Furniture and Equipment
The most important piece of furniture in the baby’s room is the bed. The most suitable first bed for a newborn infant is a bassinet, straw basket, or portable crib because a tiny baby feels more secure in a fairly small space. If the baby is going to sleep in a crib, put bumper pads around the edge and wrap the baby firmly so that he or she feels secure.
The mattress must be firm and smooth and should fit the bed snugly. Never use a pillow instead of a mattress—use a foam pad at least one inch (25mm) thick, and make sure that the waterproof cover fits tightly over the mattress. If you are using a straw or cane bassinet, line the inside with material to prevent the baby from catching or scratching the fingers or face on rough edge. This also helps to prevent drafts. A baby under the age of one year should never be given a pillow for the head.
A low, comfortable chair with armrests and a straight back is another important item in the baby’s room. The chair can be used for feeding with the bottle or nursing at the breast; or the parent can sit in the chair and change the baby’s diaper on the lap instead of on a changer.
All the equipment needed during a diaper change should be within reach so that the parent does not have to leave an infant unattended on the changing surface. A shelf attached to the side of the changing table is useful for storing cream, powder, cotton, and diapers. If this is not possible, make sure that there is a working surface at the correct height next to the changing area. Overhead shelves are convenient, but can be dangerous since a jar or bottle could fall on the baby.
Place two buckets with lids for dirty diapers and clothes by the side of the changing area. A wastebasket also should be beside the changing area for used pieces of cotton.
There should be a plastic bathtub on a sturdy stand in the room and a rack on which to hang towels and a facecloth. It is more suitable to bathe a small baby in his or her room because the temperature is more easily maintained than in an adult bathroom. Even if the room is centrally heated, it may be necessary to boost the room temperature with a heater before bath time. The heater can be either of the radiator type or an electrical heater placed high on the wall.
If parents intend always to feed the baby in his or her own room, a separate low table or cart should be set aside for nursing and feeding articles.
A dresser is useful for storing sheets, blankets, towels, diapers, and clean clothing. As the baby grows out of clothes, they should be stored elsewhere to ensure that the dresser does not become overfull.
