If you are expecting a baby, one of the things that will surely keep you occupied is looking to buy baby furniture. You will want to select only the best baby furniture for your new arrival. As such, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Among them are durability and safety; however, another important consideration is transformability. Will your baby be able to continue using particular furniture items past infanthood and into childhood, or will you be obligated by your choices to replace costly items at every stage of your child’s development? Choosing carefully can save you money and save resources generally.

What should you look for when choosing baby furniture?

It’s a blessing if you are well-off and able to run to your local baby store or go online and purchase everything brand-spanking-new; however, that’s not really a guarantee that you will get the very best in quality and safety. Naturally, the first thing you will want to consider is safety. Modern baby furniture usually comes with a built-in safety rating and a warranty, so it should be fairly easy for you to choose safe baby furniture when shopping for new items if you also exercise caution and use common sense. However, what if you are unable to afford brand-new? How can you choose safe items for your baby when shopping second-hand or evaluating hand-me-downs given by friends and relatives? Here are a few things to look for in both new and gently used baby furnishings:

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1. Run your hand over the item thoroughly. You are looking for sharp surfaces, splinters and other protrusions that have the potential to injure your baby.

2. Do a visual check for screws or nails that might be protruding or might be easily removed and swallowed.

3. Check to be sure rails and slats are closely spaced to avoid having your baby become stuck or lodged between them. They should be closely enough spaced that a baby’s head could not slip through.

What makes the best baby furniture?

Baby furniture should be tough and durable. It should be able to withstand hard use. You should only choose items that are well-constructed of a sturdy, cleanable material such as wood or metal and some very tough and well-constructed plastic items. Bear in mind that you want your baby furnishings to last at least through your baby’s toddler stage, and you may want to use these furnishings for a second baby.

When choosing items such as linens and toys, opt for simplicity. Linens that are fussy and lacy or toys that have lots of moving parts are just an invitation to disaster. Holes that little fingers can get stuck in and dangling ties, strings and loose ends create swallowing hazards and the potential for entanglement. Toys that have lots of moving parts can pinch small hands and fingers. For a little baby, it is best to stick with very basic and simple linens. Surprisingly, you should avoid crib bumpers as they have been known to suffocate babies. Choose toys that are soft, cleanable, of one piece and do not have small parts that can be removed and swallowed.

Another thing to keep in mind is the safety and ease of movement in the nursery. You don’t want the room to be so crammed with furniture that you can’t move around freely, and of course, as your baby grows, he or she will want to have room to play. Be sure to measure the space you have. Jot down the measurements between doorways and windows and think about how you want to arrange the nursery. Whenever you go shopping for a new item of furniture or consider an item that is being offered to you, measure it to see if it will fit into the space you have in mind. It’s a good idea to carry your list of measurements and a roll-up measuring tape in your pocket or purse so that you can be certain of measurements on-the-spot.

When arranging your nursery, be sure that furnishings such as chests of drawers and shelves are well secured to the wall. Even though it is not an issue for a new-born baby, tragically, toddlers have been injured under furnishings that have fallen because the toddler was attempting to climb up to get something. It is best to be sure that these furniture items are well-secured early on. Once your baby arrives, you may find yourself too overwhelmed and exhausted to take care of this. Before you know it, your baby will be crawling and climbing.

Additionally, when arranging the nursery, be sure that you leave all escape routes open and easily accessed. Don’t put heavy furnishings in front of the window or in the path of the doorway. Be sure that you would be able to get out and emergency personnel would be able to get in easily in the event of a fire or other emergency.

Remember that you can do some of your baby furniture shopping after your baby arrives. All your baby will need in the way of furniture at first is a cradle or crib and a changing table! If your space and resources are limited, you may want to simply choose the best you can in these two items to start with. Then, if you are able to move to a larger place, and/or as you see what you need for your new baby, you can carefully choose other items to complement your original purchases. It is always best to invest in fewer items of higher quality rather than squandering your resources on lots of poor quality items that will fill your space but serve you poorly.

The most important thing when choosing baby furniture is to take your time, examine each piece carefully, and invest in the highest quality items you are able to find. By choosing wisely, you can be sure that your baby will have a safe, comfortable, welcoming nursery – even if you have not been able to spend a fortune on all-brand-new baby furniture.

In writing from a mother’s and grandmother’s standpoint, I can say for sure that the most useful baby clothes are several of the more high end brands, the ones with snaps in the legs and the zipper or snap open neck type.  I found that the most useful of all these types were those that I found in great shape at garage sales and on clearance racks. When I was expecting my children, there was not a good or any usually used method for telling what the sex of the child would be until it was born. Therefore, almost all clothing received as gifts were not specific as to gender. Most were in colors of yellow or green.

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I learned shortly after my first child was born that no less than ten outfits are needed to get through nearly any day. I had received many beautiful things at all five of my baby showers, but thought them too good for everyday crib wear, so most were still brand new when outgrown. I learned my lesson and wore them all on my second child.

What are the most useful baby clothes?

Undershirts were still a necessity for babies back then and there were no onesies that snapped in the crotch to allow them to stay tucked in, so they were pinned to the cloth diapers that were prominently used for day use many years ago. In more modern times, undershirts are no longer considered necessary, but when used they are printed and usually are onesies snapped in the legs and serve a double use as the child’s shirt for the outfit being worn.

As we were not wealthy when our children were young and clothing was at a premium if you wanted a good brand that would hold up to bleach and other stain removal techniques, I spent a good amount of time searching clearance racks in high end children’s stores and stopping along the road at every garage sale I found with useful baby clothes. Mostly, the brand I personally preferred was Healthtex.  I do not believe that brand is still available. If it is, I have not found it in many years.  Healthtex clothing would easily go through two to four children with many wash and wears and look brand new when put into the garage sale bin. Boy’s clothing is the only type that I have had any experience with, as I had two boys of my own and my only grandchild is a two- year-old little boy. For shirts, I always preferred the snap neck type for easier pulling over the head.  Most usually, a color-coordinated bib could save a shirt for at least half a day if used on the child. Pajamas back then were of very soft knit and the bottoms had feet and the top snapped in the back and snapped to the bottoms, so no body parts were exposed during the night to wake a cold baby. When just infants, one of the most useful baby clothes that I’ve encountered is the kimono type gown with the drawstring in the bottom, and the mitties that goes with it to cover the fingers. These help the baby warm and bundled.

Shoes were not necessary for little babies until they started to walk, unless they were for decoration only.  Socks and bootie were always a good idea to keep the feet covered and warm. The knitted socks with the ribbed cuffs that turned down stayed on the best of all the others and were very stretchy, so they would not be outgrown so quickly.  Soft shoes were sometimes worn just to make sure that all clothing are coordinated, as for pictures or if going out for something special.

Long pants were best with straps over the shoulders, but elastic waist would do the trick, as well.  For youngsters not potty trained, the sizes up to 24 months almost always had the snaps up the legs for easy access for a quick diaper change.  Once your child was into the toddler sizes, the snaps went away and then you were pulling and tugging to get them down to change the pants or diapers.

Outwear was a matter of taste and climate.  My children were raised along the Great Lakes, so we had knitted buntings which were hooded and zipped up to the neck with mittens on strings inside the arms.  These were not very convenient for the straps in the car seat, but they served to be very warm in temperatures well below zero, when we had to go out.  Snowsuits were one piece and worked well for the toddler age babies over infant size.  They could move around in them and walk.  Boots could be added for extra warmth and mittens usually buttoned onto the arms.  When a little older, winter coats and snowpants in separates would do the trick.  Jackets could be unzipped or even removed if riding in the warmed car for any length of time.

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Useful baby clothes of the 21^st Century

In my opinion, the best improvement in wardrobe for infants in the past 35 years has been the ever growing popularity of the disposable diapers and pull-up training pants.  These inventions are such time and work savers that they are worth every penny that you spend extra on them, just to save on laundry soap, bleach, and laundry time.  As more and more moms find the need to work outside the home, the more disposable clothing that can be used the more convenient it becomes for these families and the more quality time that is available for the children, the better the family union.

Although baby clothes are not as popular at garage sales these days, mostly because they are more disposable and do not last through several children, there are outlet malls and stores of every certain brand that have great sales on all of the above mentioned items.  Most are fairly priced and readily available in any large city or along the interstates. Most of this writing has been from the standpoint of a northern family where the weather is colder for most of the year.  In the south, clothing for infants is much the same, however, the use of such heavy outerwear is rarely necessary and light jackets or sweaters are the more useful outdoor coverings for spring and fall days.  During deep winter months in some areas, there is still a need for a ‘warmer version’ of the usual useful baby clothes which are readily available in every department stores or outlet malls.

This September, we are celebrating the annual National Baby Safety Month so we are sharing a few tips to keep your baby safe at home.

Our home is the only world that our baby knows and as naturally curious as they are, our babies are going to explore every inch of homes and they would most definitely be crawling and reaching every step of the way and it is very important that baby safety is practiced every step of the way. That is why it is very important for us adults to make sure our homes are both baby friendly and child friendly.

It is never too early to start thinking about baby safety

It is actually best to start baby-proofing your home when you are still pregnant so that it’ll be ready for your new baby when you return home from the hospital. Don’t know where to start? Try to go down to your baby’s eye view, yes that means you have to crawl down all around your house and crank your neck up (I guess, baby safety is a good exercise too!) In this way, you can see what object should be removed that might potentially be dangerous to your baby when he tries to reach for it. Keep chemicals, medicines, foods and sharp objects out of the reach of your baby to avoid incidents of  poisoning, choking and cuts.

If there are sections of your house that you do not want your baby to crawl to then install baby safety gates to prevent them from entering unsafe portions of the house. Baby safety gates are most useful to avoid baby’s from crawling towards the stairways.

Cover all sharp edges of your furniture, walls, posts and appliances with pillows or blankets. This baby safety tip is especially useful when your baby is at the stage of crawl from one place to another. Also, make sure that cribs, chairs and other furniture your baby may climb on is away from the windows.

It is very important that you do not leave your baby alone, whether on a high chair or at the bathroom. Supervision for a curious baby is one of the very important rule in baby safety. If you are still left confused on how to practice baby safety then it is best to consult a professional and get some advise on how to keep your baby safe.

Are pregnancy books really useful? Pregnancy is an exciting time, both for the expecting mother and for her partner. Trying to discover as much information about your pregnancy and birth as possible can be difficult and intimidating, especially if it’s your first pregnancy. However, there are a number of truly excellent books to read for pregnancy that provide guidance for first-time parents on the subjects of pregnancy, birth and what comes next.

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What can I get from Pregnancy Books?

There is a lot of information out there about pregnancy, morning sickness, labor, delivery and first-time parenting. Some practitioners don’t always provide the best information. In some areas, prenatal care is limited. In others, doctors operate on theories that are vague. For example, in the area I live in, there are still doctors that tell pregnant women that drinking occasionally is fine. However, all of the information I have on the subject, including from the Center for Disease Control, suggests that since nobody knows how much is too much for a fetus, it is best not to drink at all. Finding the right information can be tricky and these pregnancy books might help. Expecting parents should know about nutrition, breast-feeding options, labor, delivery, options for pain management or natural childbirth, episiotomies and coping with a cranky newborn. How do you filter out the information overload? How do you figure out the right questions to ask your doctor so that your pregnancy is safe, healthy and special to you? Start by reading one of these pregnancy books.

Pregnancy Books suggestions:

What To Expect When You’re Expecting: This book, written by Heidi Murkhoff and Sharon Mazel, has gone through many editions and has been in print since 1984 and is constantly being updated. They also have an informational website that allows mothers to track their pregnancies. This book details every facet of pregnancy month by month; from the good and miraculous to the slightly surprising and unexpected. The book discusses attempting to conceive, appropriate prenatal care and nutrition as well as changes that may take place in the mother. What To Expect When You’re Expecting also discusses how medical histories play a part in pregnancy, what kind of care, birth plan and medical practitioner may be right for you. In addition, the later editions discuss concerns that expectant mothers have, from hot tubs to cell phones and family pets. While some may ridicule a pregnant woman for wondering if her cell phone is bad for the baby, or if the fertilizer in her garden is unhealthy or if she can drink a cup of coffee in the morning, these are all legitimate concerns that deserve a good answer.

Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn: This book, written by Penny Simkin is a detailed overview, similar to What to Expect. Simkin handles all topics relating to pregnancy, with a focus on a family view (including the birth partner in the process.) Simkin also devotes two chapters to staying healthy and in good shape during pregnancy, and appropriate nutrition; both of which are concerns for many women. She also highlights possible complications and the pros and cons of prenatal testing. Both of these pregnancy books are excellent guides to pregnancy and what comes after. Simkin, in particular, discusses planning for bringing the baby home and offers helpful suggestions for parents.

Birth

For most pregnant women, particularly first-time mothers, the part of pregnancy that concerns them most is the birth. What will they do? How will they handle it? What’s going to happen? The following books may offer some good advice for both the mother and for the baby’s father.

The Birth Partner: This book has been in print for approximately twenty years and deservedly so. The Birth Partner, also by Penny Simkin is one of those well-researched, easy to understand pregnancy books for expectant mothers, fathers, doulas or anyone involved in a birth. The book also details some pregnancy tips and suggestions for the partner of the pregnant woman, and how they can assist during labor. Perhaps one of the most useful guides in the book details the types of pain management offered to women in labor and the possible side effects. It also goes into deep detail on all aspects of childbirth so that if an emergency situation arises, all parties are already aware of potential risks, complications and actions that may be taken, and can act swiftly to help the mother and baby without having to get brand new information. Other topics covered include the debates over natural childbirth and breastfeeding, scheduled caesarean sections, and the controversy over VBAC: vaginal birth after C-Section. The Birth Partner also discusses comfort measures for a laboring mother and how a father, partner or doula can assist in the birth and be a part of this important event. I would highly recommend The Birth Partner for anyone who is pregnant, or who will be involved in a birth.

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth: Anyone who is interested in natural childbirth, or midwife assistance should read this book. Ina May Gaskin is one of the foremost midwives in the United States, who has experience working internationally as well. Ina May is also the only midwife to have a birth maneuver named after her: the Gaskin Maneuver, to assist shoulder dystocia. (Shoulder dystocia occurs occasionally after the baby has crowned and the head has emerged, and the shoulders become stuck.) The first section of Ina May’s book is filled with stories from women who have used midwives and natural deliveries, detailing their experiences with childbirth. The second section, written by Ina May Gaskin, discusses her experience and her knowledge of the birth process. While Ina May advocates for natural childbirth, she can present a clear view of the experience which may be comforting and informative for a pregnant woman.

Pregnancy advice is intimidating, no doubt about that. It puts massive strain on a woman, both physically and mentally. Emotions fluctuate and there are number of fears and stresses that if unanswered, can be very difficult. Finding the right pregnancy books that will allow you to ask your physician the right questions is important to give good care for both you and your baby and will grant you peace of mind to enjoy your pregnancy.