Whether sleeping or playing, babies spend a lot of time in the nursery. Products such as cots and dressers are essential to ensure their comfort. The right gear can also make life a lot easier on sleep-deprived parents and caregivers.
Georgina Lyons, buyer for Tiny Footprints, recommends items that can perform double duties. 'I love products that promote longevity, lasting more than one phase of their life, or are multifunctioning. The nursery is the perfect place to start nesting.'
The newly opened Central store stocks items such as the Mo-ma Glider from Olli Ella - a nursing chair suitable for any room of the house - and Enfant Terrible Design's Sleepyhead, which can be used as a travel bed, changing mat and cot insert.
Lyons says a changing table is a must, but parents' heights play a big part in choosing this item. 'You will be changing nappies for many months, and who has time for a sore back?' she says. 'It is also good to get something that doubles as storage.'
Quality is also important when choosing products for your nursery, Lyons says. 'Spend the most on items that get the most use. You will be doing a lot of washing and children do a lot of sleeping, so it is a wise choice to look for items that will go the distance instead of purchasing more and more products each year. Spend more on your mattress and bedding so that it can last. You can always update your decor to give the room a change.'
Lucy McLennan, marketing manager of Bumps to Babes, says there are many options for a child's first bed. 'For the first few months after you bring your baby home, you may want to consider a Moses basket with stand or crib, or you may choose to put your baby straight into a cot or a cot bed. They all provide a tranquil and cosy haven.'