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Ypur Baby's Stuff
So here is a baby in your house. It comes and brings the kind of life with it. From now on your baby will need most of your time and attention. It will need its own space and its own things. So what should you prepare for your child? What will the baby need in the first year of its life? Babies don't take up a lot of room, but their stuff certainly seems to. While you don't need everything you see in the shops, you do need a few basic items. Here is a list of the basic equipment you'll need when you bring your baby home. Newborn to 6 weeks Your newborn doesn't need much, other than your love, your warmth and your breast milk or formula. There are a few items that will make your life easier, however. A cot. As your baby grows, he'll need a cot. Here are some important pointers: • Make sure the cot slats are 2-6 cm (less than 2 3/8 inches) apart. • Make sure the mattress is firm and fits snugly (the gap between the mattress and the cot sides must be less than 1/2 inches).  A car seat. It is illegal and dangerous not to restrain children when travelling in the car. From birth, there are a number of choices: some infant car seats are specifically designed for young infants only, other models can be used for small infants and later transformed for use with an older baby. All car seats for babies must be rear-facing - that is, the baby must face the seat, not the front of the car. Use a car seat correctly and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions to safe your baby. Here are some tips: • Place children in an appropriate safety seat. Make sure that the child is the appropriate height, weight and/or age for the child safety seat. • Place children in the backseat. The backseat is the safest place for children. • Never place a rear-facing child restraint in the front seat with an air bag. • Install the child safety seat properly in the vehicle. • Check that the child safety seat harness straps are tight. • Place children in a booster seat once they reach 40 pounds. • Not prematurely move children to an adult seat belt system. Children should continue to ride in a booster seat in the back seat if they are under 4 feet, 9 inches tall. A front carrier. This holds your baby close to your chest and lets you get things done while keeping in close contact and stay in touch with him. Make sure there is good head support for your baby. A pushchair. You will want to get outside with your newborn, and as he grows, these outings will become more regular and more important. Consider a pushchair that converts from a reclining infant model into an upright version suitable for older babies. Plastic bottles and teats. Even if you're exclusively breastfeeding, it can't hurt to have two or three plastic bottles around, just in case. An infant seat or 'bouncer'. Many families like to use an infant seat to have a safe place to sit the baby while doing something else. A sturdy, well-padded model makes it easier. Although car seats can be used for this, the reverse is not true. Infant seats are not safe as car seats. Baby swing. Some parents swear a swing soothes colic like nothing else. Make sure you buy a safe, reputable brand, and follow the installation instructions closely. Pad the seat well for a very young baby. Bath items. You can give your infant a bath after his umbilical cord falls off. You'll need a small plastic tub or washbasin and a padded safe place to set everything up. A thermometer. Digital thermometers are the easiest to read. Avoid an ear thermometer until your baby is 3 months old. 3 months to 6 months By 3 months, your baby most probably can hold his head up and smile to you, and by 6 months, he will probably be sitting up by himself and rolling over. He'll be so adorable you won't be able to resist buying toys, books and clothes. But remember, your love and attention are still what make him happiest. High chair. When your baby is ready to start solid foods, typically at around 5-6 months, you'll want to have a high chair to feed him in. Find one that has a wide, easy-to-clean and easily removable tray. You might also want to consider a plastic floor mat, to contain the mess. 6 months to 12 months Your baby is movable and into everything - and that's how it should be! He's so excited and curious about the world around him that he can't help but get into trouble. Help keep him safe while giving him every opportunity to gain knowledge of by having some of these items: Stair gates. Now that your baby is mobile, you need to be extra- watchful about keeping him safe. Keep stairs and certain rooms of the house off-limits with non-accordion safety gates. Baby backpack. You and your baby will both love the freedom of a baby backpack. Make sure he can't kick himself up or out of the carrier, and be aware that he can reach things you can't see. A harness inside and a seat are a must. A heavy waist/hip belt will help you bear his weight as he grows. Shoes. Your baby won't need real shoes until he's walking outdoors, but when he does, choose shoes that fit him well and are easy to take on and off. Soft shoes are best. Plastic plates, baby-sized utensils, training cups. Welcome to the wonderful but messy world of solid food. Make sure you use small spoons for small mouths.
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