what you are doing and plan ahead, just about any color scheme can work for you. Remember that there are going to be some things that spook your kids, whether they are certain toys, colors or even cartoon characters, so remember that using clear light colors are important. As your child grows up, his or her needs are going to change and your dcor should as well.
If the nursery is not as bright or as sunny as it could be, look for vibrant warm colors like cranberry, coral, ruby or even barn red to brighten it up. If these colors are a little strong for you, consider peach, primrose or desert pink to warm you up instead.
Don’t forget to balance your color. If you use rich tones on your walls, keep the ceiling, floor and furniture light. Cream, pale blue or green, and white will balance your red walls by providing a cool serenity. If you go with the lighter tones on the walls, like yellow, peach, pink, or melon, accent with furniture, rugs, toys and accessories that go POW.
For a neutral boy/girl look, try a cheery indoor garden approach. Paint the ceiling a light sky blue and add some puffy white clouds, the walls a pale yellow, and the floor neutral – a natural wood tone or a taupe tile. A border paper of pink and white daisies, or pink, blue and white balloons, and a cotton throw rug that looks outdoorsy would be great. The furniture can be white, pale green, or a natural light wood.
If you have your heart set on a whimsical look, do everything permanent in a monochromatic color scheme. For example, you are doing a nursery for your baby girl in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Walls, floor, and ceiling would be lovely in mint green, using its different values by adding white or black to your mix. Then add your colors with bedding, borders, posters or pictures, rug, play table and chairs, etc.
With monochromatic rooms, you are going to have some distinct advantages. Rooms that are designed like this tend to look very large, especially if the ceiling and floor are painted the same color. With a high ceiling in a small room, paint the ceiling darker to give it some weight, and if you have a low ceiling that you’d like to raise, leave the ceiling white.
Because children outgrow their nurseries so quickly, moving up to the next step, toddler, becomes an easy and inexpensive process. The monochromatic color can remain the same. Then all it takes is changing the bed, updating the border on the wall, removing the changing table and adding a play table and chairs and Voila.
Baby Furniture Cribs – What Kind to Get
May 4, 2009 by B. Fraley
Filed under Caffeine and Pregnancy
If you are in a place where you need to shop for a crib for your baby, it can be very easy to get overwhelmed. There are lots of things to think about, after all!
When you go to buy a crib, remember that you should consider your space constraints as well as who might be coming in and out of your nursery. Also remember what your budget is like and how much you spend.
What kind of cribs are available for you to choose from?
The first one that you are likely to run into is the standard crib, which is very common and can be purchased just about anywhere. They have single or double drop sides, which make it easier to get to your baby.
A double drop side crib really only makes sense when the crib is not located against the wall and can be accessed from either side.
Then there is the Convertible Crib. Convertible cribs provide a great way to safe money throughout your baby’s childhood. While the upfront cost is higher than a standard crib, you will easily make up for the additional cost in just a few years. A convertible crib can easily be converted from a crib to a toddler bed, a day bed, and even a full-size bed.
Essentially, the head and foot boards are often detachable, which means that the mattress can be easily replaced. Look for a crib that will allow you to modify it into something that will please an older child. This will let you keep it comfortably in the nursery even after you have converted the rest of the room into an actual bedroom.
Want to add some elegance to your baby’s nursery? Then, you may want to choose a Canopy Crib. They typically have posts on all four corners of the crib to allow for a canopy frame on which the canopy will then sit.
You can look for canopies that are designed to go on the bed, or you may decide to get crafty and to try making it yourself. You can use fabric that you have already used when it comes to decorating your nursery. Canopies can also be a great way to give a baby some privacy if he or she shares with you or with a sibling.
Another great design that we are only going to be seeing more of is the Round Crib. A round crib is exactly what it sounds like. It allows your baby to sleep in any direction that he or she pleases, and the drop side will let you reach in and scoop your baby up whenever you please. These cribs have no concussion points, unlike traditional rectangular cribs and they will not endanger your child’s safety. This can be a great way to give your baby a 360 degree view of the world around them.
How To Choose Baby Nursery Bedding For Boys
May 3, 2009 by B. Fraley
Filed under Caffeine and Pregnancy
A brand new baby boy is sure to be a great joy to his parents. Of course to welcome your baby boy into the world, setting up a great nursery for him is an excellent idea. One great way to have a nice nursery with a great theme is to pick out baby bedding that will give you a basis to work with for the entire nursery.
The first thing that you need to do in decorating your little boy’s nursery is to pick out one of the great baby boy bedding sets that are on the market. In today’s marketplace you can find all sorts of different styles of baby nursery bedding. The key here is to balance the comfort and quality with the style of the baby bedding sets. Ultimately the most important thing is the comfort and quality of the sheet set.
First take a look at the baby bedding and the quality of the material when picking baby boy bedding sets. You will want the material to be soft so it won’t irritate the skin of your newborn. Make sure that you go with bedding that is not too heavy. Bedding that is too heavy for your baby boy may keep him from sleeping through the night.
Additionally, you want to be sure that the sheet set that you use for your new son fits their mattress well. The last thing that you want is for the sheet to be easily pulled free while your child is sleeping as that could put them at risk for suffocation.
When you are sure that you have found baby bedding sets that are of high quality, then you will want to start thinking about the style for the sets.
For boys, the traditional hue that is chosen is blue, and it can help to create a really lovely nursery. If you want to be somewhat traditional, but with a spin you may consider incorporating different shades of blue into the nursery. Or maybe choose baby boy bedding sets that have blue in them with other colors like soft greens and yellows.
Going with baby bedding with a theme is another great idea to consider. You’ll find that there are a variety of different themes out there to choose from when you are picking out your baby boy bedding sets.
If you have always dreamed of having a son to play sports with then why not make that the theme of your nursery? Choose baby boy bedding sets that feature basketballs, footballs, or baseballs on them. Or maybe you want your little boy to be surrounded by race cars, trains, or motorcycles. The truth is that the only limit on your options is your imagination.
So be creative and go shopping. You will be surprised at what you will find!
Decorating Your Baby Nursery for Less
May 2, 2009 by B. Fraley
Filed under Caffeine and Pregnancy
When you find out that you are going to have a baby, it can be the most exciting time of your life. You’ll find that getting your nursery set up and decorated can really bring the truth home to you that you are going to have a baby.
There are many different decorating options for nurseries. Decorating can be incredibly fun, but the truth is that decorating can also be very expensive. The key is to find a way to completely decorate your child’s nursery without overspending on frivolous items that you don’t need.
Let’s get started! The first, and perhaps hardest part is to set a budget. Before you set anything in stone, make sure that you head to the stores to see what an average price is. Make sure that you have an idea what it might cost to outfit a basic nursery and make sure that anyone who is contributing money to this endeavor has a say.
Now you will have a much better idea of how much money you will need and you can then compare that with how much you can afford to come up with in your budget. Additionally, when determining your budget you will need to make a list of your must-have items. Below you will find some recommendations, but don’t be afraid to add your own to this list.
Necessary Items to Consider
1) A comfortable place to let your baby sleep. Usually this is a crib or a bassinet.
2) At least three sets of comfortable baby bedding. Choose bedding that matches your nursery theme.
3) A changing table where you can store diapers and where your baby will be safe and clean.
4) A rocking chair. This is going to be a comfortable place for you to sit when you want to rock your baby to sleep.
5) Grooming Items. Babies need a lot of grooming so you will need to have things like nail clippers, brush, baby powder, and cotton balls to name a few.
6) Diaper bag. A diaper bag is something that you are going to need if you are going to be on the go with your baby at all. Keep it stocked with lots of diapers.
7) Several lamps. You will need different lamps for different purposes, from night lights to task light, to lights that can be dimmed and more.
If your budget allows you can add to this list. If you are on a limited budget, however, you may consider purchasing some items used. The best items to purchase used are the furniture for your nursery, like the crib, dresser, play table and chairs.

