Buyers Guide - In The Nursery
You and your baby spend a significant proportion of each day in the nursery, and it is important that the room is as comfortable as possible.
Cot and Mattress - The style and design of a cot is very much a personal choice; however it is important that you get a cot that you feel is well made and strong. Most modern cots are wooden, with the cost being dependant upon the type and quality of the wood used. Many costs are classified as ‘convertible’, offering the option of later being converted into a junior bed. When choosing a mattress, innerspring is recommended (although it will cost a few extra dollars), as it will be more comfortable and last longer than a foam mattress. It is also important to include a mattress protector (or two) to protect the mattress from accidental spills.
Change Table - Change tables range from models with cheap metal and plastic frames to wooden tables that match the style and color of your cot and other furniture. Choosing a change table from the same manufacture as your other nursery furniture can provide some consistancy, as you can typically choose from the same range and wood color. Many of the cheaper change tables also include a small baby bath, and can represent surprisingly good value for money, especially as a baby bath has a short life-span of only a few short months. The change table pad should offer side support for when the baby starts rolling (even though you should always keep one hand on your baby when changing.)
Nappy Disposal Unit - Whilst a nappy disposal unit can seem like an effective solution, it is important to understand the ongoing costs. The cost of refills for each model should be looked at as it can become very costly over time.
Baby Monitor - A baby monitor can give you the piece of mind when you are not close to your babies room. Whether you are preparing dinner in the kitchen or are in the garden, a baby monitor can keep you in constant touch with your baby. Many baby monitors are also two-way, allowing it to be used as a walkie-talkier, either talking to your partner or to sooth a crying baby. Many also include a temperature read-out on the handset, providing you with the nursery temperature. It is always worth checking that you can return the baby monitor to the retailer if you experience any interferance. Modern homes are full of electronic devices that can interfere with a baby monitor, from a microwave oven and dishwater, or a computer and TV. A digital baby monitor can illiminate most interferance, but can also be costly to purchase. Baby monitors with video capabilities are starting to become available, and can provide you access to a video image from the nursery. However, they have limited low-light capabilities, and are potentialy useless if the nursery is kept relatively dark, which typically it is when baby is sleeping.
Nightlight - A simple solution is to use a low wattage bulb in an old bedside lamp, and can be a handy way of providing minimal lighting at night so you will not fully wake your baby when feeding.
Nappy Stacker - Nappy stackers can be a handy way of organising all nappy changing items in a single place. They can be hung from a cot or change table. However, many change tables also include shelves and spaces to store changing items.
Bassinet - A bassinet can be used for the first couple of months in place of a cot. One of the key benefits is that the baby can be moved in a bassinet without being woken. A few baby car seats and strollers also include (or available as an optional) a bassinet that can be removed. As a bassinet is only used for the first few months, it is worth considering the extra costs of a bassinet comaared with a cot, which will be needed after a few months anyway.
Bottle & Food Wamer - A bottle warmer can be a quick and convenient way of heating liquids and solids for feeding. We have found that a bottle and food warmer that can keep the contents at a constant temperature offers a distinct advantage, and many also do not include an on/off switch which we feel is a useful feature, especially if you are trying to unplug the warmer at 3am!
