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Buying for your baby

Babies have extremely basic requirements you'll be pleased to know! Most of us don't need any encouragement when let loose with a catalogue of baby gear or in the baby section of a department store but some things really can wait until after your baby has arrived when you know your baby better.

The list below gives you an idea of the essentials you need before baby is born. Here is a fuller checklist of everything available:

  • A good supply of nappies Newborns can get through 12 in 24 hours so buy in bulk. If you're going for re-usuables buy at least 24 so you always have a day's supply washed and ready to go. You'll also need liners for extra absorbency, and a nappy bucket for soaking heavily soiled nappies. For disposables, you'll need nappy bags for hygienic disposal or like many mums, just use old carrier bags!
  • A changing mat or changing unit.
  • A baby bath (you could use a washing up bowl) or a baby bath support.
  • Baby wipes Even if you choose to use water and cotton wool at home it's more convenient to use baby wipes when you're out and about.
  • At least half a dozen vests and stretchsuits Avoid 'newborn sizes' and go for 0-3 months as it's more cost effective. Get friends and family who want to buy to go for sizes upwards of three months too.
  • Two cardigans or babygros also known as an all-in-one-sleepsuit Indispensable for adjusting your baby's body temperature.
  • A hat, coat and blanket Depending on the season, choose a lightweight or fleecy jacket and a cotton or fleecy hat. A cosy blanket will help keep out the draught when you're out and about in winter; a cellular blanket will take the chill off a summer's evening.
  • For breastfeeding you'll need at least two nursing bras, breast pads and, if you wish to express milk, a breast pump.
  • Bottles, bottlebrushes and steriliser Essential if you're going to express breast milk, if you're planning to mix bottles with breastfeeding or if you're bottle feeding exclusively. You'll need at least six bottles if you're going to bottle feed exclusively, plus some sort of steriliser: they range from cold-water types which have soluble tablets added to the water to microwave and electric steam sterilisers.
  • Formula milk (for bottle-fed babies) Ask your midwife for advice on which to start your baby on.
  • A baby car seat You can't bring your baby home without one as the law requires you to use an appropriate child restraint for any child under twelve years. There are different types of seat one of which will be right for your lifestyle and car. Take advantage of car seat fitting services (babyworld shop offers this service from its Oxfordshire showroom)to ensure you have a correctly fitted car seat. It's best to buy brand new if you buy second-hand you can't be sure whether the seat has ever been involved in an impact, and so you won't be 100% certain of its safety. For more information on buying and fitting your car seat click here.
  • Pram, pushchair or travel system In a nutshell it's recommended you buy some form of transport for your baby that lies flat in the first three months of your baby's life to protect your baby's spine. Do some research by asking friends for advice on which they've found best and by reading product reviews by other parents.

When choosing your pram you should also consider:

  1. Your lifestyle. Will it be used in the city or jogging along country lanes? Will it have to fit in the boot of your car? Will you be carrying it upstairs or storing it in the hallway?
  2. How long does it need to last? Is this your first child or third baby? Do you want it just for the first 3 months or to last all the way up to 4 years?
  3. Your budget Just bear in mind that buying very cheap can be a false economy.
  4. Quality Try not to buy just because you love the fabric and focus on how easy it is to fold, steer and how solid the brakes and suspension are.
  5. Useful extras: Somewhere to put your shopping, a good rain cover, sun canopy for the summer and cosy-toes for the winter.
  • A crib, carrycot or cot Your baby will outgrow a crib after around six months, so a carrycot as part of a pram combination might be a better idea. You can use a cot from birth (and a cotbed will last until he's a toddler), but you'll probably want a more portable alternative so your baby can sleep elsewhere too. Some parents like the idea of a Moses basket, but they're expensive to buy from new and will only last for up to three months.
  • Bedding You'll need about four sheets (100% cotton) and two or three cellular blankets or a baby sleeping bag. Never use a pillow, duvet or hot-water bottle with a baby under one year old. Never use a pillow, duvet or hot-water bottle with a baby under one year old.
  • A mattress which fits the Moses basket, cot or crib.
  • A room thermometer The optimum temperature for your baby's nursery is between 16°C (61°F) and 20°C (68°F).
  • Baby monitor Great for peace of mind, most parents wouldn't be without one for reassurance.

Here is a full checklist of all the baby equipment available.

babyworld shop has a full range of baby equipment. Go shopping now , members get a 5% discount!

 
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