Closet Nursery Ventilation, Having a child is one of the most rewarding experiences in life. However, infant mortality continues to snatch this joy away from countless parents. So to eliminate deaths of newborns, the government mandated that all new homes include a safe room for children, called the “closet nursery,” to shelter them from harm.
The closet nursery is excellent because it’s cost-effective, but if you plan on living in your home long term, there are some things to consider. Ventilation is one of them. The room can get extremely hot in the summer if not adequately ventilated.
Apart from heat management, ventilation also helps the room get adequate airflow and smell fresh, an important thing for a children’s room. Additionally, proper ventilation makes the room feel less cramped and more spacious. With this in mind, let’s look at how to ventilate a closet nursery properly.
Table of Contents
Tips for closet nursery ventilation
Replace the door
To have a properly ventilated closet nursery or any other room for that matter, you should start at the door. Standard doors are not ideal for use in closet nurseries. This is because most doors are thick and heavy, acting as an extension of the walls when they’re open.
As a result, you can choose between getting a light ventilated door, such as one made of mesh, for the closet nursery or removing the door entirely. Both options will significantly enhance airflow into the room while adding extra benefits like helping you hear the baby better if you don’t have a baby monitor.
However, removing the door entirely is the best option because it also gives the room total access at any time, which is very important in an emergency. Additionally, since the children in a closet nursery are likely to be infants, they don’t need any privacy, and a door wouldn’t add much value to the room.
Add an in-line Duct Fan
Since most closet nurseries are confined spaces, it’s important to find more ways to draw air into them, especially in the absence of windows. One way to achieve this is by setting up an in-line duct fan or duct fan booster.
A good duct fan will enhance the airflow in the room while also managing heat and making the closet nursery more comfortable for infants. It will also increase the amount of oxygen in the room, which is always a good thing.
Add Air Vents
We cannot talk about proper ventilation without mentioning air vents. Install additional vents in the closet nursery, making sure that they are large enough to maintain adequate airflow into the room while keeping it as safe as possible.
How to keep the closet nursery cozy and safe for the baby
Apart from ventilation, there are a few more things you should do to ensure that your baby is comfortable and safe. Here are a few more tips to help you make the closet nursery as comfortable and safe as possible.
Find the right crib
When shopping for a crib to use in a closet nursery, it’s important to remember that the baby will grow. Therefore, instead of getting a small rigid crib, you can get a sizeable adjustable crib.
A good crib is one from which you can remove one side to have it turn into a toddler bed. Many cribs can also be adjusted with toddler rails to prevent the child from rolling out of bed at night while allowing them to go to the bathroom safely without climbing over dangerously high rails.
It is also essential to pick a crib with two adjustable mattress heights for when the baby begins to pull up and stand.
Finally, remember to pick a crib made out of non-toxic materials and paint because toddlers tend to nibble everything. In case you are unsure about the safety of the crib’s materials, you can contact the manufacturer for clarification before making the purchase.
Place your crib at the right spot
How you position the crib is just as important as the crib itself. Place the crib away from glass or windows, especially if you live in an earthquake-prone area. If your closet nursery is not big enough to keep the crib away from windows, you should focus on window treatments and make sure the baby can’t reach the corners and drag them into the crib.
Don’t hang things over the crib
While it’s common practice to hang toys over the crib, many experts do not recommend it. Unless whatever you hang over the crib is firmly screwed into a wall or ceiling, the baby runs the risk of using it for support, ripping it off, and falling in the process. This can be a huge safety hazard.
Choose a soft floor
Once the baby is old enough to crawl or walk, they’ll spend a considerable amount of time on the closet nursery floor. As a result, many people add a rug on the closet nursery floor, which eventually acts as a play area.
If you decide to take this direction, ensure that the rug is made of soft material. Wool is an excellent example of a soft material you can use on the floor with the added benefit that it cleans easily.
You can even take it a step further and spread a few sheepskins for additional comfort. Of course, you should also ensure that the floor is clean at all times.
Use the right lighting at night
The concept of time is foreign to babies; that’s why they will be screaming at 3 am without a care in the world. At this time, you will probably drag yourself out of bed, half-asleep, hoping to soothe the baby back to sleep and return to your peaceful slumber.
However, if you have regular light bulbs in the closet nursery, both of you will jerk wide awake the moment you switch them on. As a result, you should use soft ambient lighting at night in the closet nursery.
Final thoughts
Closet nurseries are an essential part of any household with a baby. Ventilating the closet nursery assures you of the baby’s safety and comfort.
