Baby Care » Baby Furniture

Tips On Choosing Baby Cribs

Anetik — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:05:44 +0000

During the first year of life, your baby will spend up to 70% of his or her time in the baby crib you choose. The baby crib is one of the most important investments you will make before your baby’s arrival.

Here are several useful tips to help you choose the best crib for your baby.

1. Safety

What to look for:

* The distance between slats must be no more than 2 3/8 inches (6 centimeters) to protect infants from falling out and toddlers from trapping their heads between the slats.
* The side rails that lower should have at least two locking devices to prevent older babies from releasing them.
* When a side rail is lowered, its top should be at least 9 inches (23 centimeters) above the mattress support. To protect older babies, the top of the raised side rail must be at least 26 inches (66 centimeters) above the mattress support at its lowest position.
* If the crib has corner posts, they must be either flush with the top of the headboard and footboard or very tall – over 16 inches (41 centimeters). Anything in between is a potential strangulation hazard.
* Get the firmest mattress you can find. Don’t rely on manufacturers’ labels – test it yourself. This is extremely important because soft mattresses may play a role in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
* Be sure that the mattress fits snugly in the crib. This keeps a baby from slipping in between the mattress and the crib sides.

* Evaluate a used crib with extra care. There may be too much space between slats, or elaborate cut-outs in the headboard and footboard that can trap a baby’s head. A crib made before 1978 may have a finish that contains lead, so a crib that has been in the family for generations may not be the best one to use!

2. Convenience

You will spend a great deal of energy lifting your baby in and out of the crib. Look for a crib with a drop-side and adjustable mattress height to make this task easier. You may also want to look for a crib with rolling casters. These will allow you to move the crib around easily should you wish to do so.

3. Where Will Baby Sleep

Baby’s intended sleep location is a big factor in determining which crib is right for you. If you want baby to sleep in your room you may want to consider a small baby bed. Your options include a bassinet, moses basket or cradle, all of which can be used until baby is four months old. Alternatively there are longer-term options such as the Amby bed or the co-sleeper (bedside crib).

If you want baby to sleep in a separate nursery room, a good idea is to place a moses basket inside the full size crib. This way baby gets the security of a small baby bed while getting used to his own space.

4. Size and Shape Count

If you have a small baby nursery to work with, you may want to consider a mini crib or a corner crib instead of a regular rectangular one. Both of these options save a considerable amount of space. On the other hand, if you have a large nursery room, a round crib placed in the center can be more interesting than a standard crib against the wall.

5. Right Price

A good baby crib needn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Your baby budget will be stretched thin enough over the coming months without paying too much for your crib. There are great ways to save money when you go shopping. Here are some examples:
* Shop the sales by signing up for newsletters at your local stores and online retailers.
* Think e-Bay. You can often get a brand new crib straight out of the box at a highly discounted price.
* If you shop online look for free shipping options.

6. Take Baby’s Growth Into Account

It may seem like a long way off now, but it won’t be long before your baby becomes a toddler and needs to move out of the crib into a bed. Will you be having another baby to take over the crib? If not, consider a convertible crib that will grow with your child.

7. Choose Your Finish Carefully

Make sure you have a plan for your baby nursery before you decide on the finish for your crib so that it forms part of the overall design. Here are a few more tips:
* If you have a small baby nursery, stay away from dark furniture, as it will make the room feel smaller.
* If you will be passing this crib on to a second baby, stick with neutral, unisex colors that will go with any theme or color scheme.
* If you choose a convertible crib, consider what finish will go well in a toddler and a teenager’s room.

Have fun! Baby Shopping is one of the perks of being pregnant!

Baby-Kangaroo

Lara — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:43:30 +0000

It is believed that a small child takes all your free time and a young mother often does not have time for herself, her beloved husband, household activities.
Recently in our country there were special backpacks for carrying the child. They are also called “kangaroo”. You can freely go about your business without leaving the baby alone. This backpack is very convenient for walking, when it is impossible to take a stroller, and especially for home use.

Basic rules
At first glance it seems that this situation is terribly inconvenient and even dangerous for kids. In fact, it is not. The child is in limbo that does not give an extra load on the spine.
In the West, several generations grew up in the backpacks. And, incidentally, they do not suffer from curvature of the spine.
In order not to cause harm to the baby, it is necessary to observe a few simple rules.
“Kangaroo” must comply with the child’s age.
The child must be held tightly to her mother, not a talker.
Belts should not rub baby’s skin.
You need constantly to check the reliability of the bindings.

Carring
There are several ways of carrying the child in “kangaroo”. Everything depends on the age of the child and what you are going to do.
Face. This method is suitable for very small children, during most of the time sleep. In this position, the baby will see your face and hear the heartbeat.
Back. When a baby is a little older, it will be much more interesting to look at the sides, than cling to your chest.
Face-to-back. In such situation it is much more convenient and safe to cook, iron, and do other household activities. Of course, in order to put the baby on your back, you need a certain skill.
Back to back. Personally, I like this method best. By using “kangaroo” in this way I could, without any distractions, sit at the computer.

How to choose a “kangaroo”?
From 0 to 3 months
These models are designed for newborns who are not yet able to hold their own head. These kangaroos are quite strong with a high back.
From 3 months to a year
They are smaller and have a soft back. They provide child with a freedom of movements.
Multifunctional from birth to a year
This kind of “kangaroos” are suitable both a newborn and older children. These models are sufficiently dense back with a detachable or folding top.
When purchasing you must pay attention to the following details.
Width of belts. They must be sufficiently broad and dense. Otherwise, under the weight of the baby belts will slide and rub your back.

Fasteners.
Fasteners must be fitted in such a way so that you yourself have to unbutton them.
The presence of pocket. Some models are equipped with a special pocket on the outside of the back. It is possible to put a pacifier, napkin, rattle, everything that should always be at hand.
Possibility of regulation. Kid grows very quickly; you constantly have to adjust the straps. Adjusting straps should not take much time, because you will perform this process several times a day. Length of the belt depends on the amount of clothing on you, and from where you will be wearing a baby – front or rear. These elements must be small and do not rub the skin.
Material. It is better to give preference to easily washable fabrics.
Kids constantly regurgitate, and you have to regularly wash “kangaroo”.
By the way, fathers can also carry children in “kangaroos”. Many men really like it.

Advantages
Kid is constantly pressed to her mother and feels safe.
Child sees much more than lying in bed and it contributes to his/her development.
Mother will always have a great posture.
This is a good way to lose weight after giving birth.
Mother’s hands are free, and she can take care of business.

Disadvantages

The older the child, the greater the load on the mother’s back.
You must move with extreme carefulness.
When the baby is hungry, he begins to get nervous, because he is very close to the breasts, but cannot reach them.

Child Room Design

Lara — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:14:40 +0000

Nowadays, most children have their own rooms, and parents have to worry about its design. Child’s own room is a personal world, where the most important and interesting events in his/her life will take place. That is why parents should wisely come to the decision which design to choose for their child’s room. Due to its multifunctionality, there are many factors influencing the
child’s room comfort. However, there are some general rules that should be taken into account, when designing the child’s room. First, you need to arrange a warm, bright and comfortable atmosphere in the nursery. It is desirable that the room is located on the sunny side. There should not be extra furniture – mobile; and restless children need more space, the room with a small number of things is easy to keep clean and tidy. Choose multipurpose and mobile furniture. After all, with age, in order to meet the growing needs of the child, you should replace it with new one.

Design for little ones

Cot, playpen, high chair, chest of drawers for different clothes, table – this is a typical set of furniture which kids need. But the child’s room should have environmental safety. Do not buy furniture made from fiberboard, low-quality plastics and other materials that may contain allergens and carcinogens such as formaldehyde and phenol. It is important to remember that furniture should consist of materials that have passed the required certification. If you have small apartment, mobile and functional furniture is just for you, for example: folding commode. There is also a convertible type of furniture. Having bought it once, you can use it for a long time, up to ten years without replacement. Chairs of this type can be adjusted by a child of any age.

The child’s room should be made in pastel colors, but you can also add several expressive elements to the room. Do not place in the room anything which can cause allergy. For example, it is better not to hang thick curtains in the room, because they collect dust. The same applies to carpets. Light curtains will be more appropriate. Moreover, they are easily removed and washed from the dust, which reduces the risk of lung disease. Lighting should be bright enough, and its source should not collect dust. A good idea can be a system of major and local luminaries – a beautiful lamp with a lampshade on the ceiling and a number of additional lighting, such as lamp, sconces or floor lamps. The climate in the children’s room has a significant impact on the health of the child. It is important to create a balanced atmosphere in the room, for example, if the room is often cold, you should place a heater, and in dry and hot room it is recommended to install a humidifier. If you want to add comfort in the design of the child’s room with attributes such as cushions or soft toys, let them be made from natural and high quality materials.

Room for preschoolers

When the child grows both you and he/she understand the benefit of a separate children’s room. Kid gets an opportunity to play alone and relax from the other family members. But you need to change the furniture in accordance with the age of the child. You should buy a new bed (it can be a sofa or bed), new chairs and tables, shelves, chest of drawers for toys. It should be noticed that the furniture must be safe, stable, and without sharp edges and with all the necessary certification. We know that children of this age are fond of playing games. So the room can be divided into two zones: for games, sleep and rest. If your child spends a lot of time on games, you need to give much space for this. The most common version is arranging the furniture along the walls of the room, and the game zone is concentrated in the center of the nursery. You can also use another approach – the separation of the room in half. In that case, gaming area is better positioned in the lighter half, with a window, and sleeping area will be the remainder. For a more precise differentiation of the game zone, you can identify it with furniture which falls under the “game” category: table, chairs, shelves for toys. A bed and a wardrobe will be a recreation area. The colors also play an important role. Do not paint the ceiling in dark colors. It depresses adults, so judge yourself.

In any case, when designing the child’s room it is important to take into account the wishes of the child. After all, his/her mood can affect practically any designing element, let it be a carpet, on which it plays, or curtains, which he/she sees rising from the bed, or favorite toys and books.

Choosing a Bed for Your Baby

Lara — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:57:18 +0000

Today, we will help you choose your child’s bed. In order the purchase of baby furniture for the future member of your family not to become very confusing you should follow some advice. With a little help you will be able to buy a bed that will be beneficial for your child.

The material of the child’s bed

The best choice of material for children’s beds is a natural material, i.e. wood. We all know the feelings that arise in the plastic chairs of the canteen. Keep in mind that sometimes the furniture is made “under wood” and you can not understand its composition – always find out what it is, especially in doubtful cases.

Wooden beds are usually covered by a definite composition, so always ask the seller what it is made of and whether it is safe for the child. For this purpose, you can require a sanitary certificate.

Please note, from which wood the bed is made, as furniture which is made from different kinds of wood differ in their properties. Furniture from pine, perhaps, one of the most inexpensive – but it is one of the softest woods used for furniture production. Therefore, on the pine furniture there will be more scratches. Furniture from birch is stronger, more durable and resistant to such expressions of cheerfulness. It serves for a very long time and does not lose its identity; it will really decorate the child’s room.

Remember that any synthetic product has an indispensable industrial smell. Place it in the room in a well ventilated place for some time. That’s why it is better to buy children’s furniture a little bit in advance, for a couple of weeks before the arrival of a newborn in the house.

Functions of the child’s bed

Beds with pendulum mechanism are very comfortable. They simply save mothers. However, when buying a bed with pendulum mechanism, do not forget about two important points. First, a few months later, your child will begin to show such signs of activity, which you can not submit at a time when bringing him/her from the maternity house. Imagine what will happen when he/she starts swinging the bed? Are you sure that it will not catch standing furniture, and simply overturn his/her bed?

There are beds which are equipped with a special pendulum latch that can block the movement of the pendulum. Now you can be sure that the baby will not accidentally overturn the bed at night. It’s not recommended to buy a bed without such a latch.

The second important point to consider when you buy a bed is to choose a place where to put the bed. Remember that stocks on both sides of swinging should be no less than 7-10 cm. Following this advice will help you avoid unpleasant surprises related to the fact that the just bought bed doesn’t fit to its intended place in the infant’s room.

Children’s beds should have drawers at the bottom for storing children’s belongings. Do not forget to clean the surface under the bed, in order to prevent accumulation of dust. Dust is unacceptable in an infant’s room and is fraught with allergic diseases. Regularly clean the places under the bed.

Safety of children’s beds

A good child’s bed must have several layers. Make sure that the depth of the bed is sufficient to protect him/her from over-active impulses of curiosity and that he/she can not fall in any case (usually a depth should be 60-70cm).

Though it will be inconvenient for parents to remove and put the baby. Almost all the children’s beds (except the cheapest model), have several layers (2 or 3 levels). Side back of these beds has a height regulator (with latch), which will facilitate removing and lying the infant.

The child’s bed should not have sharp edges and details. Of course, parents want to have a very beautiful bed in the room with intricate carved decoration. But a perfect bed for a child is a simple and sturdy one.

Furniture for Children

Lara — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:54:36 +0000

Children’s room is a very peculiar place.
Children’s furniture should be multifunctional and have the opportunity to “grow” with your child. Now the market offers a fairly large range of children’s furniture – tables and chairs – seat and backrest. As the diversity of interests of the child is difficult to predict, the children’s furniture-transformer will become the ideal solution. For example children’s table, this can be also a desk and an easel.
In general, children’s furniture should be:
Light – so that the child is able to move it easily;
Sustainable – a child can be quite awkward, but sustainable children’s furniture can protect him/her from injury;
ergonomic – ergonomic furniture for children will not allow him/her to obtain the curvature of the spine and other unpleasant diseases;
environmentally friendly – children’s furniture should fully comply with environmental standards that do not accidentally hurt the child;
comfortable – it is difficult to explain a child why he/she needs to sit here or there, so children’s comfortable furniture will make this task easier;
bright and beautiful – thanks to the fact that the child will like his/her furniture, he/she quickly learns to use it himself/herself and keep his/her belongings in order.

How to choose furniture for children which will conform to all requirements?
The bed is desirable to be a two-tier, even if you have one child. After removing the lower tier, the bottom can be used – from space to store toys, up to a romantic angle, with curtains which resemble a tent.
Children’s furniture for schoolchildren should not clutter the room, as well as for the child of this age it is important to have a place to play, to store things. Therefore, cases must be small and convenient. As has been already been mentioned above- it must attract the child, have a convenient shape, bright color, and be original. Instead of doors you can use curtains for children’s furniture and child will think that he/she hides things, and does not remove them. For toys, you can not use the shelves, but a chest, and once again cleaning will become a kind of game for your child.
Number of models of children’s furniture for schoolchildren on the market, allows you to create the interior of the room for all tastes – the main thing is that this is a room for a child and he/she must like spending time in it.

Taking Care Of A Newborn

Lara — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:31:16 +0000

Care items
You need to take care of baby’s daily hygiene procedures. To ensure that this is comfortable both for you and for your child, you must have all the necessary items.

Baby bath chair and bath (when the child starts to sit)
Thermometer for measuring water temperature.
Thermometer for measuring air temperature
Rattles and rings for teeth
Cotton sticks (with limiters)
Comb hair brush (for small children)
Scissors with blunt ends

Baby Care Products
In order to take care for a child you need toiletries, made specifically for children. They are safe for baby’s tender skin, do not cause irritation of mucous membranes and allergic reactions on the skin, and provide thorough care.

Baby soap
Children’s cream
Baby oil
Child Protective cream, baby cosmetic milk
Children shampoo
Children Bath Bubbles
Wet wipes
Sanitary napkins impregnated with oil
Powder

Child kit
You also need to have medical supplies. You must buy all in advance in order to use it at the right moment.

Manganese
Sterile and non-sterile bandage, sterile cotton wool
Brilliant green (antiseptic)
Bactericidal plaster
Hydrogen peroxide 3%
Suction
Enema: size-1 (2-3 pieces), one of them, with cut off pears, can be used as a vapor tube
Thermometer for measuring body temperature (preferably electronic)
Polyvinyl chloride film or a special children’s oilcloth

Clothes
Buy clothes for your child in sufficient quantities, but not to buy anything extra – the child grows too fast, and many things will change.

Warm diaper – 4-5 pc.
Cold diaper – 4-5 pc.
Warm loose jacket – 3-4 pc.
Cold loose jacket – 2-3 pc.
Night cap – 2 pc.
Warm Hat – 1 pc.
Sliders – 5sht.
Light Overall – 3 pc.
Cloth for walking – light and warm – 3 pc.
Panties, T-shirt, t-shirts, body – few sets.
Bib – 2 pcs.
Apron for feeding from polyvinyl chloride – 2 pcs.
Socks – 4 pairs.
Boots.
Mittens for the smallest (without fingers) anti-scratching
Overalls for walking – 1 pc.
Bedding – 2 sets.
Towel for swimming – 2 pcs.
A warm woolen blanket – 1 pc.
Blanket flannelette – 1 pc.
Sleeping bag or envelope – 1 pc.

Necessary items
All that you buy for your child must be the most convenient and reliable.

Baby bed with a hard mattress
Pram (with removable basket, handles on the sides and rear, with the rain, with umbrella or sun visor)
Swaddling table
Closet or chest of drawers for child’s clothes
Arena
Children’s chair for feeding
Backpack “kangaroo”
Infant car seat
Means to protect the child from the modern life

Tips To Choose A Playpen

Lara — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:38:09 +0000

Materials. The materials that the playpen is made of, should be safe and should not provide any toxic substances (during the shopping do not hesitate to smell a new playpen and make sure there are no strong smell, because baby will breathe this). In this regard, many prefer playpens of wood as an environmentally friendly and natural. The distance between the wooden bars of the playpen should be 5-7 cm, so that it does not let big toys in and does not thrust the head of a child. The cells of the grid should be such that the baby is not able to catch its buttons or to get stuck by fingers. Soft material should be easily washable and should not absorb liquid.

The grid of the playpen should be from nice light color. If it is bright and patterned, baby will focus on it, which is a great burden for the eyes and nervous system. A playpen should be calm a baby, and coloring in this case, plays the key role.

The bottom of a playpen should be soft and elastic, so if the child falls, it should not hurt. In any case, it is preferable to put a rug or a blanket at the bottom of playpen so that baby is not cold.

Construction of playpen should be strong and sustainable, there should be no visible screws, screws-on or fasteners accessible to a child.

Playpen is not a panacea. The development of the child in an enclosed space is not so full, so stay in the playpen should not be too long. You can start with half an hour, gradually let your child stay in it for up to two hours. Psychologists talk about the impact of an enclosed space on the psyche. The baby that spends too much time is in the playpen, can suffer from various phobias (claustrophobia, fear of restriction of liberty).

Do not worry if your baby reacts badly to the playpen, complains and capricious, put in the playpen his favorite toys, play, be close to the baby for the first time. Never punish your child by keeping him/her in the playpen, as he will then never voluntarily stay there after that. If your child can not adapt to the arena at once, start with five minutes, gradually increasing the duration of the stay, do not overload the child’s psyche, do everything in the game.

Playpen

Lara — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:01:12 +0000

Growing children are extremely active and mobile, they are interested everything: a taste of the TV remote, forgotten by their parents on a chair, and what is hidden in these two holes in the plastic box on the wall, which parents ridiculously call “socket”, or may be this journal / newspaper / book left on the table is delicious. What if I try it? Millions of questions are in the small head of your baby. Children will be able to do hundreds of the most incredible things one in a second when parents are away.

The only salvation for parents is a playpen, where you can leave the baby for some time.

Playpen is a special device, which is a fitting (frame), a soft cover material, standing on feet, that have a bottom, there are also wooden playpens, as well as there are hybrid models of playpen beds.

There are a wide variety of forms of playpens. It can be round, square, rectangular, angular, and even octagonal. The area of playpen should not be less than the area of child’s bed. The child should freely move in the playpen, turn around, and lie down. Construction of playpen should be sustained, babies often put all the weight by lying on one of the sides, but playpen should not turn.

Playpen is the first personal square space of your baby. It is their personal territory, where he/she is the owner. It’s a good idea to put there favorite toys and items of your baby. The main advantage of a playpen is that it is compact, easy to make up the majority of models, either in the plane (legs folded, the upper bumper is lowered to the bottom) or in a small structure (like an umbrella or a book). It is easy to fit it in the trunk of the car and move with you: to the farm, in the country and to sea. Playpen also helps when you’re moving and when you are planning to stay somewhere for a long time. It will be much easier for the baby to adapt to a new environment when he feels himself in his territory.

Playpen also serves as a simulator. Special ring located around the perimeter of a playpen are affective for the growth of a child. The child will catch them and starts to stand, then walk around the perimeter. If such rings are present in the playpen then you should pay attention to the baby’s age and his physical conditions.