Posts Tagged ‘buggies’

Do babies need all this stuff?
shopping for your baby
What will I need for my baby after the birth?
For hospital births, it is recommended that you pack a labour and birth bag for yourself and a bag for the newborn baby You will need some clothes for your baby: vests and all-in-one stretchsuits, or babygrows, are easiest, especially when learning how to dress
and undress your baby. If you are in hospital for several days, you will need at least three stretchsuits and vests A baby blanket and/or a shawl can be useful and, depending on the temperature in the ward, your baby may need a hat, but be careful that she does not get too hot. Your baby needs an outdoor jumpsuit, or jacket and socks and soft booties, for when you leave hospital Any footwear should be loose so that it does not restrict your baby’s movements or circulation.
Most maternity units expect you to provide your own nappies, and one packet is usually enough. You may also need some cotton wool to clean your baby, If you choose not to breastfeed, many units provide formula milk, but this varies across units, so check what facilities are available before the birth.
You will need to have ready a baby car seat, as most hospitals won’t release you without one and the law requires that your baby travels in a car seat.
When is the best time to buy the essentials? I’m nervous about getting anything too early.
Many parents feel superstitious about buying baby items too early, especially if it is their first baby or they have had a previous difficult experience. However, some planning is needed as you may find that by the end of your pregnancy you are too tired to shop. You should also leave enough time in case you need to exchange items Try to buy items gradually. First, buy items that you will need for the
baby after the birth; these should be ready by the 37th week of pregnancy, although many parents have these by about 34 weeks. Other essential items, such as buggies, should be in the home before the birth (see right). Once you have bought the essentials, you can purchase any additions when it suits you, which may depend on how mobile you are after the birth and your access to shops. Many parents shop online as shopping with a baby can be difficult
I don’t have a lot of money - do I need to buy everything new?
Having a baby does bring financial pressures and so it is sensible to acquire second-hand items, whether handed down from friends and relatives or bought. Clothes in particular are worth acquiring secondhand as babies grow out of them long before they have made full use of them and most mothers admit to buying more clothes than necessary, so quite often you can receive second-hand unused items.
One of the main items parents worry about getting second-hand is the cot mattress. Some experts believe that you should buy a new mattress with each baby to reduce the risk of cot death (see p 276), while others believe that if the mattress is clean and dry this is not necessary, so this is a matter of preference.
What do I need to consider when choosing my baby’s mattress?
It is important for your baby’s wellbeing that you
buy a mattress that is the correct fit for your sleeping equipment So, for example, if you are using a cot, the mattress should fit the cot properly with no gaps between the mattress and the cot sides that a baby could get stuck in. As it is also important that the mattress is clean, dry. well aired, and firm, it may be preferable to buy a new rather than second-hand mattress (see p 136)
My mum wants to buy us something. What can I suggest?
The gift will depend on what you need, your mother’s budget, and what she would like to spend it on. You could plan a day shopping together and decide on the day, or you could browse a baby catalogue together for ideas. It also depends on whether the gift is for you and your partner, or for the baby Good gifts for mums include underwear, nightwear, a photo frame or album, or a baby album or naming book If your mother wishes to purchase something for the baby, this could include clothes, a baby bath, a sterilizing kit and bottles, a cot, a car seat, or a pram/buggy system.
Do I need a pram/travel system/buggy? Help!
Most parents are unsure about what type of transportation they will need for their baby and, as there are a number of options and types available, this can make choosing the right item difficult. You will certainly need to have some type of travel equipment for your baby and what you choose will vary depending on your circumstances. If you are mainly a car driver, you may want to consider a car seat that attaches to a pram, or a car seat and travel cot If you intend to walk a lot, you may find a lightweight pushchair or buggy more suitable What you choose should be practical, and within your budget, so it’s worth having a look around in shops and online to compare different models.
Is it OK to get a second-hand car seat?
Generally it is thought best not to use a second-hand car seat as you cannot be certain of its history and it may have been in an accident or damaged Car safety experts suggest that if you must use a secondhand seat, only accept one from a family member or friend, and then only if you are absolutely certain that you know its history that it comes with the original instructions, and it is not too old. They strongly discourage purchasing a car seat through a secondhand shop or classified advertisements.
Do I need to buy a cot yet, or can I start with a Moses basket?
It may help to think about the amount of space you have and where you want your baby to sleep. A Moses basket has the advantage of being small so your baby will feel snug and may settle sooner than in a cot, and it also means that your baby can sleep beside your bed. Some models come with a rocking motion so you can rock your baby to sleep while you are in bed A disadvantage is that your baby will grow out of the Moses basket after a few months. Once your baby starts to sit up, there is a danger of falling out of the Moses basket as the sides are low
At some stage you will need a cot Although at first your baby will look small in the cot and may feel less secure, there is plenty of growing room and your baby can stay in the cot for at least a couple of years (some cots convert into beds and last even longer) Some cots are available with adjustable bases, making it easier for you to put your baby into and lift her out of the cot. You will need a bigger space for the cot, which ideally will be in the baby’s bedroom.
What bedding do I need?
Most parents choose sheets and blankets. Cotton sheets can be used in layers along with a blanket, so that you can add or remove layers to keep your baby at the right temperature If your baby sleeps in a Moses basket or carry cot, you should buy sheets designed specifically for these It is important to get the right fit so that your baby is not too exposed or too covered up. Nowadays, many parents opt for baby sleeping bags (see
below). If you use a sleeping bag, you will still need a few bottom sheets for the cot.
What are the pros and cons of baby sleeping bags?
Baby sleeping bags, also known as grow bags, baby sacks, or sleep sacks, have been around for 25 years but recently have become more widely used (see
p 280). They can be used without other bedding with the baby in a vest and sleepsuit. Many parents prefer these as they keep the baby covered, regardless of how active they are during sleep, which in turn helps the baby feel secure However. the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths warns that you should avoid oversized bags as a baby could slide down inside, and although they can be used for newborns, some manufacturers recommend waiting a few weeks or months before using one to avoid this risk
Which baby monitor should I choose?
Baby monitors first appeared in the UK in the early 1980s and today there are over 400,000 on the
market, so choosing one can be daunting Although monitors vary they have the same basic component -a minimum of two units one to transmit your baby’s sounds and one that stays with you so that you can monitor your baby. Additional features include dual channels, a moving lights-sound display a sensor pad, low power and an out-of-range warning, the option to use mains or batteries, a talk-back function, and a temperature sensor. If they all have these features, it is down to personal choice and cost.
Should I buy disposable nappies?
Although many parents opt for disposable nappies as they find them more convenient, particularly when out and about, nowadays many people look for a more eco-friendly alternative, as disposable nappies, dumped in landfill sites may take hundreds of years to decompose Also, it is estimated that it costs parents about E2000 to use disposable nappies for each child You may want to investigate the different options (see p. 140).
What baby changing items do I need apart from nappies?
You need a waterproof changing mat that wipes clean. Some parents use warm water and cotton wool to ciean their baby’s genital area and bottom, or you can use baby wipes. You may also want to use a cream to prevent nappy rash. As well as the essentials, you could buy some oils (see p.219) and use changing time to massage your baby’s skin.
Should we put a dimmer switch in the nursery?
The benefit of a dimmer switch is that you can control the lighting, so that your baby’s eyes can adjust slowly However, a dimmer switch is not essential, as long as you have access to a soft light, such as a lamp or mobile that can project light
Should we buy a baby bath or can she use our big bath?
A baby bath is useful as you can use it in any room. Most parents area bit apprehensive when they first bathe their baby, and even experienced parents say that it can be tricky to hold a wriggling baby safely while trying to wash them, so using a smaller baby bath helps you to develop confidence For newborns, a washing-up bowl can also suffice. However, a baby outgrows a baby bath by around six months and the bath can take up a lot of storage space. Once your baby can sit up, at around four to six months, you could use a bath seat in your main bath, or enjoy a bath together as long as you keep the water tepid
I want to breastfeed, but should I buy some bottles just in case?
The problem with having bottles to hand is that it may weaken your resolve to breastfeed, and evidence shows that women are more likely to continue breastfeeding if they do not have an alternative readily available Having said that, if you wish to give your baby some water, or to start expressing once you are breastfeeding confidently, then you will need some bottles
I plan to bottlefeed. What do I need to get in advance?
You will need plastic bottles (teats are included), a sterilizing unit or kit, which often has everything you need. and your preferred formula. Each comes in a range of options, so you need to decide what works best for you As you get to know your baby, you may have to change the type of teat and/or formula, so it is not advisable to buy too many before the birth There is a range of sterilizers available (see p 239).

Baby clothing
When buying clothes for your newborn, bear in mind that babies grow very quickly, so buy just a few items in smaller sizes Choose easy-to-clean, machine-washable natural fabrics and avoid fussy styles with ribbons or tricky openings, opting instead for easyto-use poppers Essential clothing items for your newborn include,
3 or 4 vests.
4 or 5 all-in-one sleepsuits, or babygrows, with front-opening poppers
* A snowsuit or jacket for outdoors, or a cardigan for warmer months.
* A woolly hat in the winter months and a light hat for your baby in the summer.
Loose-fitting bootees or cotton socks.
A blanket or shawl for outdoors.

Essential items

As well as clothes and nappies for your newborn, there are several other items that you will ideally have ready before the birth.
* A cot or Moses basket for your baby to sleep in and a clean, dry mattress. * Suitable bedding for your newborn! either lightweight blankets and sheets or newborn baby sleeping bags.
* A pushchair or buggy to transport your baby You may also want a sling to carry your baby around.
* A baby car seat if you are travelling with your baby in a car.