Important Baby Items Every New Mommy & Daddy Will Need (Part 2)

Changing tables

Changing tables are tables for changing - not anything a magician may demonstrate. They're like backless bookcases with a small holding pen for baby on top. Below you store the diapers and other changing paraphernalia. Fortunately, changing tables are getting bigger and better than ever. Where they used to be these wobbly, flimsy stands that swayed back and forth when you put your baby on top, they're now sturdy and truly handy. So if you stumble upon one of the old-time wobbly ones, keep looking.

Obviously, changing tables should be large enough to hold your baby. They also need a strap to hold down a baby who gets to that squirmy stage. If you are using a changing table that doesn't have a safety strap, you can buy these straps and put them on yourself. Other nice amenities are drawers or shelves for storing diapers, wipes, and the other goodies you need.

A fun replacement for a normal changing table is a piece of furniture called a dry sink. It has a large flat surface for your baby, and lots of drawers or cabinets to put your supplies in.

If you have a house that has more than one level and you don't feel like walking up and down stairs to change diapers (or have the energy), use one of your bathrooms as a changing station. Use a bathroom counter that is long and wide enough to lay your baby on. Clear away everything from the counter, put a towel down for your baby to lie on, and place all your supplies in the drawer under the counter. This way you have access to a sink for washing away really poopy diapers.

Bedding

Baby's biggest piece of furniture will probably be a crib. But before a crib, you may consider a bassinet, which can be much more handy than a crib, especially for a newborn.

Bassinets are small, compact, and easy to move around, just like your baby. You can easily take this bed anywhere your baby goes. But if you don't like the idea of spending from $50 to $200 on something that you'll probably use for a short period of time, forget it. Use a crib. Cribs are fairly easy to pick. Crib manufacturers have to abide by federal regulations with cribs so that these products are safe for your baby. Your only decision is to find one that will match your nursery theme.

For your baby's crib you'll need both receiving blankets and heavier weight blankets. Receiving blankets are light weight and used for keeping your baby wrapped in as you both just hang out. Warmer blankets wrap around a sleeping baby. Never use heavy comforters because your baby could get caught up in them and suffocate.

And you may want to use "bumper" pads. They are side blankets that should fit all the way around the crib and either tie or snap together. These fasteners should be attached on the outside of the crib so that your baby can't play with them. If the ties are excessively long, tie them where you want them, and then cut off the extra string. This way your baby won't be tempted to pull on the ties and, of course, eventually want to stick them in his mouth.

If you forgo a bassinet, you can bring the crib into your room with you. Keep the baby there until you feel he's old enough to sleep on his own (usually in six or eight weeks). Parents usually like to keep their newborn in their room so they can respond quicker. They also don't have to tromp all through the house every two hours (or however often your baby is eating). But there's not a law or anything that says she must sleep in your room with you. It's just a matter of convenience.

A word of caution regarding old cribs: Never use antiques for your crib. They may be cute, but they could also be dangerous. Old furniture wasn't made with newer safety precautions in mind - rules that manufacturers now have to follow.