Setting up your daytime nursery
The safest place for a baby to sleep in the first 6-12 months is in the same room as their mother. Day and night.
Many parents understand the need for a bedside nursery to make nighttime parenting easier when their baby cosleeps at night. However, learning the safest place for daytime sleep is not the room they prepared for the baby can come as a shock! (When exactly will this child be sleeping in their nursery?)
Your baby will be hanging out where you are so you might as well set up your space to work for you.
Daytime sleep space: in the very early days, the best place for your breastfed baby to nap is in bed beside you while you nap too. While you are physically recovering from pregnancy and childbirth, rest is important. Try to maintain an afternoon co-nap with your baby as long as you can. At other times, daytime sleep can be in the baby carrier as you go about room to room attending to tasks, or taking a walk; in the pram while walking or shopping, on your lap or in-arms while you enjoy screen time or in a mobile bassinet you can move to the room you are working in.
Breastfeeding hub: while you and your baby are learning to breastfeed, you'll probably have a space set up for feeds. This might include pillows and cushions you use to support your body or baby, plus all the stuff you need in arms reach. Nursing pads, burp cloths, drink bottle, snacks etc. Tools like breastpump or nipple shields. Essentials like your phone and remote controls. If you feed in a couple of different rooms, a trolley or tote can make it easier to relocate across the day.
Nappy change tote: while you might have your main changing station in your baby's room, with easy access to changes of clothes and nappy supplies, it can conserve energy to be able to do quick changes right where you are. Keeping a basket, tub or bag packed with nappies, wipes, creams and spare outfits means you don't need to get up. A change pad or mat can be used to protect surfaces.
You might have purchased an expensive rocker or glider for the nursery, imagining breastfeeding in that room. Reality hits pretty quickly. You are going to be isolated and bored sitting in the nursery for hours of the day! Instead, choose a space where you can watch TV, chat with visitors or access your phone charger easily. Nursery design tends to focus on aesthetics and not function.
