|
|
A Beginner's Guide to Buying Baby Furniture
Having a child means a whole lot of different things to think about all at the same time. Once you are sure that your baby is safe and healthy, a huge weight off any new parent's shoulders, there's the matter of bringing him or her home from the hospital.
In the rush of bringing a child home for the first time, sometimes new parents forget about important items. Many parents have stories about an entire nursery being ready at home, only to realize that they forgot to buy a car seat or a stroller. It's completely possible to get overwhelmed with the amount of new things needed to get a home ready for a baby, but it is also preventable with some careful planning.
But for a rushed new parent who wants to make sure that everything is in order for their newborn, here is a simple list of the most important furniture to have around the house, from the nursery to the kitchen.
Crib - Above all, a crib is the most important thing to have around for a child. Make sure that your crib is new, not used. A crib is not a time to shop vintage. Cribs should have at least one railing that drops, allowing for easier picking up and putting down of your child. The railing should lock securely, however. There shouldn't be enough space for your child to stick anything more than a hand between the crib's slots, either.
Mattress - It's like a regular adult-sized mattress, but mini! Well, not exactly. Crib mattresses should also fit snugly and securely into the crib, so that there's no chance a child manages to pick it up, move it around, or get stuck under it. Choose from foam or springs, and consider baby bumpers to avoid any injuries a young one rolling around in his or her sleep might get.
Cradle - A helpful extra item, one that some parents even use in place of a formal crib, is a cradle. Cradles are great for spending the night out of the nursery, whether in a hotel or at grandma and grandpa's house. A well-made crib should be secure, with no parts that can easily be folded or broken down at a child's touch. A cradle should also have a mattress that is firm and fits well in place, just like the mattress in a crib.
Changing Table - This is another important part of any nursery. Make sure that there are safety straps, so that your baby does not roll off of the table during changing time. Make sure that the table itself, like the crib, is safe, well-made, and secure.
High Chair - Aside from the crib, the high chair is the most important purchase for new parents. A high chair is going to be an important part of a child's life until he or she is old enough to sit in a proper chair at the table, so it should be adjustable. Your child should not have room to slide under the tray, or to climb out the top. High chairs are where a lot of injuries occur, so it's definitely best to buy one that is sturdy, can support your child's weight both on the tray and on the chair, and that has straps to secure your child. It should be a snug fit, but not an uncomfortable one, so the more adjustment options possible, the better the chair will work with your child.
Playpen - Ideally, your child won't be spending all that much time in a playpen, as it is more beneficial for his or her learning to have more room to move around and adult supervision. However, during meal preparation times, when a phone is ringing, or if there's something important to be working on, parents need to make sure there's a playpen around. Whether wooden or plastic, the most important things to look out for is that the playpen is secure. It should be impossible for your child to knock the playpen over, and the sides should be impossible for your child to pull down.
About the Author When you have more than one child, finding prams buggies is a test. Byron Jonas found the pushchairs at Go Bubba Go very flexible in this manner.
|
 |
Please Rate: |
|
Rating: |
 Processing ... |
(Average: Not rated) |
| Views: | 19 | |
|
| More Articles from Babies | | |
| Top Articles in Babies | | |
|
