Baby Furniture

Shopping for baby furniture can be an exciting experience for expecting or new parents, but it can also be frustrating when deciding what to buy, getting the furniture moved and setting it all up. There are many things to keep in mind when shopping for baby furniture. Not all nurseries are large enough to fit a lot of furniture, while some nurseries may be large enough for a variety of pieces. It is important to remember that your little one will grow fast and will be a toddler before you know it. With this in mind, you may want to consider leaving enough space for your baby to crawl and walk in his or her space as they get older.

Toddler Bed

Many parents that practice co-sleeping have trouble getting their toddler to accept their own bed when it is time. Toddlers may resist laying down in their own bed entirely or refuse to lay down unless a parent lays down with them. If their parents can get them to lay down on their own at all, toddlers may still get up during the middle of the night and wander back into bed with mom and dad. Toddler beds can help parents make the transition to sleeping alone more comfortable for their little one.

Moving to a bed of their own can be a frightening experience for co-sleeping children for many reasons. Children find themselves suddenly cast into a dark, unfamiliar room. Strange noises they may have ignored before cause their ears to perk up. The dark shadows in the corners, under the bed and in the closet take on a life of their own. From a toddler’s perspective, a twin bed may seem strangely empty and the floor a terrifyingly long way down without a parent on each side to keep the child from the edge. Toddler beds are smaller and low to the ground. They are the perfect size for little ones just beginning to sleep on their own.

By the time co-sleeping parents are ready to move their child into their own bed, toddlers will have usually developed an attachment to a favorite cartoon character. Many toddler beds feature beloved cartoon characters for just this reason. Parents may… Read the rest

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Baby Bed

One of the first items new parents will likely focus on is the baby’s bed. Generally, one of the pricier baby items that will be needed, it can be tempting to buy a second-hand crib or borrow from a friend or relative. While this route can be significantly less expensive, it is crucial that consumers check various elements of the crib to ensure its safety prior to use. Particularly, since safety standards are routinely reviewed and changed as new information becomes available, older cribs are less likely to meet current safety standards.

When looking at cribs, whether used or new, one of the first items to look for is a Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification. Newer cribs with this certification have been manufactured in accordance with the latest guidelines regarding potentially dangerous drop sides, which have caused injuries and even fatalities in infants.

A second factor in determining the safety of a crib is the spacing between the slats. Slats spaced too far apart can allow infants’ heads to become stuck between them causing serious injury and/or death. Therefore, the government has determined that the spacing between the slats should be less than 2-3/8 inches apart.

Additionally, consumers should inspect cribs to ensure all of the bolts, screws and hardware are original and that individual parts and joints fit tightly and that the wood is free of splinters and jagged surfaces. Moreover, any painted surfaces should be covered with lead-free paint which has no peeling or cracking.

In… Read the rest

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Crib Mattress

One of the joys of preparing for a new little addition to your family is getting their room ready and all of the little details that go into its preparation. One of the items you have most likely given time and thought to before buying is your baby’s crib and bedding. How about the mattress for the crib? Most likely, one of the first things that will come to mind is comfort. The other point and one of the main ones to consider is the safety factor and selecting a style that will work well with your crib. Here are a few things for your consideration:

* Check the size of the crib in comparison to size of the mattress. It seems simple and basic enough as most cribs and crib mattresses come in standard sizes so it shouldn’t be a big issue. Every once in a while you may find one that doesn’t fit quite well, so just double check. As a rule, the mattress should fit tightly inside the crib, without a noticeable gap between the mattress and crib frame. If you can fit more than one finger between the crib rail and the mattress, it’s not a good fit.

* Find a mattress that is fairly firm. From an adult’s point of view, soft pillow tops and mattresses may seem like a good choice, but babies can’t yet move themselves from positions should their face sink into the mattress when they turn over, so they need… Read the rest

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Baby Bed Rails

Though it’s hard to believe your teeny baby will ever outgrow her crib, our little bundles do grow quickly, and the need will eventually arise for your little one to make the transition from crib to big-kid bed. Maybe a new sibling is on the way, or maybe they’ve just finally outgrown the crib. When the time comes, you’ll want to be prepared when it arrives.

Many parents tend to focus on the bed itself-an attractive headboard, a good box frame, a comfortable mattress-and those things are important. But don’t overlook your child’s safety by failing to purchase a bed rail. It’s easy to assume that your child stays put all night while they slumber, but unless you’ve stayed up all night watching them sleep, you don’t really know how many times during the night their crib rails keep them from hitting the floor.

When looking for a bed rail, there are several factors that are essential to consider:

1. Sturdy- While a stronger rail may cost a bit more, it’s worth the expense to ensure that your child is safe while they sleep. Furthermore, should you opt for a less expensive, more flimsy rail, the likelihood of your having to replace a broken rail is high, probably resulting in more money spent than had you bought the more expensive rail from the start.

2. Breathable- While a simple piece of plywood would do the trick, it will block your child in with little air flow. This is especially… Read the rest

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Gliders

A favorite memory of many women is that of their mother’s old rocking chair. What could hold more sweet memories of childhood than sitting with your mother in her old wooden rocking chair, lazily rocking back and forth? It’s no secret that mothers have used the calming effect of a rocking chair to soothe fussy babies and lull children to sleep for generations. The rocker has become a staple in every nursery, and is a must have for many women, especially those looking to pass on the same warm memories to their own babies.

Today, you have many options when it comes to choosing the rocking chair you’d like to start making memories with. There is much more to pick from than mother’s old wooden rocker in today’s retail marketplace. You can find a rocker to fit any style or fashion, from the most classical and traditional to absolutely modern and chic. In addition, you can also opt for a glider instead of a rocker, which has a slightly different motion that many mothers prefer. While rocking chairs offer the typical up and down motion, a glider smoothly slides front to back in an easy to move mechanism.

To choose your ideal rocker or glider, you’ll first have to decide between the two. If it will be going into the nursery, than you might opt for a smaller piece of furniture than you would place elsewhere in the home. You can find comfortable rocking chairs with the style of… Read the rest

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Baby Dressers

Types of Dressers

If you don’t have a lot of space and do not need a huge amount of drawer space to keep your baby’s clothing; a simple small chest of drawers might work for you. These types of dressers are fairly basic, containing a row of drawers stacked on top of each other. They are available in many different colors and designs and will look great in any nursery.

If you have more space and would like something bigger, a larger dresser with two or more rows of drawers and possibly a cabinet would be a better option for you. These types of dressers contain more room to store clothing and sometimes have a cabinet for storing additional items or an area in the cabinet for hanging clothing.

One of the best options available for saving space and money is a combination dresser and changing table. These are larger dressers with an area on top designed to be used as a changing table when your baby is in diapers and then be used simply as the top of the dresser as your baby grows older. This type of unit will allow you to avoid the additional cost of purchasing a changing table and will save space in the nursery by combining these two necessary pieces of nursery furniture into one.

Consider Quality

If your budget is tight it can be tempting to just buy a cheap dresser for your baby’s room. But consider trying to come up with… Read the rest

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Baby Crib

One of the biggest and most important items you will purchase for your new baby is a crib. Having a safe place to lay your infant down to sleep for the night or for naps is vitally important and serious business. When it comes to choosing the right crib to fit into your nursery, safety should always take precedence over style. Luckily, there are many styles of cribs that are available to meet both the proper safety concerns as well as your discerning taste in fashion. Whatever the chosen theme of your nursery may be, you can be sure you will be able to find a suitable crib to match.

When it comes to safety, there are a few important things to look out for. First and foremost, you’re going to need a solid, sturdy crib. While the trend in the last few years has leaned towards the convenience of drop side cribs, it has now been widely publicized that they are highly unsafe options. A drop side crib is one that features one side that has adjustable settings, allowing you to raise and lower it. The general idea being that you don’t have to bend over the railing to reach the baby. However, they have been deemed completely unsafe, and pose serious strangulation hazards. In fact, they have been banned altogether in several European countries.

Opt instead for a sturdy ad solid crib that does not have the drop side feature. Wooden cribs or metal ones can be… Read the rest

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Baby Dresser

Baby dressers are critical pieces of furniture for any new mother to have. A baby dresser can hold the clothes that you or others purchase for your baby. Without a baby dresser, you won’t have proper storage for baby clothes. Baby dressers can also be referred to as baby chests. Most baby chests come in three, four, five or six drawer models. It is a good idea to purchase a sturdy baby dresser so it holds up well over time. Quality baby furniture can be easily resold when your baby gets older and you no longer need it. The furniture can also be handed down to other new mothers when you no longer have use for it.

If possible, look for a baby dresser that has drawers on it that babies and toddlers can’t easily open. It is all too easy for babies and toddlers to get their little fingers pinched in dresser drawers, which is not a good thing. If babies or toddlers can open the doors easily, consider installing some door safety devices on the dresser drawers that will prevent them from being opened by little ones.

A baby dresser can be something that comes preassembled from a store, or you may actually have to assemble it yourself. If possible, choose a preassembled baby dresser for purchase. It can be a bit difficult to assemble some baby furniture items; so preassembled items are always best. If you find that you absolutely must choose an unassembled item, try… Read the rest

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Bed Rails

As soon as babies can walk, they start getting into things. This causes most parents go through baby-proofing to keep their child safe. The problem is they start getting out of things, too. This can be dangerous, especially when a toddler who is getting better at getting around still sleeps in a crib. At this stage, a crib has become outgrown and a larger child bed is still too big. This is what toddler beds with bed rails are for. There are considerations to take when choosing bed rails just as when choosing the right crib.

Why Bed Rails are Important

When sleeping in a crib, babies and young toddlers are used to the sides keeping them from falling out. In the transition to a toddler bed, there is a tendency to roll right off the mattress during sleep. Toddler beds are made to be closer to the ground, but avoiding falling off the bed altogether is best. Bed rails help to prevent rolling off the bed not only by providing a barrier, but also by alerting the child that they are close to the mattress’ edge. This helps to train a child to sleep within the boundary of the mattress.

Varieties of Rails

Bed rails for toddler beds are available in two main varieties. The first is part of the bed frame’s construction. The second is purchased separately and attached or removed when needed. When selecting bed rails, it is important to look out for safety. Bed rails… Read the rest

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Baby Armoires and Hutches

No nursery is complete without a baby armoire or hutch. A baby-sized dresser with a row of small drawers down one side is the perfect place for diapers, t-shirts and nighties. The larger drawer that is usually found across the bottom will accommodate receiving blankets and comforters. The little wardrobe next to the drawers is perfect for dresses, sweaters and coats: anything that needs to be hung on a hanger. Many baby armoires are topped with a changing table. If diapering supplies are kept handy, it’s the perfect place to get baby ready for a busy day.

Baby armoires come in many styles and they can be found in big box stores and specialty boutiques. While color and styling is important when decorating a nursery, there are other considerations when shopping for furniture that a child will use. Be sure that the armoire’s construction is sturdy and it is designed with a wide base. This will prevent the dresser from toppling if an adventurous toddler tries to climb it. Drawers with safety stops are also important. They will prevent a child from using the drawers like stairs and will also keep the child’s fingers from getting pinched.

Another important feature to watch for is an easy to clean surface. A high-gloss acrylic finish is usually scrubbable and will last for years. If wood tones are being used in the nursery, consider a hutch with a polyurethane finish. It will be durable, washable and fairly moisture-resistant. Polyurethane will also allow… Read the rest

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