TheBabyCrib.com

Of course, the crib and the changing table are two of the most important pieces of furniture in a baby room. Before even thinking of all the other accessories you want to be included in the nursery, better make sure that the crib and the changing table have their own proper space. Although it may be nice to have a piece of furniture that is customized for a particular function, economy and practicality has made double purpose furniture equally attractive. Perhaps you may consider buying a crib that may function as a baby changer too or a crib that may later be reassembled into a bed for a toddler.  There should also be sufficient space for cabinets and drawers for all the clothes and shoes which you will soon find will “grow” by the hundreds.

Prices of baby cribs can range from $80 (CLICK HERE to see affordable baby cribs at Amazon) to a few thousand (CLICK HERE to see gorgeous handcrafted baby cribs at Mini Tots). Compare some baby cribs according to your baby’s needs and of course, your buying capability:

Stokke Sleepi Mini & Crib System - The Sleepi Mini & Crib System The innovative Sleepi System is designed to grow with your child from infancy through the toddler years. It starts as a narrow, cozy bassinet, shaped like an oval to replicate the calming and familiar environment of the womb. The included conversion kit transforms the bassinet into a full-size oval crib. Remove the side panel and lower the mattress for a toddler bed that will accommodate your child until about 5 years of age.

DaVinci Kalani 3-in-1 Crib - The Kalani 3-in-1 Crib This beautifully styled crib by Da Vinci is designed to grow with your child from birth through the toddler years, and even into adulthood. Simply remove the outer side and use the bed conversion guard rail that??s included to convert the crib into a toddler bed. Eventually, the crib’s sides can be used as a headboard and footboard for a full-size bed

DaVinci Lauren 2-in-1 Crib II - The Lauren 2-in-1 Crib II This elegantly styled wood crib by Da Vinci makes a lovely and secure nest for your baby. It has three mattress heights so you can lower the bed as your child grows and a drop-down side so you can easily lift your child in and out of the bed. Plus, you’ll appreciate the added convenience of storage underneath.

DaVinci Alpha Crib - The Alpha Crib At home in any setting, the Alpha crib by Da Vinci is a beautifully crafted crib that’s built to last, with solid hardwood construction and top-quality hardware. It easily converts to a toddler bed, making it useful for many years of your child’s life.

DaVinci Jenny Lind 2-in-1 Crib - The Jenny Lind 2-in-1 Crib This beautifully crafted wooden crib by Da Vinci is a true classic, featuring fully turned spindles all around. It easily converts to a toddler bed, making it useful for many years of your child’s life.

Shopping for a crib is no longer as easy as it was before when all cribs looked much the same. Today, there is a wide range of models and types to choose from. Which crib do you think will fit your taste and budget?

Standard Cribs

These cribs are exactly what they sound like. They are the most basic type and do not have many accessories or decorative elements. Cribs of this type usually come in the typical rectangular shape. Standards cribs however may differ in price because of some special features. You may for example have an adjustable mattress that you can move down when your baby starts to crawl or stand. You can also choose a crib with a drop down side to make it more convenient for you to pick up your baby when the mattress is at its lowest level. A standard crib may also have wheels so you can easily push it around when you need to transfer it or clean under the crib.

Convertible Cribs

Convertible cribs are the highest ultimate type and are a great long term investment. Once your baby becomes a toddler, you can convert the crib into a toddler bed. Some cribs may even convert further into a child bed. There are also some convertible models that can double as changing tables or convert to other pieces of furniture when you child is all grown up. Cribs of this style however never come cheap and you may have to spend a few hundred dollars to get a good convertible crib. In the long run however, you will realize that you will be able to save more with this one time big purchase.

Round Crib

A round crib is basically close to a standard crib except that its shape is either rounded or oval. The real value of a round crib is its elegant charming look and the trimmings that come with it. You can choose a round crib design that will fit your taste and the motif of the nursery. There are different sizes of round cribs though and not all of them can be used when your baby starts to stand. Some parents may still prefer the rectangular standard crib because it can be used for some time after a baby starts going on all fours or begins to get up.

Canopy Crib

Just like the round crib, a canopy crib has a decorative element to it. It is even more elegant, refined and classy than a round crib and will look perfect in a finely decorated nursery. Not all canopy cribs however come in classic white or cream colors. You can now have your choice of playfully colored canopy cribs in round or rectangular shape. As expected though. These cribs are definitely more expensive than the ordinary ones.

Portable Crib

Portable cribs are not as good as standard cribs if your intention is to use it in a nursery. This is because portable cribs are a little smaller than standard cribs and may wear and tear more when used daily. This type of crib however is perfect for trips. It can fold easily into a compact and handy package and stored in a car trunk. You do need to be alert though for recalled models that may have been found out to be unsafe for use. Examples of formerly used portable crib models that have now been recalled are the cribs that collapse when the horizontal bars are pulled up into a V shape and those that have adjustment knobs at the sides of the bars. These models are hazards because curious babies themselves may be able to manipulate the crib controls and collapsing mechanism.

There’s more to baby safety while camping than just knowing what things to bring to camp. Here are additional tips on what you should do when camping with your baby.

Keep Flies Away

Summer camping months are always sure to bring fresh swarms of flies, mosquitoes and insects. Insect repellants however may not always be safe for babies to use. Simply clothe your baby in long sleeves, pants and closed shoes to keep the insects away.

Regulate the Temperature

Make sure that your baby doesn’t feel to warm or too cold. A battery operated fan might help regulate the temperature but you could also just layer your baby’s clothes. You can just conveniently strip off layers of clothing that is appropriate for the current temperature.

Sun Protection

Experts usually caution about using sunscreen for babies younger than 6 months. Instead of using potentially harmful sun lotion you can just let your baby wear a wide brimmed sun hat.

Co-Sleeping

Sometimes at home it would be safer to not sleep beside your baby especially if you have lots of pillows and blankets and a loose fitting blanket. In a campsite however, babies may be safer if they sleep beside their mothers in their tents. Just make sure that you remove all extra pillows and blankets, avoid stuffy sleeping bags and that you haven’t been drinking.

Check the Campfire

It would be nice to include your baby as you enjoy the campfire at night. Let her sit in her stroller beside you. Just make sure that she is not too near to get hit by sparks or covered with campfire smoke. If you are camping near your home, it would be a good idea to use your own outdoor fireplace so that you can properly regulate smoke and fire.

Keep Off Steep Trails

If you have to carry your baby in a carrier in front of you or on your back, then you should keep off steep trails or choose a level campsite. This is because your balance is a little different if you have to carry a heavy squirming load. You and your baby could tip over if you are on a steep path.

Sterile Bottles

If you are bottle feeding, be sure to have all bottles sterilized, closed and packed before you leave home. If you are not sure of your campsite’s water source then bring your own water. On the campsite, try not to leave milk cans and bottles open for a very long time.

Near Home

If you have a small or particularly sickly baby, it would be better if you picked a campsite near your home or one that is easily accessible. This would help you respond faster if any accidents or emergency situations happen.

Practice First

Some babies may become agitated in a new environment or may not enjoy camping at all. To help your baby gat used to camping before the actual activity, you can practice sleeping in a tent with your baby in your back yard for a few nights.

Pack Ahead

First make a list and then pack everything you need ahead of time. This will help ensure that you never forget your baby’s food, water and other necessities.

Having a pet around the house can be an enjoyable experience for a grown child. For babies and toddlers however, a pet around the house can be potentially dangerous. How can you keep a pet and still ensure your child’s safety?

Gradual Introduction

Cats don’t easily get jealous of new babies but dogs do. Make the transition easy for your dog even before the baby is taken home from the hospital. Allow your dog to sniff your baby’s blanket or clothes to get him used to the unfamiliar scent. You can also record your baby’s sound of crying and let your dog listen to it.

On the first few days of the baby’s arrival, it is better to keep them apart. Introduce the baby slowly by asking someone else to hold the dog on a leash as you bring the baby in. Whenever the three of you are together, be sure to talk to your dog gently and to praise and reward him so that the dog will begin to associate the baby with happy feelings.

Setting Barriers

Even when your pet has already gotten used to the baby, you should always maintain appropriate barriers. As much as possible, keep your pet away from the nursery. At the same time, you should never allow your baby to hold or play with your pet’s toys or food. If you have an aquarium or a pond, make sure that you have secure netting over the opening.

Cats in particular may like to lie down beside babies because of the comfort and warmth of baby cots. Never allow any pet to lie down beside a baby since this may lead to suffocation if your pet accidentally rolls over the baby. Pets may not always be sensitive to their bed mates.

Obedience Training

It may be a good idea to begin obedience training for your dog even before the baby is brought home. This will allow you to detect behavior or attitude problems in your dog at an early stage. Continue obedience training even when the baby is already in. As much as possible, consistently apply positive reinforcement so that your dog does not learn to associate your baby with anything negative.

Choosing a Pet

Be mindful of the kind of pet you have or plan to have. It is particularly advisable for example to remove all reptiles when there is a child below 1 or 2 years old. This is because reptiles are known to carry salmonella bacteria which babies can ingest and get sick from. Babies can get this kind of bacterial infection even if they touch surfaces with slight traces of reptile urine or feces.

Dog breeds are also something you should check on. Breeds in the terrier dog group for example are not good pets to keep around a baby. Terriers are naturally active and curious and may accidentally nip your baby.

Supervision

The best tip of all is to simply never leave your baby and pet together. Be present at all times when both your baby and pet are in the same room.

Poison prevention should be the concern of everyone at home especially since poisoning is considered the 2nd leading cause of accidental death in the home. It becomes even more important however when there is a baby at home.

Poison Education

A baby becomes especially prone to the danger of poisoning when it starts to crawl. Naturally, you would want to keep your baby safe in a crib or playpen but accidents can still happen if your baby manages to crawl out. You would also want to give your child an occasional and safe run of the house for a little play variety.

Poison can be anything that can be taken orally, inhaled or put on the skin or eyes and cause damage to parts of the body. Begin educating your crawler even before he reaches the toddler stage by firmly telling him where he is or is not allowed and which substances are bad.

Post Numbers

Know the numbers of your hospital, gas company and all other emergency facilities by heart. You should however also put them in writing and position the numbers near the telephone. Inform all the house occupants and your baby sitter about the numbers and who to contact in case of poisoning.

Gas Checks

If you are using gas powered equipment, always ask technicians to check fireplaces, stoves, heaters and all other related equipment at least once a year for leaks and damages. It would also help however to have gas or CO detectors installed near the nursery and other rooms the whole year round. Inform house occupants of the sound a detector makes in case of elevated CO levels. If you smell gas, simply turn off all gas powered equipment, leave the house and call a technician.

Secure Poisonous Items

Cleaning agents, bath items and cosmetics are all poisonous. Never leave any of these items on floors especially when your attention is called away by the ringing phone or the door bell. Keep these items away from food storage cabinets and do not transfer poisonous substances in old baby food containers. Keep baby safety caps on and keep them under lock and key or in cabinets with baby safety latches. It would also help not to remove original labels. Most cleaning agent labels will give you first aid tips on what to do in case of accidental ingestion and the doctor may need the labels to treat poisoning.

Clear Your Pockets

Babies do not just get attracted by shiny keys and coins in your pockets and purses. Medicines may also look like something nice to put in their mouths. Put safety caps on all bottled medicines and remove them from your pockets and purses. Secure all medications and related equipment in locked or latched drawers and cabinets. Immediately dispose of expired medication.

Garage Chemicals

Pesticides, fuels and garden products should be kept under lock and key in overhead cabinets in the garage. If you have been using a chemical extensively, change your foot wear before getting back into the house. Close and store products immediately after using and clean up any accidental spills right away.

Plant Watch

Some indoor plants can be either poisonous or can be choking hazards for your baby. Either keep your house plant free or hang plants out of reach instead.

Camping is probably one of the best ways for you to bond with members of your family. There are however a couple of camping items you need to keep in mind if you have a baby in the family. Safe baby camping equipment should always be your main concern when you have a baby in camp.

Don’t Forget the Basics

Common sense should tell you that aside from your long list of camping necessities for the whole family, you also need to prepare a list for your baby. It would help to start making your list a few days in advance beginning with the items you need the most. The basic things you should bring include distilled water, insect repellant, sunscreen, diapers, wet wipes, blankets, extra clothes and a baby carrier.

If you are not breastfeeding, you should consider bringing pre mixed baby formula instead of powder so you don’t have to worry about where you can get clean water in case you run out of supplies. You should also have a special first aid kit for your baby. Include in it your baby’s thermometer and cough, colds and fever medication.

Other Things to Bring Along

Aside from the basic items, there are also a couple of optional items that you may bring along to ensure your baby’s safety.

· A portable play pen can keep your baby sufficiently entertained and out of harm’s way while you are busy with camp duties. A play pen would also limit the amount of dirt your baby gets in her mouth or body. You can install a makeshift mosquito net over the pen to keep insects away.

· Some parents prefer a portable crib over a play pen because it can be more comfortable for a baby to sleep on. Just make sure that you choose a crib that has all around breathable net sides. Choose a crib too that has horizontal bars that do not collapse in an inward V shape but instead collapse only after being pulled up. This is a necessary portable crib safety feature to prevent baby injury.

· If you want to give your baby a little more outdoor freedom, you can spread a light colored canvas cloth on the ground for your baby to play around on. This will keep him clean and make you able to easily spot bugs or tiny choking hazards.

· A battery operated baby monitor will be extra helpful for you in case your baby falls asleep during the day and you can’t stay beside him.

· A front pack carrier will allow you to keep your child in front of you as you move around. A front carrier is often safer than a back carrier since it will always keep you aware of what your baby is doing and will help you estimate your movements to prevent injury to your baby.

· A stroller will ensure that your baby will also be able to safely enjoy camp fire talk and activities at night.

· Be sure to bring a bottle of hand sanitizer if you are not sure that you can get clean water for your hands. Always sanitize before feeding your baby.