Choosing Baby Equipment

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! 

Here is a list 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. 

1. Choose a good quality mattress that is firm. 
   
2. The mattress should fit the crib snugly on all four sides.  
   
3. The guardrail should be at least 26 inches above the top of the mattress.  
   
4. The crib slats space should be no more than 2.375”.
   
5. 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. 

• A playpen is a great way for you to get things like housework done and keep the baby safe.  Around five months old is when a baby should be placed in it, unless it is used for a sleeping area when you are traveling, etc. 

Containing a baby that cannot crawl or roll is not necessary and you can use a floor gym for entertainment.