Selecting the Right Nursery Furniture – Some Helpful Tips and Hints

One of the first things new parents-to-be tend to splurge on is all the best baby furniture they can find for their new baby’s nursery. From cribs and bassinets to rocking chairs, changing tables, hampers, bedding, accessories and more, welcoming a new baby into the house can be a bit overwhelming to say the least, but it can also be very exciting!

Below you will find some help tips from the friendly and knowledgeable folks at BabyCenterStore.com about selecting baby furniture for your new nursery that is affordable, long-lasting and also safe for your child.

Safety First

The first thing you need to take into consideration right from the start when planning your new baby nursery is that safety always comes first! Your baby will probably spend more time in the nursery than anywhere else, so making the nursery as safe as it can possibly be should always be your first priority! This may often mean spending a little more money than you had originally planned, or possibly sacrificing a decorative theme you had in mind, but the safety of your baby is priceless and in the end it will be a decision you will be glad you made!

And because you'll be spending a lot of time there, too, you'll also want the nursery to be attractive and well organized. To get started, make a list of all the furniture and accessory items you think you will need.

Cribs (newborns to age 2-3)

The first thing most parents will buy for a new baby is a crib. Since your child will sleep in a crib until it's time to move into a real bed -- typically between the ages of 2 and 3 – it is extremely important to choose a sturdy crib that you'll be happy using every day for at least two years.

A sturdy, well-made crib will typically cost you between $200-$400, depending on brand name and the material the crib is made of. Some things you will want to look for when selecting a quality crib are sturdy construction, safety railings and crib bumper padding that attaches to the inside of the crib railings to cushion all four sides of the crib.

Bassinets, Cradles, and Moses Baskets (newborns to 4-5 months)

If you don’t want to purchase a crib right away, a bassinet, cradle, or Moses basket can be a convenient and comfortable sleeping place for your baby during his first few months. Your baby may feel more at ease in the smaller, cozier space than in a crib. Additionally, you can carry these small portable baby beds from room to room, letting you keep a closer watch over your sleeping baby.

Baby Changing Tables

In your baby’s first year of life, you will change an average of more than 2,400 diapers!

This makes a sturdy, comfortable changing table an imperative necessity! Some parents choose to simply lay out a waterproof changing pad and change their baby on the floor or on a bed, with their diapering supplies stowed in a nearby basket. This is certainly fine if space or money is tight. If the means are available to you, a changing table can make changing so many diapers a lot more convenient!

Some things to look for when browsing changing tables are a guardrail, safety straps, overall sturdiness as well as additional storage underneath for all your baby changing supplies. A good changing table will run you about $80-$150.

Hampers

Something else you will want to highly consider adding to your baby furniture shopping list is an in inexpensive linens hamper. A hamper will help you to keep your baby’s cloths organized and separate from the rest of the family’s, which is especially helpful if your baby has sensitive skin or allergies and you need to wash his clothes in a gentler detergent.

For more helpful baby furniture tips and suggestions from the experts, be sure to check out the latest additions to the BabyCenter Store from BabyCenter.com. Happy shopping and congratulations!