New Borns Nursery

Hello Everyone:

Hope you all are doing fine. I am in my 29th week and have already started shopping. Coz i do not wanna strain myself during the last 2 months of my pregnancy. Gosh, it takes a hell lot of time and planning in arranging the nursery.
I am confused if i should buy a bassinet, crib, swing or a toddller bed directly for the new born .
Plz some one help me

MAYA.

Hi Maya,

Congrats on the pregnancy! I'm just 2 weeks behind you and in the same boat with regards to bedding for the newborn to be. I live in an apartment and since my inlaws will be in the other room, I have to have the baby with me in my room. Due to space issues, I was debating between bassinet, co-sleeper and crib.

The first option is to get a traditional crib, a good one will cost on average of $250 and can take your child upto 3-4 years. But the Crib I had to rule out first because of space issues and also because all my friends with newborns tell me that their babies only sleep or play in the crib during the day and want to sleep with the parents at night. Then I though chalo I'll get a bassinet.

A good quality bassinet costs around $100. The advantage of the bassinet is that it takes up less space and also you can move it around your house. The disadvantage is that your baby will grow out of the bassinet in a few months and also bassinets are not subject to the same govenmental safety rules and regulations that cribs are.

Then I decided to nix the bassinet and go with a co-sleeper. A good quality co-sleeper attaches to your bed so that you do not have to get out of bed for night time feedings and can take your child upto 8 months or 1 year, depending on the model. It costs around $150-$200. I think this is a good option and the one I was going to go with. The only thing I did not like about a co-sleeper was that it looked less sturdy than a traditional wood crib and again, is not subject to the same safety rules and regulations are a regular crib.

So I have finally decided on a mini crib. This is about 60% of the size of a regular crib and subject to the same safety regulations. It will take a child upto 2 years and a good one costs around $200.

The swing is good for day time naps but babies generally won't sleep in it for the whole night.

Your decision will be decided by

1. Do you have a separate room for the kid? Get a regular sized crib then. A convertible crib can eventually be converted into a toddler bed when your child is older.

2. Do you want the child in the same room as you? depending on how much space you have you can get the crib in your room too.

3. If your child is eventually going to sleep in your bed, then maybe a bassinet or co-sleeper will meet your needs.

Hope this helps.

Pooja

I would say just buy a bassinet for now and wait till the baby arrives for buying crib.Some babies expects lot of attachment and cuddling and end-up co-sleeping with moms.In that case its better to avoid having crib.And also you can buy which can be converted to toddler bed later.
Good Luck and Happy SHopping
Mangai

Hi...Its an intersting subject. I am 28 weeks and also planing to start shoping from the next month. Even though it will be getting little hard to move around and finish the shoping soon. But I have to wait since my friend is throwing baby shower for me end of the June and its going to be a big party. So, I am waiting that to be over and then I will see what stuff do I need to buy for my baby. Even though everytime I go to the baby stores I do feel to buying things, but then I don't want to get stuck with double items, and it will be such a waste of time too, so I will wait to start shoping from July onwards.

Regarding baby items as Pmhansa mentioned it depends on the space and you. My mother is coming to help me out for three months, I don't have extra room for the baby and moroever I want to keep the baby closer to me for few months as I don't want to run around at night time to check on the baby or to feed. My bedroom is not that big to fit the crib, so I am planing to buy the bassinett and later once my mom will be gone then I will buy the crib and decorate my baby's room. Even though I am not sure later I want to move my baby in the next room or not, but my husband think its a good idea..(will see).

One last thing I would like to add as we are all going to buy baby items. There are lots of brand name and its so confusing like which is safe and reasonable baby items we should look for.
Can experinced IL's give us a review about the baby items..like the pros and cons of particular things and prices etc. etc. I think it will be very helpful specially for the first time mom like me. Please share your experiences.

regards

Hi Pooja, mangaii and amicable:

Thanks for your reply. Was glad to know we all are sailing in the same boat. Well yeah i looked into all the options. I am not very convinced with the bassinet coz, i find the width of it to be too very less. Sure can put the baby in it for a month, but what later, is a Q for me. I feel that the baby will not get enough place to stretch itself in it. I think i will get a Toddler Bed once the baby is 6 months old. So i will have peace of mind till 4 years.
For 1st 6 months, i guess a rocking chair or a swing would be of much help, than a bassinet, provided the baby sleeps in your bed all time. The swing or the rocker would be to soothe the child and give it a certian cradle movement when required.
Also i feel, rockers/ swings can be used for upto a Year, whereas the bassinet will be out of usage in just 3 months!...

My mom says, it will be best if the baby sleeps with me in the same bed, as that would help me during the feeds and night time baby cries. So if i keep the baby in my bed, then i guess a bassinet would not be of much help. What say ?

The above is out of my research so far.... Any more ideas plz do not hesitate to pour in.

Take care all mom 2 be's
love,
MAYA.

Maybe you should look at a co-sleeper? It attaches to your bed so that you don't have to get up at night. It is suggested for babies upto 1 year, but most people end up using it for 6-8 months.

Check it out

Amazon.com: Arm's Reach Mini Co-Sleeper Bassinet - Natural: Baby


Product Description

Product Description
The Arm's Reach Mini Co-Sleeper Bassinet Sleeper infant bed is a unique creation that allows you and your baby to sleep comfortably next to each other from the moment the baby arrives. The Co-Sleeper enables you to reach over and draw your baby close for comforting and bonding. Unique design makes breastfeeding easy. Features: Mini Co-Sleeper Bassinet Sleeper offers a cozy environment, creating ease of nighttime nursing and comfort. Makes it easier to recover from C-Section, as Mother rests in her own bed. Streamline size (34x 20'x31) fits in smaller bedrooms. Wheels on one end makes moving around the house and through doorways much easier. Can be used as bassinet for bedtime or nap time, as well as a changing table. One large storage space underneath the mattress offers secure zipper closing. Four side pockets for convenient added storage. Very easy to assemble. The only separate parts are the mattress and the carry case. Very portable at 24 lbs. including case. Great for sleep away at grandparent's or hotels. Comes with fitted 100% cotton sheet. The Co-Sleeper attaches securely to the adult bed under the top mattress and fits all beds from twin to Cal King, with a bed height of 24. Dimensions are 34x 20x31, weighs 24 lbs. and holds up to 23 lbs. when used in the co-sleeping position. Made of steel tubing and cotton/twill blend. Comes with one 100% cotton fitted sheet. Please Note: The co-sleeper liner does include warning labels sewn into the fabric in several places that are not pictured below. Gift Wrap not available. Shipping Note: This item ships via UPS Ground within contiguous United States only. Cannot be shipped to AK/HI, PO boxes, US territories, or APO/FPO addresses

Hey, I am sailing in the same boat. I haven't decided yet what to buy. I have an extra room in my house which will be my baby's room but my concern is what if I buy a crib for which I have a space in another room but then I don't want baby to sleep in another room in crib. What if baby cries in the night and we were not able to hear. My room doesn't have enough space for a crib as we have king size bed and big size dresser and mirror. Also is it safe to let baby sleep in between us (husband wife) during nights? What if we just accidently hurt baby while taking turns during sleep? May be I am worrying unnecessary but this is our first baby, so........
Please post some suggestions......

Thanks.

From my experience. Please go for the crib. If not crib anything that is seperate from your bed. At hospital they do this too. If you can't keep the crib next to your bed or in the same room, buy a baby monitor or sleep in the babys room. Baby has to get used to it from day one same as the hospital atmosphere. You don't want to confuse the poor child.
we lived in a two level townhouse so for first couple of months during day time when ever i had to be downstairs I made the baby sleep in the stroller after feedings.

Hello IL's:

Hope you all are just doing fine. Well after a lot of head scratch, i have concluded on what would be best for the baby, initially.
I am going to buy a cradle. Its spacious, perfect for newborns, comes with a stopper, so can be used as a crib as well. So i no more will have to buy a rocker, a bassinet etc. 1 cradle will serve all the purpose. And it can be used for upto an year for the baby!

I see a changing table to be a must out here. Else ur back will take a ride with all those many many diaper changes

okay, take care.

MAYA.

Hey mommies...

what an interesting topic..though i am just 12 weeks ..i was wondering is shopping really that hard ??

what all stuff would we even need to buy for the baby ?? how did you guys learn what to buy for the baby specially when it was your first one..

Thanks,
Shweta