Making Room for Baby
by Jodie Lynn

In many instances, as soon as the mom-to-be finds out she is pregnant, she wants to go look at baby beds, bedding, color schemes and themes. It’s a fun and exciting time.

Making that special purchase takes time, effort, and of course, money. It’s a personal choice that may be guided by what others are doing and usually will include what the new mom-to-be remembers having in her own life or in the lives of others near and dear to her heart.

Here are some tips on choosing quality but lasting items for your new baby:

#1. Choose your baby bedding first. You can coordinate the entire room around these colors and themes.

#2. Try to find soft but not thin bedding. Make sure the sheets are fitted snugly over the mattress.

#3. Buy quilts, comforters and pillows – but don’t use them for now. You can buy them, just don’t use them until baby is older. These have been identified as a culprit in SID (Sudden Infant Deaths). Some moms will purchase these items and take them out of the crib each night or each time the baby sleeps in the bed.

#4. Ask for referrals. Talk with your friends who already have been through this process. They can offer valid information and perhaps save costly mistakes on bedding and furniture.

#5. Begin your research early. If you wait until the last minute to begin comparing prices, styles and reputations of the company, you may be forced into a rushed purchase and regret it later.

However, making the experience fun, safe, cost-effective and healthy is the wisest way to go – not to mention the attributes of exactly how long the furniture and bedding will last.

For example, some cribs turn into a toddler bed with a turn of the old screw driver. A chest of drawers goes from having a changing table on top to adding an additional space for toddler "stuff" - and some convert into an additional drawer or cubby hole for books.

There are many other things to take into consideration before making your final decision. Allowing yourself time to change your mind because you have fallen in love with something else is always a good plan.

Whatever you choose, be sure to wash and wipe everything down before introducing the baby to the new environment. A good rule of the thumb is to use cleaning and laundry products at least at half strength by adding water.

Babies have sensitive skin and the last thing they need is to have to endure strong odors from cleaning products. Most dermatologists recommend that we use half of the regular amount of washing and softening products mixed with water. This dilutes the products and is much better for an infant’s skin and is ideal for any one of any age with sensitive skin.

The same goes for cleaning products – weaken it with water. It still does an effective job but is less hazardous to baby.

Make your shopping experience happy, safe and healthy right from the start for your new bundle of joy.

©2006 Jodie Lynn