Choosing Baby Equipment For Your Baby
After your first visit with your obstetrician, you will find
your mailbox inundated with all kinds of baby magazines and ads
for every possible piece of baby equipment that you can imagine.
This does not even take into account all of the people that will
gladly give you advice, even when not requested. Although many
of the items are handy and work well, there are many that play
upon your fears as a first time parent or are just silly! There
is a list following that tells you about the items that you will
want to think about purchasing. To save money, you can even look
at second hand stores for many of these items or ask friends
with babies older than yours if you can borrow or purchase their
items.
A car seat is mandatory, as hospitals will not
even let you leave with the baby until you show them that you
know how to buckle the baby in the seat. Many times, they will
also follow you to the car to make sure it is installed
correctly in the car. Car seats will be outgrown at least twice
before your child grows out of them by the age of eight. If you
are considering a second-hand car seat, ensure that it meets
safety requirements.
A baby monitor is a great tool to be able to hear the baby from
any room in the house. This way you do not have to stay close to
their room all the time. At night, I recommend that you turn the
monitor off because you will hear every moan and movement that
the baby makes and this can keep you awake. You need to get your
rest to take care of your baby.
When you are choosing a crib, you need to look for one that has
these features.
Choose a good quality mattress that is firm.
The
mattress should fit the crib snugly on all four sides.
The guardrail should be at least 26 inches above the top of the
mattress.
The crib slats space should be no more than 2.375".
The crib bumper will help keep the baby's legs and arms out of
the crib slats.
A bouncy seat is a great place for you baby to be when it is
not possible to hold her and is a great place to feed them their
first meals of rice cereal. They cannot usually sit up well
enough for a high chair when they begin cereals and the bouncy
seat is a great answer to this problem.
A sling or backpack is a great tool to carry baby if you use
caution with it. If you use it too much, however, your baby
could possibly have neck or back problems. Choose a sling or
backpack that fits you very well and that grows with the baby.
The Snugli is great for younger babies that cannot sit up and
for older babies the Hip Hammock works great.