Babies and Infants

Do you think of a baby crib or changing station when you think of baby furniture?  Well try adding a printer stand as a night stand or a desk instead of changing table.   Setup a book case to hold baby’s diapers and toys.

When your child grows, you can then turn some of the items into a student center.  The desk can have a hutch added to make a nice setup for a computer and work station.  The printer stand can then hold the printer instead of the lamp and of course the bookcase can hold student books.

You can buy furniture made from eco friendly hardwood and it should last a long time.

There have been more crib recalls for baby cribs that have a drop down side.  The mechanism that allows the side to drop down can become weakened or loose allowing babies to get their heads stuck between the mattress and the crib side. 

After hearing of these recalls and the danger a drop down side can pose to babies, I believe a baby crib with a height adjustment is best.  Most cribs with height adjustments use a manual system such as a hook and peg system.  Since the there are no moving parts the crib is more secure.

I have five children, only one is a boy.  Early on, I thought babies were babies. That is to say, girl babies were no different than boy babies.  I had not expected the difference to show up until they were much older.

I was surprised when my son was stronger than any of the girls-right from birth.  Even in his baby crib he was able to turn over sooner than any of the girls.  However, he was harder to potty train.

One example of the difference was the day my neighbor got a piano. We all went over to see.  My little girls, ages two to eight, sat on the piano bench and gently tapped the keys.  They oohed and aahed over the sounds.  My little boy was, age a little over three, lay on the floor on his stomach trying to figure out where the sound came from.

Your experiences may be different from mine, but I expect that all boys are different from girls right from birth.

The difference between a daybed and a toddler bed is the guardrail.  When your are transitioning your baby from the crib to a bed, the daybed provides a guardrail to keep your young one from falling out of bed.  Your toddler will still be able to get himself out of bed to be able to go to the bathroom.

The toddler bed has no guardrail.  It will usually still have 3 sides but the front side is totally removed.  The toddler bed will help get your child ready to use a regular size bed.  The toddler bed will generally use crib baby bedding, so you do not need to acquire new bedding to start your child using the bed.

When you are setting up your nursery, you want to considure your infant’s safety, not just how beutiful the room appears.  Placement of the convertible crib is important.  You will want to make sure the baby is not near a window where there are draw strings or cords that the baby could become entangled in.  Considur where there might be drafts.

It is also a good idea to check to make sure the crib meets US Safety Standards, that it is well built, and does not have broken slats.  A crib made from hardwood normally will last and can be reused, make sure it is put together correctly and all connections are tight.

Changing tables generally have extra storage space to keep your baby’s diapers and clothing. There is plenty of space on top to house lotions, wipes and a changing pad.

Changing your baby is easy with an attached changing station. The station helps to secure the changing pad that holds the baby in place.

Most changing tables are designed to have a hutch attached once the baby no longer needs to be changed. The added hutch provides additional storage space and adds to the décor of your child’s room.

Experts agree that parents should place a baby on his back for sleeping. Change the position of the baby’s head occasionally to avoid a flat spot on the back of his head.

The baby crib itself should meet current safety standards and the mattress should be firm.  Do not place soft items such as pillows, blankets, and toys in the crib while the baby is sleeping. Any soft item could be a hazard for a tiny infant.

I have found that it is not necessary to have absolute darkness or absolute quiet for my infant to sleep peacefully. What is more important is keeping to a schedule for both nighttime and naps. These times change as the baby grows older.

Sleep is a necessity for everyone.  Some sleep more than others do.  Pay attention to your baby and sleep time will be more pleasant for you both.

The steps to convert your crib into a toddler bed are simple:

• Remove the crib mattress and set it aside.
• Remove one side of the crib and put it in a safe place for later use.
• Lower the mattress support to a level suitable for the height of your toddler.
• Secure the toddler railing on the open side.
• Replace the mattress.

A toddler mattress is built strong enough to withstand the toddler wear because it has the extra support necessary. A toddler mattress should last for about six years. This mattress will continue to provide service when your toddler bed is used a day bed later on.  If your convertible crib also converts into a full size bed, make sure to keep any parts in a safe place, where they will not be lost or damaged.

At about 7 months of age, babies learn to roll over.  Hundreds of babies  are injured in falls while having their diapers changed.  Diaper changing is usually done on a changing table with or without a changing station.

 Here are a few tips for keeping your baby safe:
     1. Keep one hand on the baby at all times.
     2. Use a changing station that has sides to keep baby from rolling off.
     3. A changing pad should also have sides.
     4. Keep fresh diapers, powders and lotions within reach before starting the diaper change.
     5. Do not place your baby on an unstable surface such as a couch where the risk of falling is greater.

Parawood is a good hardwood for furniture.  So when you are thinking about purchasing a baby changing dresser, you might want to check for ones made with Parawood.  Hardwoods last longer, are more sturdy and do not use the glues needed in compressed wood.

As with any item you use in your baby’s nursery, you want to make sure toxic chemicals are not used.  I recommend checking the finish to make sure it does not contain lead or other toxins.  The dresser information should note that the finish is non-toxic.