You want your child to have the best environment in early life, so you plan and decorate accordingly.
What do you actually need in your nursery to give your baby the safest, healthiest infancy?
- Adjustable crib with a mattress you can lower as the baby ages. The bed only needs a tight-fitting sheet-- no bumpers, pillows or toys.
- Chair you can't sleep in. The chair is for feeding and burping the baby, not for sleeping.
- Changing table with safety belt. Make sure diapers and wipes are in reach.
- No baby powder or cornstarch. If the baby has some diaper rash, let him air out for a few minutes before re-diapering. Use over-the-counter ointments when absolutely necessary.
- Keep all cords out of reach and use safety plugs in unused outlets.
- Secure all furniture so your curious toddler doesn't pull anything down.
- If you need a nightlight in the nursery, make sure it is dim. You don't want the baby to think it's party time if she wakes during the night.
Dr. Corinn Cross was born and raised in New Jersey. She attended Barnard College where she graduated cum laude and majored in philosophy. She went on to attend the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark, NJ, where she was selected for the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Dr. Cross did her internship and residency in pediatrics at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Cross has continued to work at CHLA as a general pediatrics attending.