Baby Furniture
Choosing the Right Furniture for Your Baby :The range of furniture available in baby stores today often overwhelms expecting parents.Many parents often put off buying the furniture until after the baby is born. However, buying and arranging furniture before the baby is born lightens the burden later, and parents can spend more time with their babies.
In the early days, your baby requires some furniture:
• A crib, carrycot, cradle, bassinet, co-sleeper, or Moses basket for sleeping at night and for naps during the day
• A changing table with storage space
• A safety-approved car seat
While purchasing furniture for your baby, you have to consider not only the price, but also the baby\'s safety.
A. A Place to Sleep
Many expecting parents are often unsure about the right place for the baby to sleep. Many prefer to use cribs, which are often safe and longer lasting you can use them until the baby is 2-3 years old.Some parents may want to keep their babies nearer to them during the early days and may prefer a bassinet or a co-sleeper. For the daytime naps, cradles, bassinets, or Moses baskets may be convenient. With so many options available, choosing the right sleeping place for your baby may be a daunting task.
I. Cribs
Many parents start with cribs for their babies. As the baby is likely to sleep in the crib for 2-3 years, you must make sure the crib is safe, convenient, easy to clean, sturdy, and long lasting. Depending on the space constraints and expense, you can choose the type of crib:
• Standard Cribs: Standard cribs come in classic or trendy styles such as flat slats, arched back, round spindled sides (Jenny Lind cribs), sleigh style, etc. In these cribs, the enclosure may drop on one or both sides.
• Circular Cribs: Circular cribs occupy lesser room than the standard ones. As all sides of the crib are easily accessible, picking up the baby and cleaning become easier.In addition, the baby cannot be trapped in a corner.
• Convertible Cribs: These cribs are expensive but more useful in the long run, as they convert to toddler beds, benches, or adult daybeds.
• Corner Cribs: Corner cribs fit into corners of rooms and hence save space in apartments and small nurseries. In cases of twins or multiple babies, parents can put two or more cribs together.
• Canopy Cribs: These cribs come with four posts in the corners to hold metal frame. You can cover these frames with fabrics, adding to the dcor of the nursery.
Cribs also vary with the manufacturing material wooden or iron, which is more expensive. You also have designer cribs and hand painted cribs that are more expensive.
Whatever be the crib type and style, there are some features every parent must look for while buying:
• Slats and side rails: Crib should have slats not more than 2 3/8 inches (6 cm) apart to prevent the babys head
from being trapped between them. Headboards and footboards should not have any cutouts that may trap your babys head. The side rails should be at least 9 inches above the mattress when raised and at least 26 inches above the mattress when lowered. In addition, the side rail locking mechanism should be secure enough to prevent the baby from releasing the latch accidentally.
• Mattress: Buy a mattress that is firm and easily cleanable. Make sure that the mattress height is adjustable in order to lower it as the baby learns to sit and stand. The mattress should fit neatly, without gaps between it and the crib side.
• Mattress support: Make sure that the mattress support is sturdy and connects securely to the crib sides. The mattress support should hold the weight of a growing baby and a jumping toddler.
• Bumpers: To prevent your baby from hitting against the crib bars, use bumpers secured to the sides of the crib. Remove these bumpers once the baby learns to stand.
• Teething rail: Side rails covered with teething material will prevent your infant from chewing on wood.
• Wheels: For transportable cribs, make sure that that the wheels can lock.
II. Bassinets and Cradles
Bassinets and/or cradles allow the babies to sleep near their parents in the first few weeks. They are portable. However, they are useful only in the first 4-6 months, after which babies outgrow them.
Safety Points:
• Base: Make sure that the bassinet or cradle has a sturdy and well-supported base that cannot collapse.To avoid tipping over, choose bassinets with a wide base.
• Legs: When the bassinet/cradle is in use, lock the legs straight.
III. Co-sleepers
Co-sleepers are small baby beds that parents can attach to their beds to keep their babies close to them in the night. While buying a co-sleeper, parents should make sure that the mattress on the co-sleeper is at the same level as the adult bed.
IV. Moses Baskets
Moses baskets are portable beds for the babys daytime naps.They look like baskets made of tightly woven wicker with a fabric-covered padding in the inside. They are easier to carry than bassinets or cradles. Parents can carry their sleeping babies in these baskets.
B. A Place to Change
Many parents prefer to use a changing table to change their babies diapers. Changing tables are of two types folding ones that you can keep away when not in use and tables with racks that allow you to store changing supplies.
Features to consider while purchasing a changing table:
• Safety: Choose sturdy, firm changing tables with 2-inch railing on all sides. Check the safety straps to make sure they are functioning properly.
• Storage Space: Changing tables with storage space for diapering supplies allow you to change diapers without leaving the babys side. However, make sure that the baby cannot reach the diapering supplies such as disposable diapers and powder containers.
C. Car Seats
To ensure baby's safety in a car, every parent should purchase, install, and use a safety-approved car seat. Car seats vary with the age and size of children. While installing a car seat, make sure that the seat is buckled tightly into the vehicle. Different types of car seats are available. Parents can consult with their pediatricians to choose the right car seat for their babies.
• Infant-Only Car Seats: Depending on the model, you can use them from birth to 22 pounds. They usually have a 3-point or 5-point harness and are rear facing.
• Convertible Car Seats: They are useful for both infants and toddlers. Parents can install these car seats rear facing for infants up to one year and weighing less than 20 pounds. For toddlers above one year and weighing 10-40 pounds, parents can turn the seat forward facing.
• Combination Seats: These car seats are for children aged one year and above and weighing at least 20 pounds. Parents can convert these seats into belt-positioning boosters for older children.
Points to consider while purchasing a car seat:
• Try out the car seat. Check how the car seat fits in your car. Put your baby in the car seat and check the straps.
• Do not decide on a car seat based on its price alone. Often expensive car seats come with added features that may jeopardize the baby's safety.
• Buy car seats that are correct for the babys height and weight.
As your child grows older, you may consider buying more furniture such as high chairs, swings, playpens, baby carriers, strollers, and swings. Whatever be the furniture, make sure that your babys safety is not compromised and that the baby is not left unattended for a long time.
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