| Keeping the nursery organized is not always easy, | | | | your baby is too young to help clean up. Keeping |
| but is always essential. Babies need so much and | | | | them organized makes them more interesting to |
| almost always on the spur of the moment. Parents | | | | your baby. You can separate your toys into |
| find it difficult to stay on top of things if they | | | | different developmental areas. You can have a |
| don’t have a good system in place. Use these | | | | quiet corner for books and stuffed animals, a gross |
| tips to get your nursery in working order while | | | | motor area for foam climbing structures, an art table |
| making it look great at the same time. | | | | for arts and crafts supplies, a loud area for toys that |
| 1) Categorize the nursery. Keeping related items | | | | make sounds, and a fine motor area for blocks and |
| together will help you know where to find them | | | | other manipulatives. Not only will it be easier to |
| when you need them. Divide each category into | | | | figure out where things go in a hurry, but it will make |
| frequency of use categories, because you may need | | | | it easier to see if you are lacking in any one area of |
| some things quickly and some things less often. For | | | | development. |
| example, you may want your diaper rash cream | | | | 4) The other big hurdle in keeping a nursery |
| close at hand near the changing table, but other | | | | organized is clothing. Here is where your closet can |
| medications are kept in storage for when you need | | | | really come in handy. Many parents are avoiding |
| them. | | | | putting dressers into the nursery because of the |
| 2) Get the essentials organized first. Diapers, | | | | tipping and climbing hazards that they present. Even |
| wipes, bottle care and nursing needs, first aid, and | | | | a small closet can be easily organized to hold |
| cleaning supplies will most likely be needed quickly | | | | baby’s burp cloths, shoes, bedding, and clothing. |
| when they are needed. Make sure that all of these | | | | You may need to install some shelves to make a |
| things are easy to find and well out of baby’s | | | | place for everything, but you could also just use |
| reach. A designated closet shelf or wall mounted | | | | some bins that go on the top shelf and hang |
| shelf that can hold baskets will help you to know | | | | everything else on baby hangers or children’s |
| exactly where certain items are when you need | | | | hangers. They save space and won’t cause |
| them. Plus, clean-up will be a snap because you can | | | | your baby’s clothes to become misshapen. |
| simply toss the item into the right basket or bucket | | | | Infant hangers are the right size and shape for |
| when you’re done. | | | | delicate baby clothes. |
| 3) Toys can quickly get out of control, especially if | | | | |