Creating a Calming Nursery Space for your Baby

Having a designated zone in your nursery for baby changing is a non-negotiable for many parents, something that our people team administrative assistant, and mum to Logan, Charlotte knows all too well: “My priority when it came to creating a changing station was practicality. I planned it so that everything I needed was within arm’s reach with plenty of drawer space packed full of all of the necessities.” When considering the positioning of your changing table, work backwards from the cot, which should be placed away from windows and radiators, then think about where you’d most like to sit when nursing — the space that’s left is the perfect spot for your baby’s changing routine. 

“A changing caddy is also so helpful, as I can easily grab those most-used items whilst changing a wriggly baby, plus I can see when it’s time to restock,” Charlotte advises. In hers, she pops nappies, soothing nappy balm, wipes, a spare babygrow and a teether to keep Logan distracted. Talking of tactical distractions, Charlotte has another trick up her sleeve in the form of our Jellycat musical toy and Bam Bam's wooden rattle. “I also love to sing songs to Logan whilst changing him (the ABCs work wonders in our house!) or I make funny faces and sounds to keep them happy and preoccupied."

With soft textures, soothing lighting and everything you need close to hand, this area will provide a welcoming place to feed your baby and nurture your special bond. And it’ll be one of the most-used areas in your nursery. Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle feeding or a mixture of the two, your arms will need to be supported — a comfy chair with armrests is a must along with our nursing pillow which, thanks to its moon shape, sits snugly around you and your baby to provide additional cloudlike cushioning.

Mealtimes are often followed by a much-needed nap, so creating an atmosphere that winds your baby down for sleep will make the process much smoother — in theory! Dad to Dexter and Childrensalon’s IT whizz, Kieran, has feedtimes down to an art. “At night, before bed, his feed is in the nursery where it’s quiet and darker to create a feeling of calm, so putting him down becomes easier. We always have muslins close by for spills and dribbles and a snuggly blanket to wrap around him and us.” When asked what his tips for post-feed serenity, Kieran lets us in on a secret: “We couldn’t live without white noise; it makes Dexter fall right to sleep after his feed!”

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With a fresh nappy and a full tummy, your baby should be just about ready to drift off to the land of nod. When it comes to planning a sound sleep space for your baby, safety is the most important factor to consider. Zama, our studio copy team leader, knows all there is to know about the best products to pick — she has also put this knowledge to the test with her own baby boy, Theo. “From the moment I brought Theo home, creating a safe and calming sleep space was very important for me. I kept his cot clear of things like pillows, duvets, bumpers and nests, instead opting for a simple soft fitted sheet that was gentle against his skin.”

For their sleep attire, Zama recommends dressing babies in a short-sleeved body vest on warmer days and when the chilly weather arrives, swapping that for a babygrow and a higher-tog sleeping bag — you can read all about our sleeping bag tog ratings here. Swaddles are also a great choice for soothing your baby for slumber. “My favourite Childrensalon product has to be the large swaddle from Atelier Choux, “ says Zama. “Swaddling Theo worked well for me when he was little, and I still use it now as a lightweight blanket for nap times.” If you also choose to swaddle your baby, we have lots of beautiful and breathable cotton muslin styles to choose from. Zama then sets the scene for snoozing with some soothing music, low lighting and a starry-sky night light. Just dreamy!

For more information on safe sleeping for your baby, visit The Lullaby Trust. And to shop all their nursery essentials, our Newborn Guide has plenty of beautiful and functional styles to choose from.