Peekaboo Design Group

Peekaboo has been assisting couple's in planning and installing baby nurseries for almost five years now.  In that time, we've noticed a couple of "myths" that we hear told to new parents time and again.  Let's get real about those things now!! 

Myth #1: You Have to Have a Changing Table  The truth is that probably half of our parents don't ever use their changing table.  They change the baby on a bed, couch or even the floor!  After all, how often does the baby do their business in the nursery?  Most parents don't want to hike back to the nursery to change baby. 

How to know if you will use a changing table?  Here's a test.  If you are the type of person that likes a place for everything and everything in its place...I mean to a point where you'll be close to a nervous breakdown if things aren't just so...you'll use a changing table. 

Best Solution?  Don't buy a specific changing table piece.  Use a dresser and add a changing table pad.  The pads run about $30 bucks and the changing table cover runs between $10-$30.  These attach easily to the back of the dresser.  Then, remove when baby grows out of it. 

A Great Idea:  Notice the rooms in your home where you spend the most time and create mobile changing stations.  Keep a basket of items needed to change baby  (diapers, wipes, changing pad, etc) that you can grab quick no matter where you are in your home.

Want a creative idea for a dresser?  Use a dining buffet as a dresser.  We've done this in several nurseries and they add interest to the room!

Myth #2:  You Must Have a Crib the Baby Will "Grow Into"  [insert wrong answer buzzer here!]  The core of Peekaboo is made up of six women who have spent the last 10+ years having babies, watching friends and family have babies and helping client's prepare for their babies.  We all agree, finding a crib that has been converted into a full-size bed is equivalent to finding a Sasquatch in the woods.  Not one of us has seen a crib converted into a full size bed.

Here's what generally happens:  Baby #1 uses the crib, then here comes baby #2.  Baby #1 is transferred into a "big boy/girl bed" and Baby #2 gets the crib (sometimes hard for Baby #1!).  For every baby that comes after, the process just continues.  What happens to the crib after the last baby?  Good question.  We think they're sucked up into the Earth!!  In all seriousness, most will either give the crib to someone, store it in the attic or trash it.

Here's my take:  I think that the convertible crib, in theory, is a great idea.  A crib that converts into a toddler bed is useful.  This means the front comes off and the crib becomes a small daybed of sorts (some cribs require  you purchase convertible kits for the toddler bed).  But, that seems to be where the "convertible" love story ends.  Why?  If you've ever seen the style of a crib converted to a full bed, you may have your answer.  Most convertible cribs (aside from the modern, much more expensive cribs) convert into "old-lady" beds...beds that would be found in your guest bedroom, not your kid's room.  Not to mention that you do have to purchase convertible kits to even get the crib to the full bed stage. 

Spend your money on items that will last.  (1) A good dresser.  (2) A nice glider that you can move to another room in the house after you've done the baby thing.  (3)  A book shelf or organization system that will keep little colorful kid's items tidy. 

Myth #3:  You Must Find Your Nursery Style in a Baby Store  My favorite baby store vendors are not going to like me much for this one!  But, the truth is a lot of our client's contact us out of desperation.  Duckies, trains and princesses are a little too cutsie.  And, the modern stores are just a little too modern.  This is why the majority of nurseries we create are what is called mixed modern.  This style is a mix of modern and traditional (also sometimes called Moditional) that many of us have been using in our homes for a long time now. The problem is, when it comes to the nursery, you're pretty much out of luck!

The best part of creating a mix-modern nursery is that the style tends to offer a more sustainable foundation that will grow well with your child.

Here are a few mix-modern tips from the Peekaboo Team. 

1.)  Paint/Color Palette -Stay away from pastels - look at neutral colors or primary colors that fall in a richer, more mature palette.  A few of our favorites are listed above (please note the colors may not translate well on every monitor.  Visit Sherwin Williams Online to see a better representation of the colors).

2.)  Art Work - Stay away from the baby art and find art work in home and antique stores that would work in a nursery.  www.Art.com is a great place to get inspiration.  If all else fails create it yourself.  You can even head to the fabric store, find a fabric you love and cover a large canvas with the fabric to add a pop of interest. 

3.)  Bedding - Keep it simple.  We recommend a simple bumper or mesh bumper. Then, add a floor length crib skirt that you can adjust as you adjust the mattress.  You may have a crib with a wood front and not even need a crib skirt.  

Did you consistantly hear/read advice for new Mom's that you have found to be a "myth?"  Share it with us in the comments below or e-mail myth@peekaboodesign.com. 

Aside from the onesies, burp cloths and bibs, we leave the following in the changing table of every nursery we complete.  The chances of you needing all of these items are slim, but we'd rather you have them and not need them rather than reach for something and it not be there. 

1.) Diapers - Newborn and Size 1  Newborn diapers are nice because they have a cut-out for the umbilical cord, but we have had clients come home with larger babies who leaked right through the Newborn size.  You know you're going to need the #1's so why not stock a few?

2.) Diaper Wipes For cleaning baby's bum.

3.)  Baby Powder/Corn Starch - Talc Free Reduces moisture to prevent diaper rash.

4.)  Diaper Ointment To treat diaper rash.

5.)  Baby Lotion Use for dry patches. Some apply after baths to assure babies skin stays moisturized.

6.)  Baby Oil Use for dry patches.  Can be used after bath to keep baby's skin from getting dry.  Also great for infant massage.

7.)  Vaseline Can be used on dry patches.  Some use to prevent diaper rash.  Use on circumcized area to keep diaper from sticking to baby.  Can be used in baby's nose from being rubbed raw from wiping.  Lastly, you may need it to take baby's temperature 'from behind.'  Yikes!  I'm hoping we've past these days with the new thermometers!

8.)  Cotton Balls Used to treat umbilical cord and/or circumcision scar.

9.)  Gauze For applying ointment.  Caring for umbilical cord and/or circumcision scar.

10.)  Alcohol  Some use in caring for the umbilical cord, though recent research finds it's best to just leave that area be.  Can also be used to clean your thermometer...especially if utilizing with vaseline (see #7)! 

11.)  Q-Tips Used for applying ointment to circumcision.  Can be used for baby's ears as long as you use inside the outer portion of the ear.  Inserting a q-tip into the ear only pushes the wax further in.

12.)  Toy/Rattle/Pacifier Keeps baby occupied while you change their diaper. 

13.)  Zip Lock Baggies For disposing of really, really bad diapers that you want out of the house quick!  Be sure to remove the baggies or keep them out of reach of baby when he/she is more mobile.

14.)  Hand Sanitizer  To keep your hands sanitized, especially when caring for umbilical cord and/or circumcision.

15.)  Tissues  Always nice to have handy.

16.)  Safety/Medical Kit We like the pre-packaged ones.  The Safety First kit includes the following:

Additions from our Readers:

Submitted by Jennifer, my cousin and mother of Drew, Ava & Landry.              17.) Saline - to use with the bulb syringe for stuffy noses.  Read a 'how-to' here. 

Have a suggestion to be added to the list?  Let us know:  CaringForBaby@PeekabooDesign.com

This changing table just didn't fly for our Vintage Travel Nursery, so we mapped out a new plan.  We refinished the changing table to match the crib.  Then, we decoupaged the front with maps that we aged for a more sophisticated look.  After replacing the drawer pulls with more worldly knobs, we had a changing table fit for travel!

A funny little fact not many know about me is that I'm obsessed with the dollar store.  Or, Dolla Store as my Great Aunt Frances used to say...it's a Southern thing.  Not any dollar store, there is only one chain that I frequent which will remain un-named but, it's the cleanest and best organized.  It also has the coolest finds AND everything really is one dollar.  I have no respect for a store calling itself the "dollar store" then charging $2, $4 and $5 for most of the items.  That's a "dollars store."  Plural.  No different from any other store on any other corner. Disgraceful.

Anyhow, I digress.  The "crack sample" that got me hooked on this particular dollar store was my discovery of the glassware and serving pieces.  If you need inexpensive water or wine glasses or champagne flutes, head to the dollar store.  50 for 50 bucks.  Can't beat it and no one will know the difference.   

They also have great faux silver serving trays in all sizes...perfect to take to parties because they look nice and you can leave it behind!  I keep a stack of them in my china cabinet.  Once, at a baby shower, we used the smaller silver trays to serve individual salad sample plates to all of our guests.  The presentation was gorgeous.  I'll post pics of that shower here someday, but today...I have to get back on track.  I told you the dollar store gets these Scottish veins a pumpin'!   

The entire reason I'm posting today is to share with you my latest find.  Check out these great 3-in-1 Cotton Sets.  It's always a difficult task to find a handy place on/in the changing table to conveniently store cotton balls, q-tips and cotton pads.  Solution: these handy snap containers!!  Even if you can't find them in a store near you, you can probably find a segregated plastic organizer with a lid...then, you can fill it with whatever you need.  I just like the fact that you can grab one container for several needs in a pinch.

Let me know your solutions for the changing table!  I'd love to hear them!

STAY TUNED!!  Project Peekaboo is coming soon!

Please note that this is not a paid advertisement and that there were no products or services exchanged in return for this article. 

I have a list of questions that I ask every Mom I know or meet.  One is, "What's your opinion on the diaper disposal system?  Necessary?  Or, not?"

The answers run the gamut.  Most say that it's not a necessity because it doesn't help with the really bad smelling diapers, anyhow.  Then, they'll tell me that they take those diapers directly to an outside trash so not to stink up the entire house. 

Some say that they don't think the disposal system covers any smelly diaper...big or small.  These parents end up putting all poo-poo diapers in an outside receptacle and all the pee-pee diapers in an inside receptacle.

Others say that they prefer keeping diapers separate from regular trash.  This parent may still take the smelly ones out, but they'll use the disposal system for all other diapers.

My conclusion on the subject is that only you know your personality.  If you are a neat freak and like things in their proper place, then go with the diaper disposal system, but also be sure to have a regular trash can for other trash.  We like the small flip can kind because they keep things looking clean and tidy.

If you have a feeling that the system would be a waste of money for you, skip it!  There is plenty that you can spend that money on...like food to ensure there are dirty diapers!

PRODUCT SUMMARY AND A FEW TIPS:

1.)   The Diaper Champ (costs around $35) upside:  can use regular kitchen bags instead of the specialty bags and it's easy to manuever.  Diaper Champ downside:  all diapers are dropped from directly into the same bag so may not seal the smell as well.

2.)  Diaper Geenie (Costs between  $25-$40 depending on level) upside:  each diaper drops into its own bag in order to contain the smell better.  Diaper Geenie downside:  you have to touch the diaper by shoving it into the container which can sometimes be a struggle when holding baby.

3.)  Diaper Dekor (costs around $40) also takes special refill bags, but is said to be easier to operate.  Also, the bags are reported to last a long time.

4.)  Safety First Odorless Diaper Pail (runs about $17) includes a deodorizer and can also use regular kitchen bags, may not be as durable.  

TIP:  Put stinky diapers into zip lock bags before disposing.  Great thing to keep in your changing table!

TIP:  Change the bag every couple of days to avoid smell.

TIP:  Use a scented trash bag in trash can, Diaper Champ or Safety First model.

Most of all, don't stress.  Parents were dealing with diaper disposal way before the invention of any of these products!

Don't forget!!  Our Peekaboo Reality Web Series will launch in May 2010 at www.ProjectPeekaboo.com!!

Please note that this is not a paid advertisement and that there were no products or services exchanged in return for this article.