DIY

Vintage Bassinet Redo

Our little one is due in the next two weeks or so here (!) and we are all getting very excited! I think we are going to do a few little bedroom switches when the baby gets older, but I haven’t worked it all out yet, so I’ve held off on buying a new crib….

Our little one is due in the next two weeks or so here (!) and we are all getting very excited!

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I think we are going to do a few little bedroom switches when the baby gets older, but I haven’t worked it all out yet, so I’ve held off on buying a new crib. I did pick up a bassinet off Craigslist though and gave it a little makeover during the holidays.

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I love, love the shape of the basket, but the finish and color of the wood was not my favorite.

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Since the bassinet will stay in our bedroom, I thought a soft white would be prettiest against our dark walls (the color is Ben Moore’s Knoxville Gray). I had a couple cans of Rustoleum’s Heirloom White on hand, which is the perfect off-white.

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I think the secret to a great spray painted finish is several thin coats with lots of drying time between coats. If you get any drips or dust in the finish, a fine grade sanding block will work wonders.
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I had to trim the corners of a portable crib mattress down to fit the oval shape of the bassinet and I think it needs a little more trimming to fit perfectly and I might end up altering the sheets, but I’m pretty happy with how the bassinet turned out.

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All her little clothes and swaddling blankets are washed, her car seat’s installed and ready, we’re just waiting for her to show up! The poor little thing is breech and the cord is tangled around her neck a few times, so she’s having a hard time flipping. I’ve been doing all sorts of awkward yoga to get her moving and untangled, but no luck yet! Any tips?

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66 thoughts on “Vintage Bassinet Redo

  1. I love the way this turned out…It's so pretty! However I would caution you to use it for decoration only. The off-gassing of the spray paint will continue for several months and that could be very bad for your baby if she is lying there breathing in the fumes. Not too be a downer. I love everything you do…you have amazing taste!

  2. Yes, get on your hands and knees and start crawling! I posted about Back Labor No More here regarding the must try lift http://thefolia.com/2014/12/21/something-about-a-bump/ however, Spinning Babies has some details of actually getting the baby in the correct position first. Also I put my ultrasound pic upside down and have other pictures of babies upside down all over my nest…visualize it and good luck Mama!

  3. I had an external version at 38 weeks with child #2. It was successful but took 2 obs to do it! My husband's eyes looked like they were going to pop out of his head – he couldn't believe how hard they were working. Our daughter stayed head down for 2 weeks and came on her due date. Good luck!

  4. I was told to go to the pool and stand on my head as long as I could hold my breathe and then repeat for as long as I could mentally take it which was 30-40 minutes. IT WORKED – baby flipped.

  5. holy cow, it feels like just yesterday you announced the pregnancy! time flies…
    love the bassinet….good luck with everything : )

  6. I second the spinning babies website. Also acupuncture (moxibustion), a chiropractor, basically anything you can do that doesn't hurt and might work!

  7. The labor nurse in me cannot resist:
    Some of these suggestions are very dangerous. Especially eating before your version: this is in case turning her should cause her umbilical cord to pull tight and cut off her blood supply, you would need an emergent c-section. (She may be stuck in a breech position because she tangled tightly in her cord and doesn't have the "slack" to flip.) Having food/water on your stomach is dangerous for you, as you will likely have to be put to sleep in order to get your baby out in time to save her.
    Although, I have seen a few vaginal breech deliveries that were successful, I have also seen some that weren't so "successful". You do risk a head entrapment….which is a very real and very scary risk. After your baby's body is delivered, the cervix can clamp down and trap her head inside your uterus. There are medicines that they can give you to relax your uterus and release her head, but just remember: when things go wrong, seconds matter.
    In the end, I'm sure you want a healthy baby more than a perfect birth story…..hopefully she decides to flip on her own for you ;)

  8. 4th baby surely you know ALL the tips? If nothing else find a mw who delivers breech!

    Also check the safety on that vintage piece. Style is important and looks good, but following guidelines for safety is always number 1. Let it air outside before using it. Those fumes are so toxic!

    Enjoy every moment with baby girl no. 4! Such a blessing :)

  9. 4th baby surely you know ALL the tips? If nothing else find a mw who delivers breech!

    Also check the safety on that vintage piece. Style is important and looks good, but following guidelines for safety is always number 1. Let it air outside before using it. Those fumes are so toxic!

    Enjoy every moment with baby girl no. 4! Such a blessing :)

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