About Baby Care

Posts Tagged ‘baby furniture’

Let’s face it: babies are expensive. The first few years of a child’s life, in particular, can really put a strain on your wallet. In fact, before a baby is even born, it’s common for the parents to have spent thousands of dollars on clothing, furniture, medical check-ups and special classes.

If you’re thinking ahead and trying to figure out how you can save money during your pregnancy, you’ve come to the right place. Here are five simple tips that can help you make sure that your baby doesn’t bankrupt you:

1. Shop smart. Having a baby is really exciting and many moms-to-be allow themselves to be overcome by the excitement. There is so much to buy! Maternity clothes, baby clothes, baby furniture, baby accessories, etc. You don’t need to buy everything at once; remember, you have nine months to plan for the arrival of your child. Make a budget and shop around for the best prices. Look for sales and check out online stores to see if they have better prices than you can find at the mall. Most importantly, don’t go overboard and buy things that you don’t need.
2. Ask around for used items. Do you have friends or family members who’ve already had children? Chances are they have a bunch of lightly-used baby clothing, baby toys and other baby accessories that they would be happy to pass on to you. There’s no shame in accepting used items and one day you’ll have the pleasure of passing things on to another family.
3. Go to the library. There’s no need to buy books and magazines about being pregnant; just head to your local library. From medical textbooks on what pregnancy symptoms you should expect to pamphlets on how to arrange your baby’s bedroom for maximum fengshui, you’ll find hundreds of great resources about all aspects of having a baby at the library. Best of all, everything is free!
4. Plan to breastfeed. Not only does breast milk provide your baby with all the nutrition he or she needs, it’s free! Baby formula can be very expensive and bottles aren’t cheap, either. Some women are unable to breastfeed their children due to medical reasons, but most face no impediments. The best way to save money after your baby is born is to breastfeed.
5. Consider re-usable diapers. The idea of re-usable diapers is off-putting to many moms-to-be. Soiled diapers are, understandably, unpleasant and it’s convenient to throw them away rather than worry about washing them. Disposable diapers can be very expensive, though. In fact, some women save as much as $1,000 a year by using re-usable diapers.

Feeding baby can be messy! Feeding baby can be fun! High chairs take the mess out of the feed while maxizing the fun!

High chairs are an essential piece of baby gear—one that will be used multiple times a day for years. From his first pureed peas to a hearty helping of Mom’s meatloaf, he’ll spend a lot of quality time in the high chair. So it’s a good idea to pick a high chair that’s not only safe and functions well, but one that fits into your lifestyle and the design of your home.

Where to start when picking out a high chair?

As with everything else, start with what you like. Baby high chairs come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are made of different materials.
Style:

• If you’re looking for a high chair that complements your dining room set, select a wooden high chair in the same finish as your set. Many parents find these classic chairs more aesthetically appealing than other options.
• If you want a high chair that will grow with your child, look into the benefits of a convertible chair. These chairs convert from a traditional high chair to a youth chair or to a study or office chair.
• A plastic or metal high chair is a good option for parents who want a foldable, portable model.

Convenience:

• First, look for a chair with a removable tray, preferably one that uses a one-handed release. You don’t want to have to get your child in and out of the chair—or try to clean the chair—with an attached tray to work around.
• Make sure that the tray has a raised lip at the edge to catch the inevitable spills.
• While wooden high chair trays can be wiped with a damp cloth, it’s especially convenient to purchase a plastic tray protector to safeguard the wood finish and also to make clean up a snap. Select one that’s dishwasher safe for the ultimate in convenience.
• If you’re going to be moving your high chair a lot—between rooms, for example—select one that’s lightweight or has wheels. If it does have wheels, make sure that you can lock them into place.
• Check the overall height of the chair and the seat height to ensure that your child will be able to sit at a similar level as the rest of the family. Your best bet is a chair that offers adjustable heights that you can change as she gets older or depending on where she’s eating.
• If your child doesn’t like sitting still, consider a high chair with removable toys that can keep your little one entertained while you cook.

You like the style of wooden high chairs, but you are sure if they are comfortable?
Parents use wooden high chairs all the time—that’s the kind most restaurants provide—and babies don’t seem to find them uncomfortable. But if you don’t relish the idea of hard wood pressed against your baby at meal times, consider purchasing a high chair cover.

• Look for baby highchair cushions that come in colors and prints that coordinate with your kitchen or dining decor—or that simply catch your eye.
• Make sure the cushion is easy to wipe off, machine washable, and comes with easy-to-fit ties that secure the pad to the high chair.
• Check that the high chair pads accommodate your safety straps.

What do you need to know about high chair safety?
The first line of defense is to purchase a solidly constructed, sturdy high chair. Select one that meets or exceeds U.S. safety standards and/or is JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) certified.

• Look for a base that’s wide enough to prevent tipping.
• Your high chair should have an easy-to-use safety strap, which will encourage you to actually use it. Safety straps are important for keeping baby from slipping under the tray or from climbing up and potentially falling out of his high chair the moment your back is turned.
• If your high chair doesn’t have a safety strap or you need to replace an old strap, you can purchase a safety harness separately. Choose a harness made of durable material with an adjustable strap.
• Checking the weight limit of the high chair is something many parents overlook. Remember that your six-month-old lightweight will still need to use her chair when she’s a toddler. And if you select a chair that grows with your child, it’s especially important to look for a realistic weight limit.
• Because it serves as your child’s eating surface, a non-toxic finish on your high chair is a must.
• Make sure there’s no exposed hardware or rough wooden edges on your high chair.

The benefits of a booster seat

Though you’ll undoubtedly use your high chair for years, there will come a time when your child is too big for it—but not yet big enough to sit at the table. For this transitional time, a booster seat is a big help. When selecting your booster seat, look for a thickly cushioned seat, both for comfort and height, one that’s made of easy-to-clean material, safety straps to hold your child securely in place, and a second set of straps that attach the seat firmly to the chair.

Your child will use a high chair for a long time, so select one that meets safety standards, has a style and functionality that you like and has a cushion to keep your child comfortable during mealtime. Booster seats are a great way to transition your child from high chair to dining room chair.

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!