One of the most important events in one's life is having a baby. You have nine month to think about it, to plan everything, to think of its name and Godparents and to decorate the nursery room. The two most important items of baby furniture are the crib and the baby changing table. If most of your family and friends give you clothes for the new born, those two articles will have to be bought yourself.
About baby cribs
The crib is the nicest piece of furniture in a baby's room. Solid hardwood and iron/steel are used to manufacture it. A good crib has to be more than well decorated; it has to be safe, comfortable and durable. There are some baby cribs that can transform into a child's bed, but they are quite expensive. There are cribs with a single drop side and with double drop sides. The cribs can be rectangular or round and some of them may have canopies. As a safety measure, the crib should not be placed near windows and should not be overloaded with pillows and toys because the baby may be suffocated. The crib mattress pad has to be very soft to the touch, durable, washable, stain resistant and of a high quality. Its height has to be adjustable, so that the baby won't use it to climb out of the crib.
About the baby changing table
Basically we are talking about a piece of furniture where the baby's diapers are changed. But it is very important what is under the table top, because that is where you will store all the things needed for changing the baby: diapers, wipes, powder, cream, and clothing, etc.
Mainly there are two categories: folding and stable changing tables.
The folding one is very practical because it can be easily packed, transported and stored. Usually the frame is of wood and it is bought with two or three machine washable changing tops.
The stable one could be classified in two categories: changing tables that have the form of a cupboard, with drawers, shelves, chests and the ones that consist of a frame with pad changing top and several open shelves where baskets can be placed. The first category could prove its utility later, when the baby outgrows diapers, being excellent furniture for a child's room. But the second category is easier to handled (reaching into a basket with one hand while holding the baby on the table with the other is easier than opening drawers or a chest).
Corner Baby Changing Table
This is a special changing table because the baby will stay, during diapering or dressing in its normal position, with feet pointed towards you. It can have one or two open shelves and has safety straps. Later can be use to store toys or as a book shelf.
Baby Doll Changing Table
Little girls like to play the “mommy” role, especially when they have younger siblings. You can make them a great present, by buying a baby doll changing table. These tables are designed to imitate the real models. They can also be used by the parents-to-be, when they learn how they should diaper or change their future baby.
Baby changing table safety features
The first thing that should be taken into consideration: the baby changing table has to be very sturdy (that why it is made of wood and metal), with strong legs or a hefty base and sometimes with a metal support bar beneath the top (for additional stability). The baby should be attended constantly during diapering or dressing. But, just in case, all changing tables are equipped with security features to prevent any accident. Most of them have straps. Some have a rail around the top, others use a curved changing pad. The straps can also be bought separately.
When buying a baby changing table, try to check its height too. If it is too small, you will have to bend over a lot and in time you may get backache.
