By JB Anthony

Here are the absolute top five furniture pieces that you should have in your nursery.

Crib

Whether you’re planning to co-sleep with your baby at night, you would still need to have a sturdy and safe baby crib. The crib is the only piece of furniture on which you may safely leave your baby unattended for a short period of time.

Cribs these days have been made based on government guidelines on product safety. Keep your ears and eyes peeled for online news on recent product recalls.

Portable Crib/ Playpen

Baby Playpen

Having a nursery crib is one thing, while having a portable crib or a portable playpen is another. Portables like these would come in handy for parents who would like to enjoy family trips and picnics with their babies.

Similar to nursery cribs, any standard portable cribs are also made with safety features in mind. Do remember though that like standard cribs, portables may also be recalled if they have features that may still be improved on. Some parents also use portable cribs as their main nursery crib.

Cabinet/ Changing Table

A new occupant in the house like your new baby would also require new storage space for clothes, diapers and other miscellaneous items. A sturdy cabinet with back brackets would be a good piece of furniture to store baby items in. To save you some cash, you should consider buying a baby cabinet that can double as a changing table. This way, you only have to buy one piece of furniture that can perform two functions. A good design would be a piece with a changing table on top and open shelves or drawers below to hold baby items. The top storage compartment could hold diapers and other changing articles to make baby changing an easier chore.

High Chair

As soon as your baby finds out that he can sit and move around while feeding, things can begin to get really messy. You don’t want to forever keep chasing after your baby. This is why you need a good high chair for baby meal time. Pick one with a wide sturdy base to prevent tipping accidents.

Toy Box

Teaching your child how to pick his toys up after playing should start as soon as he knows where to find his toys or as soon as he can pick them up. Pick a toy box that doesn’t have a heavy lid. It should also ideally have a lock in place spring to prevent the lid from falling on your child. Other safe designs include the open storage piece that is easy for your baby to use.

I thought You could be interested in this article: Kolcraft Tandem – Is it Really the Best Stroller? and The Bugaboo Frog Stroller

High Chair

Chairs must comply with the requirements of BS 5799 and ENV 1178. Always ensure that Baby is correctly strapped into the chair. Ideally a 5 point harness should be used but many chairs only provide a 3 point system, which if correctly tightened, can be satisfactory. Babies who are very active and can wriggle out of almost anything may need to be restrained by a 5 point harness purchased separately.

Overall stability of the highchair is essential and where there are wheels these must be fully locked. If there are other children around who might tip the chair over then it is wise to attach/clip the chair to the wall, via a safety cord, in a similar way to how a bookcase is secured..

Babies seem to have arms and fingers which appear from nowhere. Ensure that the tray cannot catch unwary fingers when being attached.

At table height baby has the ability to grab at anything within reach and beyond! Make sure that hot liquids cannot be pulled towards Baby and that utensils with sharp corners, such as knives and forks, are completely out of reach.

Ensure that the High Chair clips and screws are not loose and that there are no sharp edges caused by damage.

Finally, never leave Baby alone in the High Chair.

Mum & Dad safety

Having attended several lifting courses, as part of my workplace training, I am very aware that lifting Baby from the High Chair has the potential to break some Health & Safety rules.

The golden rule is not to lean over, ensure that you keep your back straight and lift Baby using your back and thigh muscles. Bend your knees to provide the lower height. Keep Baby as close to your body as possible to reduce back strain.

This technique requires some practise but it can be made to work.

And finally, Baby may distribute most of the food over the floor so take care that you don’t slip on that liquidised roast chicken dinner liberally distributed over the kitchen tiles!

Other post you may be interested in reading : Valco Tri Mode – All Terrain Stroller and Bugaboo Strollers Review

by Anne-Marie O’Leary

Baby Cino High Chair

Safety First

Make sure any highchair you consider has:

• A safety harness (that little fingers can’t undo) so your baby can’t climb/fall/slip out during meal times
• Stability – highchairs should rest solidly on all four feet without wobbling
• Sleek fittings – trays should be fitted without any exposed nuts, bolts or catches for your baby to injure themselves on
• Lockable hinges – if your highchair unfolds, make sure hinges lock when open so it can’t collapse with your baby in it

Where will it go?

Will it fit in the space you need it to? And, if you’ll be storing it in a cupboard/taking it out and about with you, does it fit in your cupboard/car boot?

Tray or no tray?

Do you want your baby to sit separately from you with their own feeding tray, or with you at the table with no tray? Some parents prefer to integrate babies into family meal times at the table; others find it easier to feed babies separately.

Wipe clean?

It needs to be easy to clean. And not just the seat and tray/s, but the back, legs… babies aren’t known for their table manners.

Other features to consider…

• A parent tray – a tray positioned out of your baby’s reach (usually on the side) where you can safely store bowls/cups etc while feeding
• Removable trays – these tend to be easier to clean than the fixed variety
• Wheels – great for moving your highchair around, just make sure they’re lockable for maximum safety
• Height/size adjustments – children grow quickly. Make sure your highchair will ‘grow’ with your baby i.e. the seat is wide, moves up and down the frame, and the harness straps are adjustable

Budget

Highchairs come in all shapes, sizes… and prices. The more durable the material (wood and leather will last longer than plastic and vinyl), the higher the price. Ditto the number of additional features. Decide what you need most before making your decision.

You may want to check out my other guide on Getting The Best Baby Jogging Stroller and Tips to Pick A Travel Stroller.

By Randy Wilson

BABY NURSERY FURNITURE – BABY FURNITURE.  What items in are a must and which can we buy later or skip altogether? A place for baby to safely sleep is a must. Storage for baby’s clothes would be the next item of importance. If you are a believer in co-sleeping, a crib is not a necessity but I would have one on hand just in case.

Here’s a helpful nursery furniture checklist of items common to infant’s rooms for you to consider :

Baby Cribs

Baby Crib

Cribs will be the most important piece of furniture the new parent will need for the baby. They come in a wide variety of styles and finishes to match any nursery theme or color scheme the parents might have for the nursery. They come as standard cribs, canopy, convertible, sleigh and various other types. Some of the more common features available would be adjustable mattress heights, metal mattress supports, one of three different kinds of release mechanism, rolling casters and/or a teething rail. A baby can use the crib from birth until around the age of 3. A safe and sturdy crib will cost from $150 to over $1000 depending on the quality of the wood and the features provided.

Crib Mattresses

A crib mattress is a very important item for the baby as she/he will be spending over 50% of his time on the mattress until he/she is around 3 years of age. Mattresses come in basically two types: foam or innerspring/coil. Foam weighs less while the innerspring/coil will last a much longer time. Accessories include bedding, crib sheets, crib wedges and waterproof mattress pads. High quality foam mattresses will cost between $80 to $100, while an innerspring/coil mattress will cost from $75 to $200.

Bedding-Bumpers-Sheets-Quilts-Shams

Most standard, canopy and convertible cribs will use standard size crib bedding. A round crib, porta crib, cradle and bassinet will all need special bedding to fit the size of the particular item. A bumper is a necessary item that is needed to keep the baby safe by keeping the baby’s arms and legs from getting stuck in the slats. A quilt or comforter should not be used in the crib, but rather as a play mat for the baby. A diaper stacker is used to store your diapers and to keep the nursery more organized. Pillows are a safety hazard for the baby and should never be used in the crib. Most bedding sets can cost from $50 to as high as $700 for a set with better quality fabrics etc.

Changing Tables

Changing Table

A changing table should be well padded, have guardrails and include safety straps for the baby. They come in several types such as the combination sytle, dresser drawer and one with open shelves. Accessories include changing pads, oraganizers and wipe warmers. A changing table can be used from birth until about two years of age. They range in price from $90 to $200 depending on the accessories and storage space they have.

Rocking Chairs

Mom's Rocking Chair

A rocking chair would be a welcome addition to the baby nursery or living room. The rocking chair would give the mom-to-be lots of quality time with her newborn baby.

Moses Baskets

Moses baskets are a rather unique piece of furniture. A moses basket would be an unexpected but welcome baby shower gift. Also something the mother could pass on for a heirloom. This is an item that could be passed from generation to generation.

Child’s Rocking Chair

A children’s rocking chair would make a great gift. One that most people wouldn’t think of giving. You wouldn’t need to worry about duplicating your gift with some other guest with this gift.

Playpen & Play Yard

Play yards come in 3 different types. The basic which can be used as a playpen or a crib. One that has a bassinet built in for the newborn. A canopy style to keep you infant shielded from the sun and to keep in cooler in the outdoors. Accessories you can purchase seperately include a changing station, netting for outdoor use and sheets. A play yard can be used from birth until about 2 years of age. Good quality play yards cost between $60 to more than $200.

Portable Travel Crib

A portable travel crib would be great for those over-night trips out of town or state to family or friends.

Cradles

A cradle is used from birth until 4 months or the baby is able to roll from side to side. Cradles usually include a padded bumper, fitted sheet and a quilt or comforter. One of the advantages of a cradle is that you can rock it and it is lower than a crib.

Baby Dresser

Baby Dresser

Every nursery needs a chest of drawers for the newborn. You can buy them with a theme, in different styles, shapes and colors. If you know how the new parents will be decorating the nursery, you can match the baby dresser to the theme.

High Chair

Baby High Chair

All new parents need this very essential piece of furniture. There are several types of high chairs: Adjustable, conventional, booster and wooden. The high chair should have an adjustable tray, locking mechanism, some kind of restraint system and possibly rolling casters which are allowed to be locked easily. Parents can use the high chair as soon as the baby is born for bottle feeding if it is capable of fully reclining.

Bassinets

A traditional piece of nursery furniture would be a bassinet. The baby can use the bassinet from birth until about 4 month of age. Bassinet sets usually include a hood cover, fitted sheet, plain sheet and a bumper.

Car Seats

Baby Car Seat

A car seat is a necessity because every state requires the baby be restrained while in a car. Newborns must travel in the back seat in a car seat that faces the rear of the car. After the baby is a year old you change to a forward facing car seat. Car seats come in several different types. An infant car seat, convertible and booster seats. Infant and convertible car seats cost between $60 and $300.

Strollers

Strollers come as a standard stroller, single, umbrella, double strooler or as a travel system which is a combination stroller and car seat. Most strollers have a canopy, front bar, harness, reliner and a storage space. Accessories available include accessory bars, attachable toy and activity bars, infant headrests, rain sheilds and stroller connectors for attaching two strollers together. A stroller can be used from around 4 months of age until about 3 or 4 years old. Depending on the style and quality strollers can be purchased for as little as $15 to as much as $1,000.

Baby Monitor

Baby Monitor

A monitor may be a luxery item, but it can give the parents added reassurance that their baby is safe. There are several types: audio, audio/movement and audio/video monitors. Monitors can be used from newborn to toddler. Depending on the type of monitor, you can buy them for as little as $20 on up to $400, with the audio/video monitor being the most expensive.

Bouncer Seat

A very useful item is a bouncer seat. They can come with an accessory toy bar, canopy, restraint and variable speeds. A bouncer seat can be used from newborn until the baby is 9 months old. The standard non-battery operated bouncer seats cost between $40 and $75 while the battery operated seats tend to cost a bit more.

You may want to check out my other guide on Umbrella Stroller and Baby Carrier

By Dan Forsyth

a Baby Boy

The birth of a child is one of the greatest moments in a person’s life. There are many things that you will need to do to prepare for your new baby’s arrival. So many in fact that it can leave a new parent’s head spinning and their wallets empty.

What is really necessary to buy? What can you do without? Below is a list of the items and highly recommend. I’ve also made note of some of the more popular items that people buy that may not be necessary.

Baby’s Room

1. Crib, Crib Mattress and Crib Sheet – our girls slept in our bed for the first 6 months, so we actually didn’t use the crib at first… so no rush to get a crib if you plan on co-sleeping or using a bedside bassinette

2. Dresser – for all those cute baby clothes that you will be getting as gifts!

3. Nightlight – so you don’t bang your knee on the dresser when you go in to check baby at night

4. Lamp – for some nighttime stories before going to sleep

5. Books – we started reading to our older daughter long before she ‘understood’ it

6. Rocker and Ottoman – makes reading a story together so much fun!

7. Change Table – it can be hard to try to change baby on a table too low or too high – can give you a sore back!

8. Diapers – but of course! You may want to consider cloth diapers if you have the time and energy to do that extra laundry

9. Diaper Wipes – we use disposables, although some people will get a bunch of those baby washcloths and use those.

10. Diaper Bin (with tight lid) (We actually rarely use our diaper bin, it is really just a glorified trashcan, so you may want to save a couple of dollars and just buy a good trashcan instead.)

11. Diaper Ointment – keep those baby bottoms super soft

12 Sleep Vest – a really nice alternative to a baby blanket, which is easily kicked off by baby in the night

Feeding

1. Nursing Pillow – so mom is comfortable while nursing!

2. Breast Pump – for those times when mom just needs a break or has to go back to work.

3. Bottles – make sure they are BPA free! Lots of great alternatives on the market these days

4. Formula (if not breast feeding) – doesn’t hurt to have some around even if you are nursing, just in case you need it.

5. Booster Seat – Don’t waste your money on a high chair that is going to take up lots of room in your kitchen. A booster seat that sits on a chair costs less and does the same thing.

Clothing

1. One piece outfits (also known as onesies) – babies will live in these in the early months, so much easier than trying to put on a two piece outfit on such a wee baby

2. Socks and Shoes – probably won’t need shoes so much in the early days, but socks are a must

3. Teething Bibs – so you don’t have to change baby’s wet clothes throughout the day once she starts drooling

4. Hat – especially in cooler weather!

5. Sweater – ditto

6. Jacket – double ditto

7. Laundry detergent for sensitive skin – some babies can be really sensitive to the regular chemical detergents out there

Going Out

1. Car Seat – keep baby safe!

2. Diaper Bag – your home away from home when you have a baby, make sure to get a big one and something that looks cool so you don’t mind carrying it around

3. Change Pad – you never know what is on those change tables in public restrooms, eek

4. Baby Sling – gives you an extra hand or two, and babies generally like the closeness

5. Stroller - make sure it’s a good one (ie: a Phil and Ted). A lot of the standard strollers are really tough to maneuver

6. Bumbo Seat – great for when going to a restaurant or for at home when you need to put baby down for a minute

Fun Stuff

1. Play Arches – great for them to kick with their feet and fun to watch!

2. Swing – good place for baby to hang out for a while

3. Newborn Toddler Rocker or Bouncer – especially once they are older, toddlers love to rock, bounce, dance, move, groove

4. Wagon for going out for walks – a nice alternative to the stroller

Also, check out my other guide on Should I Buy My Baby a Baby Walker and Baby Stroller-How Product are Made.