Out and about with your baby Babies grow very quickly. All you need for the first few weeks are enough clothes to make sure your baby will be warm and clean. There's no evidence that using washing powders with enzymes (bio powders) or fabric conditioners will irritate your baby's skin. For the first few months, you'll need a crib, carrycot or Moses basket (a light, portable bassinet). Your baby needs to sleep somewhere that's safe, warm and not too far from you. Baby nests are not suitable for your baby to sleep in when you're not there because of the danger of suffocation. If you are borrowing a crib or a cot, or using one that has been used by another of your children, you should ideally buy a new mattress. If you can't do this, use the cot mattress you have, as long as it's firm (not soft), flat, fits the cot with no gaps, is clean, and waterproof. Don't use pillows and duvets – they are not safe for babies who are less than a year old because of the risk of suffocation.
Duvets can also make your baby too hot. Sheets and layers of blankets tucked in firmly below your baby's shoulder level or a baby sleeping bag are safe for your baby to sleep in. Your baby will spend many hours in a cot, so make sure it's safe. If you're buying a new cot, look for the British Standard mark BS EN 716-1. For more information on safe sleeping, see Reducing the risk of SIDS. You can also visit the Lullaby Trust website, which has lots of information on safe sleeping. Spend some time looking at what's available for getting around with your baby. Think about what will suit you best before you make a choice, and ask other mums what they've found useful. Before buying a pushchair or a pram, check that: Baby carriers – also called slings – are attached with straps and your baby is carried in front of you. Most babies like being carried like this because they're close to you and warm. The back part of the carrier must be high enough to support your baby's head.
Check that buckles and straps are secure. Older babies who can hold up their heads and whose backs are stronger – at about four months – can be carried in carriers that go on your back. See the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) website for more advice on using baby carriers and slings safely. Pushchairs, also known as strollers and buggies, are only suitable for young babies if they have fully reclining seats, so your baby can lie flat. Wait until your baby can sit by themselves before using another type of pushchair. Choose a light pushchair if you will be lifting it on to trains or buses. Prams give your baby a lot of space to sit and lie comfortably, but they take up a lot of space and are hard to use on public transport. If you have a car, look for a pram that can be dismantled easily. Consider buying a pram harness at the same time, as you may need it to strap your baby securely into the pram. A carrycot is a light, portable cot with handles, similar to but smaller than the body of a pram, and often attachable to a wheeled frame.
Your baby can sleep in the carrycot for the first few months, and the cot can be attached to the frame to go out. This is a carrycot and transporter (a set of wheels) that can be converted into a pushchair when your baby outgrows the carrycot. Shopping trays that fit under the pushchair or pram can also be very useful when you're out. If you've got a car, you must have a baby car seat. Your baby must always go in their seat, including when you bring them home from the hospital. It's illegal and also very dangerous to carry your baby in your arms in a vehicle. The best way for your baby to travel is in a rear-facing infant car seat on the back seat, or the front passenger seat as long as it is not fitted with an airbag. The car seat is held in place by the adult safety belt. The following advice should help make sure your baby's car seat is as safe as possible: Look for the United Nations ECE Regulation number R44.03 or R44.04, or the new i-size regulation R129, when you buy a car seat.
For more advice on choosing and fitting baby car seats safely, go to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) website on child car seats.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my for information.How can someone so tiny need so much stuff..?Buying baby gear can be so much fun…It’s like the entrance fee to just about any baby store is some $1500!You go in to buy a pacifier and come out with an infant car seat (the one you had turned out to be unsafe), a new baby bouncer (so good with one that can be rocked) and 10 other pieces of baby gear you didn’t even know existed (but that really are indispensable…).This post will guide you towards choosing the right gear for your baby, depending on your situation and wallet. I go through the stuff that can take the most of your time and money to choose, such as strollers, car seats, crib, and so on.These days, things have gotten a little bit better, because now you can do some of your baby gear shopping online.
For example, we bought our twin stroller online. We got it at a 35% discount compared to shopping in a store close to our home. We also got it in five days instead of 10 weeks!So before you run off to a store close to home, investigate the online alternatives.Or better still, go to the store to check out the baby gear, and then buy them online if that gives you a better price. (Most likely it does!)If you just want to know what to buy first, and what can wait, find a list of essential newborn needs here.Now to the baby gear guide!Infant Car SeatBaby StrollerCrib Or CradleMattressBeddingBathtubBaby BouncerBaby CarrierDiaper BagChanging TableShopping OnlineUnless you are 100% sure that you will give birth to your baby at home, you will need a car seat after only a few day, to get your new baby back home from the hospital.And who knows for sure how a birth will turn out?So, invest in a new, safe car seat for your baby!This is one of the baby gear products that you should not compromise with.
I wouldn’t even buy a used one. Who knows if the seat has been in a mild car crash for example or if it is older what the seller tells you or remember?So, check out the latest safety reviews for car seats and get one well before your baby is planned to arrive.For more detailed tips on how to choose an infant car seat, click here.Buying your baby’s first stroller is probably going to be your biggest baby gear investment. A good stroller with a bassinet can easily cost some $700 or more.If you don’t want to spend all that money, you can, of course, buy a used one.When buying a stroller (new or used), remember to check recent reviews. Even if most strollers are more or less safe, it is not all that rare that some strollers get criticized for having poor brakes or even a handle bar that can fall off.These days, most strollers have adjustable front wheels (or one wheel). Depending on where you live, this can be very practical or actually somewhat dangerous. Only one front wheel or very small front wheels are difficult to maneuver in snow, and the stroller might overturn in the snow.
In such case, it is better to choose a stroller with two not too small fixed front wheels or at least front wheels that can be locked.Click here for plenty of tips on how to choose the best baby stroller.Even if you plan to co-sleep with your baby, you’ll need a cradle or a crib. Many babies sleep almost around the clock when newborn and you’ll need a safe and cosy place for your baby to rest when not in your arms.Many babies sleep better in a cradle than in a crib in the beginning. This is probably because they feel safer in a small area than in a roomy crib.But if you are short of cash or space, you can go for a crib only and make it cozier by reducing the size of your baby’s sleep area. Use pillows or rolled blankets, but make sure they can’t fall over your baby.For tips on how to choose a baby crib, click here.Another advantage with a cradle is of course that you can rock it. This may help your baby fall asleep at some other place than in your arms.Choosing a mattress may seem real easy – just get one that fits into the crib or cradle!
Well, it is almost that simple!However, one thing to think about is to buy a firm mattress. Even if this may seem uncomfortable, it helps to prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).Because your baby can’t bury his face into the mattress as easily.Also, even if you buy a used bed, I would consider buying a new mattress. You can’t be sure that the mattress has not been used by for example a cat or that it has been used in a home where someone smokes.There are also indications that SIDS is increased by babies sleeping on toxic mattresses, so it is definitely worth buying a new one.For more information about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, click here.When you choose bedding for your baby, don’t be tempted to buy fluffy blankets and pillows. I know, they are very pretty, but……your baby can either fall under them or, sooner than you know, pull a light weight, fluffy blanket over his or her face. Therefore, this type of bedding is potentially dangerous for your baby. Actually, I’d recommend a very flat pillow (if any) and a sleep bag, like this one.
This way, your baby will be comfortable and safe at the same time.You’ll also need to buy a few sheets – make sure they are made of cotton, preferably from organic cotton to minimize the amounts of toxic substances close to your baby.You don’t really need to buy a special bathtub for your baby, but it is quite convenient to have one when your baby is small. And they are often one of the cheapest pieces of baby gear that you will buy. For a quality bathtub, that can be used for a long time, check out this one.Also, even a toddler can enjoy bathing in a small tub, just because it is fun, so if you have room for it, go ahead and get one. What you don’t need is one of those specially designed bath seats. It is quite easy to learn how to hold a baby while bathing him, so save your money!If you don’t want to buy a bath tub, you can either use a big bathtub or the sink to bath your baby.For tips on how to safely bathe your baby, read this post.A baby bouncer is of course not a necessary piece of baby gear, but it is so convenient.
You can buy a very simple one or one that can be rocked, play music, includes a lot of toys etc. It is all a matter of taste and price.But, the main thing to think about is to buy one that you can position so that your baby is lying flat on his/her back.This way, you can use the bouncer right from the beginning and your baby can sleep or look around close to where you are.Here is the link to a great baby bouncer. A baby carrier or a baby sling is almost a necessary piece of baby gear, in my view.Most new babies really want to be close to their parents as much as possible. This will keep you very busy, just holding your baby hour after hour.With a baby carrier or sling, your baby will get all the close contact he needs, while you will get a chance to do something else than just sitting.Also, many babies that suffer from tummy pain or colic seem to feel better by being carried around.The choice of carrier or sling is, of course, a matter of both taste and price – I actually used both! The main thing is that you get one that supports your back well and that you find convenient to use.
Slings can sometimes take a bit of time to fit to your body, which is not great if your little one is the impatient type. In such case, use a sling that is easy to hop into.Here are my favorite carrier and sling:Babybjorn Baby Carrier Miracle has great back support. Their orignial carrier is great too and cheaper, but I needed a better one for my back (and a breastfed, chubby baby 🙂 )I’ve tried two different kinds of baby slings – elastic and regular. The elastic ones, like for example this one are very soft and comfortable. The regular ones, on the other hand are better, in my view, for heavier and older children/toddlers. I could actually get my 2-year-old to sleep really quickly in my sling! He loved it (and otherwise hated naps!) Here is a good regular sling!Diaper BagDiaper bags are expensive! I haven’t really figured out why – I mean they are just bags!These days there are really neat, fashionable bags to buy – very tempting!Whether or not you buy a bag designed for the purpose, you will need some sort of bag to carry all diapers, baby wipes, clothes, pacifier and you name it…F
or tips on how to choose a diaper bag, click here.Changing TableA changing table isn’t absolutely necessary; you can use the floor or your bed, for example. But in the end, this will hurt your back.A changing table can be anything from very simple in plastic, to super advanced, with wooden versions with drawers and even in combo with a crib.When I change diapers, I want to be close to a sink, so the bed-changing table combinations are not perfect in my view (and expensive!)But a sturdy changing table, like this one, is very convenient to use.Shopping OnlineIf you are at all interested in saving money, or use your money elsewhere, consider buying some of your baby gear online. The savings can be quite massive; sometimes 50% or more.It is still a good idea, of course, to visit a local baby store to check out the goods and compare prices.Some great, reliable online stores for baby gear are:Amazon’s Baby StoreLand of NodModern NurseryThat was it! I know it can be a lot to digest especially for your wallet! B