So you just got the great news that you are going to have a baby! After the excitement comes the question: "Where are we going to put the baby phase?" Should we use the office/guest room/exercise room? Should we use the extra room where we store all the stuff that doesn't fit in the garage? Oh wait! We don't have an extra room - should we buy a new house?
Selecting where your baby will live is an exciting and challenging decision. Sometimes you may not have a choice as you only have one extra bedroom. Whatever your situation, here are some factors to consider when selecting and designing your baby's room:
� Does the room smell stale, musty or moldy?
� Is the house older than 1978? Does the room need to be repainted?
� Is the room drafty and cold?
� Is the room dark even in the daytime?
� Does the room have single pane windows?
� Is there a smoke/carbon dioxide detector in the room?
� What type of floor is in the room? Will the floor need to be replaced?
If the room smells stale and musty you may wish to have some testing done to be sure you aren't exposing your baby to mold and mildew. If the home is older than 1978 and you wish to remodel or repaint, you should make sure you comply with all state and federal regulations concerning lead paint and asbestos.
By carefully considering the location of your baby's room or what work needs to be done on an existing room prior to moving the baby in, you are taking the right steps to provide your baby with a healthy start.