Whether you're planning on a complete re-vamp of your baby room or just need to update some equipment, there's plenty that's new and worth your consideration
Whatever you do with your baby room, safety will be your prime concern, and this fan heater by Consort has been designed with this in mind. Because this heater is wall-mounted and only reaches a maximum safe surface temperature of 43oC, there is no need to install a protective safety guard around it and so it also saves on space - often at a premium in baby rooms. The controls and setting switches for the heater are concealed behind a screw-lockable access panel to make them tamper-proof and they include a variable thermostat with a frost protection setting. The Consort's fan is designed to be quiet enough not to disturb sleeping babies (or irritate staff nerves) and the unit can be used on a fan-only setting to create air movement when necessary. Independently tested to ensure it complies with Department of Health guidelines and the most recent European safety standards, the Consort comes in dove white and measures 360 (h) x 130 (d) x 590 (w) mm, priced around 80 (discount available on bulk orders).
Telephone 01646 692172
Once you've got the heating sorted out you will need to ensure that babies at crawling stage have safe perimeters and the Kiddiproof range of safety gates from Beldray has been updated and extended following a recent research project by the company. All the requirements of the forthcoming EN1930 safety gate standard, which will introduce tougher requirements regarding the closeness of the bars on gates and fine tune other features, have been anticipated and some unique features have also been included. There are four gates in the range: the Chatelaine (Easy Shut) Safety Gate has a slam shut action with a specially designed handle which is simple to use and locks top and bottom in one movement. This gate also includes a correct installation and locking indicator, tamperproof hand-wheels, a pinch-free hinge, self-adhesive wall cups for easy fitting and it opens either way. It is priced 29.99. The Chaperon (Extendable) Safety Gate has a straightforward, 'turn and lock' handle and it locks top and bottom with a dual action 'release and lift' mechanism for extra security. A pinch-free hinge is also included and the gate opens both ways, priced 24.99. The Guardian (Trigger Lock) Safety Gate includes a unique, simple-to-use handle; it has the correct installation and locking indicator, tamper proof hand-wheels, pinch free hinge, locks at top and bottom with the 'release and lift' mechanism and also opens either way, priced 24.99. The Sentinel (Twist Lock) has a dual action top and bottom lock, pinch free hinge and the gate also opens both ways, priced 17.99. The gates are available in Mothercare, Toys 'R' Us, Littlewoods and Argos.
Telephone 01902 353500
If the available floorspace for crawling babies changes from day to day in your nursery you may find PHP's multi-purpose barrier set useful. The set has five grill sections which can be used to divide up a room, form a hexagonal playpen or fence off a fireplace. It comes complete with padded inner cushion and weighs just 13 kg, priced 79.95.
Telephone 0870 607 0545
All changeChanging units are indispensible but infinitely variable items of furniture. They have to be solid and longlasting, yet easy to clean and manoeuvre. A unit with integral storage space scores points because space is usually limited and the unit should not stand out like a sore thumb against the nursery's decor or cost an absolute fortune. The baby changing unit in the new Buttermilk Farm Nursery Range from NES Arnold has received a good response from the company's nursery testers and looks set to become a catalogue classic. Made from American poplar, beech wood and MDF, the unit has easy-to-clean surfaces and comes in buttermilk with animal designs. Open fronted shelving allows easy access to changing items and there is a detachable 'lotion box' which fits on the side for extras. A sliding door cupboard at the bottom could house spare clothing or extra nappies. The unit comes flat-packed and measures 81 (w) x 52.5 (d) x 86 (h) cm, priced 199.95. Matching pieces include a lockable cupboard, priced 239.95; a storage unit, priced 199.95 and a low/high chair, priced 89.95.
Telephone 0870 6000 192
Another attractive piece of furniture is the Design Company's changing unit from the Seaside range. The panelled doors and white trim bring to mind cheerful beach huts and there are co-ordinating cots and cupboards to extend the theme. The changing unit is in green, blue or yellow, measures 86 (w) x 56 (d) x 105 (h) cm and is designed to hold a standard changing mat, priced Pounds 259.
Telephone 01204 570203
Rest easyThe cot is about the most important piece of furniture in your baby room and what you choose depends very much on the space available, the number of babies you have registered and your budget. Stokke, the makers of the well known Tripp Trapp chair, have produced another innovative design, the Sleepi, a wooden cot which starts life as a cradle, functions as a cot and ends as a sofa with play area or two chairs for a quiet corner. The Sleepi is made from cultivated beech and is available in a natural lacquer or cherry finish. It comes with a mattress which measures 67 x 120 cm, top mattress, mattress barrier and four lockable wheels. The top mattress is designed as a foam interior pad to offer extra support for young babies. The base of the cot can be adjusted to four different heights and one of the side elements can be removed for easy access, priced 399. Additional accessories include a cradle kit which consists of two legs, an insert cover and a cradle mattress. The Sleepi's wheels can be attached to the cradle, which is adjustable to three heights for babies up to six months, priced 129. A Sleepi Junior bed kit is also available, consisting of two extension bottom plates, three wooden braces and a new Junior mattress. The bed mattress is 160 cm long and is suitable for children up to eight years, priced 139.
Telephone 01895 442990
Something more straightforward is available from Saplings of Shropshire who specialise in making traditional cots, highchairs and beds. There are seven different styles available, made from hardwood in a variety of finishes and priced from 51 with mattresses available separately.
Telephone 01952 550022
If you want, or need, to opt for an altogether more moveable, lightweight cot you might be interested in Creative Kids Hauck Sleep 'n' Play cot which can be erected in one 'click' movement, comes in three designs, all with transparent mesh sides and matching padded mattresses, and folds down into a compact carry bag. The Sleep 'n Play measures 124 (l) x 65 (w) x 85 (h) cm and is priced 69.
Telephone 01978 660274
Next issue: soft furnishings for the baby room
