When furnishing a nursery on a budget your first thought should always be safety. Your next thought should be comfort and utility. You will be wise not to get distracted with expensive decorations and the latest fashion statements that may quickly loose their charm.
Many fine articles are available on safety, but in summary, you want to check that your baby crib meets the standards set by the following groups: currently every new baby crib that is made must meet the industry standards set by the Consumer Products Safety Commisson (CPSC), which establishes the minimum safety standards that even the least expensive cribs must meet. Additional and voluntary standards are set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). When these standards are met the baby crib is certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). The JPMA label is clearly visible on the product and when you see it you can rest assured that your baby crib is completely safe.
The one furniture item that you should splurge on is the baby crib. This is where baby spends all of his or her time for the first months. Investing in a safe, high quality baby crib will not only increase the comfort of your baby, but will save you money in the long run. Manufacturers such as Child Craft are known for building baby cribs and baby furniture that not only last for the entire time the baby needs them (as opposed to the less expensive versions that can fall apart before the baby reaches toddlerhood) but can become lovely family heirlooms, passed down from mother to daughter to granddaughter.
When it comes to choosing a mattress be certain that it is of high quality so that it will not tear or rip easily. Also be certain that the mattresst fits properly. Most baby crib mattresses are standard sizes these days, but occasionally the fit will not be right with the baby furniture, so be certain to double check.
Other furniture pieces you will need include a dresser, changing table and a glider or rocker. Storage space is necessary to help you organize and make life easier.
I do not recommend a dresser doubling for a changing table unless it is designed to do so. Makeshift changers run the danger of baby falling off, without proper adaptive design. Child Craft has some lovely dressers that are designed to double as changers and then become simple dressers again when baby grows older. Make sure that the dresser has enough storage space underneath for diapers and onesies, powder, wipies, etc. If more space is needed hanging shelves can easily be added to the wall.
When it comes to rockers, it is wise to choose your own and actually try it out! Not all rockers "sit" the same. Certain rockers are better for certain body types and nobody can predict what works for whom. Try them on as you would a pair of jammies because it needs to be just about that comfortable when you are rocking into the wee hours. Antique rockers are some of the more comfortable ones I've known. Before the mass production of stuffed furniture our pioneer forefathers and mothers knew how to make those rockers rock!
As a final touch, you could add a night stand for more storage and a place for a lamp that casts a lovely,soft light. And there you have it: the essentials baby furniture for a complete and high quality nursery.
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