| The time has come! The long awaited transition | | | | citrus oil water. |
| from "womb to room" is one you have anxiously | | | | Do place a rocker or comfortable chair in a cozy |
| anticipated and revered at the same time. Likely | | | | corner of the nursery to provide the feeling of |
| you are rushing to complete the final preparations | | | | safety and protection while nurturing your baby. |
| for the nursery, completing projects and stocking | | | | 6 - Lighting |
| up on essentials. The advent of your new arrival | | | | As Goldilocks may have wanted her room--not |
| definitely ups the vibration in your home and | | | | too bright, not to dim, but just right, soft lighting is |
| necessitates thinking of ways to bring balance to | | | | beneficial to creating a gentle, stimulating room for |
| your life at this exciting time. | | | | your baby. |
| The 3,000 year-old Chinese art of feng shui is all | | | | 7 - Sound |
| about harmony and balance. Paramount to feng | | | | Eliminating electrical magnetic fields (EMF's) by |
| shui is the flow of chi or energy and its affects | | | | banning electronic items in the nursery creates a |
| on the environment and the people living there. | | | | soothing environment. Although you may not |
| The following nine tips will help you create a | | | | notice the subtle "hum" of electronics it exists and |
| sacred place and healing space: | | | | is known to disturb the energy in the room. |
| 1- Location | | | | 8 - Movement |
| Choose which room you will use for a nursery | | | | Mobiles do have their place in the nursery as they |
| wisely. To provide a solid foundation for your | | | | provide stimulation for your baby. An auspicious |
| baby, do not choose a room located over a | | | | placement is key however to maintaining a restful |
| garage or a storage area or a room that shares | | | | environment, so do place the mobile over the |
| a wall with a bathroom or storage closet. Do | | | | changing table and not over the crib. |
| choose a room with a window for adequate | | | | 9 - Clutter-free |
| natural light and chi movement. | | | | I saved the number one rule of feng shui for last. |
| 2- Preparation | | | | Why is a clutter-free environment the "big buzz" |
| Providing an energetically clear room is essential | | | | you may ask? Clutter creates a chaotic |
| for your baby. You can accomplish this prior to | | | | environment, collects dust and causes the energy |
| the baby's arrival by opening windows, spritzing | | | | to become stagnant and negative. Besides if not |
| therapeutic grade essential oils around the room, | | | | before the new baby arrives, when will you get |
| and wiping surfaces with water imbued with citrus | | | | your stuff under control? |
| oils. | | | | Overall, remember that bringing your new child |
| 3- Color | | | | home is a holistic event that involves baby, |
| Contrary to the Western decor trends of primary | | | | parents and siblings. Practice the ways of feng |
| colors in a nursery, feng shui suggests the use of | | | | shui to ease the transition from "womb to room," |
| pastels. Paint the walls a soft green, blue or pink | | | | and, your home will be blessed with balance and |
| and keep the ceiling white. When the walls and | | | | harmony. So breath and "be" the happiness that |
| ceiling are painted the same color, the energy | | | | you want for your new baby. |
| gets "boxed in" and doesn't flow. | | | | Energy Increasing Tips (or Nesting, Resting & |
| Choose non-toxic paints and natural materials to | | | | Living Tips): |
| improve the air quality in the nursery. | | | | For Mom: Store all unfinished projects out of sight |
| 4 - Themes & Motifs | | | | so you can devote your time and energy to your |
| Avoid patterns and graphics with ferocious looking | | | | new baby and family without the nagging |
| animals and those containing points such as | | | | reminder of "should do's." |
| arrows, crosses, triangles or diamonds. Choose | | | | For Dad: Make a check list of tasks that you can |
| "green" or natural bedding, linens and disposable | | | | help with to keep things running smoothly and |
| products when available. Overall, babies benefit | | | | place it on the refrigerator for easy review. |
| from soft surfaces and pleasing, subtle patterns. | | | | Having the list ready and visible helps to eliminate |
| 5 - Furnishings | | | | the pressure of repeatedly asking how you can |
| Keep the furniture light in weight and color. Ensure | | | | help and minimizes the chat about what needs to |
| that there are no sharp points or pointed objects | | | | be done. |
| in the room or on the corners of the furniture. Be | | | | For Siblings: Include siblings in the nesting |
| mindful of furniture used by others. Think about | | | | preparations by helping them organize their rooms |
| the situation - is the furniture a hand-me-down | | | | before the baby's arrival. |
| from a happy person or not? In any event clear | | | | Remember...keep your chi rising! |
| the energies of the furniture by wiping it with | | | | |