Shopping for baby furniture is essentially shopping for furniture for another person, which may be overwhelming for many new parents. Maybe you have a tight budget, a small space, or no idea where to start. Something so small couldn’t possibly need so much stuff, right? The answer to that is both “yes” and “no”.

While many unnecessary trends can convince you that you need every new thing on the market, the correct furniture saves time and provides a safer environment for your baby. The truth is, picking out and buying your child’s furniture and accessories is instrumental in setting them up for a bright future.

If you look for the right furniture, it can follow your child into adulthood. Imagine the memories a child can develop with their furniture, and the pride of knowing it has been with them since childhood. Plan correctly, and the furniture you are shopping for won’t just be furniture but heirloom items your child will cherish well into adulthood. So, let’s get right to it: What baby furniture do you need?

Baby Furniture Essentials

For the bedroom

To furnish your baby’s bedroom, you will need at least one of each of the following:

• A crib, or a bassinet (but a bassinet is often only used up to 6 months)
• Changing table and/or dresser

This is the minimum furniture you will need in the bedroom to care for and raise your child safely. While most experts recommend having your child’s crib or bassinet in your room for the first 3-6 months, your baby eventually needs an independent sleep place. Nowadays, convertible cribs can transform into a toddler bed once your child is old enough. This saves space, and the higher initial cost saves you money in the long run.

Other things you might consider pairing with this furniture for ease and comfort could be:

• Baby monitor (audio/video)
• Toy bin
• A baby mobile above the crib

Other furniture needs in the house

The only other things you’ll need for your baby in the first year or two are:

• A high chair
• A nursing/rocking chair

While most parents keep their rocking chair in the baby’s room, some find it more convenient to keep it in the living room or their bedroom. As for the high chair, some parents wait to purchase this item until a few months after the baby is born, but you’ll be glad you have it.

Shop Baby Furniture

These are the four kinds of furniture you’ll need for your baby. Everything else you buy will just be based on what will make life convenient and fun for you and your little one. To make it easier for yourself and your child, consider the different types of furniture in each of the following sections and how they might help simplify your life as your child grows.

All you need to do is make a few deliberate decisions, focusing on quality, usefulness, and your child’s long-term needs.

How to Choose a Baby Crib

Cribs come in many different types based on function. Your options include:

• Convertible cribs
• Co-sleeper cribs
• Bassinets
• Wooden baby cradles
• Combination
• Mini

Depending on your space and needs, you may have a convertible or combination crib in your child’s bedroom, and at least one mini crib, cradle, bassinet, or co-sleeper in another room of your home. Below, we describe the pros of each type of crib to help you choose the right one for you and your baby.

Convertible Cribs

Convertible cribs are all the rage today. They are incredibly useful because they can be converted into toddler beds, day beds, full-sized beds, or all three. Convertible cribs are a smart investment for new parents and can be the only bed you will need to buy for your baby. They come in many timeless and stylish designs and are mostly made of wood for added durability and quality.

If you buy a convertible crib, buy all the accessories needed to make the conversion possible. It will save you time, because the last thing you want is to need a piece that has long since been discontinued.

How does a convertible crib work? All you have to do is adjust the sides into a bedframe, then you have a full-sized bed. All the convertible cribs on the market will have instructions to make the conversion easier, so you will not be left in the dark.

Co-Sleeper Cribs

Co-sleeper cribs make it possible for your baby to safely sleep right next to you. A co-sleeper is a must-have for new parents who are still not ready to sleep too far away from their baby. They are made to be level with most beds for easy reaching, and most provide added storage, so you will always have the things you need within arm’s reach.

Bassinets

A bassinet is a hybrid of the co-sleeper crib. It can be stationary or portable, light or sturdy, and rock or stay still. Bassinets are also referred to as Moses baskets and are often made with that design in mind. They are usually for smaller babies and, in most cases, help carry a baby from place to place.

Bassinets are not typically considered long-term sleeping solutions. Depending on the space or portability you need, a bassinet can be a complementary accessory along with a crib and a co-sleeper.

Cradles

A cradle is precisely what the name implies. It’s made to rock and comfort your child. For short naps in the afternoon, or to soothe interrupted sleep in the middle of the night, a cradle might be just what you need. It can also help you relieve your child when you still need one hand or both.

Cradles often come in wood, and while there are always new designs, the classic cradle has not gone out of style. Cradles are also quintessential to babies and the child-rearing experience. When people picture raising a baby, a cradle always comes to mind.

Combination Cribs                                                                                                                       

Combination cribs can come with a combination of storage and a changing table. If you have limited space, a combination crib might be the best option for your baby’s room. They’re a handy option to help increase storage and maximize space, and can be a one-stop shop for your baby’s needs. Keep in mind, however, that a combination crib cannot be converted into a bed like a convertible crib can. Once your baby grows out of it, you must replace it with something more age-appropriate.

Mini Cribs

Mini cribs are a more stylish and useful alternative to plastic Pack n’ Plays. They are often made of wood for added durability and quality, and are a much more useful option in the long term. Mini cribs are portable, and most can be folded for storage or transportation. Many mini cribs can also be converted into toddler beds or twin beds long after a plastic Pack n’ Play has stretched out or ripped.

A Changing Table and/or Dresser

Once you bring your baby home, you will quickly realize that a designated place to change your baby is essential. A changing table is most often recommended, as it provides a designated space and added storage for all your baby-changing needs.

Consider a changing table and dresser combo if a designated changing table is not an option. For added function, some parents choose a dresser that their child can use well into adulthood and add a changing pad on top. You may prefer to buy a quality wooden baby dresser, knowing it can be part of your family for a long time, or a separate changing table with a chest of drawers.

Whatever option you decide, keep in mind you will never have too many places to store things, and having more options is always better than less. You may want to have a separate changing table and dresser in your baby’s room, and a changing pad in yours.

Nursing or Rocking Chairs

Nursing or rocking chairs are often overlooked and considered a splurge, but you will never regret having one. They will provide arm and back support as you feed or comfort your child, and can be handed down for generations. Nursing or rocking chairs come in three different styles:

• A stationary chair with or without a footstool
• A glider with or without a footstool
• A comfortable rocking chair for the nursery

Once you’ve been nursing or bottle feeding for a few months, you’ll be thankful for whichever chair you choose because of its added support. For extra comfort, consider a glider or a rocking chair. Treat yourself to a footstool. Your comfort is just as important as your baby’s, and with the right investment and care, you will have durable pieces such as a wooden glider chair for a long time.

A High Chair

As your baby grows and becomes more independent, feeding time will go from the nursing chair to the high chair. While plastic high chairs may be very popular, they can be challenging to clean and don’t age well despite your efforts.

This 3-in-1 high chair can be used for dinner time, turned into a rocking horse for playtime, and then a desk once your little one is ready to start coloring.

However, wooden baby high chairs can be painted, refurbished, and repurposed over time with only minimal maintenance and care. Consider these points when shopping for one, and make the best decision that fits your needs.

Why Wooden Baby Bedroom Furniture Can Be Better Than Plastic

Most plastic baby furniture has a metal frame covered with plastic and netting. This design is susceptible to sagging, ripping, or normal wear and tear over time. The technique used to make plastic furniture makes it more challenging to clean, as certain key components have small crevices.

Plastic can also become a breeding ground for germs, never mind the hard-to-reach spots. Over time, plastic can develop microscopic scratches undetectable to the human eye, making it a perfect environment for germs to grow unchecked.

On the other hand, wood is easy to clean and leaves little room for surprises. It is also an eco-friendly option, made from natural materials. At the very worst, wood furniture can be sanded down and painted over. You can’t sand down a plastic crib or co-sleeper, but you can sand down a wooden one and repaint it to match your furniture as time passes.

Invest in wooden baby furniture that will continue to be useful as your needs change to get the most for your money. Whatever your choice, remember that baby furniture should never go to waste. A convertible crib will follow your child well into adulthood. A rocking chair, cradle, or bassinet can be handed down for generations, or at the very least, it can be kept in storage just long enough until your next child is born.

How to Care for Wooden Baby Furniture

Made from natural materials, wood furniture is susceptible to some elements. It only takes a bit of maintenance to keep your wood furniture looking great for decades. Just keep these things in mind:

• Keep wood furniture away from direct sunlight or heat
• Dust regularly to keep it looking great
• Protect it from infestations such as beetles and termites
• Clean up spills immediately to minimize damage to the wood
• Keep a Wood Repair Kit handy for minor repairs
• Don’t use harsh chemicals, as they may damage the wood
• Don’t rest plastic items on the wood for extended amounts of time, as the colors may leach into the wood

These simple tips will keep your furniture looking its best and will not take much of your time. Many of the care instructions are preventative measures to help the wood last. For a more in-depth list on how to care for your wood furniture, click here.

Start Shopping for Your Baby’s New Furniture Today

Amish Outlet Store carries many different pieces of furniture for you and your baby in solid woods such as oak and cherry, so your furniture will be as durable as it is stylish. To learn more, subscribe to our newsletter or shop baby furniture online for the many different types of furniture we sell. Soon enough, worrying about the appropriate furniture you need will become a thing of the past.