Nursery Furniture Buying Guide
If you are very new to parenting or if you never had to take care of a baby before, you may be surprised of how many things an infant needs and of how different the baby furniture is from what you knew.
The first item that comes to mind is the baby cot. It is important that the cot is very well finished, especially if it’s made of wood, and that it has rounded corners and edges. As the baby will soon be able to stand in the cot, you don’t want any sharp edges that may be harmful. You’ll see that you’ll have to make sure to cover all corners in the house with rubber protections. Most cot models have those vertical bars which will allow the infant to grab with the hands in order to learn how to stand. Make sure those bars are not too far away from each other. The main idea is that the head of the baby shouldn’t be able to pass through the bars, otherwise it could cause severe injuries if the baby manages to pass its head through the bars. Don’t forget to buy a cot mattress and some duvets, as they are usually not included with your baby crib.
The baby changer is something you probably didn’t think of. You need it because you’ll have to change the baby’s diapers many times a day. The main advantage of the baby changer is that its height is very convenient for the mother, so you won’t have to bend over the child like if you’d change it on the regular bed. Another good point is that this piece of furniture has drawers and special storing spaces where you can keep all diapers, bottles, handkerchiefs, napkins or whatever else at ease. A more modern version of the baby changer is the changing table, accomplishing pretty much the same functions while being lighter and easier to move, in case you need that.
photo credit: The Facey Family
The baby stroller is really a no-brainer when it comes to shopping for the newborn. You’ll use the stroller a lot, you’ll have to take it out of the house and bring it back in at least once a day during nice weather time. This is why it’s important to choose a lightweight model of stroller. With all modern materials and technologies, I bet you won’t encounter any difficulties in choosing a sturdy, lightweight model. Moreover, if your storage space isn’t that big, you can opt for a pliable stroller. There are some new models, with three wheels, two rear and one front wheel, which can be manipulated with ease. However, such modern strollers come with a higher price tag, being about three-four times more expensive than regular models. If that’s affordable for you, then it’s for the better. If not, don’t worry, you will be able to cope with regular strollers as well, especially if you have somebody to help you.
photo credit: flowers & machinery
After several months you are going to need a high chair. Of course, much later, your child would be glad to have some small size furniture in his room, but that can be done later on. For the beginning, you’ll need some toys, clothes, jars, food recipients, tons of diapers and a lot of patience.
