How to Select Furniture for Special Needs Babies

Special needs babies, including premature or physically impaired infants, usually require special furniture to accommodate their needs. Cribs and changing tables, and even chairs, can assist parents in caring for their children. This special furniture also helps children with special needs develop normally.

Instructions

1

Select the right crib for your special needs baby. In the case of a prematurely born infant, you might want to choose a crib that is smaller and has drop sides to facilitate more careful handling of the baby. A smaller crib may also come in handy if you need to place medical equipment near the baby while she is resting.

2

Use padding or baby positioners to immobilize the child while he is sleeping. A baby positioner is three-sided cushioning that wraps around your baby to enhance breathing, and to help your baby avoid acid reflux. The positioner is also helpful in preventing excessive movement from babies who are on the mend after surgery or broken bones.

3

Choose a changing table that has a padded railing to help protect your special needs baby, but at the same time allows you to comfortably and conveniently attend to the baby's needs. Choosing a changing table that has convenient compartments for diapers, baby powder or lotion will also allow you to focus completely on your child, without being distracted when you need to find an item.

4

Pick a baby chair or other type of padded furniture, such as the Bumbo Baby Seat, that can help special babies to develop proper posture and sitting positions (see Resources below). This type of furniture will help to support special needs babies and strengthen muscle groups that will help them to sit up and eventually walk.

5

Consult with your pediatrician or health care professional about more ways to select the right furniture for your special needs baby. Your doctor will help you to weigh the pros and cons of baby furniture, and address such concerns as crib bumpers, the proper type of bathtub and even developmental toys that can help your special needs baby live a more normal life.