Most babies start off sleeping in their parents’ bedrooms. While this allows you to keep a close eye on your little one to make sure he is safe and sound, the time will come when you’ll want to reclaim your own personal space. The most important question most parents will ask themselves at this point of time is: When is the best time to move a baby to his own room?Â
In this blog, we’ll put together professional advice from parenting experts to find the answer, as well as fun ideas to build the nursery.
When to Move Baby to His Own Room
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends room sharing with your baby for at least the first 6 months because room sharing is safer for your baby, but not in the same bed. Doing so allows you to react quickly to any sounds and movement your baby makes. In fact, rooming in with your baby can interestingly reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by as much as 50%, though nobody knows why.
Putting the recommended period aside, you should also keep in mind a few things. First, it is a good idea to talk to your paediatrician to ensure that your baby is growing well and does not need to wake up for frequent night feeds. Another sign of readiness is if he can flip from his belly to his back, and whether he is sleeping for longer stretches. If your baby is constantly waking up every two to three hours, moving him to the nursery alone can cause more distress in both parents and child.
Ideally, the best time to move your baby is at the one-year mark and if he is meeting most of his developmental milestones with no cause for concernÂ
How to Move Baby to His Own Room
Be prepared for some extra tears in the first few nights, as your baby adjusts to the new surroundings. You can try the following tips to ease the transition:Â
- Hunker up in his room with a separate bed like this nifty Manis-h Kids Sofa Bed for a few weeks to a month. Knowing that mom or dad is nearby can help to reduce anxiety in your little bub.
- Implement a loving sleep ritual, which can include playing soothing sleep music or switching on a small night lamp.
Once your baby displays signs of independence and is able to fall asleep relatively quickly, you can start to retreat into your own room earlier each time.
Tips on Baby Room or Nursery DecorÂ
It’s nice to have something to call your own, even if your small baby doesn’t realise it yet. Putting your own finishing touches in the room is a satisfying, meaningful and enjoyable process. To start off, you should make sure that your baby has the standard essentials that make a comfortable nursery. They include items such as:
- A cot
- Window shades
- Storage dresser
- Fan or air-conditioning
- Soothing lightsÂ
On top of these items, you can also consider customising the nursery by incorporating a nice theme, such as safari or underwater world.
When it comes to nursery furniture, one of the most important things to factor in is the safety and comfort of your baby.
Look for a cot or bed frame that comes with side rails to prevent fall injuries. A convertible cot like the Sweet Dreams Avant Garde 10-in-1 Convertible Baby Cot comes with a drop gate to allow easy access at any time. It also comes with an Anti-Colic System (ACS) to reduce bedtime discomfort brought upon by acid reflux or regurgitation. As your small baby grows, the bedding system can also be converted into a toddler bed or even a study table, making it a truly economical option for growing families.Â
Window shades are helpful in blocking sun rays or even traffic noise from travelling into the room, but you should take care to secure the cord system which can be a strangulation hazard. Look for a curtain or blind set which does not come with looped cords, or install a hook to wind up the cord strings.
When it comes to choosing a storage dresser, always look for one that has a secure base and does not topple easily. The Manis-h Kids 3-Drawer Cupboard is low, which allows it to sit securely on any flat surfaces. It is also made of non-toxic solid beech wood, safe for the entire family and even the environment.
Remember to secure all electrical outlets to keep curious fingers away. You can use socket plug covers or install transparent plastic protectors over them.
Lastly, if you’re looking to personalise the bedroom decor, consider getting wallpapers instead of paint. While most commercial home paints are now non-toxic, it can still take some time to draw out the paint smell from the room. Wallpapers or wall decals, on the other hand, are more economical and easy to install. Try out different ideas as your baby grows to make the room fun and interesting.
Customise Your Baby Nursery With Palette Box
At Palette Box, we offer a wide range of nursery accessories on top of children’s bedroom furniture which allows you to mix-and-match to create a truly personalised nursery design. Many of our products are modular and can be transformed for other uses.Â
With free shipping over $75, you can browse what you need conveniently at home when your baby is sound asleep and get your order delivered right to your doorstep. Or you can visit our showroom to test out our products in person. Check out what the happy customers of Palette Box have to say about our products and services today.