Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Why I'm delaying setting up my nursery

I'm a little bit close to my third trimester.

This was a couple of weeks back

And during this time, most families begin their 'nesting saga' so to speak, with much gusto and with full bravado.

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I for one, you all know, have not been slacking on this important detail in our life.

You have probably seen my Nursery Designs already, so you know it's been a pre-occupation of mine for a while now.

However, the reason as to why I haven't done or executed any of my nursery plans yet is this - I am in no hurry to finish up my nursery since I plan to have my baby share our bedroom for awhile.

Yes, you read it right, I am planning to nest first with baby right in our own Master bedroom.


The decision was clear for us from the start and here are our reasons:

1) Baby's nursery is gonna be on the 2nd floor of the house. Our Master Bedroom is on the ground floor. You can imagine the dilemma and eventual weariness of going up and down the stairs already right?


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2) Culturally, as Filipinos, this is the set-up we grew in to and the set-up I had with my 2 boys as well.


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Why you may ask? Well, houses in the Philippines are usually not big enough to accommodate an extra bedroom for babies, and even if there was an extra room, this was more often allocated for guests and relatives  (or house maids) who often come and visit with the family, so baby ends up sleeping in parents room as long as possible.  

I guess I'm doing this again out of 'habit'????

3) It's just EASIER for everything to be arms reach when you have a newborn and recovering from a C-section as well.

We know having the baby in our own bedroom would give us more 'work' than respite but in the end, convenience of having our baby close by, wins against our 'restful night debate'.

And so with these reasons, I have been looking at families who co-share their own rooms with their babies!

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I don't plan on putting my full-sized crib in our bedroom, just a bassinet and the changing table for some of baby's stuff. But overall, this last room sort of mimics the layout I have in mind.

I know this decision of ours is not for everyone and definitely not for the majority of families, but then again, it's our choice and we feel it is the right choice FOR US.

I will still set-up the nursery, for sure, but with some delay, and now you know why!


How about you? How did you sleep with a newborn? Sounds familiar or remotely absurd? When did you have your baby move into the nursery, right away or after a few weeks? months? Please do share your experience. I would love to hear them.

Have a Wonderful Weekend!


VEL 

 Would love to hear your thoughts! Please share away...

35 comments:

  1. Sounds like you know what to expect having opted for this approach before Vel ... as you said, its important that it be right for you and yours and not such a big deal how others may react. I think having a newborn in a bassinet in your bedroom for the first few weeks makes a lot of sense, allowing everyone to settle in and figure out a long-term routine. Let's be honest, sleep isn't gonna happen much regardless of where anyone rests those first few weeks ;) I did have friends who needed to keep baby in their room long-term due to space issues and they got a set of noise canceling headphones ... they alternated nights who slept with the headphones & who didn't (the person who had "baby watch" that night). Worked well for them. You look great by the way!!! And I know the nursery will be charming whenever you do make that magic happen.

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  2. You look sooo good! Hope you are feeling well. I think it makes perfect sense and will be so much more convenient. I did the same, even though the nursery was ready and just across the hall, it was great having baby at arms reach. So excited for you!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  3. Hi Vel, you look so cute with that tiny belly! I kept both of my sons in a bassinet in our bedroom for the first couple of months. I nursed so it was much easier to just reach over and pick up the baby in the middle of the night. I couldn't even imagine going up and down stairs!
    -Shelley

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  4. Oh I think having the baby in your room for a while is perfect. You seem to have plenty of room and it would be so much easier.

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  5. We were forutnate that the baby's room was right next to ours, so we still had our space, but she was SUPER close by. If we had been in a similar situation with the master/nursery on separate floors, I probably would have made a similar decision. Do what works for you....

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  6. Hi Vel! You look so cute with your little baby belly! Now, I think your decision is a wonderful one. My daughter did this with both of her babies. She nursed and it was so much easier for her. She actually had the babies sleep right in the bed with her. That worried me a bit but she said it made her sleep lighter and if the little one wiggled, she was awake! My best to you, sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  7. So excited for you that your getting so close to adding your new little one to the family! I think it's all about survival in the first few months - do whatever is easiest for you and if that's having your baby in your room, go for it!

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  8. You are truly the most elegant looking pregnant woman I have ever seen...even in your t-shirt! Motherhood is definitely your thing! I kept my babies in my room for the first few months, even though the nursery was steps away from the master in our first tiny cottage. I nursed them both and it was just so much easier to keep them close by for those late night feedings. Besides, they grow up so quickly ~ I wanted to keep them super close by for as long as I could! I still love it when thunderstorm season comes along and I end up with a bed full of teens! ;)

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  9. That's a wonderful decision and you don't have to justify it to anyone. We had both of ours in a bassinet near our bed for the first few weeks, then moved them to their own rooms. For one, I couldn't sleep! I kept watching him/her breath and stare at them all night. You look SOOOO good Vel, I am happy for you all. xoxo Nancy

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  10. We also had both our boys sleep in our bedroom for the first 3-4 months. We had their nurseries set up, but they didn't sleep in them until that 3-4 month mark. I also had two c-sections, so it was a lot easier to have the baby close by (especially when nursing) We just had the bassinet and a few other baby related items in our bedroom. I can't imagine going up and down stairs all night with a newborn. Do what feels right for you and all will be well. :)

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  11. I never had Stella in the same room as us, just because I couldn't sleep at all with her in the room. The mommy in me would wake up every time I heard the slightest noise! With that being said, we adopted, and I didn't nurse, so my husband and I both got up for feedings. Going up and down the stairs multiple times a night wasn't an issue for us, or I may have done things differently! I think whatever works for you is best for baby, plus there are tons of cute bassinets out there! It seems like most people that I know do what you're doing and put the baby in the master for the first little while. BTW, you look adorable!

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  12. I totally agree with you, Vel! We lived in a very tiny house when our children were born. We kept our first in our bedroom until she was sleeping through the night. When our son was born, we had the same set-up, but ended up putting him just outside our door in the little hallway, because he made so much noise when he slept -- snorting, grunting....that little babe was noisy! It all worked out! You have to make the right choices for you and your family, and I know you will!

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  13. Yay! You are half way there and you look beautiful! You are so right to do what is best for your family! I, too, had C sections with both of my children and they both stayed in our room so that I wouldn't have to go up and down the stairs. In fact, since my children are 18 months apart, the older never moved upstairs to his room before the baby was born so we had a toddler bed and a crib in our room which is quite spacious. Both of them stayed there for quite a while, maybe 2 or 3 years before they ever moved into their own rooms upstairs. Regardless of the pros and cons and naysayers, I am happy to report that both of them are well adjusted adults. If I had to do it over I would do the same thing again.

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  14. All of my babies co-slept, some longer than others, but I swore I would never do it, now I think it's the only way :)

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  15. You look so fabuluous Ms. Vel. I wish you good and safe pregnancy until you'll give birth. me, I house my baby in our own room. Very accessible for us especially during night time.

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  16. Vel, I did the same thing with all my three kids. And my parents did the same with us. It is also in our culture. I can NOT imagine having a newborn baby sleeping alone in a nursery on the second floor. Can NOT wait to see the baby. You look so pretty! :) Hugs, Maria

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  17. It sounds like it makes perfect sense, Vel! I say whatever works best for you, do it!

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  18. Sounds wonderful, Vel! I'm all for co-sleeping lol. Still have both my kids next to me at night. It's starting to get a bit crowded now, but we are still enjoying it - they won't be wanting to sleeping next to mum and dad forever :D All the best! xo

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  19. I think that is perfectly sensible!!! Baby will enjoy your beautiful bedroom - what a treat!! :) You look gorgeous, Vel. Cheers~

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  20. I think it's the perfect choice since the nursery isn't on the same floor as your bedroom. I think you wouldn't be able to sleep not knowing if the baby is alright. And I don't think it'll change anything about sleepless night. If the baby were crying, you would get up anyway even if s/he (dying to know) wasn't in your room, probably rushing in the stairs... Very sensible choice if you ask me. I sleep with one of my cat... Does that count? ;)

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  21. Looking beautiful, Vel! Before my son arrived, we set up his crib next to our bed. We never had a nursery and it worked well especially during midnight nursing/ feedings the first few months. He was still in his crib (next to our bed) until he is 2 years old. We had the same situation in our last home.The master bedroom was located downstairs and all the other rooms were located upstairs so it would be impractical to get up and down the stairs a few times to nurse my son during midnight. It had worked well for us. So, don't worry what others might think, do what feels right for you and your family! If it worked before with your two boys, I am sure the same arrangement would work again with your baby girl!

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  22. So exciting!!! Congratulations, I cannot wait to see the nursery!! It is going to be fabulous!

    XOXO,
    The Glam Pad

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  23. Everything you said makes sense! We had the nursery done so soon but never really used it until Lily was 4-5 months. It's just so much easier to have a new baby close to mom :)
    You look so cute!!! I'm so happy for you and your family!

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  24. Thanks for stopping by my new blog today, Val! I really appreciate your sweet comment! I was so stressed about the nursery being perfect to welcome Will home from the hospital... And, 18 months later, he actually slept in it! That's such a sweet time. I say, keep that little once close! xo Kristy

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  25. Hey sweet Vel, how are you and how's your Little bump? Yes, you are right...as Latins we do share our bedroom with our just borns for at least 4-5 months, so we can breast feed them and hear them at close range; otherwise it's to much strain for the new mother, to have to go to another room when you are dying to go back to bed yourself, lol !
    Tks. for dropping by while I was away. I will post this weekend, as I'm finally done with chors around the house.
    Hugs,
    FABBY

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  26. Vel, you look lovely pregnat...the best!
    FABBY

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  27. Vel it will be the perfect arrangement and I am so excited for you!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena
    Henri Cartier-Bresson, Here and Now

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  28. First of all, that shirt is adorable - and you look amazing! Confession - I slept on the sofa in my family room with my girls in bassinets (and in my arms) for the first couple of months. I was exhausted and wanted to be near the fridge and the formula! My hubby slept peacefully upstairs in the kind size bed - until he forced me to come up and join him! Great memories - of sleepless nights and screaming in my ear - but I wouldn't change a thing!
    Kelly

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  29. Right on! Do your thing....let's face it, it's your house, your baby, and your way! Celebrate! Let's cherish the times we have have with family.
    Sharon

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  30. That sounds wonderful, Vel, to have your babe right there with you! We always had ours in our room too for a while. Makes me think of those beautiful little sounds a newborn makes, little baby bird! The sweetest time EVER….enjoy!! That first design by Maria Beck is gorgeous!

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  31. I was so hoping to see a picture of you! Halfway there~ yippee!

    For 1000's of years entire families shared one room. Fantastic!

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  32. You look beautiful, Vel! Your master bedroom is so pretty and big, it can host your baby as long as you want it! I think that's what most parents do, even if they have a nursery steps off their bedroom.

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  33. I did the same thing with my boys! In fact, Zion would not even sleep in his bassinet in our room, so he slept in our bed initially. Little Ian was more cooperative and slept in his bassinet but it was still in our room. They were both C-sections so it was much easier this way and also for breast feeding. You look great too btw!

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  34. I understand and completely agree with you Vel! All 3 of mine slept in a cradle right next to my bed for the first 3-4 months. In my opinion it makes for a much more restful night, especially when you are breast feeding and recovering.

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  35. How did I miss this? Sorry! I love the idea of having your precious little one in there with you, it's such a special time and is over before you know it. I'd do it in a heartbeat!

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