Are mobiles and wall decor for important for baby's stimulation? / Open

Maybe I'm thinking to much about this but, I have no mobile or wall decor by the baby's crib and I'm wondering what the norm is on selecting mobile's and wall decor.  Do I just pick something that is "cute" and matches her bedding (which I really dont want to do) or do I pick something that is more educational/stimulating.
As far as wall decor, her crib is against two walls and so I figured it might also be important to put something stimulating for her to look at.  Again, maybe I'm thinking to much about this.  Any info and product suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Please use as an open forum.

[deanne11]

I like the mobile idea and wall decor.  (this new baby will have both)

With our daughter we decided against both...trying to be strick parents we didn't want her bed to be entertainment...it was for sleep...LOL

I don't know what we were thinking....now she's a spoiled mess...LOL

Anyway. whatever we were thinking it worked because when she was an infant we never had trouble getting her to sleep herself.  No crying, fussing.  I'd rock her for a bit and sing to her then put her in.

Of course in the morning we wished she had had something to stimulate her so we didn't have to get up at the crack of dawn.

[cantwait4baby]

I have the mobile that reflect the fish on the ceiling.  Mainly because my BF loved it.  It does not match the Pooh themed room but everyone who has it says the baby will love it.

Wall decor I do not like much just because I am afraid it will fall in the crib.

[deanne11]

i got the wall decor...it's appliques (sp) where they just stick to the wall...like stickers.  nothing to hang and fall.

it's pretty but I don't even have them over the crib.  everything to me is a choking hazard...lol

i have them on the wall in front of the crib.

[myproblem]

My baby LOVES her moblie. She became interested in it at about 3 weeks old. Now she is almost 3 mos. As soon as I put her under it, she smiles and cooes, and kicks her legs. I had an ugly old one that I paid about $1 for at a yardsale. Then I bought cute mini stuffed animals for $2 each at Babies r Us, and hung them from it with ribbon. They had little loops on their backs already, so this helped. I covered the old sticker on the music part with new ones. The whole thing cost about $10 instead of the $30-40 they go for new. I have a problem with those kind of prices. with my 1st baby we couldn't afford that kind of price. Now we can, but I just can't bring myself to spend that kind of $ on a toy.
As for the walls, babies love something to look at, but tthe curtains can be equally entertaining. In my room, baby loves the curtains and curtain rod. In the girls room, she loves the polka dots on the walls. She's also happy to coo at the heater vent or the ceiling fan though.

[newbie2b]

I actually was looking at the fish one with the projection thing.  I have the fisher price ocean wonder aquarium for the side of her crib which I really liked because, in my old nanny days, saw how soothing it was to the babies. It lets off a soft light and soft music as the little fish swim by.  
I mean, the designer in me (I work in an interior design shwrm) wants to throw have her name on the wall and all these cutsie butter flies and bug stuff but, the mom in me wants what's best for her and what will stimulate her. I dont know. Again, I may be thinking to much of this but, I just want to do things the "right way" which I know is a stupid idea as there is no real right way.  But besides her health and well being, I want an intelligent child.

[deanne11]

don't worry so much.  my dd had nothing on her walls ro crib, NOTHING (because of rental agreements) until she was 10 months old.

she is super super smart.  she is 2 1/2 but tests for a 4 yr old in counting/alphabet/colors/shapes/animals and skill.

she is already playing teeball without the tee.  she can hit the ball if you throw it to her.

my dd does have the name thing on her wall now, i love it.  

you can do both.  make the room nice and pretty but combine with education things.

give her stimulation but remember the best stimulation and learning for the child is in response to you, not their 'alone' entertainment.

my dd had the ocean wonder bouncy seat with the bubbles and fish...she loved it too.  something about the ocean thing kids love.

[newbie2b]

As far as wall decor, I wanted to put little pictures up of baby animals ( I love baby animals) and dogs ect.  Just my preference but I guess I have to remember that she is an infant and probably wont even remeber where we lived at this age..lol

[newbie2b]

While I'm at it, I figured I would bring this subject up since it is an open forum.  My dog has been extrememly clingy to me in the past few days.  I'm not sure if its the baby or because, I sent him to the groomers (Trying to keep hair/dust at a minimum) and he's not to happy about it. It's very much out of his character to be so attached. he's usually very independent.  But I knew something was up when he was bother me to sleep on the bed (he's not allowed) and when I finally gave in, went from sleeping at my feet, to my waist to right on my belly (he's only 11lbs so it's ok). Do you think dogs sense that a change is coming?  He's been so sweet lately. Not sure what to think.

[Me2mommy2b]

Hi, DD was not very interested in the mobile until she was about 3 months old.  Yeah, she would look at it but nothing would calm her down but US...that was frustrating.  I just have colorful letter across the wall spelling out "BABY".  DH made fun of me saying "in case people can't figure out who sleeps in the crib?"  Such a wise ***.  

[deanne11]

pets definitely notice changes.  my dog stayed away from me the entire week leading up to my dd's birth.

he hid in the closet...lol  

I have a 100lb big baby, lab.

animal instinct is much more intuned with naturalistic things than we are.

that is why they use them for people with epilespy...(sp?) etc.

[anxiousmomtobe?]

My ds's favourite thing was to watch the streetlight outside his window!  I had to raise the blind so he could see it, I think he also liked the headlights of cars too.

Do the nursery up the way that makes you happy, babies are funny creatures and will amuse themselves pretty much with anything.  My daughter loved her hands, expecially with mitties on them.

[have 2 kids]

Pets can definately sense a change is coming.  We had a female dog that never wanted anything to do with me, (she adored my husband) when I was pregnant she began to follow me around, days before having both kids she would not leave me alone, wherever I was so was she.  If I was in the shower and didn't let her in the bathroom she would sit by the door and whine.  She insisted on sleeping by me (we had never allowed her to do this).  

[GNicole]

I also have the Fisher Price aquarium but we also got the mobile to match her bedding.  How is everyone feeling?? I am feeling the same still have the awful swelling (it has gotten worse), no energy, horrible reflux.  I am getting so nervous about the delivery. I am going to pack my bag for the hospital tonight.  Talk to you soon! :)

[low22]

I'm not getting the matching mobile that goes with my bedding....even though it would look way cooler.  I'm going to instead get one of the ones at BRU or Target that plays music and moves.  I think I registered for a Rainforest one.  

[deanne11]

don't worry about being paranoid.  unfortunately, today's world has made us that way.

after that horrific 'jessica lunsford' case (God rest her soul) in FL we put alarms on my dd's windows at night when she sleeps.  and on the bathroom window next to her room.  

our dog sleeps in the hall outside her door so we thought that would cover our bases.

can you believe we even have to consider things?

[newbie2b]

It's a toss up for me now. The rain forest one will match the rain forest swing and high chair I got. But the Fisher price ocean wonders will match the other fisher price oceran wonder aquariam. So much for not matching huh....lol But I think they are both good and feel comfortable with either of them. AND they have a remote so I can stay in bed and coax her back to sleep with it..lol

[low22]

I didn't know about the remote!  I'm sold!

[AnnieBrooke]

Babies like the contrast of dark and light; they will stare at anything with that (even a white towel on a brown leather couch).  My son likes to look at a polka dotted black and white piece of fabric on one of his toys.  They also like their parents' faces, so if you feel like putting lifesized photos up, the baby will look at them! LOL.  It's a funny decorating look, but what is a bedroom for if not for use?  It's not ALL about winning awards for cute design.  

[cantwait4baby]

It is horrible to think that way but I hear you, you can never be to safe there are so many creepy people out there.  We have a ladder out in our yard and I already told my boyfriend he has to find a place for that because someone can use it - put it right on the deck to the baby's room.  He thought I was crazy but its true.

How are you feeling deanne?  Are you still moving?  I hope you stay on here throughout your pregnancy.  I am looking forward to hearing about your little pea.  

[deanne11]

I've been feeling okay.  I'm having lots of pelvic pressure lately....guess it's stretching, round ligament stuff.

I have been having several good days but every so often I still run to the bathroom and get sick.

It's hard.  A lot harder than my pregnancy with my daughter.  I'm so sick sometimes I can't function...just sit on the floor in front of the toilet.

I did start lovenox injections for the blood clotting disorder and that has been working out fine.

I go on Monday to the dr for the nuchal test?  whatever (sp?) They do a u/s and blood work for risk of whatever.  I didn't want to do it but I want to see my baby again...see all is okay.

I am moving...it's been postponed.  I'd like to wait until I have the baby but I don't think that is realistic.

What we may do is see how my dh's new benefits are and I can stay behind and work until his kick in....some companies have a 30-90 day waiting period.

My company was nice...benefits started day one of the job.

[cantwait4baby]

My company has great benefits like that too.  That is wonderful everything is going good and since you are still getting sick - that means the baby has taken over so thats a good thing.  Trust me, I know - 5 months of all day long sickness - If I wasn't getting sick - I felt like I was.  I ate bagels all day long and helped pack on the lbs. so now I am huge at 9 months.  As I drove into work with a bucket I would say - Thanks for the healhty baby!!!!  over and over again... hahaha  Now I have little feet in my ribs, I have to go to a pregnancy Chiropractor because I cannot walk and the head butting "down below" makes me feel like I am getting my behind kicked every single day.  

Good Luck at your doctor's appt - make sure you post and let us all know how everything went.  

[newbie2b]

HEY! I thought you went into labor. :0) Sorry your still swelling. Have your dr's made any plans for induction?  How are you and the baby?  I packed the babys stuff this weekend but I have yet to pack my stuff.  I guess it'll be sweats and a tshirt for me so, I wont pack to much. :0) Keep in touch, I was worried

[cantwait4baby]

Everything is a hazzard to me too.  I already moved all my cleaning supplies from under the kitchen sink to the top shelf in my basement closet.  My mom is like the baby will not be able to even crawl into the kitchen for 8 months.  I washed everything that is removable from all the chairs/swings/seats/etc.  And I have that sensor that detects movement (even heartbeat) while they sleep.

People say I am paranoid.  I think they are right.  I am so afraid somethign is going to happen to this baby I even have nightmares about delivery.  Not for myself for the baby.  I am afraid of the cord/or getting stuck.  

I am going to need a long vacation after this pregnancy.

[cantwait4baby]

Sounds like we are all almost there.  I started to pack my bag, I am getting nervious too.  I will find out more today at the OB (internal yipes) and then tomorrow morning for an u/s.  

[GNicole]

You are so lucky you have an ultrasound tomorrow! I didn't go to work today because I had such terrible reflux last night and didn't fall asleep until 4:30 this morning. When I woke up I felt kind of crampy. My friend just had her baby 2 weeks ago and she said she felt crampy for 2 days before she had him. Wouldn't that be nice??  I hope you girls are doing well, keep me posted! :)