Move that cot!

We all have a vague idea of what feng shui involves but perhaps this only stretches to an idea of rearranging furniture to give us better luck. While this holds some element of truth, the reality is much more complex, as Sam Pope discovers....

• What is feng shui?
• Why is feng shui important for babies?
• Coo-chi-coo! Nursery basics
• Position of room within the house
• Position of the cot/crib
• Choosing appropriate colours
• Clutter vs clean spaces
• Delightful decorations

Feng shui literally means 'wind, water' and, as is the case with most Chinese philosophies, it involves balance in the environment in which we live. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as, "a system of laws considered to govern spatial arrangement and orientation in relation to the flow of energy, and whose effects are taken into account when siting and designing buildings." This flow of energy is called 'chi' and it sustains everything in life.

That said, it is also very fragile and can become either trapped or stagnant if conditions are not optimum. However, a feng shui practitioner can help to redress the balance to make living conditions more conducive to better well-being, as Kathryn Weber, feng shui consultant and publisher, explains. "Feng shui proposes that, by arranging and aligning the room correctly, energy will flow better in the room and that all who reside in the room will flourish and prosper better than if the energy is the room was not harmonious."

Feng shui consultants are trained in recognising where chi might be trapped or stagnant in buildings and use this knowledge to recommend ways in which it can be released, beginning at the very simplest level by rearranging furniture, adding or removing objects from a room and giving advice on colour schemes and other décor. Significant further changes follow from identification of electromagnetic fields, geopathic stress and other environmental risks. Improvement continues by setting the whole property harmoniously in its garden or landscape through design that collects and enhances natural energy.

If this all sounds a bit airy-fairy to you, it may interest or surprise you to know that brainiac Carol Vorderman endorsed feng shui in one of her regular columns in the Mirror - and not for financial remuneration either. (The question is where to put those vowels and consonants for optimum chance of success…)

Why is feng shui important for babies?

Feng shui experts agree that the nursery is a vital area in which to employ the principles of their system. Tom Coxon, Feng Shui consultant, explains why. "Babies and children are developing. The relevance of that to feng shui is that, whereas we adults are influenced by the feng shui whilst we're in it, and mostly leave the effects behind soon after we move, children gradually incorporate the influences into their make-up, taking it with them when they move." This, therefore, helps to form their profile and, accordingly, can have a huge impact on their health, wealth and lifestyle in later years.

Raymond Catchpole, chairman of The Feng Shui Society, agrees, adding, "Feng shui facilitates holistic development of all individuals and it is valuable that these influences should be appreciated in youth when the child is receptive and developing. Good fortune and increase energy will accompany proper implementation."

Kathryn also adds, "To maximise the energy in baby's room, there are several important factors to consider, such as room location, safety, colours, and furniture arrangement. These make up the foundation of good feng shui in the nursery. Plus, using feng shui will help to make babies less fussy, make them feel more comfortable in their surroundings, and will promote their health and well-being."

Coo-chi-coo! Nursery basics

Creating perfect feng shui will depend on each individual's living space so to make sure you get it absolutely right, you'd probably need the help of an expert. However, there are some basics to bear in mind when designing (or redecorating) a nursery.

The first is to do with timing. The Chinese are very superstitious and therefore believe it's best to leave decorating the nursery until the last few weeks leading up to the birth - so mischievous spirits are not tempted to do damage to the baby. However, we don't think that leaving the heavy-duty decorating is the best idea for a heavily pregnant woman! Maybe it's best to sit in a comfortable chair and give instructions to your partner…

The very basic principles for a harmonious nursery space include the following points.

Position of room within the house

Ideally, a child's room should be in the middle, or the 'bosom' of the house, as Raymond calls it, to induce feelings of security in the child. Kathryn also advises, "A new baby should have a bedroom that is not over a garage or has an empty space below. The bedroom also shouldn't be located where there is excessive noise that might keep the baby from sleeping, such as close to a living room where the TV is on or close to a noisy street or neighbour."

Position of the cot/crib

Position your child so his or her feet are not pointing straight out of the doorway and avoid placing their beds or cots underneath beams and overhead cupboards. Ideally, the crib or Moses Basket should be protected on two sides by walls. Kathryn offers the following tips.

"Whenever you enter a bedroom, the bed is placed in the proper position for an adult: you'd expect to see the head of the bed against the furthest wall. This is a command-type of position. However, so many people put cribs in odd ways. Cribs are lined up with the door (for the parent's convenience) which is disastrous in feng shui as this attracts harsh energy, or they are placed along side a wall, but rarely, if ever, is a crib placed like it should be: with the head against the wall."

Tom Coxon has seen at first hand how placing a cot or crib correctly can make the world of difference. "Babies can be very sensitive to energy and move to the good chi. I was once asked why one baby always curled up under the covers at the bottom of the cot, no matter how often her parents tried to move her to the pillow end. When I worked out the feng shui of that room, the answer became apparent: the top of the cot was in harmful energy and the bottom was in beneficial energy. The baby knew instinctively which position provided the good energy to sleep."

Choosing appropriate colours

Some experts advise that babies' rooms should be in soft 'yin' colours - pastels such as blues and greens, peach and light buttercup - as these induce serenity and rest. Primary colours are not ideal as they can be quite stimulating and, therefore, not restful in a sleeping place, as Annabel Treacher told us, "My newborn son was unsettled the moment he moved into his nursery. We had painted it bright green, with little monsters and animals everywhere - what we thought was a typical boy's bedroom and would inspire his creativity! Unfortunately, every time we laid him in there, he would fuss and it would take ages for him to fall asleep, especially when he woke in the night. Our feng shui consultant advised us to make the room less 'busy' in terms of design and to paint the walls a softer green. As soon as we had done this, we noticed a real improvement in Noah's sleeping and behaviour."

However, older children can benefit from stronger colours, as Raymond explains, "Colours in the room should be specifically advised by a feng shui expert to suit the personal development of the child. However, for overall stimulation and creativity, the bedroom should have some representation of the primary elemental colours of Water, Tree, Fire, Earth and Metal, which will bring specific benefits to the child if enhanced properly."

Clutter vs clean spaces

Keeping clutter to a minimum is common sense if nothing else. In feng shui, the argument against clutter is the same as in any other way of thinking. "Clutter is the first and most important rule of feng shui - get rid of it. Now!" urges Raymond Catchpole. "Clutter makes it difficult for the child to think and see clearly. Encourage the child to give away and pass on things to others. Make this a regular, fun process. In feng shui, something has to go before something new can enter." The additional benefit of this is that it teaches your child to give to others, so it's character-building stuff all round!

Dawn Redcoat found de-cluttering her daughter Claire's room a lifesaver. "We had taken all her toys upstairs and they ended up scattered all over the floor of her bedroom. Each night, she would leap out of bed and play with them as soon as we had left her room and her sleep patterns went out the window. Just by investing in some cheap storage boxes, and making sure her toys were put away from sight for the day, helped her wind down and sleep well."

Delightful decorations

It's nice to personalise a room and carefully selected items can do this. Framed family pictures are ideal as they provide security and happiness. A green plant is essential as it cleans the atmosphere - but make sure it is out of reach of little hands! Lighting should be soft and keep electrical goods to a minimum to reduce the amount of electromagnetic radiation. Curtains are apparently better than blinds too, and often white is the preferred colour, although this may lead to early mornings in the summer!

Decorations can also help with the movement of chi, as Kathryn explains, "A room that is too still becomes stagnant and this is not beneficial for the growth of the child. To create good but soft energy and movement, hang mobiles close to a window to move gently in the breeze and keep soft music playing in the room. You can also place a small fan on a dresser turned on low to keep air moving in the room. Avoid placing the baby under a ceiling fan as these disrupt their body energy."