Baby care, for the most part, is routine and is best approached in an organized manner. The key to this organization is to properly equip and arrange the baby’s room. Bathing, changing and feeding the baby should also follow an organized routine whenever possible. Common sense is also essential, especially when it comes to child safety. Sick family members should be kept out of the baby’s room, as should any type of pet.

The right environment

The baby’s room.
A newborn may share a parent’s room for the first few months, but even if this is the case, a separate room should be planned and equipped so that everything is conveniently at hand for the baby’s main life activities: nursing, corporal hygiene. , and changing diapers.

The room itself should be warm and well ventilated. A constant temperature of 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 degrees Celsius) is recommended for any baby weighing less than 8 pounds (3.6 kg), but as the baby grows and gains weight, the night temperature drops. slightly. It is important that the air in the room is not dry. If possible, put a humidifier in the room to keep the air warm and moist.

All babies need fresh air, but they need to be protected from drafts, so make sure the crib is not next to an open window when the baby is asleep. In cold climates, the room should be aired when the baby is not in it.

Flash of lightning.
For the comfort of parents, the room should be well lit, but newborns cannot adjust their eyes to bright light. Therefore, a ceiling light must have an energy saving light bulb or a dimmer switch on the light switch. A small table lamp is helpful, especially when placed above the dresser to illuminate the contents of the drawers.

Even a small baby quickly gets bored with nothing to watch. A mobile above the bassinet or crib can capture the baby’s attention, as can brightly colored pictures set within the baby’s field of vision.

Furniture and equipment.
The most important piece of furniture in the baby’s room is the bed. The most suitable first bed for a newborn is a bassinet, straw basket, or portable crib because a small baby feels more secure in a relatively small space. If your baby is going to sleep in a crib, put bumpers around the edges and wrap the baby tightly so he feels secure.

The mattress should be firm and soft and should fit the bed snugly. Never use a pillow in place of a mattress – use a foam pad that is at least one inch (25mm) thick and make sure the waterproof cover fits snugly over the mattress. If you are using a straw or reed bassinet, line the inside with a material to prevent the baby from trapping or scratching their fingers or face on the rough edge. This also helps prevent drafts. A baby under one year old should never be given a head pillow.

A low and comfortable chair with arms and a straight back is another important element in the baby’s room. The chair can be used for bottle feeding or breastfeeding; Or the parent can sit in the chair and change the baby’s diaper on the lap instead of on a changing pad.

All equipment needed during diapering should be within easy reach so parents don’t have to leave baby unattended on the diapering surface. A shelf attached to the side of the changing table is useful for storing cream, powder, cotton and diapers. If this is not possible, make sure there is a work surface at the correct height next to the changing area. Top shelves are convenient, but can be dangerous as a bottle or bottle could fall on the baby.

Place two buckets with lids for diapers and dirty clothes next to the diaper changing area. There should also be a rubbish bin next to the changing area for used cotton garments.

There should be a plastic tub on a sturdy stand in the room and a shelf to hang towels and a washcloth. It is more suitable to bathe a small baby in his room because the temperature is more easily maintained than in an adult bath. Even if the room is centrally heated, it may be necessary to raise the temperature of the room with a heater before bath time. The heater can be of the radiator type or an electric heater placed high on the wall.

If parents intend to always feed the baby in their own room, a low table or trolley should be reserved for nursing and feeding items.

A chest of drawers is useful for storing sheets, blankets, towels, diapers, and clean clothes. As the baby runs out of clothes, she should be stored elsewhere to make sure the dresser doesn’t get too cluttered.

Safety.
When planning and equipping a baby’s room, safety factors should always be taken into account. Babies quickly become mobile; It’s often not until a near accident that parents realize how active the baby is.

All furniture in the room should be strong and stable so that a crawling baby cannot tip it over. Windows should have safety stops so they cannot be opened far enough for the child to crawl out. Alternatively, parents can place (vertical) bars over the window. If there are electrical outlets at ground level, cover them with outlet covers (available at hardware or department stores) or place a heavy piece of furniture in front of them because the crawling child will soon try to stick something into the outlet.

Cribs should be selected carefully. The bars should be less than 2.5 inches (6.25 cm) apart, so that the child does not get stuck or choke. There should be no peeling paint. Once the cot is assembled, do not tie anything to the bars that the child could get entangled in.

Never use an unprotected heater in a baby’s room. Liquid fuel heaters are also dangerous and should not be used.