LET THE SETUP BEGIN!
The Crib
Placement
of the baby’s bed should be first. Whether or not you embrace Feng
Shui, I would follow Ariel’s guidelines for placement of the bed
because they simply make good sense. I’d keep Baby away from a window
even if I didn’t know a thing about Feng Shui.
Instead
of buying a crib and then a bed, why not buy one piece of furniture
that converts and grows with your baby? Check out the Catalina 3-in-1
from the Pottery Barn Kids Catalog. (You can see it online and get an
idea of what is available before you hit any stores.)
Chair or Rocker
Be
sure you have a comfortable chair or a rocker for times you and your
baby will be cozy and together in this space. Children are hard on
furniture. They aren’t born with an appreciation of fine wood and
craftsmanship. Don’t give Junior the rocker that’s a family heirloom.
Give him one that he can be comfortable with as he grows. If you do get
a new rocker for this space, consider passing it on to another mom and
baby once your child is at the age of playing in his room
independently—and replace it with a toy chest or kid chair. I don’t
think rockers are particularly kid-friendly furniture to begin
with—they are too easily flipped over—but you may have your heart set
on one. Next month when we work on your bedroom, I’ll have another idea
for you.
If you can, try to keep any chair
from being in line with the entry door, as Ariel recommended for the
baby’s bed. It will be more calming for both of you.
Bookcase
A
bookcase is a must, as is reading to your child each evening. It spawns
a love of learning that is natural, inviting, and will grow over time.
I’d bolt it to the wall so that as he grows in strength and begins to
explore the room, Baby won’t pull it down on himself. In the beginning,
you may have books on the upper shelves and a few stuffed animals on
the bottom. The top of the bookcase can hold a few containers of items
you need to grab all the time. By all means bolt furniture to the wall
if you live in earthquake country.
Dresser
Now
and in the future your baby will need a dresser. One with many and deep
drawers is worth its weight in gold. If you use a dresser with a wide
top, it’s easily converted into a changing table, thus saving you some
moola. There is a sweet catalog and store called The Land of Nod that
will show you the pads you can purchase to convert the top. In fact,
they have the perfect dresser should you need one. (This is a sister
company to Crate & Barrel.)
If you’re on
a budget, a well-made solid wood dresser from an antique, consignment,
or thrift store may give you much better bang for your buck than a
particleboard prefab one from Target. (And it’s been around so long,
you don’t have to worry about off-gassing!)
When
you organize your baby’s clothes, keep items in groups within a drawer
or in separate drawers. When you need a onesie in a hurry, you don’t
want to be on a fishing expedition through receiving blankets, cloth
diapers, and socks! There are inexpensive items that keep clothes
sorted in a drawer. They are made for adult T’s, underwear, socks, and
bras, but you can use them for anything you like. They come in an
inexpensive plastic you literally fold together or in elegant wood and
cloth varieties. If you want to invest in the latter for Baby now, you
can use them later for yourself. (How sneaky of me!)
Storage Bins
Let’s
face it: From the moment you announce your pregnancy, stuffed animals
are going to start arriving at your home, along with DVDs to turn Baby
into Einstein and toys to stimulate her creativity. What this does
early on is stimulate your panic: Where the heck am I going to store
all this stuff? It’s never too early to introduce a baby to the concept
of categories: Like items go with like items. Stuffed animals should
live in one area and DVDs and CDs in another, and toys of differing
types can also be corralled in unison. Again, check out catalogs like
Pottery Barn Kids and The Land of Nod for storage ideas.
I
love the soft, handwoven cubes called The Roper Collection because you
can buy them in different colors. A holder in a specific color for
specific items can help your baby learn. After all, you won’t be using
labels for a few years. Containers in rattan and canvas are also
wonderful. You don’t want to use heavy storage or items with a sharp
edge. Remember too that it’s what you give your baby and your attitude
that are paramount. If you complain about having to pick up and put
away, no matter how cute the containers are the message is clear: This
organizing thing is a burden.
TOY TIPS
When it comes to toys, don’t limit your baby’s
creativity. A little girl can play with classic boys’ toys and have her
horizons expanded beyond the world of dolls. And a little boy can get
in touch with his feminine side if he does have a doll or two. One day
she may have to haggle over contracts in a boardroom while her brother
helps his wife change diapers and do housework. Skip the stereotypes.
It can’t hinder; it can only help.
Now when it comes to creative relatives and
friends who want to give you life-sized stuffed animals, just say no if
you don’t have the space. (And how many parents do live in a house that
big?) You’ll have to put your foot down and explain the house rules to
these generous individuals. If they send such items, you will be forced
to donate them to a charity or preschool. The best idea is for family
and friends to hold onto these items so that the baby will be enchanted
when he comes to visit. Of course they will scream about the lack of
space, but then that’s the whole idea, isn’t it? You don’t have room
either!
One of the sweetest visuals in a baby’s
room is to put a mesh hammock above his bed and fill it with his soft
toys. The key here of course is that you can reach them but your baby
cannot. He could suffocate under the toys or choke himself in the mesh.
A hammock can be a nice organizing solution, but you simply have to be
conscious and careful when and where you use it.
Finally,
I love the idea of a toy box, provided the lid is hinged and stays open
without a child having to hold it. That’s an accident for small fingers
and hands just waiting to happen. You won’t need one for a year or so
but keep that hinge in mind when you do. And do get one with a soft
padded top so it can become a place to sit and read.
You’ll
be choosing your baby’s DVDs and CDs for quite some time, so try album
storage. You can purchase anything from a fancy leather binder from
www.exposuresonline.com
to a utilitarian one from a big office supply store. The inserts that
hold the discs can be purchased from places like Exposures and The
Container Store.
THE PUZZLE COMES TOGETHER
As you put
the finishing touches on this room, something magical is likely to
happen. The reality of what is happening will hit you. I think reality
comes in waves for all life-changing events like a birth.
Over
the next few months, come into this room frequently. Begin to invest it
with the hope and love you feel inside you. Talk to your child. Play
music for him. Carly Simon said that when each of her children were
born, they instantly related to the music she had been writing while
she was pregnant. I have no doubt that your child will feel comfortable
in this room because you have crafted it with such care for his
enjoyment, his safety, and his growth.
