Dear Boston Mamas: Minimalist Nursery
Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Katie via the Boston Mamas Facebook page:
Dear Boston Mamas, I am looking for ideas on how to incorporate a nursery/baby area into our guestroom/study. We don't have a lot of room, and this is my first baby -- what do I need and what don't I need? Where should I get things?
Dear Katie,
Thanks for writing in and congratulations on your pregnancy! I hope everything is going smoothly.
Your question is an excellent one, because as beautiful as magazine-spread nurseries are, the reality -- particularly given that we live in a city where square footage is precious and expensive -- is that not everyone has expansive room for a nursery. Never mind the fact that there are a lot of items that are touted as "must have's" that aren't really necessary. My approach is minimalist and with Laurel, we were in the exact same situation as you are space-wise. And with my newborn daughter, we don't even have a room appointed for her (I'll address that issue below as well).
Here are my thoughts on the true essentials:
1. A place to sleep. We started Laurel in a Moses basket. It was the one splurge-type item I purchased (I bought a more expensive version than the one shown/linked to, back when Babystyle was in business) but it ended up being an essential because we could keep it in our room with us (co-sleeping didn't work for us since Laurel was a thrasher) or relocate it around our apartment as needed. And then we used it to help transition Laurel to her crib -- by placing the basket in the crib and then removing the basket once she was comfortable with the environment. So I recommend a Moses basket (the one I linked to here is very affordable), or you could just go for a crib straight out -- you'll need the crib itself + sheets, and you may also want a waterproof mattress pad or cover. A bumper, however, is not essential, nor are lots of other fancy bedding items.
2. Clothing storage. Because of all the frequent spitting up and diaper leaks, you'll need to access baby clothes a lot, so it helps to have a dedicated storage area. When we were expecting Laurel, I bought a large, wide dresser on Craigslist (3 smaller drawers in the top row, then 6 larger drawers -- 2 across, 3 down -- underneath).
3. Changing area. I think stand alone changing tables are unnecessary, particularly if you're cramped on space, but having a baby requires a lot of diaper changes so you will need an area where you can change the diapers and stow supplies. When I was looking for the dresser mentioned above, I searched for one that would be a similar height to a changing table so that we could use the top as the changing area. Then I simply bought a contoured changing pad plus a couple of fitted covers. It was the perfect space saving solution!
Now, a few notes on the three items above that are related to space-saving + our new baby. As I mentioned, we don't have a dedicated room for the baby at this point. We do live in new construction, however, with ample closet space and Laurel's room and our master bedroom are very large. So, first, we will use the Moses basket in our room and probably eventually set up the crib in our room for a while. Second, I reorganized Laurel's closet and made room for a set of these Sterilite stacking drawers. I reorganized the drawers of Laurel's dresser so that Laurel has three large drawers but the rest of her clothes live in the closet (shelving, hangers, new stacking drawers) and her sister's clothes and diapering essentials live in the remaining dresser drawers + one shelf of the closet. Third, the contoured changing pad has made its return to the top of the dresser. And if I need to change her sister while Laurel is sleeping, I'll just do it on a changing mat elsewhere in the house.
Optional things:
Literally, those are the only three items you really need to ready a nursery for baby! When we had Laurel we fit the dresser (with changing pad) + crib in a modest sized room with a guest bed + office desk. However, here are a few optional items that might come in handy (we had the first two bullet point's worth in our little guest room/nursery for Laurel):
The totally unnecessary:
As I mentioned earlier, there are an obscene amount of baby products that are marketed as must have's that actually are totally superfluous. I can answer additional questions if you have them (re: gear, etc.), but as relates to outfitting a nursery, I feel that all of the organizational helpers are completely silly...things like dedicated supply caddies, wipe warmers, and diaper stackers. My feeling is that if you can organize all of these things within your dresser, the items are out of site, easy to access, and you'll have less stuff around in general. As I mentioned earlier, you also don't need fancy bedding; in fact, experts recommend having very little in a baby's crib for safety reasons.
Where to shop?
I'm a big fan of online shopping so I included links to various recommendations above; however, you can also browse around for the above mentioned items at places such as Target or Babies R Us or even IKEA. And finally, if you have friends who already have had kids, I wouldn't hesitate to touch base to see if there are loaners you can use. I took this approach by having a secondhand baby shower this time around -- it was a fantastically practical, eco-friendly solution!
I hope this information is helpful Katie! Let me know if you have other questions.
Have a question for Christine? Drop her a line! And of course feel free to comment in if you have recommendations beyond those made above.
Comments
If the guest room will be turned into a nursery, you can just use the bed as a changing table. It's much easier once they get squirmy!
I also say nix the Diaper Genie. They're a waste of space and bad for the environment.
If you're low on space and you want a crib, you could also opt for a Pack n Play. Those take up a lot less space and you can move it wherever you want. Some have built-in changing tables and very cute patterns!
While not necessary, things like bouncy seats and swings can be a sanity saver! They make portable swings which take up a lot less space and can be folded away! Bouncy seats are small enough to begin with.
This isn't nursery/home related, but I love the Ergo carrier and I think it's great for any urban parent. It's comfortable, fits small babies to toddlers (40 lb limit) and is great for getting around on snowy sidewalks in the winter, getting a fussy baby to nap, riding on the T, etc. One of my most used pieces of gear!
Congratulations. :-)
Posted by: Krissy | March 21, 2011 10:31 AM | Reply to this comment
Congratulations Christine!! And thank you for answering this question so, so, so much. First baby due in a little under 6 weeks and I am now breathing a sigh of relief! We have the basics covered and I have been making myself (and husband) insane by making lists upon lists of insane things to add: 1. we don't have the space; 2. the baby stuff market is absurd.
xoxo
Ras
Posted by: Rasmia | March 21, 2011 1:37 PM | Reply to this comment
I completely agree with Krissy, above. I had a contoured changing pad, but very soon was just putting a towel or other cover on the bed, carpet, my knees, whatever, and changing the dipe whereever. We very quickly got into a 5x per day routine. We also had a swings that we used a lot. If you don't happen into a steal of a deal, wait until the babe's there--they often prefer either a swing or a bouncy seat, so let the child show you their preference.
A note of caution on the Moses basket; do you know approx how big your child will be? Mine was 9 lb 3 oz, so we hardly got to use the adorable cradle we had for him at all.
A baby will change your life, that's sure, but can easily be tucked into the spaces you already have.
Posted by: saac's mama | March 22, 2011 7:53 AM | Reply to this comment
We're expecting our first and one book that we've found very helpful has been Consumer Reports Best Baby Products (pub. 2009). It gives you really good details about what products and features are important, which are nice to have, which are unnecessary and/or downright dangerous. Right in the beginning is a list of basic must-haves including baby clothes, etc. Good luck!
Posted by: Elizabeth | March 22, 2011 12:35 PM | Reply to this comment
*Gliders/Rocking Chair: When I was pregnant people said I "had" to have a glider - but I could not bring myself to spend so much money on a huge item that I would never want in my home. It is like the bridesmaid dress of baby furniture, "You'll totally use that in your living room when the baby gets older". No, you won't. The solution: the POANG chair from IKEA. Comes in a chair with ottoman, or a rocking version. Under $200, variety of covers (get a washable one, not dry clean only) and it is super comfy. I have spent hours in mine with both kids and am so happy I didn't splash out on a glider.
*Diaper Genie: no need. A garbage can works just fine.
*Wipes Warmer: no need. Frankly I question the sense of using electricity to heat wet paper. Doesn't sound so smart. Put the wipe between your hands and - voila! - it is warm. Or use warm water and a washcloth.
*Bassinet/Pack n Play/Hammock: great for the first 3-4 months. Don't spend a fortune, borrow instead. They do outgrow it very quickly.
*Ergo carrier is a lifesaver, and well worth the money.
Good luck!!
Posted by: Braden | March 22, 2011 7:45 PM | Reply to this comment
I consider a swaddling blanket and a sling essential for newborns since they have a physical need to be wrapped up tight and carried (and you do need to use your hands for other things occasionally). When the baby outgrows the swaddling, the blankets are big enough to use for many things including a clean place to lay on or play, as shade for the stroller, a nursing cover if you so desire), and of course as a stroller blanket or blanket for an older child. And a pouch or ring sling can be used to hold your kid until they're too heavy.
Posted by: Danielle | March 24, 2011 9:34 AM | Reply to this comment