Monday, October 27, 2008

What Furniture Does Your Baby's Nursery Need?

By Sonja Marlinio

Every mother-to-be dreams of designing the perfect nursery for their new baby. But, how do you create a perfect nursery? Well, you must start with the furniture that every nursery needs. A crib, changing table, dresser, rocking chair, and a lamp are all items that you and your baby will need during this first year of childhood.

In today's baby furniture market there are many choices of cribs to choose from. Set a budget and get the measurements of the room before you start shopping. Price and the size of the crib are not the only decisions you will be making, so start early so you will have plenty of time to find that perfect crib. You may want the traditional look of a rectangular crib, or go with a unique round crib. Also, some cribs are made to convert into toddler beds and, later, adult beds for lifetime use. Whatever the style or color you choose, just be sure you are buying from an authorized dealer of the brand so all warranties will be in tact. Also, be sure to check if the crib meets or exceeds all Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and government requirements. Most importantly, all materials should be finished with non-toxic paint and contain no formaldehyde.

With every new baby comes the added chore of diaper changing. Several times a day you will need a place for you and baby to comfortably and easily complete this task. The answer is a changing table, which has been designed specially for this purpose. When comparing prices, ask if the changing pad comes with the table, or if it is priced separately. Take measurements of your space before you shop. Also, it is helpful to decide what items you will be storing in the changing table so you can choose between models that have shelves or drawers, or a combination of both. Just remember, you will have one hand holding the baby. So, any drawers or doors that need to be opened must be accessible one-handed.

Another furniture item needed in the baby's nursery is a dresser. Many times, you can save money by purchasing the crib and dresser as a set. You will be able to choose from a variety of dressers such as dressers with drawers, dressers with side-by-side shelving, or a combination of both. Remember, many times you will be holding baby while you gather items with the other hand, so open each drawer one handed before you buy. Some styles are difficult to open one-handed. Also, verify all warranties are in place and inquire about safety features before you buy.

As a new parent, a large amount of your time will be spent rocking and feeding your new baby. This makes a comfortable rocking chair in the nursery a necessity. While you shop, consider the amount of space the rocker will take up in the nursery and, also consider the amount of time you may be sitting in the rocking chair. Some moms choose a traditional rocking chair with a nice cushion. Or, you may like the idea of a recliner to comfortably put up your feet and sleep with your precious new baby.

The lighting in your baby's nursery is as important as the crib. When your little one wakes up at 3 a.m., the last thing you want is a bright light. On the other hand, you must be able to safely move around the nursery while carrying baby. A lamp will let off enough light for you, and still keep the room semi-dark for baby to fall back to sleep quickly. Lamps come in many varieties and styles. Floor lamps, table lamps, and lamps with several light settings are just a few of your options. Just be sure it is safely out of reach once baby starts becoming more active.

Whatever style or color you choose for your baby's nursery, nothing will take the place of you being there. Shopping for furniture and decorations is an exciting part of welcoming a new baby into our lives, but it is not the most important part. At the end of the day, it's not the furnishings, but the loving and caring touch of family that will make lasting memories for years to come.

Happy Shopping - 15615

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