If you’re like me you took your baby into the church service as long as possible. The day came when he no longer slept through the service but became fidgety, made noises and started distracting not only you but those around you. Now it’s time to take him into the nursery, but you don’t want to be “that mom” that the nursery workers talk about and want to be as prepared as possible.
Here are a few tips for how to prepare your baby for the church nursery…and a few for you too!
Have A Fully Stocked Diaper Bag
While most of these items will already be in your diaper bag, they are definitely worth mentioning. Why? Because when I asked my friend that was on staff for our church’s preschool department how to prepare, she told me I’d be shocked at how many people don’t remember simple items.
- Name tag on diaper bag with your child’s name
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Change of clothes in a ziploc bag (If your baby has a blow out you’ll have a bag to put the dirty clothes in without dirtying up your diaper bag!)
- Pacifiers
- Bottle w/milk or formula
- Baby’s favorite toys
- Light Blanket
Make sure you put your child’s name or initials on each of the items in his diaper bag. This will ensure they aren’t given to the wrong child or make their way back into the wrong diaper bag.
Use A Bit of Prevention
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Please consult your physician for more information!
Benjamin Franklin said it best, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” If you’re like me, you want to do everything you can to keep your baby healthy. I know my church keeps the nursery rooms and toys as clean as possible, but there are still germs floating around. One of the ways we build Dalton’s immune system is by putting OnGuard on his feet.
Each Sunday before we head to church I put these fabulous oils on his feet by placing one drop in the palm of my hand. I swirl it around with my finger to get the “juices flowing.” Then I use that same finger to put the oil on the pads of his feet and under his toes. (I put them on his feet because it gets into his bloodstream faster.)
(We don’t just put OnGuard on his feet when he’s headed to the church nursery, but any time I know we’re going to be with other children or large groups of people. By being proactive and using this and a few other preventative measures, Dalton has made it past his first birthday with only well-baby visits at the doctor!)
Enjoy Service Without Baby
I remember the first time I dropped Dalton off at the nursery. As I was sitting in church trying my best to focus on the worship music, but all I could think about were the things that I forgot to tell the nursery worker. I toyed with the idea of going back and telling her what she needed to know. In the middle of my going back and forth the Holy Spirit thumped me on top of my head and reminded me that the nursery workers had taken care of dozens and dozens of babies. If those babies had survived then Dalton would be just fine. After that reminder I was able to focus a lot better.
I know it’s tough handing your baby over to a stranger and trusting them to take care of your precious baby. But keep in mind that they truly love your baby (even if they just met him) and will do whatever it takes to keep him (and you) happy!
So do your best to clear your mind and listen to what the Lord has for you. And by all means, enjoy the service and your time away from your baby!
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