: Thanks for your advice everybody. While oils would create a beautiful finish
: I think it wouldn't be so durable or stain resistant.
: What about paints or clearcoats? What do they usually use on kids furniture
: and such?
: Thanks!
: -Ted

Ted,

Despite the warnings and such, from what I have read on woodworking in regard to finishing bowls and other items where food touches the finish, is that all finishes are "food safe". Personally, I'd say that as long as the kid is not chewing on the entire rocking boat, no finish should be a concern, as far as lacquers, shellacs, varnishes (including PolyU.) and even epoxy. FYI, commercial furniture makers use conversion finishes that are, typically, not readily available to us and are probably not anymore harmful than what is available to us.

Just as an example, my son, now 4, when he was sprouting teeth like to chew on one part of his crib and that is the only spot on the crib where the finish was marred. The "problem" is that the crib we bought for him is the "convertable" kind that becomes a toddler bed and can be expanded into a double bed, so I'll have to repair his bite mark at some point. Anyway, it is very likely that the kid will find one area to chew on and only chew on that spot so that the amount of finish he/she will ingest will be small.

Personally, I would go for the Shellac as not only is it used on medications, as someone previously pointed out, but it is also very easily repaired so that when the next li'l one comes along, you can make it look good as new until he/she starts to sprout teeth and chew on it.

Paul

PS. Oh and BTW, the reason finishes are not used on butcher blocks is quite obvious ... they'd be cut through and worn off very fast. Oils are about the only "finish" that makes sense on them, but since they do not really protect and/or preserve wood, I personally despise oil for "finishing" (except as noted about the butcherblocks and similar "working" objects made from wood), give me a good film finish anyday.