Parents need basic baby equipment like a bed, car seat, stroller, feeding apparatus, and diapers. Optional items include playpens, bouncers, and swings. Recommendations can be found in department stores or from friends with young children.
Baby equipment comes in numerous types, and parents can easily become overwhelmed determining what things they will need to buy and which they can skip. There are some basic needs that most parents shouldn’t be without, but remember that babies grow quickly and won’t require every single piece of baby gear at the same time. For example, baby clothing has a rather short shelf life. As cute as toddler clothes are, they’ll probably only see a few months of use before a baby needs re-sizes.
Some of the things that are absolutely necessary when a baby arrives include a bed, a car seat, a stroller and various blankets, a feeding apparatus and lots of diapers. There are certainly things that fall under the category of extra baby accessories. Buying a crib means that a crib or bouncer is not entirely necessary, as a crib can be used for newborns.
Feeding appliances and diapers can really come down to a mom’s choices. If a mom is breastfeeding, she may need to have a breast pump and a few bottles on hand, but little else. The formula-feeding mom will need a lot more, in the form of lots of extra bottles and milk. Diapers are another issue that requires some choice, and moms intending to use tissue will want a pretty good supply (at least two dozen and more likely three dozen) of these on hand, in addition to waders or even diaper covers.
Car seats are non-negotiable children’s clothing. Whenever a child is in the car, they must be seated in an approved child seat. Yet even here there are some choices. Parents can purchase a booster seat designed just for infants or one that can convert into a booster seat for older children as well. Strollers are also useful, as this means that parents can take their child for walks on a regular basis. Some people opt for backpacks or suspenders instead, but will have more freedom of movement if a stroller is available
Having somewhere to lay a baby down during the day can be very useful and baby equipment designed for this can include playpens, bouncers and baby saucers. Some babies love the gentle movement of swings and these can free mum or dad’s hands for a few moments while the baby is content. It is not always necessary to have these extras. A fully reclining stroller can be a great substitute for a bouncer.
Another baby equipment that many people find useful right from the start is a changing table. While people could certainly change babies on a mat on the floor, the amount of changing required can be hard on the back and most changing tables are a little easier to clean after accidents. As the child grows, another important feature of the house is the high chair, so that the child has a safe place to sit while enjoying the “adult food”.
Most people will find plenty of inspiration for needed baby gear in department stores or toy stores with good sections for babies and toddlers. It’s also a good idea to ask friends with young children which pieces of equipment or gear they’ve found the most useful. These word-of-mouth tips usually help parents create excellent lists of the best items to own once a child enters the home.
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