Preparing the baby’s room
Setting up the baby’s room is a special step as you prepare to welcome the new arrival. If you buy the most important things early on, you can take care of your baby after the birth without any worries.
Once you know you’re pregnant, you’ll soon start thinking about the baby’s room. For many parents, this is an important part of the preparations. There are a few things you need to bear in mind. If you plan on renovating and redecorating the room, you should use non-toxic floor coverings, paint, furniture and decorative elements.
If you’re painting the baby’s room, make sure you do it a few weeks before your baby moves in to make sure the odours evaporate.
And even if you’re itching to get involved, remember that you shouldn’t carry or move heavy furniture and should minimise your exposure to fumes and gases while painting or wallpapering. These fumes can be harmful for your baby.
Once the room is ready, you’ll need to buy furniture and fittings. Only buy essential items at first. Once you and the baby have settled in, you can buy anything else you need. The following is part of the basic equipment in a baby's room:
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Sleeping arrangements
- Bassinet, bedside cot or cradle
- Firm mattress with good ventilation and a washable cover
- Important: no pillow
- Waterproof underlay
- Fitted sheet
- Two baby sleeping bags for changing
- Baby monitor
- Breastfeeding chair, optional
- You can buy storage solutions such as baskets, chests and wardrobes later on
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Changing nappies
- Changing table with storage space for changing equipment
- Padded and washable mat
- Nappies
- Wet wipes, bowl for warm water, washcloth
- Nappy bin with lid
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Washing
- Wash bowl
- Baby bathtub or bath bucket
- Bath thermometer
