If there is any large furniture that you are using in the nursery, it’s fine to leave it in the room when you clean it out.

Do not use harsh chemicals to clean the nursery. Stick to plain soap and water, homemade cleaners like baking soda or vinegar, or green cleaners made with non-toxic ingredients. If the carpet has a lot of ground-in dirt, consider replacing it if you can. The expense will be well worth your baby’s health.

You will need to replace your light bulbs with bulbs that function with a dimmer. A lamp with a soft light bulb or stick-on LED lights are also good options for creating a soft glow in your nursery.

You can get these lubricants from any home improvement store, as well as most supermarkets.

You can get these lubricants from any home improvement store, as well as most supermarkets.

If you prefer, it’s fine to have separate carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

If you’ve already installed the furniture, move it to the center of the room and cover it with drop cloths or old sheets so it doesn’t get stained with paint.

Don’t use a crib that’s more than 10 years old, and never use a crib that’s broken or modified in any way. Look for a crib with a firm mattress, and be sure there are no more than 2 fingers width of space between the edges of the mattress and the side of the crib. For safety purposes, the slats on your crib should be no more than 2 3⁄8 in (6. 0 cm) apart. You can use a bassinet or a co-sleeper when your baby first comes home, if you’d like. [9] X Expert Source Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPHBoard Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor Expert Interview. 6 May 2020.

Premature babies often have to stay at the hospital for a while, but you’ll likely be spending a lot of time visiting. Getting the furniture set up as early as possible will be one less thing you have to worry about if that does happen.

Gliders and rockers are both popular options, but oversized recliners and plush chairs can also work. If you’re designing your nursery on a budget, check second-hand shops or ask family and friends if they have any hand-me-down chairs. Just be sure to clean them well!

Some people opt not to have a changing table, and others prefer to use a closet organizer to store baby clothes. Whether you have these or not is up to you. If you don’t have room for a changing table, use a changing pad on top of your baby’s dresser. [13] X Expert Source Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPHBoard Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor Expert Interview. 6 May 2020. Be sure to include a spot to put your baby’s dirty diapers, as well. [14] X Expert Source Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPHBoard Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor Expert Interview. 6 May 2020.

For a list of the latest product recalls, visit https://www. safekids. org/product-recalls.

Popular themes include baby animals, chevrons, the ocean, and birds. However, feel free to come up with your own!

Popular themes include baby animals, chevrons, the ocean, and birds. However, feel free to come up with your own!

Framed pages from your favorite illustrated storybooks make a charming display for a nursery. Vinyl wall decals are a great way to create big visual impact without damaging your walls.

Blinds are not recommended for a nursery, as their cords create a serious strangling hazard for small children.

You’ll need at least 2 sets of sheets in case your baby has a diaper leak or spits up during the night.

If you do choose to have a mobile, just pick one that you think is cute. If it doesn’t work, you can always exchange it for another one.

Try to group similar items together. For instance, all of your baby’s bath items should be in one place, all of their shoes in another, and so on.

This is probably the most essential area to organize out of the whole nursery, since it’s one you’ll be using multiple times a day. It’s also a good idea to have a diaper pail set up near your changing table so you can dispose of dirty diapers easily.

You can even find baby monitors with video feeds that will allow you to observe your baby sleeping in their crib. If you live in a small house, you may not need a baby monitor at all. However, if you have a large house or you like to spend time outdoors, it’s a good idea to have one. Some baby monitors can be overheard by people nearby who are listening to a police scanner, so avoid disclosing sensitive information when you’re standing near the monitor.

Use a detergent formulated for infants to ensure it’s free of any scents or dyes that can also cause irritation.

Use a detergent formulated for infants to ensure it’s free of any scents or dyes that can also cause irritation.

Other items that you’ll probably need to place in the nursery include the diaper bag, a clothes hamper, a swing or bouncy seat, and a sound machine to help drown out unwanted noise.