Choosing Equipment
Babies grow quickly and some items of equipment may be more expensive than they’re worth for the short time they’re in use. Try to choose equipment that has a long life-a crib that becomes a child’s bed, for example. Baby equipment is rarely worn out. simply outgrown, and there’s no need to buy everything new- check for secondhand items in your local paper or on your baby clinic notice board. Ask friends and family, too; most people are only too happy to lend or pass on baby items.
Travel - You’ll need something to carry your baby around in as soon as he arrives. Before you buy anything, think very carefully about how much space you have for storage, and the kind of lifestyle you lead. A simple baby carrier is perfect for the first few months.
Strollers - The newest models can be used from birth until your child is about three. Most have a seat that reclines in several different positions so a young baby can lie flat or an older baby or toddler can sit up and watch the world go by. Some also include a car seat, shopping basket, canopy and so on. Some parents like to use a baby carriage for a young baby, but although a carriage is comfortable and sturdy, you do need to have plenty of space to store it when’ it’s not in use.
Car seats - The law demands that your child be safely restrained in a car, so make sure you have an appropriate safety seat before taking your baby home from the hospital, and check that it’s securely anchored.
The seat must meet current safety regulations, and it’s never a good idea to buy car seats secondhand in case they’ve been damaged.
Portable baby chair - Your baby will enjoy sitting in one of these so he can see what’s happening around him, and a bouncing chair will be fun when he kicks his feet. These are easy to carry around, but always make sure the base is wide and sturdy so that he can’t tip himself over, and always strap him in securely.
SLEEPING AND BATHING
At first your baby will fit snugly into a bassinet, cradle, or even a drawer! The important thing is that his bed is the right size and is comfortable. Choose a thin, close-fitting, waterproof mattress and cotton sheets. He must not have a pillow. Crib bumpers aren’t a good idea, either, since they keep air from circulating and may make your baby too hot. It’s much more important to keep your baby’s room draft-free and at an even temperature. Warm, light cotton cellular blankets are probably best for bedding. Remember that if your sleeping baby seems to be chilly, don’t just add an extra covering-this will trap cold air inside, making him colder. Pick him up and cuddle him until he’s warm, then dress him in warmer pajamas.
His crib - Once your baby is too big for his first bed, choose a new or secondhand crib. Make sure it’s sturdy and has nontoxic paint or varnish. The space between the bars should be no wider than 2 1/2 inches (6 cm) so your baby’s head can’t get trapped. The sides of the crib should be high enough to keep him from climbing over, and have safety catches on the drop side to keep it from being released by accident. Choose a close-fitting, waterÂproof mattress, with no gaps between the edges of the mattress and the frame. Don’t tie any toys to the crib that the baby could get its head stuck in, and keep ties short. Don’t use crib bumpers at this stage, either, since an adventurous baby may try to use one as a step to help him climb over the bars of his crib.
Changing - You won’t need a changing table if you have a sturdy tabletop or chest of drawers and a plastic changing mat in your baby’s room. As for washing your baby, you can always use the sink, but if you want a special bath with a stand, make sure it’s stable and at the right height for you to use comfortably.
