Preparing your baby's nursery can be one of the most exciting and fun events of pregnancy, deciding the color scheme, furniture and nursery decor theme...

It does however pay to be aware of safety considerations before spending lots of money at the shops.

Here are a few things to consider for both old and new items:
Check sizes of all gaps and openings an all furniture, tiny fingers, arms, legs and heads can get caught in gaps. Make sure all furniture and equipment meets the American safety standards and recommendations found at Consumer Product Safety Commission website The furniture should be sturdy enough for your baby's weight and should not have any rough surfaces or sharp edges

Some furniture ideas for the nursery may include diaper change table, baby bath, baby bouncinette or rocker, chest of draws and a comfortable chair for you to sit in when feeding your baby.

Choosing a Crib:
Ensure that the mattress fits snug in the crib with no gabs. There shouldn't be any more than 2 fingers between the crib and the mattress. If there is a large gap your baby could trap an arm or a leg. Check that the gap between all vertical bars is no more than 2 3/8 inches apart and that they do not bend. Any larger and your child could get their head trapped. Regularly check the crib for wear and tear such as peeling paint as this can become a chocking hazard Make sure that the sides are high enough. To low and this could allow your child to climb out or even fall from the crib. Make sure that the side rail that slides up and down locks automatically and that the child cannot undo it.

The following are a few tips to ensure a safe environment:
Do not position your baby s crib near a window, heater or power points. This will reduce the risk of injuries such as strangulation from curtains or cords falls, burns and electric shock Do not use electric blankets or hot water bottles Do not use u shaped pillows for children under the age of 2. It is not recommended that babies use pillows at all

Enjoy this magical moment but remember not to neglect all safety aspects when designing your newborn baby's nursery.

Remember a safe baby is a happy baby!

Please visit the American Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov for a full list of crib safety tips and crib recalls.

One dilemma that most parents are subjected to is the type of cot mattress that is right for their babies. Since it has been said countless times that sleep is essential for babies as it aids in a proper growth pattern, a good and reliable mattress is called for.

There are a variety of mattress technologies to choose from. Let us have rundown on their features so we will know better which one is the right one.

Innerspring Mattress
It may sound like innerspring mattress is the best choice knowing that it offers a cloud-like comfort to your child. This is actually far from what is necessary for your little one. You see, your child needs a firmer mattress.

Too plush mattresses may prove to be too constricting for comfort. Also, it does not provide the right amount of support to the frail body of children. This is why experts suggest firmer mattresses. So let us get innerspring mattresses out of the way.

Memory Foam Mattress
This one is a firm mattress. A good one usually has a density level of 5 pounds but it depends on the company producing the mattress. This is a good choice but since it uses chemicals as its active ingredients, it may not be hypoallergenic to your child.

Otherwise, you can always choose a reliable mattress pad to cover up the mattress and prevent your baby from coming in direct contact with this mattress if they have sensitive skin.

Latex Mattress
Now this is a choice that is optimum for most parents. It is not as firm as memory foams but its balanced semi-firm structure provides a good support to the back area of the child. This way, the lower body can still be well-comforted while the upper body is well-supported.

In addition to that, this mattress is hypoallergenic because it uses natural materials as its main ingredients. The manufacturing procedures also render the mattress completely safe to use. This is also a breathable mattress which is a good choice to keep babies cool during summer and warm during winter.

Latex mattress is easily the best option for a cot mattress. If we are on the same page, try searching for the best ones in the market today. You will be presented with a lot of latex choices so you have to keep your discerning eyes focused so you can find the best brand. Happy shopping!