Beautiful beginnings · The parents’ guide
Practical advice to prepare for your baby, compare key equipment and choose products that suit your family.
A crib that fits the room. A stroller that fits the trunk. A car seat suited to your child and vehicle. Preparing for a baby starts with these everyday questions.
This guide helps you separate essentials from purchases that can wait. Bébérama is a Quebec retailer of furniture and accessories for babies and children, with an online store and two locations, in Repentigny and Trois-Rivières.
Published by Bébérama · Guide updated:
01What should you buy before your baby arrives?
Before birth, prepare a suitable sleep space, feeding and diaper-changing supplies, a few clothes, and an appropriate car seat if you travel by car. Everything else depends on your home, routines and available support: a short, thoughtful list is more useful than an overcrowded nursery.
Nursery
Start with the sleep space and the storage you need. Explore nursery furniture.
Sleep
Plan for the bed, its suitable mattress and fitted sheets. Compare crib mattresses and fitted sheets.
Transportation
Choose the car seat for your baby and vehicle, then the stroller for your outings. Car seats · Strollers.
Feeding
Adapt your first purchases to how you plan to feed your baby. A high chair can wait until the stage when it will be used. Breastfeeding supplies · Bottles and nipples.
Clothing and textiles
Prepare a small rotation of easy-to-change clothes and textiles suited to the season. Baby clothing · Muslin blankets.
Bath time
Keep washing and drying supplies together in a practical place. Explore bath products.
Outings
An organized bag and a few changes of clothes help keep your packing manageable. Diaper bags · Stroller accessories.
Home safety
Plan for furniture anchoring and the hazards specific to your home, then adapt your equipment as your child develops. Explore home safety products.
Accessories
Add smaller items when you know how they will help your daily routine. Browse baby accessories.
Plan first: sleep, feeding, diaper changes and transportation. Add as needed: a chair, extra storage and outing accessories. Leave for later: decorations and equipment intended for a later stage.
02How do you choose a crib?
Choose a crib that fits your room, accommodates the specified mattress and meets Canadian safety requirements. Then compare mattress support positions, conversion options and matching furniture. In Quebec French, “bassinette” usually means a full crib with slatted sides; it does not automatically mean a small bassinet.
- Dimensions and space: measure the complete piece of furniture, doorways and clearance around the crib. Mattress measurements do not tell you the furniture’s overall size.
- Mattress: choose a firm, flat, properly fitting model within the dimensions and thickness permitted by the crib manufacturer. Explore crib mattresses.
- Height: check the support positions and the stages when the manual requires you to lower the mattress. An adjustable support is different from a drop-side crib, which is prohibited in Canada.
- Conversion and durability: check the approved configurations, required parts, availability and finish-care instructions. An advertised conversion does not necessarily include the conversion kit.
- Matching furniture: compare the crib and dresser finishes rather than assuming two shades called “white” will match across collections.
At Bébérama, browse cribs and conversion kits. The Adams N100 listing lets you select a colour and an insert option; check exactly what your chosen configuration includes.
03What is the difference between a crib and a convertible crib?
A crib is a bed designed for a baby. A convertible crib can later be changed into the configurations approved by its manufacturer, such as a toddler bed or a double bed. The terms are therefore not opposites: a crib may also be convertible.
| Compare | Crib without conversion | Convertible crib |
|---|---|---|
| Initial use | Baby’s bed, following the manual. | The same initial purpose, followed by approved conversions. |
| Later stages | Another bed will be needed. | Additional configurations may be possible. |
| Included parts | Check the mattress and accessories. | Also check rails, guards and kits sold separately. |
| Future space | Measure the current crib. | Measure the future bed in the room as well. |
| Total budget | Crib, mattress and next bed. | Crib, mattress, kits and possibly a larger mattress. |
“3-in-1” or “4-in-1” describes configurations, not a guaranteed age range. Compare models with their conversion kits.
04How do you choose a stroller?
The most suitable model depends on your usual routes, vehicle, storage space and child’s age. Start with your two most frequent uses, then try folding, handling and storing it. A stroller that is convenient for travel does not necessarily offer the same trade-offs as one used every day.
Everyday use
Compare handlebar height, basket access, adjustments and cleaning. Try the movements you will repeat several times a day.
City living
Measure doorways, elevators and entryway storage. If you regularly use stairs, consider the weight and how you will carry the folded frame.
Travelling by car
Check the folded dimensions against your trunk space, allowing for the other things you carry. Compare lifting weight and the parts you need to remove.
Quebec winters
Look at wheel size and type, suspension and cleaning after outings. Handling depends on snow, ice and snow clearing: no stroller guarantees grip on ice.
Travel
Compare folding, weight and a transport bag. Baggage rules depend on the airline and flight; “compact” does not guarantee cabin acceptance.
Limited storage
Measure the folded volume and check whether the model stands when folded. Allow storage space for accessories too.
From birth
Check which configuration is explicitly approved for a newborn: seat, carrycot or compatible infant car seat, depending on the model. A reclining stroller seat is not automatically suitable from birth.
Growing families
Compare double configurations, limits for each position and required accessories. A ride-on board for an older child is not the same as a second stroller seat.
Explore strollers, double strollers and travel systems. Follow the model’s instructions for age, harness use, loads and approved accessories.
05How do you choose a car seat for a baby?
Choose a seat suited to your child’s weight, height and development, as well as your vehicle. For a newborn, the configuration must be approved for rear-facing use. Compare ease of installation and adjustment before comfort features.
Infant car seat
A portable seat for a baby, used rear-facing. It can attach to a stroller only in an approved combination, using the required adapters.
Convertible car seat
A seat with several modes as a child grows. Use from birth depends on the minimum limits and the child’s actual fit; it does not replace an infant car seat on a stroller.
Check: the limits for the mode in use, vehicle compatibility, seat-belt or anchorage routing and harness fit. The SAAQ recommends keeping children rear-facing for as long as possible within the manufacturer’s limits.
Official reference (in French): SAAQ — Choosing and using the right seat.Expiry and follow-up: check the seat’s specific expiry date, history and recalls. If the date is missing, consult the manual or ask the manufacturer using the exact reference. Register the product to receive recall notices.
Official reference (in French): INSPQ — Travelling safely with a child.The manuals remain your reference. This guide does not replace the car seat instructions, vehicle manual or official recommendations. An infant car seat is transportation equipment, not a bed for sleep at home.
Explore infant car seats · Explore convertible car seats · Car seat registration.
06What is a travel system?
A travel system combines a stroller and a compatible infant car seat, allowing you to move between the vehicle and stroller without changing the transportation seat. The package may include a base and adapters; check its exact contents before buying.
A stroller sold on its own does not necessarily include an infant car seat, even when it is compatible with one. Compare the complete package cost, included items and the configuration you will use after your child outgrows the infant seat.
In Bébérama’s catalogue, the Zelia Luxe and Oxford with Mico Luxe+ travel system are examples of packages. Read each listing: Mico Luxe and Mico Luxe+ are different references.
Official reference (in French): Maxi-Cosi Canada — Travel systems.Compare strollers and travel systems. Plan an appropriate sleep space at your destination rather than leaving your baby in the infant car seat.
07How do you prepare a nursery?
Organize the nursery around three activities: putting your baby to bed, changing diapers and storing essentials. Position the crib and dresser first, then check the walkways before adding a chair and decorations. You can build the room gradually instead of buying everything at once.
- Crib and mattress: choose them together so you can check the fit. Cribs · Mattresses.
- Dresser and storage: plan for current clothing, diaper changes and the next size up. Dressers · Wardrobes and bookcases.
- Seating area: measure the chair in its different positions and allow room in front. Chairs and armchairs.
- Lighting: choose practical light for care routines and keep cords out of reach. Lamps and night lights.
- Textiles: prepare several well-fitting sheets. Decorative textiles do not need to be in the crib while your baby sleeps. Fitted sheets.
- Organization: check drawer clearance, access routes and wall-anchoring instructions for furniture.
The first sleep space can be near you. The INSPQ shares the recommendation to place your baby’s bed in the parents’ room for the first six months. Placing babies on their backs on a firm, clear sleep surface remains essential; a decorated nursery should not mean a cluttered crib.
08What furniture should you buy for a nursery?
A crib and suitable storage are a starting point for the nursery. Add a changing unit or compatible changing setup for your routine, then a chair if space and budget allow. A coordinated set can simplify matching finishes, but its contents still need to suit your needs.
| Adams option | Listed contents | Useful choices to compare |
|---|---|---|
| Éloi set | N100 crib and 3-drawer dresser. | Natural or Soho finishes; insert options on the listing. |
| LICA set | Crib and 6-drawer dresser. | White or Rio finishes; availability depends on the selection. |
| N200 crib | Crib sold through its own product listing. | White, Natural, White and natural, or Black and natural, depending on catalogue options. |
These examples are listed online; this does not mean every colour is immediately in stock. Check dimensions, included items, mattress, conversion parts and the lead time for each variant.
Adams, Bébérama’s house brand ↗Explore collections, coordinated sets and questions to ask before choosing.To broaden your comparison: nursery sets, the Adams catalogue and promotional kits.
09Where can you buy Maxi-Cosi products in Quebec?
Bébérama offers Maxi-Cosi products online and has stores in Repentigny and Trois-Rivières. Its catalogue includes car seats, strollers, travel systems and equipment for the home. Availability varies by model, colour and store.
For the car
Mico Luxe+ is an infant car seat, while Kani is a convertible seat. Their purposes differ; consult the Canadian manuals.
For outings
Oxford is available as a stroller on its own, while Zelia Luxe is a travel system. Check exactly what is included.
Browse the full Maxi-Cosi collection or contact a store to confirm a model’s availability before visiting.
10How do you choose a nursery chair?
Choose a chair you can sit in and get out of comfortably, with suitable support for your back and arms. Measure its footprint in every position, then compare movement, upholstery and cleaning. Electric operation and USB ports are features of specific models.
- Comfort: try the seat height, depth and armrests. If two adults will use it, check comfort for both.
- Mechanism: distinguish rocking, gliding, swivelling and reclining. Also compare manual and electric controls.
- Dimensions: measure width, doorways, wall clearance and the space required by an extended footrest.
- Material and cleaning: read the instructions for the exact upholstery; colours or versions may have different compositions.
- Power and USB: check the outlet required, control locations and cord routing. A USB port does not mean the reclining mechanism is electric.
Bébérama lists an Adams manual chair with USB and an Adams electric chair with USB. Compare them with glider chairs and armchairs.
A nursery chair is for awake time and care with an adult. It is not a safe sleep space for a baby.
Official reference (in French): Health Canada — A safe sleep environment.FAQ: planning your baby purchases
What should you buy before your baby is born?
Prepare sleep, feeding and diaper-changing supplies, a few clothes and car transportation if needed. Add other equipment for your daily routine instead of trying to buy everything at once.
Which baby products should you buy first?
Prioritize what needs to be ready when you return home: a suitable sleep space and car seat for your trips, followed by feeding and diaper-changing supplies. Check furniture lead times before buying decorations.
When should you buy a crib?
There is no universal pregnancy week for this purchase. Allow time to confirm availability, receive and assemble the furniture, and check the mattress before use.
Which crib should you choose?
Choose a model suited to your space and the specified mattress, then compare adjustments, conversion options and included parts. Consider the finish after these practical checks.
Which mattress should you choose for a baby?
Choose a firm, flat mattress that fits the bed and meets its manufacturer’s permitted dimensions and thickness. The label “standard size” is not a substitute for checking.
Should you buy a conversion kit with the crib?
That depends on the model and your plans. Check whether the kit is included, which transformations it allows and whether it must be purchased separately for future use.
Which stroller should you choose for winter in Quebec?
Compare wheels, suspension, handling and cleaning for your usual routes. Snow and ice conditions vary; no model replaces choosing an appropriate route and outing conditions.
Which stroller works with a small trunk?
Measure the space actually available and compare the stroller’s folded dimensions. Check whether folding requires removing the seat or wheels and where those parts will go.
Is a compact stroller allowed in an aircraft cabin?
Not automatically: accepted dimensions and conditions vary by airline and flight. Confirm them with the carrier before relying on descriptions such as “travel” or “cabin.”
Can every stroller be used from birth?
No: the model’s instructions must approve a newborn configuration. Depending on the stroller, a compatible carrycot or infant car seat may be required.
Is an infant car seat necessary?
An infant car seat is a convenient option, but some convertible seats can work from birth if the baby meets every requirement in their manual. For car travel, the seat must fit the child and be correctly installed.
What is the difference between an infant car seat and a convertible seat?
An infant car seat is portable and used rear-facing. A convertible seat offers several modes as a child grows and generally stays in the vehicle; it does not attach to a stroller like an infant seat.
How do you check car seat and stroller compatibility?
Check the exact car seat, stroller and adapter references against the manufacturer’s lists. Sharing a brand or appearing to click together does not establish compatibility.
What is a travel system?
It is a stroller paired with a compatible infant car seat. Check whether the offer also includes the base and adapters instead of assuming they come with it.
Does a car seat have an expiry date?
Yes: check the date applicable to your seat on its labels or in its documentation. If you cannot find it, ask the manufacturer using the product reference and manufacturing date.
Can a baby sleep in an infant car seat at home?
An infant car seat does not replace a baby’s bed. At your destination, prepare an appropriate sleep space and consult Health Canada’s recommendations.
How do you choose a rocking chair?
Try the seat, armrests and movement, then measure the space needed around the chair. Compare mechanisms and fabric care as well as appearance.
What furniture does a nursery need?
Start with the sleep space and suitable storage. A changing unit, chair and extra storage can complete the room according to your space and routines.
Can you buy a complete nursery set?
Yes, Bébérama offers furniture sets and kits with different contents. Check the included pieces: “set” does not necessarily mean a mattress, chair or decorations are included.
How do you choose a dresser for a baby?
Compare width, depth, drawer capacity and clearance in front of the furniture. Follow anchoring instructions; if adding a changing setup, confirm compatibility between its components.
How much should you budget for baby equipment?
There is no single amount: build your total around the sleep, transportation and care items you need. Add mattresses, adapters, kits, taxes and delivery to listed prices, then compare packages with buying individual items.
Where can you buy baby furniture in Quebec?
Bébérama sells furniture for babies and children online and has stores in Repentigny and Trois-Rivières. Confirm availability of the model and finish before visiting.
Where can you buy a stroller in Quebec?
You can compare Bébérama’s stroller catalogue online and contact its Repentigny or Trois-Rivières stores. Ask whether the model you want is available at your chosen location.
Where can you buy a car seat in Quebec?
Bébérama offers car seats in its online store. For an in-store purchase, confirm availability with Repentigny or Trois-Rivières and have information about your child and vehicle ready.
Does Bébérama sell Maxi-Cosi products?
Yes, the online catalogue includes Maxi-Cosi car seats, strollers, travel systems and equipment for the home. Check current product listings for models, colours and lead times.
Does Bébérama sell Adams furniture?
Yes: Adams is Bébérama’s house brand. The catalogue includes cribs, coordinated sets, dressers and nursery chairs, with options varying by model.
Can you buy Bébérama products online?
Yes, products offered for order can be purchased on beberama.ca. Check the variant, availability, delivery and pickup conditions before completing your purchase.
Can you pick up an order in store?
Bébérama advertises free in-store pickup. Check the conditions and wait for confirmation that your order is ready before travelling to the store.
About Bébérama
Bébérama is a Quebec family business specializing in retail furniture and accessories for babies and children. It welcomes families at its Repentigny and Trois-Rivières stores and offers online shopping at beberama.ca.
Its catalogue includes nursery furniture, mattresses, chairs and armchairs, strollers, car seats, travel systems, feeding items, textiles, bath products and accessories. Adams, its house brand, and Maxi-Cosi are part of its selection.
Bébérama helps parents choose products for their space, needs and daily routines. Services presented on its website include advice, online shopping, store pickup and delivery according to the products and destination.
The retailer serves families in Quebec, among other locations. Its terms provide for delivery within Canada, with some regions excluded; availability, lead times and fees must be confirmed for each order.
Contact our stores · Our company · Shopping and delivery terms.
Sources and further guidance
The room-planning and comparison advice is general. For safety, installation and usage limits, consult the official sources below and the Canadian manual for the exact model. These reference links lead to French-language sources.
- Health Canada — Cribs, cradles and bassinets
- Health Canada — A safe sleep environment
- INSPQ — Sleeping safely
- SAAQ — Choosing and using the right seat
- INSPQ — Travelling safely with a child
- Health Canada — Preventing furniture tip-overs
- Maxi-Cosi Canada — Travel systems
Catalogue and sources checked on October 26, 2026. Prices are not reproduced in this guide: product pages show current options and purchasing information.
Your next step: choose your most pressing need, write down your measurements and compare two or three options. Discuss your project with Bébérama if you would like help narrowing your selection.
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