More Than Just Cribs: Tips For New Parents on What a Nursery Needs
The first tip for all new parents: relax! It sure is a huge responsibility to get a house ready for your new child, but it doesn’t have to make you lose your cool. Slowing down and thinking about what is needed to get a nursery ready is a lot more productive than getting worked up and not knowing where to begin, and will get you further in the long run.
A baby’s new home above all must be safe and secure. But after baby-proofing the common areas, like the living room and the kitchen, new parents might be too exhausted to remember some of the smaller details of the nursery itself. So many new parents tell stories about taking care to choose the absolute best crib, and totally forgetting about a changing table!
But for a rushed new parent who wants to make sure that everything is in order for their newborn, here is a simple list of the most important furniture to have around the house, from the nursery to the kitchen.
Crib – Above all, a crib is the most important thing to have around for a child. Make sure that your crib is new, not used. A crib is not a time to shop vintage. Cribs should have at least one railing that drops, allowing for easier picking up and putting down of your child. The railing should lock securely, however. There shouldn’t be enough space for your child to stick anything more than a hand between the crib’s slots, either.
Mattress – It’s like a regular adult-sized mattress, but mini! Well, not exactly. Crib mattresses should also fit snugly and securely into the crib, so that there’s no chance a child manages to pick it up, move it around, or get stuck under it. Choose from foam or springs, and consider baby bumpers to avoid any injuries a young one rolling around in his or her sleep might get.
Cradle – A helpful extra item, one that some parents even use in place of a formal crib, is a cradle. Cradles are great for spending the night out of the nursery, whether in a hotel or at grandma and grandpa’s house. A well-made crib should be secure, with no parts that can easily be folded or broken down at a child’s touch. A cradle should also have a mattress that is firm and fits well in place, just like the mattress in a crib.
Changing Table – For purposes of convenience, nothing beats a changing table. It’s easier than changing a child on a bed or sofa, and there is also all of that extra storage room underneath for diapers, toys, and other baby-related items. The best changing tables even have adjustable length, so that they can grow with your child. Regardless of the model, make sure yours has straps or sides, so that your child does not somehow roll off.
High Chair – A safe and secure high chair is a crucial purchase for new parents. The high chair should grow with your child, so get one with adjustable safety straps and a tray that is easy to pull forward or push backward. Make sure there is little to no wiggle room. A high chair is not supposed to be uncomfortable by any means, but it should be sturdy. Too many accidents occur when a child manages to stand up in one, or slip out under the bottom of the tray. Locking devices to make sure the high chair doesn’t fold up are important, as is making sure that both the chair part and the tray part can support the weight of your child.
Playpen – Ideally, your child won’t be spending all that much time in a playpen, as it is more beneficial for his or her learning to have more room to move around and adult supervision. However, during meal preparation times, when a phone is ringing, or if there’s something important to be working on, parents need to make sure there’s a playpen around. Whether wooden or plastic, the most important things to look out for is that the playpen is secure. It should be impossible for your child to knock the playpen over, and the sides should be impossible for your child to pull down.
When you have more than one child, buying prams buggies is a test. Byron Jonas found the pushchairs at Go Bubba Go very flexible in this manner.
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