One of the most enjoyable aspects whilst waiting on D-Day is setting up and decorating the nursery. You will likely be feeling very inspired and will have a picture in your mind of what your nursery will look like, what furniture you will have, and how you will decorate the walls. However, what a lot of people do not consider is, whether this space will provide an optimal sleep environment for their baby.

Ensuring your baby’s room is set up for optimal sleep is very important and here at cocobabybox.com we have pulled together 6 top tips for you to create a beautiful space for your baby that also gives them the best chance of a good night’s sleep.

1. Keep it simple  

Throughout your baby’s first year, there should be the least amount of stimulation as possible. A crowded room with lots of decorative pieces, can distract them and make it difficult for them to fall asleep. The room should feel relaxed and calm, with very little furniture and accessories. Keeping to a palette of muted colours, such as pastels or a soft white, will instantly make the room feel tranquil.

2. Keeping a stable temperature

Your little human will sleep much better with the cot away from the door or any windows. Draughts can often cause your little one to wake up. During the winter, stand-alone radiator heaters work well as they regulate themselves and provide a consistent heat without dehydrating your baby.

3. Ensure your windows are covered

Your baby’s room should be completely dark for both daytime and night time sleeps. Block out blinds are perfect for this. Natural sunlight may cause them to stay awake or have cause them to experience difficulty falling asleep. Artificial light can also distract babies, such as the little red light on the baby monitor. Make sure this is not in your baby’s line of vision.

4. Avoid any hanging mobiles distractions

Hanging mobiles above cots are an amazing way to decorate your nursery with cuteness and give it some personality... but unfortunately this will likely over-stimulate your baby and prevent them from falling asleep.

5. Introduce white noise

The humming sounds are comforting as they are very similar to the sounds they are used to hearing in the womb. Also, white noise will also help to drown out any other sounds that may wake them up. 

6. Wrap up

Swaddling will make your baby feel safe and comforted, as it reminds them of being in the womb. When swaddled, your baby’s arms are tucked in which helps prevent their startle reflex from waking them up. Swaddling can also help settle your baby down when they are overstimulated. Once your baby is old enough to start putting their fingers in their mouth, or they can break out of the swaddle and are also starting to roll, it's important to transition them into a sleeping bag. Depending on the current climate there are different ones for winter and summer.

Keeping things simple is the best way to achieving the optimal sleep environment for your tiny human. There will be plenty of time to add beautiful pieces to your baby’s room as they grow up and once they have already mastered independent sleep and settling patterns.