Practical Ideas to Choose Baby Furniture
2008-08-18

         A new life will come into your family. And it’s time for you to choose furniture for your little darling. When you think of it, baby furniture is more like an investment for both you and the baby which will last for at least a few years. So you are going to want to really research and buy baby furniture that will be sturdy, long lasting, and which suits you the best. Also remember, the nursery is the room where the baby and you will be spending a majority of your time. It is where the baby will first be experiencing the world they has been born into. The nursery room or baby room has to a place designed in a practical and pleasing manner. Before you buying furniture, there are six principles you are bound to know.        1. Hardware       Any new baby furniture like crib you purchase will meet minimum government requirements. In other words, it is specific to infant safety standards in the production process, such as formaldehyde, heavy metals can not be over standards and so on.       2. Software       The software mainly obtains the textile of bedding articles. It is stricter than adult clothing in the provisions of formaldehyde.       But how to know the Formaldehyde is over or not? You may read the four following ideas.       -Ask about the formaldehyde emissions of furniture and building products before you purchase and install them in your home.       -If such information is unavailable, avoid products with components made of raw medium density fiberboard or other types of composite wood.       -Ensure adequate ventilation within your home. Maintain moderate temperatures and humidity levels.      -Place pollution-absorbing plants, such as spider plants, Boston ferns, dwarf date palms, pot mums, or peace lilies, in your home.      3. Floor      Children’s activities would be large. So you’d better fit a floor that is skid proof and stretchy. The best choice for preschool child is general fight wood or plastic floor. After your child gets the age to go to school, you can lay down ceramic tiles or composite wood floors, it is easy to clean.      4. Furniture      In different growing phase, the demand of furniture configure is also different. Try your best to shrink the space, emphasis on multi functionality. Add some elements that are propitious to children’s observing, thinking and playing if you want to design children’s furniture.      5. Electrical appliances      All the electric switches would be fitted on the top or be shadowed, and add some insurance cover on the plugs. To reduce risk, some commonly used small appliances such as radios would use battery power. In addition, the baby room should avoid using landed electrical appliances, to prevent children tripping hazards of electric shock after the accident.     6. Decorating material     As far as possible as possible to choose natural materials, the less intermediate processing procedures the better. For instance, some import children wallpaper or high-quality paint is in line with the principle, less harmful substances and easy to clean.    

   There are central principles above. They will guide you right direction. In the next part, I will give some shopping ideas which is useful for you to buy baby furniture.     The very necessary furniture you need to buy is baby crib, changing tables, playpen, and bassinets and so on.      1. baby crib     Every parent first needs to buy a good baby crib. Baby Crib come in a variety of styles that you can choose from like a canopy, a convertible crib, a sleigh, and countless other kinds to choose from. Baby cribs also come in various colors to fit the theme of the room. You are going to want to get a mattress that secures comfort for the baby. Baby mattresses typically come in two types, the first being a foam pad and the second kind of mattress is one with an innerspring coil. Accessories that you will need with the mattress include bedding, crib sheets, crib wedges and waterproof mattress pads.    

2. Changing table     Changing tables provide a safe place to diaper and dress your baby. When buying a changing table, look for one that has high sides around the changing area to prevent your baby from rolling out. The covering on the foam pad should be of thick, smooth vinyl, which makes it easier to clean. Make sure the table is sturdy and doesn't wobble or tip over easily. Many parents find it extremely frustrating to assemble these tables and get the legs balanced, so we suggest you purchase one preassembled.     Look for shelves that are spacious and open or easy to access; many popular models have small, narrow, half-open boxes for shelves, which can be very hard to use. Look for a model that features stable side shelves for holding washcloths and other items. Attachable side pails for soiled items are also very useful.    

   3. Playpens     A playpen is an essential part of standard baby equipment. There are two basic types of playpens: those constructed of wood and those made with metal tubing and nylon mesh. Wooden playpens are usually heavier than mesh-sided playpens; they fold down when their two hinged sides sandwich inward as the two floor panels lift up from the center. Mesh-sided playpens call for a variety of folding maneuvers, in some cases even requiring that the playpen be turned completely upside down. 

    4. Bassinet     First, look for a bassinet that has a stable base. If it’s a fold-up model, make sure the legs lock securely when it is in use. Avoid rough or sharp edges. The fabric shouldn’t have any loose threads or stitching that could allow your baby’s tiny fingers to get trapped.     Second, the mattress pad should be less than 11 1/2’’ thick, fit snugly against the side of the bassinet, and be firm-not soft (a suffocation hazard). Use a tight-fitting sheet made specifically for the bassinet you choose, and buy extras to keep on hand for changes. Don’t use additional padding or fluffy bedding, they can up the risk of suffocation or asphyxiation.     In summary, the most important factor is safety and comfortable. To create a happy life, we need tie to our hands and hearts. It’s the same way to treat your baby. We should use our love to teach him.