Baby Space: For Infants
Happy New Year Bastion Readers!
Welcome back to the Parent Digital Duo. In this edition we will explore cultivating your living space for welcoming an infant into the home.
Creating a dedicated space for a baby is a challenging task and as a thriving professional you may be juggling a lot. Let's kick off this year by exploring some tips I've learned from my journey balancing my career and family.
In the preparing for parenthood stage, adapt your living space for an infant.
Building Materials
We began our house hunt and loved the idea of having a modern aesthetic -- hardwood floors throughout the house. We quickly realized that choice would not provide the most support for our growing family. If you are in the process of finding a new space, it is worth considering the building materials and fixtures in the home with respect to having children.
I recommend a space with carpeting supported by the thickest level of padding you can install for a playroom or nursery. Your little one will grow to crawl, stumble, and eventually be sprinting circles around you. The extra layer of protection can give them a space to learn when moving through the early stages.
There is a hidden benefit for parents too! Rocking an infant for an extended period of time can be tough on a flat, hard surface. After many hours per week swaying on our hardwood flooring, I could certainly feel the fatigue in my lower body. Learn from my pain and consider investing in this change to your living space.
2. Fixtures and Design
Examine the lighting fixtures and design of your living space. Try to determine the best place for a nursery or baby set up. Find an ideal spot without harsh lighting, away from constant foot traffic, and with enough space to support baby furniture. A bassinet/crib, a changing table, rocking chair, upright shelving, nightstand, and more can take up an entire room. Consider installing motion activated lights in your hallways to help you navigate your route in the middle of the night when the baby is hungry. Ensure the baby gets a dedicated space for their own to set a proper routine for eating, bathing, changing, and of course sleeping!
3. Noise Levels
If possible, select a space that can be an escape from jarring noise levels. Find a location in the home that is away from busy road noise, construction, a bustling home office, or even siblings playing. Your baby should certainly become accustomed to normal noises within your environment. It is vital they have exposure to their environment where you may be cooking, doing laundry, holding conversation, or cleaning. However, it is important that they set a consistent routine for sleeping. Designing your baby space with respect to noise level will prevent the baby from becoming overtired and overwhelmed when trying to get their best rest for growth.
I hope you find this valuable if you are thinking about how to set up a space for an infant in your home. Investing your time toward planning this space could help foster a great environment for adjusting to life with a newborn.
Congratulations to everyone welcoming a new member to their family this year!
Thanks for reading and keep an eye out for future resources from the Parent Digital Duo.
-P.F.
